This morning our mission leaders came in from every zone in the mission. We have 9 companionships of zone leaders and 4 sets of Sister Training Leaders (STLs). We meet every month at the mission home to discuss the affairs of the mission. This is a fabulous meeting. We spend a good deal of time planning and preparing for it. We love meeting with these excellent leaders.
Joining us for the first time today in our MLC were these new leaders: Sister Skousen, Hermana Hansen, Elder Bonzo, Elder Gaburel, Elder Taele, Elder Roe and Elder Anderson.
Singing “Called to Serve”
President Lewis and I did the first training sessions. I taught On Becoming (to Do vs. to BE). President Lewis taught about Changing our Hearts to become New. When Elder Christofferson was here for Stake Conference, he said “Heavenly Father didn’t send us all down to earth only to return back to Him the same.” He said, “We wants us to come back a different person.” We are sent here to learn and to change. 
Then we talked about be recognizable as representatives of Jesus Christ. Below is instruction from our white missionary handbooks:
Then we discussed some Return & Report results that have come in from questionnaires sent out to all the zone leaders.
We also questioned them about P-Day practices and talked about how we might improve.
Next the APs gave a training on Becoming Better Teachers, which we’ve been focusing on the last 2 transfers.
We divided into 3 groups and did a really fun new sort of role play, with each missionary teaching one of the fundamental principles of the Plan of Salvation lesson.
Then just before lunch we took our group photo:
OK, lunch today was KILLER GOOD. I fixed a German meal. Bratwurst, fried potatoes with onion, Sauerkraut, coleslaw, broccoli salad, watermelon, cantaloupe, chips, pickles and lemonade. Warm apple crisp for dessert. Thanks to Murrena Edwards for coming to help with the food prep.
Last night I fried 15 lbs of potatoes and prepared 7 dozen Brats! It’s pretty fun to feed hungry missionaries!
After lunch, Elder Call came to talk about car safety. We’re trying really hard to have an accident-free transfer.
Newsletters were hot off the press today. Phew! Each Zone takes their pile to distribute to their missionaries.
This afternoon we covered some “Regulating the Mission” business like preparing for Elder Daniel Johnson’s upcoming visit, new announcements about dress and grooming standards (hats and sunglasses now allowed), 4th of July guidelines and daily exercise and laundry policies.
We also set mission baptism goals for June and July. We had great discussions on all these topics. What a great group this is.
We ended the day by hearing the testimonies of those who will be departing before our next MLC: Hermana Dee, Elders Barbour, Decker, Haymond, Johnson, Mercado and Solis. Their words were moving and inspiring. We will be sad to see them go.
Enjoy these happy faces and the friendships here:
Loading supplies and goodbyes:
The rest of today’s photos will be posted in an album on Facebook.
Our Washington Yakima Mission 