Mission Presidents Conference

One of the really cool perks of this mission happens every 6 months and we get to attend 1 per year. That is the Mission Presidents Conference, it is the Zone Conference for the MP and their wives.

The October one was in Orlando so we were privileged to be invited to attend.  Next Spring it will be in Atlanta and so Dr. Smalley will be going to that one. These four men are members of The Seventy and two of them are Presidents of the Seventy.  Right to left: Elder Rasband (Presiding), Elder Gonzalez (Conducting and Area Authority) Elder Nash and Elder Kopischke were both speakers.

This is a cool opportunity to see how a high class conference is held.  The ones Dad and I usually attend have casts of thousands and about all you get is a name tag and possibly a bag to carry you eve increasing vender material in.  Not so this.  With only 40 MPs & Wives, @8 support staff, 1 Missionary Department Employee and @ 6 other area authority Seventies it was a pretty tight group. We got a program spiral bound with the schedule, Speaker bio's and pictures in it.  Also pictures of all the MP & Wives.  It was nice to know who was talking

We had basic introductions and a few "business" things and got right to it with a welcome from both Elder Gonzalez and then Elder Rasband.  Elder Kopischke gave a tremendous talk on Repentance, great insights and things I had never "seen" in familiar scriptures.   We had just sat down from our 10 min. break and the fire alarm rang, for real! So we spent about 20 min. out side in the winds of Sandy.

Don't know what happened here but you get the idea.  Just hanging out

Others just hanging out

You notice what the important things were for me.  No purse, just essentials.

Then back in for another 1 1/2 hours of instruction and lunch.  Friday and Saturday were held at the Swan hotel and we ate in one of the restaurants there and the food was yuuuumy.  Not outstandingly different but just good ole GOOD food.  Soup and salad/sandwich buffet style.









Dinner that evening was upstairs in a private dining room in the American Experience theater and then to the show.  Of course Sandy is playing havoc with everyone's hair and ties.

 We laughed all day that nary a phone rang while the Brethren were conducting but at every break these things were at everyone's ear.  Dad said, "oh all the mission mons are here I won't be getting any calls."  Well instructions from MM must have been, "I am in Conference, if you have a problem call Elder Dr. Rose at ?????."  because the calls started about 7:30 am and were pretty steady off and on all day. So dad is up and out every once in a while but it didn't brother any one since they were getting to stay and listen.

This is Elder Gee and wife.  He is acting as the secretary for the 70's at the moment, as a missionary calling.  He is the Big detail guy and then there is the real detail guy who is behind the scenes.  He is an employee and he really has a job!!! (No picture of him)

There was also time just to visit and talk and for these folks that is heaven sent.  They are never alone but always alone, as there is no one else in their missions who does what they do.  So it is a breath of fresh air to be and talk with people experiencing the same things you are.

Two causalities;  This MP is now on his way home.  His knee replacement failed about a month ago.  He has a former Arkansas MP and wife coming to take over while he and his wife go home for his surgery and recovery.

 This MM is from Louisiana and the last week of recovery work in LaPlace she stepped on something and rolled her ankle and broke it.  She is just out of her boot and has a small ankle support on but still didn't want the walk on that ankle.  Smart woman.

 These are the McDonough's from Jackson MS.  They are part of our groups and they are wonderful people.  Can't wait to spend time with them again.

These folks come out together and just like the regular missionaries they are close to those who they came out with.  So like all "Zone Conferences" they are happy to see one another.

President and Sis Hall.  These are our MP/MM.  Dad caught her by surprise.

The Wall's are so  much fun.  Can't wait to spend time with them again.

And no one stuck around to be tossed by the wind.  It was back to the room and bed as soon as the last note died.

Saturday was much the same thing, roll playing, a talk by Elder Nash on the Atonement.  It was better than an Institute class.  They did mention that missionary apps have jumped from @700 per week to over 4,000 (I did get the correct # of 0's).  That they have cut the time in the MTC by 1/3.  That the In-The Field 12 week plan for new missionaries (which just came out this last summer) will be MORE important than ever to get these new missionaries up to speed.  That the missions will be capped at 250 (most of the ones here now have about 125-140).  That by next summer they expect the missionary force to be 50/50 (right now it is about 30% sisters and 70% elders) That 2 weeks ago the MP in the Central US were in a MP Conference and were stunned just like these folks,
BUT; "We can do it", said Elder Rasband.  "You have been taught correct principles and now we intend to let you govern yourselves."

Fun to see how things work at top levels.