Zone Conference with The Dalles and the Yakima Valley Spanish Zones in Yakima

Day #4, Zone Conference in Yakima! It’s been a fantastic week! More than 200 missionaries, couples and service missionaries serving here in the YWM attended our zone conferences this week. We are so grateful for all who helped with transport, trainings, food and the logistics of moving that many people around the mission.Today we met with the Yakima and Selah Zones in the Yakima Englewood building. As you can see, everyone was very happy to be here!Reviewing the agenda with the Zone Leaders, Elder Putnam and Elder Johnson:Sister Royal, who serves with her husband as our Just Serve Coordinator.Time to get started!Singing “Called to Serve”Today’s agenda:I gave my training on Taking the Plunge, followed by Pres Lewis teaching the missionaries ways to draw closer to Jesus Christ as we prepare for the holidays. He invited everyone to read Matthew and Luke before Christmas, in addition to their other daily studies.Then our STLs, Sister Banks and Sister McCourt did an hour-long training on the “Light the World” Christmas initiative.We handed out the materials–the calendar and pass along cards. You can find them on mormon.org/downloads.

The Nelsons, our new Daily Dose coordinators: They introduced themselves and told the missionaries a bit about what they do.Then Elder Pendlebury showed the video about driving in adverse conditions. We want to keep our missionaries safe!

Then we took our group photo before lunch:Sister Schilling, our wonderful mission nurse:Our excellent lunch helpers! They served pulled pork sandwiches, chips, salad and cookies. YUM.Singing our thanks!Elder Fotheringham has received a very important mailing today. Stay tuned!!After lunch the APs did their training on Weekly Planning, with a panel discussion at the end. Every Friday our missionaries do “weekly planning” for 3 hours. They prepare for the coming week, and each of the people they’re teaching. We had a great discussion about the best ways to plan and how detailed those plans should be. Every night the missionaries take about 30 min to plan for the next day. We are mindful of our time and want to use every moment of it carefully.Then we had the zone break-out sessions. Here is the Yakima Zone:And here is the Selah Zone:We concluded with testimonies from our departing missionaries, Elder Aguilar, Elder Bacon (I mean Oliverson, who LOVES bacon), and Elder Putnam. We are excited for their next adventures. Pres Lewis concluded with his testimony.Closing hymn, family style:And then we gave out the newsletters!The Ellensburg District:And it’s a wrap!Thanks to all for an amazing week of learning, discussion, and sharing the goodness of the WYM.