To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
In our role plays at district meeting I was reminded of three experiences that I have had which have helped me understand the need for us to teach the children when we are in the homes of members or investigators. The first happened shortly after I was called to serve as and Elders Quorum president. The much older high councilor assigned to trained me encouraged me to be sure to teach the children in the homes of those I visited. He counseled, "the fastest way to win the hearts of the parents is to take an interest in and love their children."
The second experience took place when I was serving in a stake leadership role and a wise high councilor mentioned that we need to focus our invitations to the children because, he taught, parents follow children.
The last experience took place after we arrived here. Elder Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy, reminded us that when we attempt to start a fire, we start with the small wood (kindling) rather than the logs, but ironically, when we attempt to start a fire of the Spirit of missionary work in the ward, we attempt to start it with the logs (the ward council) instead of with the children. Commit the youth and the children to get involved and to invite their friends to church. The parents will follow. It was Isaiah that prophesied that "a little child shall lead them" (Is 11:6).
We trust you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We have much for which to be thankful, not the least of which is the opportunity and privilege we share to be serving in this great mission together at this time. As the Christmas season is now upon us, we hope you will familiarize yourselves with the Christmas initiative and challenge ALL of your members to get involved somehow. Remember that you can use past initiatives in your proselyting efforts as well.
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
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| Departing missionary lunch |
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| One last haircut for Elder Queen. Thank you!! |
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| Temple trip with departing missionaries on a beautiful balmy night |
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| Car full of beautiful sisters! |
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| Here they are again :) |
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| Tex Mex at the mission home |
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| Testimony Meeting |
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| Mortensen kids all together for Thanksgiving |
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| Elder Queen is greeted by his sister |
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| And his dad |
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| Former "companions" |
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| Her smile shines through the wind |
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| Ready to go! |
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| Howdy! |
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| We will sure miss them! Including the group that left even earlier. |
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| Last good-byes |
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| Sister Packard is the last to depart |
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| Here come our new missionaries from the MTC! |
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| What a great group from the Provo MTC |
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| Elder Carver was right where we needed him to be! |
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| Greeting our two missionaries from the Mexico MTC |
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| So good to have them! |
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| Our last elder, Elder Miranda arrived from Peru. Now we are complete! |
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| Texas BBQ at the mission home! |
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| Elder Smith plays beautifully for us |
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| Mallory leads us in a Spanish game |
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| All of our new missionaries |
The following pictures are of the new missionaries and their trainers. They are all in great hands!
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| Thanksgiving day lunch thanks to the Taylors. It was yummy! |
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| Elder Berry, meet Elder Berry |
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| President Mortensen attended District Meeting in Bear Creek |
