Monday, May 25, 2015

Following Christ and May Transfers


To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

As we have reflected on the many blessings we are experiencing as a mission, we are humbled. We were so inspired to see more than 300 people lining up to tour the temple grounds last Sunday and inspired again as many determined at the conclusion of the tour that they desired to be baptized so they can enjoy the blessings of the temple. This is the very reason why the Lord commands His children to stand in holy places (D&C 101:22) so that His spirit can abide with His children. It never gets old to see the change in the countenance of those you bring. Thanks for being diligent inviters. You are blessing lives!

Additionally, in this month of May we will see more of our Heavenly Father's children entering the waters of baptism and enjoying the safety of the covenants this month than there have been in any month in this mission in many, many years. We are grateful to be serving with you as we exercise our collective faith and enjoy the blessings of seeing the Lord's hand in this great work so clearly.

With the great blessings we have received in mind and as an indication of our gratitude and desire to draw more fully follow Him we would like to challenge each of you to join us in a 9 month effort on a personal and mission purification effort to "Follow Christ" more fully. At the outset of His ministry that Jesus told His disciples, “Follow me” (Matthew4:19). Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught that, “Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places.”  It is in this context that we would like each of you to select one of the 9 Christlike attributes from Ch 6 of PMG each month for the next 9 months and focus your efforts throughout the month to learn about the attribute more deeply as well as to strive your very best to develop it within yourself so that when others see us, they will see the behavior of Him whose name we were on our tags. As we do this together, we will establish Zion more fully as we will become more "of one heart and one mind."

We love you and are are excited to see you tomorrow at the mission conference!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen



And the winner of the Special Zone Activity is the
College Station East Zone
They braved the rain and toured the Prison Museum in Huntsville

Elder Spragg and Elder Serrano with the Red Hat Society 
Lunch at Mr Hamburger! President can't smile and take a selfie :)

Beautiful sisters!

Transfers happened last week. We said goodbye to 17 wonderful missionaries that have labored faithfully. We will sure miss them. We welcomed 4 new missionaries to the great Texas Houston Mission. They are wonderful and we love them.


Temple Trip with the departing missionaries
All the sisters together





Testimony meeting with departing missionaries





Hermana Diaz leaves early in the morning. We will miss her!



Best laugh ever!



They call this an "Oreo" pic






Last goodbyes at the airport. We will sure miss them!

Elder Olson was the last to leave us.

Assistants brave the rain
Here come our new missionaries straight from the MTC in Provo




They are so happy and darling. We love them already!

We stopped by the temple on our way back from the airport to remind us all that the temple is the goal.

A little training and orientation.


Greatest clean-up crew ever!


Breakfast before meeting our trainers


 The next several pictures are of the new missionaries and their trainers. These are going to be great companionships and we are so excited to hear about the wonderful work they accomplish with the Lord. 




The Assistants