Dear Family and Friends,
On October 2nd in the last session of 192nd Semi-Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced several new temples to be built in future days. Elmer and I cried big, joyful tears when President Nelson said, "Grand Rapids, Michigan." We will confess that we have listened to this announcement several times just to hear the prophet say, "Michigan." He said it with resounding conviction! What you may not know is that we have been united with many members of the Church here in praying for a temple to be built within the boundaries of the Michigan Lansing Mission for a long time. There is currently a wonderful temple in Detroit, and it is, of course, in the Michigan Detroit Mission. Except for rare exceptions, Elmer and I and our young missionaries do not leave our mission boundaries. We continually pray as a mission that every area of our mission may be strengthen to establish the Church more fully, that the Traverse City District might become a stake, and that a temple might be built in the Michigan Lansing Mission. We also asked every former missionary from the mission to also pray for these things. After the announcement, we still pray for the first two things and that we might be able to help people prepare to make those covenants that will bind them to Jesus Christ through baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and going to the temple. To understand how temples help us to draw closer to the Savior, click here. If you have questions about why the Church of Jesus Christ builds temple, click here.
You can imagine our excitement! Even before we could hear President Nelson make the announcement, our phones went off with texts from our son, Tyler, and a former assistant, Gavin Kibbey. Then our mission chat, social media, text messaging, and all other forms of communication went nuts. God hears and answers prayers. The Lord is doing a great work in Michigan. We feel privileged to be a part of it. We know that He doesn't need us to do His work. Being perfect, Jesus Christ can do it without us. And we feel blessed to be here with these amazing missionaries and great Michiganders to see it go forth.
In September, we held three Outdoor Zone Conferences. Last September, we also had Outdoor Zone Conferences. This idea came from inspiration we felt with President Stan Brown and President Nick Gentile (mission presidency counselors) in a Mission Presidency Meeting. President Gentile is the Institute Director at MSU and oversees the Seminary program in our mission. He was talking about how our younger generation more effectively learns in different settings and by doing something different. And I remembered that the California San Diego Mission had an outdoor zone conference once. I felt strongly that we needed to do something similar especially in our great fall weather in the amazing Michigan outdoors - before it is too cold to go outside for more than a few minutes! Thus Michigan Lansing Mission's Outdoor Zone Conferences were born. Michigan is awash in beautiful state parks, and we were able to go to Sleepy Hallow (Lansing and Midland Zones), Hartwick Pines (Grand Rapids and Traverse City Zones), and Fort Custer (Holland and Kalamazoo Zones). We trained on charity, the power and authority of our callings, and working better with members. A Family Services counselor, Karen Trunnell, who works with our missionaries came. She talked about the power of thoughts, gave some great information and fun demonstrations, and taught us some ways to let go of negative thinking. We hiked and ate and had a great time.
We had superstar visitors from California at the last zone conference, Wendy Neri and Alicia Richmond. They gave some great insights to the missionaries about their own experiences interacting with missionaries. Then being the ride-or-die friends they are, they helped Elmer and me put on a big dinner at the mission home for the Lansing Coordinating Council and their wives. Most of the stake presidents along with the temple president and temple matron were able to attend. It was a great evening. For a second, I was worried that Alicia and Wendy were going to win the Newlywed Game we played, but Tina and Buddy Stoddard triumphed in the end. Thanks to these dear friends, we have pictures of the evening. The last time we had this group for dinner, we didn’t take a single photo. Other than helping us out big time with our mission responsibilities, Wendy and Alicia also undertook a scientific study to find the best apple cider and best apple cider donuts in Michigan. Right now, it appears Franklin has the edge over Montrose. However there are 90 cider mills in Michigan and they only made it to seven. We think a return trip is a must in this worthwhile quest!
A few days later, my sister, Celia Ockey, came out to Michigan, and the donut and cider tasting continued. She was just in time to see the inner workings of how a transfer is planned (inspiration and Chick-fil-A are involved). Couldn't have done it without her! 😊 We took her to see everything in the mission that we could from Mackinac Bridge and the Upper Peninsula to Holland, Windmill Island, and Lake Michigan to a hike around Lake Ovid in Sleepy Hallow State Park. We also watched some of General Conference together. I can’t say enough about how much it meant to us to have her visit. She is that person that always makes you feel happier and more capable of doing something good simply by being around her.
