Transfers 6/27/17

 It was a full morning with breakfast, filling out a questionnaire, doing a personality test, playing Jeopardy to review Preach My Gospel and the White Handbook, and hearing from President Felix about Our Purpose.

 We were grateful for the lunch that was prepared for us at the mission office.

After the trainers meeting and the orientation meeting for the new missionaries we got together and the companionships were introduced. 

 Sisters Martin and Coleman

 Hermanas Lethbridge and Cruz

 Sisters Siale and Page

 Sisters Cook and Priestley

Sisters McGuire and Lyon

 The assistants were so proud of themselves for getting all of the departing missionaries' luggage into the van without using the truck and trailer.

New arrivals 6/26/17

Four sisters arrived from the MTC on one flight going through Denver, then Elder Hunt arrived from Las Vegas, Hermana Cruz flew from Mexico and arrived about a half hour later.

 Sister Piestley

Sister Siale

Sister Lyon

 Sister Martin

 Elder Hunt

Hermana Cruz
  

Elder and Sister Iverson picked up chicken from Polo Loco for our lunch at Goleta Beach Park.

 President Felix is talking about having "both feet in"  before each takes the jump and says "I'm committed!"

President's last letter

Dear California Ventura Missionaries,

I am writing you to express the love and admiration that Sister Felix and I have for each one of you.  This past week was amazing as we were able to share in the zone conference our love and testimony of the Book of Mormon and the veracity of the Living Christ.  We believe in Christ.  We loved being able to personally say goodbye to each one of you.  Thank you so much for the love and support that we have felt from you.  We hope that you will remember that we love each of you.

 

I will not be able to respond to your emails due to my limited access to IMOS this week.  If you just send a short greeting, that would be wonderful.  Your emails next Monday should be addressed to President Nakken.  They are so excited to meet you.  They are enjoying the MTC experience even as you read this.  As soon as President and Sister Nakken arrive on Thursday afternoon, he will be your mission president. 

Sister Felix and I will leave the mission on Friday morning and join our family in St. George for the weekend before arriving home on the 4^th of July.  We will speak in sacrament meeting on July 9^th.

The advice that I want to leave with you is the same as I challenged you with when you first came into the mission.  Put “Both Feet In”.  Finish your mission strong by putting aside all worldly diversions and focus on the sacred work that you have been set apart to do.  After you return home, put both feet into any worthy pursuit you engage in such as schooling, your job, your church calling and when you get married, your spouse.  Being consecrated will help you in achieving your potential.  You don’t want to be less than your potential by slacking off, giving less than your best effort, losing your priority, or giving up. 

President Eyring told us when we were called as mission president and wife that we should not judge the success of our mission by the number of baptisms we had during our mission, but by the level of spiritual activity the missionaries and their families will have in 20 years.  

Sister Felix and I have faith in who you are and the potential that you each have for an abundant, joyful and faith filled life as we prepare for the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Now is the time to set aside all worldly distractions and put every effort into this short time you have to serve Him in the Great California Ventura Mission.

With Loving Memories and Hope for the Future,

President and Sister Felix    

Quilt

We brought this quilt with us to the mission with the intent of all of our missionaries signing it.  On the bottom is our favorite scripture for the mission:  

Doctrine and Covenants 12:8

And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.

When missionaries leave to go home, they sign the quilt.  This month while President did interviews, the missionaries signed the quilt.  They also filled out a paper with a special experience they have had on the mission.  It will be fun to have the quilt at mission reunions.

Zone Conference 6/23/17

Each day the cars were inspected.  Elder Iverson has it down to a science.

We followed the same format as yesterday.  The zones in attendance on Friday were:  Camarillo, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, and Simi Valley.  The zone leaders led their zones in the breakout session.

Camarillo - Revelation through the Book of Mormon and how to get answers.  Questions of the soul and any question can be answered.  Specifically finding out if the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  The missionaries practiced inviting an investigator to read the Book of Mormon and when it was not done to be devistated and to let the investigator know that the lesson planned would be shared next time because it is important to read.  They would then read with the investigator from the Book of Mormon.

Newbury Park - Characteristics of Book of Mormon missionaries.  Different missionaries were discussed such as Ammon.  His attributes were quick to observe and act upon promptings.  The missionaries were encouraged to study about missionaries in the Book of Mormon and their attributes then apply them.

Thousand Oaks - Confirming the Restoration with the Book of Mormon.  Read the last two paragraphs of the Intro to the Book of Mormon.  It is important to emphasize the importance of prayer.  A goal towards teaching to restoration is to read the Book of Mormon.

Simi Valley - Resolving objections to the Book of Mormon.  Focus on good things and be aware of feelings.  Help investigators understand Joseph Smith saw Jesus Christ and God the Father and the Book of Mormon is the word of God.

The Newbury Park Stake provided lunch of subway sandwiches, watermelon, chips and rootbeer floats.

Elders Heck, Ward, Elliott, Powell, Crook, Oakey, DeGraw, Horman

Elders Emerson, Bates, Hansen, Carter, Slaugh, Whatcott

Elders Jarnagin, Stevens, Suarez, Barrios-Vega, Esparza, Marchant

Sisters Masaki, Rosenlof, Christiansen, Wright, Hermanas Hiller (Hallows), Rodriguez, Sisters Adamson, Groneman

Sisters Coleman, Besendorfer, Dye, Hopkins, Hermanas Gonzalez-Soto, Fernandez, Alder, Flores

Elders Dewey, Tanuvasa, Huston, Christenson, Hales, Allison, Jo, Campbell

Elder & Sister Hardy, The Bohls, Elders & Sister Cole

Elders Gardiner, Levis, Horman, Ballantyne

Sister Felix, Hermanas Lindsey, Hirst, Sisters Frankman, Lovato, Sister & Elder Andrus

Happy birthday to Elders Allison, Jarnagin, Campbell, Sisters Besendorfer, Adamson, Elders Crook, Ward

Clean car awards:

Sisters Adamson and Groneman

Elders Heck and Leckbee

Sisters Lovato and Frankman

Elders Christenson and Hales

Simi Valley Zone

Elders Crook, Emerson, Oakey, Hales, Christenson

Hermanas Rodriguez, Hiller, President & Sister Felix, Sisters Christiansen, Wright

Elders Esparza, Marchant, Hansen, Bates, Carter, Levis, Gardiner, Sila, Baker

Thousand Oaks Zone

Elders Ballantyne, Tanuvasa, Thomas

Hermana Gonzalez-Soto, Sisters Groneman, Adamson, President & Sister Felix, Sisters Coleman, Besendorfer, Hermana Fernandez

Newbury Park Zone

Sisters Rosenlof, Masaki, President & Sister Felix, Sisters Hopkins, Dye

Elders Leckbee, Jarnagin, Elliott, Stevens, Ward, Heck, Allison, Jo

Camarillo Zone

Elders Peart, Bundy, Judkins, Barrios-Vega, Mecham, Jones

Hermana Lindsey, Sisters Frankman, Lovato, President & Sister Felix, Hermanas Hirst, Alder, Flores

Elders DeGraw, Powell, Plummer, Still, Bronson, Suarez, Swenson, Palmer

Andrus, Iverson, Felix, Cole, Hardy

Called to Serve!

We had fewer missionaries in this zone conference than yesterday.  Both days were powerful focusing on the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ.  We have looked forward to these zone conferences in wanting the missionaries to know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and the importance of reading it daily.  Also that Jesus is the Christ and He lives.  We are so blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives and be representatives of Him.