Saturday, December 31, 2011

Ending The Year with a Baptism

We finished out the year by attending a baptismal service for some of the newest members of the Jackson Branch.  Elders Dean and Hosea have been busy sharing the gospel with these families.IMG_0438

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Departing missionaries meet for Baptism

We met in Madison for a baptism, afterwards we gathered at the mission home for some time together before these wonderful missionaries returned home to their families.
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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Mission Home for Christmas

Shane, Amy Jo and their sons Carson and Cade gave us the best gift ever!  Christmas with us in the Mission Home.  We had a wonderful time with them and enjoyed our visit with President Tucker’s brother Don and his wife Karla as well.
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

More Christmas Visitors

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We had a great time visiting with former missionary Brad Powell and his brother who spent some time with us in the mission home.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Ridgeland Elders

Elders Judkins and Whiting paid a visit to the mission office while they were out visiting today.  We are grateful for their cheerful enthusiasm.
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Staff Meeting

Today we officially welcomed Elder Kyle Garrett as a new Assistant to  President Tucker.  We appreciate the dedicated work of Elder Hoffman, he will complete his mission at the end of the month.DSC_0226
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Changing of the Guard

Sister Hansen has been serving in our mission for the past couple of months, today she returned to Salt Lake to complete her mission, serving in the Salt Lake City, Temple Square Mission.  Sister Anderson arrived from the Temple Square Mission and will spend the next couple of months serving in our mission.  She will serve in Magnolia, Arkansas with Sister Hanley.
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Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas Visits

Saturday Becky, Shelby, and Lauren visited for the day.DSC_0207
Sunday former missionary Ben Davies and his parents stopped by for a visit, Monday former missionaries Kyle Bartholomew and Niall White along with his wife Kaylee visited us in the Mission Home.
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Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Activity in Hattiesburg

We met with the rest of the mission on Friday.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Christmas Traditions

We had a spiritual meeting in the morning, followed by lunch and an activity in the afternoon.  The day was completed with a video review of the year followed by a special gift from the missionaries family.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Sleepover in the Mission Home

After the Zone Conference in Clinton, we let the missionaries spend the night so that we could have our Special Christmas Meeting/Activity the next day.  It was one big happy family in the mission home.DSC_0175
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Special Zone Conferences

Elder Craig A Cardon toured our mission, Monday we met in Hattiesburg, and Tuesday we met in Clinton.  Each day we were fed spiritually and physically.  We appreciate the Relief Society sisters from the Purvis ward and Brandon ward who really had a nice lunch prepared for Elder Cardon and our missionaries. 
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Shreveport, Monroe, Jackson & Clinton Zones

Zone Conference Lunch

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Airport Again

Elder Guerra who has been serving with Elder Sharp in Meridian is traveling to Brazil today, on our way to the airport I noticed an interesting sight in the sky, the sun was to the left but a reflection created a bright ball of light on the right. It may be called a Sun Dog – but I am not sure.   I love the beauty of the earth and sky.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Airport Trip

Today Elders Woolf and Djanie completed their mission and returned to home and school.  Many souls have been touched by their service. Later in the day Elder Vance arrived and will be trained by Elder Parker in Biloxi.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

We Attended Church in New Boston, Texas


President Tucker has a soft spot in his heart for Texas, because that is where he served his first mission.  We decided to make the 5 hour drive to visit the ward in New Boston.  We were greeted by our faithful missionaries.  Elder & Sister Konrad are such a strength to the members here and help out Elders Merrill and McGary whenever they need a ride or help teaching.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Zone Leader Council

December Zone Leader Council we focused on losing ourselves in the Lord’s work.  We need to remember Daily repentance, scripture study and love for everyone.  President David O McKay said, “The greatest battles you will fight will be within the silent chambers of your heart . . . If you surrender, if the Lord wins, you win also.  If you win, if your will prevails, you and the Lord both lose.  Lose yourself in the Lord’s work and you will win beyond your wildest imagination.”  New Zone Leaders this month are: Elders Dietz, Hansen, Higgins, Nielsen, and Redmon.DSC_0131

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Elder Mark greets his Father

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Elder Mark was greeted by his father at the Mission Home this morning, they will have an opportunity to tour the mission and visit with all the wonderful members who live here.