For many people, ten hours of church in one weekend can be overwhelming. Even though we love General Conference, we know that what happens in the six months afterward is actually the sweetest part of hearing from our prophets and apostles and other church leaders. I am thankful for the invitation I accepted many years from our then stake president, Thad Pugmire, to re-listen to a general conference talk while getting ready in the morning. It has been a great blessing in my life. I don't want to say that I am getting ahead of President Pugmire, but since it sometimes takes me a long time to get ready for the day, I can listen to several talks. 😆 One other thing I like to do is look up the footnotes of the talks given. There is so much to learn; I'll never tire of it.
Lastly, we had another transfer where we said goodbye to an amazing group of eight sisters and four elders and welcomed four sisters and eight elders later the same day. When our departing missionaries left Lansing, they got through TSA and met at the top of the escalator before going to their gate. They stood there and waved and waved, made all the gestures that indicate love, and we all cried and cried. They didn’t want to go. I hope I never forget it.
We love you forever,
Elmer and Amy
Outdoor Zone Conference - Lansing and Midland Zones in Sleepy Hallow State Park, Laingsburg
Flex and growl with Elder Harrick and Elder Jones (Elder Ward and Elder Rogers supervise)
I often take photos of Elmer. He doesn't usually take any photos. I promise, I was here and teaching the missionaries too. 😅
Which mission leader takes the best selfie?
Cast your vote!
Going low-tech on the shores of Lake Ovid
Sister Palmer and Sister Wilson on the miraculous work in West Branch
The Sisters!
With Sister Palmer at her last zone conference 😢
Elder Elliott, Elder Matangi, Elder Sargent, and Elder Gomez
The missionaries of the great Lansing Zone
Elder Smith and Elder Watts
Elder Robinson, Sister Atkinson, and Sister Painter
With Elder Bradford - last zone conference 😢
Sister Stephenson and Sister Anthon's companionship unity shows with their NASA t-shirts.
Elder Huntsman, Sister Winkel, and Sister Ward
With Elder Gomez - not his last zone conference! 🎉
Mission Leadership Council + Mission Technology Council
After MLC there will be a Sisters' Selfie!
Sister Williams, Elder Garbett, Elder Gathercoal, Elder Jensen, Elder Woolsey, Elder Clouse, and Sister Richins
Outdoor Zone Conference with the Traverse City and Grand Rapids Zone - Hartwick Pines State Park, Grayling
The Fremont District of the Grand Rapids Zone: Elder Tegan, Elder Long, Sister Woolley, Sister Adams, Sister and Elder Cryer, Elder Onines, Elder Willden, Elder Field, and Elder Spencer
Sister Porter and Sister Lott with President Heap
Sister Richins and Sister McNeill of Grand Rapids
Departing missionaries share testimonies and how they overcame the hard things to find joy in serving
With Elder Jacob Curtis
A walk in the woods with words from your mission leaders (some missionaries know when their photo is being taken - always)
Sister Woolley, Sister Nielsen, Sister Adams, and Elder Zachary Andrus
With the great Traverse City Zone
With Sister Traughber - last zone conference 😢 (thanks for the photo, Elder Stewart)
With Hermana Jackson and Hermana Peterson
Photo recreation from a year ago - back in Hartwick Pines - when Elder Clouse was being trained by Elder Elliott and attended his first outdoor zone conference.
Communicating with charity exercise: No speaking, no writing. Line up in order of your birthdates by month and day.
The Grandville District
Sister Richins, Sister Traughber, Sister McNeill, and Sister Marker
The Manistee District
So many good missionaries!
Outdoor Zone Conference with the Kalamazoo and Holland Zones at Fort Custer Recreation Area, Battle Creek (no filter needed in Michigan)
A turtle found near Whitford Lake in Fort Custer State Park
Elder Jenson has taken over the Elders’ Seflie responsibility
Sister Griffith, Hermana Tiatia, Sister Mamata, and me
Photo credit: President Stan Brown - with the missionaries of Kalamazoo and Holland Zones
Sister Bennett is the selfie expert in the mission! Can you find Wendy and Alicia? They could definitely pass as sister missionaries!
It doesn’t get more beautiful than Michigan!
