To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
What a remarkable opportunity we enjoyed to be together and learn at the feet of President Russell M. Nelson this past Saturday. We were so proud of each of you as we saw you come forward looking so good with light emanating from your countenances. We hope your experience was as inspiring as we felt ours was. Having Prophets and Apostles on the earth is a knowledge that many of us have grown up with and have unfortunately taken it for granted for much of our lives.
Several years ago, we attended an Evangelical church sponsored activity in southern California. After some initial instruction, we were invited to get with someone not of our faith and discuss our beliefs. We identified a nice looking couple and started sharing our beliefs about the Savior, His early church, its foundation and fall. We told them of the prophecies of a restoration of that church and our belief that it has happened complete with a living prophet and apostles. The wife looked at us sincerely and said, "you mean to tell me that there are Apostles on the earth today?" We said "Yes." She then said with great enthusiasm, "where are they and what are they teaching?" We proceeded to have a wonderful conversation. We will never forget the look in her eyes when she discovered this great knowledge.
The blessing of prophets and Apostles is only beneficial if we follow them. Before our meetings this week, we encourage you to prepare by reviewing the notes you have taken and the impressions you have received so we can counsel about them together. We only stand to be blessed as we strive to make the necessary changes in our lives according to those impressions and counsel we have received.
We love you even more than before, if that is possible, after seeing you standout so impressively in righteous ways.
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
Last Saturday we had the wonderful and rare blessing of having President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in our mission as well as Elder Corbridge. We gathered with the other two missions in Houston and were instructed and edified. Each missionary had the opportunity to shake hands and greet President Nelson. What a day!
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Sister Nelson, Sister Stevens, and Sister Mortensen.
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| President and Sister Drake (Houston East), Elder Corbridge, President and Sister Mortensen (Houston), President Nelson, Sister and President Hall (Houston South) |
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| Transfers were this week. The following are pictures from those 3 days |
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| Temple trip with departing missionaries |
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| Testimony meeting with departing missionaries |
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| Hermana Dryden's mother came to pick her up |
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| These three hermanas will depart early in the morning. We will miss them! |
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| Hermana Perry's parents came to pick her up |
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| It's go time |
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| Final photo with these honorable servants of the Lord. We love you! |
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| Last goodbyes |
We didn't have long before we received our new missionaries straight from the MTC. They look great and so prepared to serve. What a blessing to have each one!
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| Greeting the President |
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| Everyone except Elder Tidwell who was arriving from Mexico and Elder Stone was on another airline. |
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| Real Texas BBQ at the mission home |
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| Love this clean up crew! |
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| Bonding over sports |
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| Writing letters home |
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| The whole group! |
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| President instructing us to begin with the end (temple) in mind |
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| Our faithful trainers. A beautiful sight to see. |
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| Awaiting the announcement of trainers |
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| Love our Assistants |
The following pictures are of the new missionaries and their trainers. They are all in excellent hands!
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| Our Elders Hansen meet :) |
President Mortensen and I attended District Meeting in the Inwood District. We received great counsel and enjoyed the spirit among these great elders.The following are pictures from that meeting.
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| Elder Hendrickson provided great leadership |
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| I love watching this companionship sign. Wonderfully unified! |