Another wonderful group heads for home

We will miss these dedicated missionaries, but know they will be welcomed by loved ones at home.   

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Clinton Transfer Point November

A beautiful Fall day greeted our missionaries as they gathered for transfers

An Evening in the Mission Home

Finally after a long day of travel, and missionary work our newest missionaries gathered at the mission home for some well deserved rest.  The next morning we gathered for some photos before heading to the transfer point.

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Airport Elevator

Once again our missionaries all climbed into the elevator for the traditional elevator photo – It was a little difficult getting everyone to fit, but they did it.
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Waiting for luggage at the Airport

November Arrivals

We welcomed seventeen new missionaries to the MJM today, what an awesome sight, we are so blessed to have these wonderful Sisters and Elders serve here. 
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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Attending the Jackson Branch

We attended the Jackson Branch Sunday and were greeted by Elders Dean and Hosea along with some recent converts.
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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving in the Mission Home

We had a wonderfully relaxing day on Thanksgiving.  We spent the morning watching some of our missionaries participate in a traditional Turkey Bowl football game.  We had the traditional dinner and put together a yummy sampler of each of the different types of our favorite treat, M&M’s.  We are truly Thankful for so many things, one of which is the wonderful opportunity we have to be in this beautiful part of the World helping to gather the elect.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Welcome Elder & Sister Oviatt

Elder & Sister Oviatt have traveled from Canada to serve in the Employment Center in Slidell, Louisiana.  We have enjoyed spending some time with them in the Mission Office and look forward to having them serve in the MJM.
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Elder Siddoway headed for Brazil

We will miss Elder Siddoway who is headed to Brazil to complete his mission. 
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Our Newest Assistant

Thanks to Elder Bowen who will soon return home, we are happy to welcome Elder Spangler as a new Assistant  to serve with Elder Hoffman.
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Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Clinton Ward

Today we attended the Clinton Ward, after sacrament meeting President Tucker attended Coordinating Council Meeting with Elder Ingram and the Stake Presidents in our Mission.  We are grateful for our wonderful missionaries who serve in the Clinton Ward.IMG_0331

Friday, November 18, 2011

Leadership Training Monroe, Louisiana

We finished the week in Monroe as we met with the dedicated missionaries of the Monroe and Shreveport zones.  When the meeting is over everyone helps with cleanup.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Interesting visitor in Hotel Parking Lot

While in Monroe we spotted this vehicle in the parking lot of the hotel where we were staying
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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Leadership Training Hattiesburg

Wednesday we held Leadership Training in Hattiesburg for the Hattiesburg, Gulfport and Slidell Zones.  Role Playing is an important part of every meeting.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Leadership Training Clinton

We spent the week in Leadership Training Meetings.  The first one was held in the Clinton building for the Zone Leaders, District Leaders, Trainers and Sisters in the Jackson and Clinton Zones.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

We Attended Church in the Biloxi Ward

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Returning home from the Mission Presidents Seminar in Florida we stopped to attend church in the Biloxi Ward.  We were greeted by Elders Nelson, O’Sick and Parker

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Our Stay in Florida

We had a wonderful time while in Orlando, We spent a little time shopping at Costco – because we don’t have one in Mississippi, but the rest of the time we were fed spiritually and gathered wonderful information to share with our mission.  It was wonderful to meet with the other mission presidents in the North America South East Area. IMG_0290

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Traveling Along the Florida Panhandle

Our day continued with a long stretch of driving through the Florida Panhandle, I realized we had been on the road a while when I saw the moon rising in the late afternoon.