What life looked like before Power Point. Loved this training by President Brown and these missionaries* about how we can be more effective and efficient in our efforts. (*Elder Stallings, Elder Squire, Elder Wells, Elder Jenson, Elder Walker, Elder Sorensen, Elder McKinley, Hermana Tiatia, and Hermana Langford.)
The Allegan District (minus Elder and Sister Mitchell who were out with COVID): Sister Hansen, Sister Malan, Hermana Downs, Hermana Baldwin, Elder Stoker, Elder Monson, Elder Christiansen, and Elder Woodland
The Sisters of Jonesville (aka the Power Puff Girls): Sister Wolford, Sister Bennett, and Sister Moss
A friendly Newlywed Game - Us, Elizabeth and Mike Christensen (Kalamazoo Stake), Christina and Nick Gentile (Mission Presidency), Brian Bartels (Holland Stake), and Tina Stoddard (Traverse City District)
Brian and Linnette Bartels (Holland Stake), Alicia Richmond (San Diego Pacific Beach Ward 🏖), Stan and Carolyn Brown (Mission Presidency), Kaplin and Lesley Jones (Detroit Temple) and Tina Stoddard.
So much great food (thanks again, Wendy and Alicia)
Elmer and Tina Stoddard (perhaps she is telling him the secrets to winning the Newlywed Game) 😁
Stan and Carolyn Brown, Buddy Stoddard (Traverse City District President)
The Joneses, The Browns, and the Christensen’s
Elmer, Wendy Neri, Alicia Richmond (best kitchen help around), Buddy and Tina Stoddard, Amy, Nick and Christina Gentile, Linnette and Brian Bartels
At Windmill Island
Wendy and Alicia with a windmill volunteer, Kimberly
More from Windmill Islands in Holland, Michigan
At the Big Red Lighthouse - Holland - Lake Michigan (La Jolla girls had to take a walk on the beach)
Monday night means the Assistants are in the mission home for our weekly meeting and dinner - You cannot find more appreciative diners than Elder Elliott and Elder Sargent
Back at Windmill Islands in Holland with Celia
Then up to the Mackinac Bridge and the Upper Peninsula with Lake Michigan on one said and Lake Huron on the other
Fall in Michigan means a visit to an apple cider mill and apple cider donuts
I don’t have a black eye 😅
A preparation day in Jonesville golfing with Sisters Bennett, Wolford and Moss - Thank you to Brother and Sister Condon for hosting us!
Elmer congratulating or perhaps consoling me on being the worst golfer ever
The cathedral at Hillsdale College
A visit to Hillsdale College
Dinner with the Assistants - Welcome to the Mission Office Elder Yeomans - Elder Elliott is headed to Midland to train a new missionary!
Dinner with the departing missionaries
Departed on October 5th: Sister DeLaini Moss, Sister Savannah Hafer, Sister Madison Woolley, Sister Lexi Porter, Sister Jordan Evans, Sister Ashlynne Palmer, Sister Kristi Traughber, Sister Katie Malan, Elder Conrad Bradford, Elder Brandon Field, Elder Clayton Huntsman, and Elder Joshua Rasmussen
At the Lansing Capital Region Airport 😭 Goodbyes are so hard!
When your outgoing missionaries meet some of your incoming missionaries in the Chicago O’Hare Airport ⭐️
Welcoming our new missionaries! Front row: Sister Hallie Roundy, Sister Brooklyn Petersen, Elder Joseph Barlow, Elder River Moore, Sister Maryn Eubank, Sister Lacy Arnold. Back row: Elder Collin Symanski, Elder Yeomans, Elder Thomas Bonser, Elder Jacob Howard, Elder Daniel Thi Graviet, Elder James Nissen, Elder Robbie Yates, and Elder Sargent
Wise words from the trainers: Sister Adams, Sister Lott, Sister Walker, Sister Legg, Elder Wells, Elder Reese, Elder McAllister, Elder Meyers, Elder Elliott, Elder Gomez, Elder Dahl, and Elder Gubler
Chick-fil-A will put a smile on your face
See what I mean?
Elder Bryant Wells, Elder Robbie Yates, and Elder Louk Stevens
Combining interviews with district council in Midland. I am continually inspired by these amazing full-time missionaries! (Elder Elliott and Elder Graviet were with President Heap when we took this, but the rest of Midland District represented: Sister Zimmerman, Sister Dallin, Elder McAllister, Elder Bonser, Elder Smith, and Elder Bunderson.)
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