July 9th - Zone Conference

For the first time since we have been out serving, our every-six-weeks Zone Conference was held outside at a park.  It was a very warm and humid day.  One of us was very happy to have the warmer temperatures.  Half of the mission met at Sleepy Hollow State Park about 2 hours drive away.  

Three Zones

The Traverse City District Zone.  

We cover the northern part of the State including the Upper Peninsula. There are 11 Branches each with one set of missionaries trying their best to build the Kingdom.  

Lunch included a box from Jimmy John's and a chance to hang out with all the Sister missionaries we have served with in this District since we have been here.

Sister Froelich, Sister Wehrmeister, Sister Radmall and Sister Bridge

There was training before lunch and a hike after.  Then we "competed" as Districts in spiritual challenges as well as physical challenges.  Our District is the only one with Senior Couples in it, in fact two sets.  The Nixon's and us.  Because some of the things involved were kinda challenging for 70+ year olds, our younger missionaries had to do double the work.  But, they didn't seem to mind.

First, we had to do specific reading out loud together and discussion of certain sections of "Preach My Gospel" and we had to do them in a hurry because once we were done we had a physical challenge such as 200 sit ups combined as a district.  Uhh let's just say that none of us olders dared to try.  Okay we counted the ones they did.  The first district to get through all nine challenges had to run together to President Peckham and shout "hoorah for Israel."  After the first three districts did indicating they were done, we decided we had done enough.  We were on the 7th one I think.

One of the challenges was leap frog for a certain number times combined as a district.  Remember that game?  Well Elder Gibbons and I decided we could help out.

Elder Gibbons admitted that he rose up higher so I couldn't get over.  

Elder Rogers and Sines

Sister Wehrmeister and Froelich

Let's just say that as we were doing the spiritual challenges, we were a bit distracted.

Before we got started, we helped Elder and Sister Jenkins with the vehicle inspection.

When we were in the MTC, we purchased mission T-shirts.  Turns out we were the only ones  (okay I asked if we could get some) that purchased them.  But, hey, they have come in handy several times.

Best companion ever!

President Peckham with "our girls."  I can honestly say that he and Sister Peckham love these missionaries with all their hearts.  It is three, hard, exhausting and wonderful years of effort, but they recently told Elder and I that as soon as they get home they are going to submit papers to go back out as senior missionaries.  There is just joy in this work and the importance of it is manifested each day.