Once a year a general authority visits our mission to meet the missionaries and instruct them on topics that will help them be better missionaries. This year we were privileged and happy to have Elder Patrick Kearon and his wife, Jennifer. Elder Kearon is a member of the First Quorum of Seventy.
 |
| Elder and Sister Kearon, Sister and President Matsumori |
The mission divided into two sessions - one for the south zones and another for the north zones. Thursday, November 10 the southern three zones met at the Suitland Stake Center. Before the meeting began, Elder and Sister Kearon met each missionary individually. During the meeting they talked about the importance of teaching with the power of the Holy Ghost.
Lunch was provided by the Calvert Ward. We so appreciate these women who worked to serve nearly 90 missionaries.
 |
| The missionaries enjoyed the lunchtime as a break. |
 |
| One third of the missionaries from this session gather at this table. |
 |
| Elder Kennedy takes a break from eating to smile for me. |
 |
| It takes a long time to move this many missionaries through a buffet line. So some eat while the others get their servings. |
 |
| The sisters always are invited to eat first. |
After the conference concluded, Sister Kearon met with all of the sisters. She gave encouragement, gratitude and love to each of the sisters.
 |
| Kneeling left to right: Sister Quintanilla, Sister Marcy, Sister Chan, Sister Ertelt. Standing left to right: Sister Noel, Sister Bleak, Sister Miller, Sister Wege, Sister Brown, Sister DeAgostini, Sister Matsumori, Sister Harper, Sister Liddiard, Sister Bechaver, Sister Humbert, Sister Knorr, Sister Murdock, Sister Bushman, Sister Kearon. |
Friday's conference was held at the Washington Stake Center for the northern zones. The message of helping people feel the promptings of the spirit helped us remember to work on making sure those we baptized are truly converted.
The sisters in the Chinese Branch provided lunch today. They fed nearly 100 people.
 |
| Right to left: Elder Wells and Elder Greiner |
 |
| The elders descend on the buffet line. |
 |
| One side of the cultural hall - filled with elders. |
 |
| The other side of the cultural hall. |
 |
| Everyone seems happy with the lunch. The elders closest to the camera work in the Spanish language wards and branches. |
 |
| Sisters from the Chinese branch provided lunch. |
 |
| Elder McClane and Elder Kerby introduce the women. |
 |
| The missionaries sing their thanks. |
 |
| Even the senior missionaries join in singing. |
 |
| Elder Howard, Elder Furugen and Elder Mataele sit at attention during the conference. |
 |
| Elder Howard, Elder Furugen and Elder Mataele after I tell them to relax. |
Following Friday's conference, Elder Kearon conducted a zone leader council. He discussed with these leaders what they planned to do to implement what had been taught over the past few days.
 |
Seated left to right: Elder Kearon, Sister Kearon, Sister Matsumori, President Matsumori.
Standing left to right: Elder Martin (Silver Springs North); Elder Opeda (Washington South); Elder Teuscher (Assistant); Elder Wright (Assistant); Elder Hatch (Silver Spring South); Elder Palmer (Silver Spring South); Elder Pierucci (Washington South); Elder Shurtleff (Suitland); Elder Danner (Seneca); Elder Pearson (Washington North); Elder Krugman (Seneca); Elder Greiner (Washington North); Elder Lambert (Suitland); Elder Walker (Silver Spring North). |
