Leadership Training July 23, 2014

Leadership Training 

We had a very inspiring training yesterday.  The Assistants and the Coordinating Sisters presented training on "Team Building and Motivation".  Both groups prepared well and the spirit taught each one of the missionaries what they individually needed to know as the training was presented. 

President Clark was guided to teach from the talk "Rise to Your Call" by President Henry B. Eyring.  President Clark  had one person at a time stand and read a paragraph and then state what they had learned spiritually and call on one from the audience to share the same.  We then learned in the Lord's way - spiritually - as the spirit revealed impressions to each in the room.  It was a wonderful demonstration of how the Lord teaches truth.  

I taught on "Interpersonal Relations"  which was fun as well as, I hope, inspiring.  I introduced the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument to the missionaries - they all discovered how and why they liked being around some people more than others.   They also learned how to better communicate, inspire and lead.  

The missionaries love lunchtime!

After lunch, it is a tradition in the California Fresno Mission to sing your thanks.  President Gelwix (Past Mission President) would begin the song with a "little routine" which the missionaries love to imitate.  Here is Elder Castaneda doing a pretty good job of it.

Isn't this a fine looking group of missionaries!  

Leadership Training
July23, 2014

Some of our favorite moments are when we have the opportunity to go out with the missionaries to teach a lesson.  I am learning a lot from these fine missionaries, they have strong testimonies and know the gospel well.  I have been very impressed with them and continue to reflect on my life at that age and think - wow, if I could have been half as good as these wonderful sisters - President Clark is having similar experiences with the Elders.  He loves teaching the gospel and states often that he just hopes being a Mission President doesn't get in the way of being a Missionary!  We love the gospel and the opportunity to serve along side of these spectacular missionaries.

We also love attending baptisms.  We have very valiant missionaries who baptize, when possible we attend those wonderful events.

Our New Missionaries Arrival Video

July 16, 2014:  

As we met the first group of "Our" missionaries we felt their love, spirit, enthusiasm, excitement and commitment to be here.  We love our Missionaries!!!

I have put together a video that tries to capture our new missionaries and their first two days in the mission field.  As you watch this video, please remember we are all amateurs and are doing our very best.  Hopefully we captured all of the new missionaries at one time or another.   

As seasoned Elders and Sisters went out with the new missionaries to participate in their first OYM (Open Your Mouth) miracles happened - contacts were made and even baptismal challenges were given.  Love the work!!!!

July 17, 2014: 

President Clark:  "I sat in private interview with the New Missionaries and after each interview would walk to the New Trainer board where the pictures of the New Trainers are there with the pictures of the New Missionaries.  Several times it was as if the card would jump out of my hand matching the New Missionary with the Lord's appointed Trainer. 

We sat in council with Sister Clark, the Assistants and Coordinating Sisters seeking the will of the Lord as to New Trainer companionships.  While there are always some obstacles to overcome with who can drive or not, especially given the number of foreign missionaries, The Lord's Hand is involved and the spirit confirms each and every companionship.

We matched the New Missionaries up with their Trainers.  The spirit of confirmation to them was simply astounding.  I had never perceived what powerful confirmation they would each receive as I announced names to be companionships, there was some cheers of joy, grand embraces, and new friends were instantly made or perhaps even old friendships (pre-existence) were renewed.

I called the parents of the new Zone and District Leaders to tell them how blessed we feel to be working with their sons.  Parents have sent us their best work (knowing personally how woefully inadequate that may make some parents feel) and it is up to this Mission President and his Wife to ensure they find the Lord in their lives in rich abundance so that their sons are returned to them much greater than when they arrived.  A sacred and solemn responsibility that can only be done in the Lord's way.  We seek that understanding daily to ensure we do our part to bless their lives - for a lifetime and even an eternity."

Transfer Week

July 15, 2014: 

Our outgoing missionaries came into the mission home for their final transfer  home.  We went to the Temple together and were blessed by their spiritual maturity.  As they came through the veil we greeted them participating in our own little slice of Celestial Joy.  Even though we have only been with them two weeks, we love them as though we've been together for their entire mission.  We gathered in the Celestial Room for a little counsel and sweet were the words the Spirit dictated as well as kind and interested were the missionaries in the counsel provided.

We gathered at the Mission Home for a lovely lunch prepared by Sister George after our Temple Session. 

President Clark and I gave them counsel that was fitting and appropriate for all of them.  

