Interviews and Leadership Training

On Tuesday and Thursday, we held training sessions and interviews for the Katy, College Station and a portion of the Houston West Zone.  While President Pingree interviewed each missionary, Sister Pingree and the Assistants conducted training on using the scriptures effectively when teaching and other key principles from Preach My Gospel and the Missionary Handbook.  On Wednesday, a leadership training session was held for district leaders, zone leaders, and their companions, as well as selected sister companionships.  The training focused on the key invitations we make that lead people to conversion.  Our primary role as missionaries is to "invite" and "help" others keep commitments (e.g., to pray, to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, to attend church, etc.) so they will feel the Spirit of the Lord.  This leads to real conversion.  We love representing Christ and sharing His doctrine with others.

Katy Zone Training

Katy and Houston West Zone Training

College Station Zone Training

Leadership Training

Sisters from the Magnolia First Ward that provided lunch

Sisters and Elders sing to say thank you

New Leadership Training and Sister Rivera's Miracle

Each transfer, a new leadership training meeting is held for newly called district and zone leaders.  Primarily we go over the responsibilities of leaders, including setting a Christ-like example, training meetings, exchanges and baptismal interviews.  See below some pictures taken at the meeting.  Also included in this post are a few pictures from the baptism held today of Sister Rivera's Aunt and Uncle.  Sister Rivera had the wonderful opportunity of teaching her extended family the gospel while serving here as a missionary.  Her mother, father, sister and brothers all flew in from San Jose, California to attend the special event. 

Sister Rivera and Family

Sister Rivera and Sister

Sister Rivera with Aunt and Uncle

Sisters Phillips and Dement with Kate and Mary Pingree

Elders Woods and Jimenez

Elders Chadwick and Gonzalez

Elders Rodriguez and Trotter

Elders De La Mare and Francis

Elders Sleet and Pliego

Elders Fredrickson and Trotter

Elders Curtis and Christensen

Elders Hicks, Troester and Lindsey

Elders Amann and Sagal

A Farewell for President Cue

New Missionaries

This week we received 14 new missionaries from the MTC.  In addition, a wonderful new senior couple, Elder and Sister Bell, joined the mission.  We are happy they have all safely arrived and are ready to help find those whom the Lord has prepared to receive His gospel here in Houston.  The new missionaries spent the past day and a half involved in the following activities:  orientation meeting, interviews with President Pingree, health training, dinner, fireside, breakfast, mission transfer meeting, new missionary/trainer meetings, lunch, etc.  We welcome these new missionaries and thank them for their willingness to serve!