We were fortunate to have beautiful weather for zone conferences this January, unlike the weather we have today. This was wonderful because the missionaries still gather at 8:00 in the morning to do car checks. Even with the warmer temperatures, the missionaries were cold coming in to start the meeting by 9:00. Those who conclude car checks early, or who ride bikes and don't need to check cars will help me set the tables for lunch.
January 9 - Seneca and Washington North Zones
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| Zone leaders (like Elder Greiner) have an opportunity to teach missionaries in their zone. |
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| A large part of zone conferences is giving everyone an opportunity to practice teaching an investigator in role plays. |
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| One person out of the group, like Elder Krugman in the center, is designated as the "evaluator" who listens and then gives suggestions on how the missionary can improve. |
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| The main objective is to help one another figure out ways to become better teachers. |
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| The senior couples, like the Cardalls, also sit in and practice. |
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| Time for the missionaries favorite....lunch!! Notice that every plate has green on it. Of course the cookies at the end of the serving table are also on everyone's plates. |
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| Those who have birthdays in February, March and April are honored with song and a token gift. Birthday recipients left to right: Sister Perez, Sister Avelar, Sister Welch, Sister Chan, Sister Miller, Elder Hsiung, Elder Probst, Elder White, Elder Gleed, Elder Pawlenchuk and Elder McKay. |
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| Elder Gleed and Elder White try to decide which birthday tie they want. |
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| Sister Perez, Sister Avelar, Sister Welch, Sister Chan (and Sister Miller's hand) display their presents. (Note: I am in the picture, so I'm not taking the photo. I would have included all of the sisters....apologies to Sister Miller's mom.) |
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| After zone conference the missionaries look for the mail that has been delivered to see if there is anything from home for them. |
January 10 - Washington South and Silver Spring North Zones
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| Elder Pound, Elder Wells, Elder Gremillion, and Elder Ah Puck ride bikes and so do not need to check a car. They're able to get out of the cold and sit in the chapel to await conference. Elder Martin, a zone leader, has been here extra early, so he is also in the chapel. |
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| The missionaries discuss how to invite people to come to church. |
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| Every district sets their room differently, based on what the zone leaders want to have happen. |
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| This group is involved with role plays. |
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| The elders with paper and pencil are the "evaluators" who take notes so they can help the teaching missionary learn what to do to improve. |
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| The seniors in this zone also practice teaching. |
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| And the menu for today is barbequed beef or chicken sandwiches with cole slaw and baked beans. Cheesecake with fresh strawberries was the dessert for the day. |
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| Missionaries with birthdays left to right: Sister K. Miller, Sister Dickey, Sister Jones, Sister Moore, Sister Bechaver, Sister DeAgostini, Elder Danner and Elder Webb. |
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| Thankfully there are many great missionaries who help us clean up at the end. |
January 12 - Silver Spring South and Suitland Zones.
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| Elder Wright (standing) and Elder Hatch prepare their video for zone conference. |
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| Missionaries gather pre-zone conference. Yes, Elder Mataele is eating Oreos for breakfast. |
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| Here is another way to set the room for teaching. |
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| More role plays. |
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| A great blessing for the wards in this building has been the addition of player pianos like the one in the background. |
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| Role plays usually run about 5-6 minutes with an evaluation time and then a time to re-practice. |
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| Today's meal: baked potatoes and chili. |
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| Oh, yes. They also had apples and oranges. (Thanks for reminding me, Elder Johnson.) |
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| In the background you can see members of the Capitol ward Relief Society who provided the lunch for us. These sisters are wonderful to bring in lunch for 60 hungry missionaries. |
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| The peanut M&M's are the table decorations - they are easy to clean up because there are never any left. |
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| Because the seniors and the sisters go first, they typically sit together. |
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| And as our tradition, everyone stands to sing our thank you of "Called to Serve". |
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| Birthdays from this group left to right: Sister Knorr, Sister Ertelt, Sister Fehlman, Elder Carver, Elder Wang, Elder Kinne, Elder Seely, Elder Mataele, Elder Furugen, Elder Koyle, Elder Watson, Elder Hansen and Elder Shinost. |
