In January we held 4 days of Zone Conferences.
January 16
Bear Creek and Houston West zones
Conducting: Elder Orvis
Special Musical number: Elder Lopez on violin and Elder DeGracie on piano, Hermana Root and Elder Brown duet
Departing Testimonies: Sister Ballegooie, Elder Lopez, Elder Post and Elder Pinster
January 21
Houston North and Spring/Woodlands
Conducting: Elder Olsen
Special Musical Number: Herman Dosdall soloist and Elder Gerber piano
Departing Testimonies: Sister Schneider, Elder Cooper, Elder Ramsey, Elder Herrera and Elder Pinster
January 22
Conroe and Tomball/Klein zones
Conducting: Elder Sevy
Special Musical Number: Elder Pound piano and Elder Greer violin
Departing Testimonies: Sister Cutler, Sister Foote and Elder Pinster
January 23
Cypress and College Station zones
Conducting: Elder Owens
Special Musical Number: Elder Owens and Elder Lewis duet
Departing Testimonies: Sister Schmidt, Sister Moore, Elder Fitch and Elder Pinster
Training by Elder Larson (cars, technology), Elder and Sister Peterson (finances and apartments) Sister Clark (mission health advisor)
Announcements:
January 24 Faith Meets Family @ the Houston Temple 6-8 pm
January 26 Why I Believe Devotional at the Spring stake center 6 pm
February 11 Transfers 9 am
Training by President Peterson about mission statement and purpose: President Peterson had been contemplating changing the statement for about a year and decided to add the scripture, 3 Nephi 5:13 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."
We also personalized the mission statement by replacing "we" with "I". Except when we say, "We are the Texas Houston Mission!"
He discussed the State of the Union (mission), discussing the past year. We talked about the why of the Doctrine. For example what is the why of baptism?
Elder Holland said, "Teach me the why and I will figure out the how."
After a short break, the assistants, Elder Pinster and Elder Tebbs trained on being an example and representative of Jesus Christ.
Lunch was provided by the local Relief Society.
After Lunch Elder and Sister Larson (office) shared their departing testimonies. Sister Peterson trained on the attributes of Christ as found in chapter 6 of Preach my Gospel.
Mission standards were then discussed from the new standards booklet, Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Conference concluded with departing testimonies and prayer.
