President's Letter

Dear Missionaries,

It's hard to believe that this transfer is over and during this up coming transfer we will experience both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our CVM target will be "We are consecrated servants of Jesus Christ".  Let our focus be on serving others (companion, members, investigators, and anyone you see) as the Savior would.  As you perform random acts of kindness, share a genuine smile, extend a holiday greeting or become someone's angel, you will ignite a flame in your soul that will lift and sustain you as you touch the hearts of others.

There will be many whitewashed areas with this transfer.  The need to have updated area books is critical. Please leave a clean apartment and throw away anything that was left in a closet before you came and don't leave any of your things behind.

We look forward to a wonderful holiday season. The new Christmas initiative will begin on November 29.  In your zone meeting on November 27, you will all preview the video and receive the material that is needed for "A Savior Is Born".

Remember "the smallest act of kindness is greater than the grandest intention".

Love to all,
President Felix

Decyphering

Elder Yager (with Elder Young looking on) is using a magnifying glass to see if he can read the writing from one of the missionaries.  They write so tiny so they can fit everything in their planners.

New Missionaries

Saturday, November 7, 2015 

This evening the Astons arrived at the mission home.  We arranged for the Floyds and Stewarts to come to dinner so we could all get acquainted.  The Astons are from Utah and will be serving here for 18 months.  

We couldn't resist taking the Astons to the cross so they could see the spectacular view.

We showed them the mission office.  After getting a few supplies they drove to Morro Bay where they will serve.

It was fantastic feeling of their excitement to start their mission.  We are grateful for their willingness to serve and being able to get to know them.  They are wonderful!

President Felix's letter to the missionaries

Dear Missionaries,

Last Wednesday, I received notice from the Church regarding Ordinances for Children of a Parent Living in a Same-Gender Relationship that we all need to be aware of. 

"A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may not receive a name and a blessing.

A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may be baptized and confirmed, ordained, or recommended for missionary service only as follows:

     A mission president or a stake president may request approval from the Office of the First Presidency to baptize and confirm, ordain, or recommend missionary service for a child of a parent who has lived or is living in a same-gender relationship when he is satisfied by personal interviews that both of the following requirements are met:

     1.  The child accepts and is committed to live the teachings and doctrine of the Church, and specifically     disavows the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage.

     2.  The child is of legal age and does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage. 

There may be some members or non-members who will not understand why this is so.  Please take the time to read The Family: A Proclamation to the World this week.  Study it.  Pray about it.  We will have the opportunity to discuss this in the next couple of weeks. If you have personal concerns or questions regarding this, please let me know in your letters. 

I know that this bold move is of the Lord to protect the family as ordained of God.  I am so grateful for the blessings of life that Sister Felix and I have received as being an eternal family.  I have a testimony that we are led by a prophet of God who with the full support of the other 14 prophets, seers and revelators of the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 Apostles has shared with the world is the Lord's will. This is the Lord's work and we are blessed to be serving together at this time.

With charity and love of all,

President Felix

Follow up

The missionaries when they arrive from the MTC are so tired.  They got up very early with little amount of sleep.  Therefore it is appropriate to do some follow up training in their first transfer.

Our agenda consists of:  President Felix welcoming all new missionaries and their trainers.  Elder Stewart talking about issues with cars and safety.  Elder Floyd talking about finances and housing.  Sister Felix does a presentation on etiquette.  We separate the Elders and Sisters and President Felix discusses some Priesthood responsibilities and some grooming items with the Elders and Sister Felix talks with the Sisters regarding dress standards which are found on lds.org.

All of the new missionaries unite together with President and Sister Felix while the trainers go with the Assistants.  This gives them opportunity to ask questions and share concerns they may have without their companions.  Everyone comes back together and a summary is presented from the two breakouts.

We watch a DVD on companionship study.

President reviews our purpose in conjunction with the Doctrine of Christ.

Before they leave to go back to their areas we have a snack.

We had 60 missionaries attend.

MLC

Today was MLC and we started off with breakfast at the mission home.  The menu consisted of strawberry croissant french toast with fresh strawberry sauce, bacon and a potatoe casserole with sausage, eggs, milk and potatoes.

When we got up this morning it was 47degrees so we were concerned it may be too cold to eat outside.  As you can see it warmed up to the 60s and it was delightful in the sun.

Our morning session consisted of being taught by 12 missionaries regarding lesson 4 in Preach My Gospel.  

Clockwise:  Hermanas Griffes, Hurley, Sisters Reneer, Coombs, Wilson, Dearden, Elders Haines, Ruby, Powell, Dorius, Chatterton, Wickern, M. Gregory, Snyder, DeCosta, Deem

Front:  Hermanas Clark, Brown, Jeronimo, Cuevas, Sisters Hunsaker, Rasmussen

Back:  Elders Elkington, Kuepper, L. Gregory, Boyce, Leavitt, Gibb

Elders Yager and Young

President and Sister Felix

Time was spent in identifying the culture of the mission.   

The zones are only as good as the districts which are only as good as the companionships. 

As we repent and improve, the tide will rise.  

During the council, the MLC adopted four areas to elevate the mission.

CVM and MLC

The California Ventura Mission Target for this transfer is

 "The Sabbath Day is a Delight" Isaiah 58:13. As we live and love the Sabbath day, teaching about this sacred day will be more meaningful and it will be understood by the Spirit. Study what the Sabbath day represents and how we can improve our Church experience on Sundays and our personal Sabbath day worship. 

MLC 10/13/15

Because of the meal fast (no meals from members or investigators or restaurant eating) this past week, one of the questions at the beginning of MLC was "What was your favorite meal you have eaten since the member fast? "  Also,  "What was your favorite talk from General Conference? "

Time was spent reviewing lesson 3 in Peach My Gospel. Five missionaries gave five minute talks on faith, repentance,  baptism,  Holy Ghost,  and enduring to the end. 

President Felix provided training on the Sabbath day and the Assistants led an EDPEP on Sabbath day observance so investigators will realize the importance of it.

 Elders Yager and Young

 Front: Elders Powell, Leavitt, L. Gregory, Deem, Elkington, 

M. Gregory, Chatterton,  Haines

Back:  Dorius, Gibb, Boyce,  DeCosta, Kuepper,  Snyder, Wickern,  Ruby

 Front:  Sister Rasmussen,  Hermanas Brown, Cuevas, Griffes, Sisters Wilson,  Coombs 

Back:  Sister Hunsaker,  Hermanas Clark, Jeronimo, Hurley, Sisters Dearden, Reneer

 We were in Santa Maria for interviews today.  We had them at the Oak Knolls building because the stake center was getting fumigated. This is how it is done in California.