President Clark:  "Sister Clark taught "Good, Better, Best" and encouraged them to always strive for Best!  They hung on her every word.  They love her so much.  I gave them counsel as to what they should do to ensure they never fall away - Pray, Study the Scriptures, participate in FHE, and pay a Full Tithe.  We shared the great value and blessing we've enjoyed of marrying sooner rather than later and encourage them to avoid, not resist, sin and temptation - build islands of safety and safety nets to ensure they stay true to each and every covenant they have made and for the next, best one they will make - New and Everlasting Covenant.

I was blessed to know their hearts in separate interviews and through the spirit give each one individual counsel that felt "spot on".  Tears were shed and love was increased as we enjoyed the blessings of the spirit in counsel - true learning in the Lord's way.
We took our departing missionaries to the airport and bid them farewell.  As each left us we were touched by home much love existed between us after such a short period of time together.
 
Final tidbits of counsel and sweet encouragement was provided by the spirit to each departing missionary to bless their and our lives. 

As I sat and realized the hole in my heart as a result of their departure was so much larger than I had imagined it would be.  Just as I was about to enter maximum despair as a result of my loss, I recognized the new missionaries were about to come down the concourse.  My cup was again full, my heart complete."

As we sat in the airport having just sent our missionaries on, we felt so empty.  But, we looked up and recognized the new missionaries coming down the concourse.  Our hearts were again filled with joy.  Joy replaced the sorrow that we felt.  An amazing process!

Transfer Board

Transfer Board - That's right folks, a very big week!

President Clark:  "Our first transfer board (transfers) and I was blessed to know so many things.  The Lord is so generous with this new mission president.  I would look at the board and be prompted to focus on companionships and simply know what to do.  After about 1 hour of this we realized we had over 3/4 of the transfers done.  During this time, it was really like D&C 8 in real life - study it out and either know or have a stupor of thought. When you know, you do. When you have a stupor you don't.  During this experience there were several names that came with strong impressions but for the most part, it was subtle, I just knew. Having stated that, several times someone said the same name as near simultaneous as you could with me.  There was once when three of us  said the same name almost exactly simultaneously.  "Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses" was truly at work.  Oh how generous and kind is The Lord!  I am grateful that He not only knows, but He will tell."

After the transfer board was completed the Assistants commented to me (Sister Clark) that it had been a wonderful spiritual experience for them in which they saw many changes that were pervasive and they received strong confirmation that they were the will of The Lord. 

President Clark: "My appreciation for two wonderful Assistants who assisted but didn't direct.  They gave counsel when asked but didn't offer direction or seek to dictate in any way.  I am so grateful for these two young men and their wonderful preparation to guide and direct, teach and train, and love and inspire us."

Elder Griffin, Elder Castaneda, Sister Bateman, Sister Guzy, President and Sister Clark

First Mission Leadership Council

Our first Mission Leadership Council Training was smack dab in the middle of our "Meet the Missionaries Tour".  We met at the Mission office from 8:30 a.m. to around 2:30 p.m.  It was a wonderful experience with the Spirit.  We didn't have much time to prepare so we had to rely on the Spirit to teach.

President Clark:  "I felt very prompted to have Bonnie teach obedience at the MLC.  I started by asking her to give her farewell talk - which she was hesitant to do. I continued to feel prompted that she needed to speak on obedience.  She may not have been enthused but she was obedient.  When she taught/presented at the MLC, it was over the top awesome.  Her subject matter was impressive and her way of presentation blew the missionaries away.  I had so many comments of, not only  how impressed they were with her and her abilities, but how much they felt the  spirit communicating  and teaching.  They absolutely love and adore her.  She is giving them so much that is good."

 Very nice words from the President ----  I did have a great time teaching.  I started with an object lesson - which I have posted.  Then taught on my most favorite topic - Exact Obedience.  I referenced 1 Chronicles 13:7-10 - the people were commanded not to touch the ark, the symbol of the covenant.  But when the oxen stumbled and the ark appeared to be falling, Uzza stretched forth his hand to steady it and was immediately killed by the Lord.  Uzza seemed justified (great opening to talk about justification).  President David O. McKay stated, this incident conveys a lesson of life obedience - full obedience.  

Anyone want a lesson on Obedience, I'm your woman! -just ask my kids!

President:  "I was prompted to recall and review a teaching in the MTC that I will call the Complete Missionary by Elder Maynes and Elder Switzer.  When I reviewed it I was reminded that when they taught it I had an "aha" moment that said: "Teach this in the Mission Field and use this object lesson to demonstrate."  I knew i needed to teach it and demonstrate as outlined by the spirit.  It went extremely well and I have heard that some zones are even teaching it before transfers because they feel it is so important to share and teach.  When I was teaching it I realized it would become part of our culture - "Be a Complete Missionary that Serves with NO REGRETS"

Mission Leadership Council