Training Meetings

It has been a rainy week here in the Texas Houston Mission and we are grateful for the moisture to help current drought conditions.  Amongst other things, a New Leadership Training meeting was held on Tuesday to train newly called district and zone leaders and the monthly Zone Leader Council was held on Wednesday followed by a lunch at the mission home.  Here are a few pictures taken at ZLC. 

New Missionaries with Trainers

On Friday morning during mission transfers, new missionaries received their new companions (trainers).  Please enjoy a group picture and photos of new companionships taken outside the temple.

Welcome New Missionaries!

This week we received 16 new missionaries from the MTC.  They arrived one day late due to an airport closure in Dallas, TX.  Two mornings in a row they arose by 2AM to prepare to catch their flight.  As you can imagine, they were extremely tired.  We could barely keep them awake for orientation meetings, dinner and evening fireside.  Fortunately, the next morning they looked rested and refreshed.  At the same time, we also received two senior missionaries, Elder and Sister Stillman.  They have been assigned to open up a Spanish branch in Waller, TX.  We are thrilled to welcome these new missionaries to Texas!

Please enjoy a few pictures of the new missionaries' arrival.  We apologize for the delay in getting these pictures posted.  Be watching for our next post which will include new missionaries with their trainers following a session at the Houston Temple.

Elders White, Litton and Simons wait to greet new missionaries

Coming out of the terminal

Gathering luggage

Loading Mission Vans and Trailers

Orientation Meeting at the church

Elder Howe and President Chappell help with dinner at the mission home

Elder and Sister Stillman

Lining up to enjoy a Texas barbeque

Friday morning prior to training meetings

Farewell

Yesterday we said goodbye to 8 wonderful missionaries - Elders Esplin, Batt, Scoresby, Keliipuleole, Mackey and Maughan, along with Sisters Taylor and Martinez.  Elder Mackey, an ASL missionary has been transfered to the Washington Everett Mission to help create an ASL branch program there.  We enjoyed a nice dinner, temple session, fireside and breakfast together and each missionary was interviewed by President Pingree.  We will miss these good missionaries and wish them the very best as they return home to their families.

Elders Batt, Scoresby and Keliipuleole

Elder Batt and his father

Setting future goals

Outside the Houston, TX Temple

Elder Esplin

Last goodbyes at the airport

Final Interviews, etc.

Practicing First Lesson

Interviews in Woodlands, TX

Conroe Missionaries

Elders Bitton and Batt learn how to iron a shirt at mission home

Elders Webb and Bartholomew

Missionaries attend baptism at Melbourne chapel

Elder Holmes with Ward Mission Leader

Elder Michelsen with local bishop

Elders Howard and Struthers

Elders Michelsen and Holmes mingle with members after baptsim

Missionaries in Melbourne chapel