Camarillo and Newbury Park

 Elder and Sister Stewart checking the cars.

 Elder and Sister Miles 

 Camarillo English

 Camarillo Spanish 

 Newbury Park 

 Happy birthday. ..

 Lunch consisted of:  bbq chicken sandwiches,  potato salad, chips, ice cream and cookies.

Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley

 IPad 

 Thousand Oaks

Simi Valley

 Happy birthday. ..

 We acknowledged birthdays for February through May.

 Meatball sandwiches,  salad, chips,  and a fancy angel food cake.

 President Felix even got involved.

 I had to chase Elder Magoon around to get him to smile.  It was hard work.  

 Elder Agle was such a salesman. He brought candy to get the Elders to go look at his ties. 

 The Hermanas wanted to be included.  Of course this was for fun. 

Zone Conferences in February

The past four days have been wonderful. We love being around the missionaries. We thought you may be interested in knowing what occurred at the conferences.  The missionaries came prepared after studying The Living Christ. 

All cars are inspected by the senior couples. Awards were handed out to the companionship with the cleanest car: Elder Anderson and Elder Haines,  Elder NewMyer and Elder Comin,  Hermana Player and Hermana Cuevas, and Elder Slaugh and Elder Hull.

The morning began with President Felix announcing "Ipads are here! " (If you look at the next post you will see what one looks like.) He reviewed some items to help the missionaries understand the principle so they would have the desire to be obedient,  such as music, keeping apartments clean, gossip (not acceptable), not talking about their"dirty linen, " weekly planning session,  and temple attendance policy. 

Sister Felix did a training on etiquette.  Social behavior and table manners were discussed.  The missionaries were invited to do an EDPEP  (Explain, Demonstrate, Practice, Evaluate, Practice again) at lunch. 

The Assistants introduced the new Christlike attribute--faith. The scripture is Ether 12:18.

The different stakes are asked to prepare lunch.  We are so grateful for their time and effort in doing this. After lunch we sing Called to Serve to the sisters who helped. As many of the sisters will get tears in their eyes, I have to look away as it is contagious. 

The afternoon session began with President Felix training--We Invite, They Commit, We Follow up. The door to faith and repentance will come about by helping others make commitments. 

-Extend direct commitments
-Promise blessings
-Bear testimony
-Follow up

We did an EDPEP regarding following up. We know there will be more follow up!

In studying The Living Christ the missionaries were asked to prepare a 3 minute talk.  Two are called up to share their remarks with us. There was a beautiful musical number presented after the talks.

We saw and heard testimonies of apostles and prophets both past and present of The Living Christ. At the conclusion prior to us singing I Believe in Christ,  we listened to each missionary share their feelings from what transpired during the day. Such a blessing to be there. 

The Elders had a tie exchange when conference was over.  Some zones got into it more than others.  It was quite entertaining. 

Enjoy pictures of your missionaries on the next posts. 

Music

We thought you, as parents, would like to know what music is appropriate for your missionary to listen to in the mission.  President Felix sent out an email this morning regarding music.  He referenced the Missionary Handbook. The following is from the Missionary Handbook - "Listen only to music that is consistent with the sacred spirit of your calling.  Music should invite the Spirit, help you focus on the work, and direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior.  Do not listen to music that pulls your thoughts away from your work, merely entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls your spiritual sensitivity by its tempo, beat, loudness, lyrics, or intensity.  Listening to music must never interfere with your personal preparation or proselyting.  If you have any questions about music, discuss them with your 

mission president."

Happy P Day!
As we start this week, I wanted to share with you some thoughts about the music that you listen to in your apartments or in your cars while you travel to appointments. I understand that there is a variety of interpretations of what is acceptable in the mission. I hope that by learning the principle associated with appropriate music that you will be able to make the choices that will be uplifting to your spirit and help you focus on the missionary purpose of inviting others to come unto Christ. Besides what the Missionary Handbook has to say on page 25, I would like to share with you a quote from President Monson. "Our Heavenly Father has counseled us to seek after 'anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.' Whatever you read, listen to, or watch makes an impression on you. Music can help you draw closer to your Heavenly Father. It can be used to educate, edify, inspire, and unite. However, music can, by its tempo, beat, intensity, and lyrics, dull your spiritual sensitivity. You cannot afford to fill your minds with unworthy music."

I ask that you be united as a companionship in the music that you listen to. If you are uncomfortable with the music that is being played, share with your companion how you feel. Select only music that will prepare you as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to have His spirit with us as we serve Him.

Thank you for understanding the concerns that I have regarding listening to music. I love you all and pray that you will be able to make the adjustments in your choices of music that will only help you prepare to join together with the Holy spirit as you find and teach the souls of our brothers and sisters in the Great California Ventura Mission.

Love,
President Felix

MLC 2/3/2015

We had mission leadership council today. We reviewed working with members.  Missionaries from the Oxnard 5th ward shared with us the success that they are having working with members. We discussed how we can eliminate gossiping in the mission.  We were taught by the Assistants how to invite to change by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, by love, and kindness (D&C 121:41-43). After "reproving" showing an increase of love. 

We watched a talk given by Lynn Mickelsen - taking responsibility for our"dirty linen"

Don't judge

We must forgive

Forget

Focus on other's worth

 The Assistants

 Sister Training Leaders

 All of the District Leaders met last Friday for training. 

Zone Leaders

 After lunch we sang Called to Serve. This will be Elder and Sister Ruse's last MLC as their mission here is up next week and they will return to Utah. We will miss them. 

The office missionaries are so good to help with lunch.

We started off the second half of MLC with an object activity demonstrating the importance of communication. 

We have wonderful missionaries in the
Great California Ventura Mission. 

Departing 1/28/15

back row:  Sister Cox, Hermana Reyes, Hermana Proctor, Sister Clark

front row:  Sister Arndt, Hermana Shepherd, Hermana Martin, Hermana Faletau, Sister Unga

back row:  Elders Carter, Fairbourne, Mortimer

front row:  Elders Peterson, Mosser, Teeples, Thornell, Epps

 Missing Elder Epps because his father picked him up so they could see some of the mission together.  Brother Epps served in this mission as a young man. 

  All of the sisters stayed with us. Four of the elders stayed with members and 3 stayed with the Assistants. The bus was at the mission home by 6:45 a.m. 

Notice the reflection of the sunrise in the bus window.