Christmas in the North Pole!

I'll Be Home For Christmas!

The song "I'll Be Home For Christmas" had a little more meaning this year than ever before

for these missionaries. On December 17th after their farewell dinner, a testimony meeting, and a night of very little sleep, we wished them a Merry Christmas and

told them good-bye as they finished their missions. What a great Christmas

gift for their families!

President Black, Elders Carlson, Jones, Touchin, Sullivan, Mismash

Sisters Beeston, Knuteson, Black

Sister's P-Day Activity

We had two Sisters going home in December so we decided it was

time to have a P-Day activity. All the Sisters serving in the

south part of the mission came together for lunch, cookie decorating,

sharing experiences, and just enjoying being together. We felt bad

that the Sisters serving in the North couldn't be with us.

Sisters Lords, Cloward, Warnock, Knuteson, Cockrell, Wright, Black

Sisters Chapman, Maumau, Johnson, Taylor, Beeston

The Gift of the Book of Mormon

At the zone conferences in November we passed out a hard bound copy of the Book of Mormon to all the missionaries and invited them to read it during the holiday season. As they read we asked them to highlight each reference to Jesus Christ (any of His names or pronouns referring to Him), His attributes, and His words (spoken by Him or by prophets when they say, "Thus saith the Lord") It has been a great experience for all of us and has helped us all feel the spirit of Christ during the holidays. It truly is “a marvelous work and a wonder!”

A Little Bit of Heaven!

This past week we have been in Reno. After having been in meetings all day on Sunday, we decided to take a couple of little road trips on Monday and Tuesday.

On Monday morning we drove to Truckee, California where Elder Grady and Elder Bunnell live and are actively involved in working with the people in that area. They are experiencing great success.

Where Elder Grady and Elder Bunnell live with members

From Truckee we drove to North Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach and Incline Village. We have another companionship that lives there. It was their P-day and we caught Elder Bello and Elder Welker shoveling snow off of the deck for the family where they live. President Black said he didn't realize he was sending Elders to a little bit of heaven when he was sending them to serve here....it is beautiful!

Elder Bello , Elder Welker, President Black

After Zone Leader Council on Tuesday we drove out to Portola and over to Graeagle to see where another companionship live. It is hard to believe that this is all part of the same mission. We left sunshine and palm trees in Las Vegas and found the ground covered with snow and having to wear winter coats in these little places. Elder Williams and Elder Millington are living in Graeagle and serving in an area that covers both Graeagle and Portola. It is beautiful and the work is keeping them busy.

The chapel in Portola

Where Elder Williams and Elder Millington live in Graeagle

Elders Williams, Millington, Martin, Ferguson, Sister Black, President Black

Another Farewell!

Elder Archondo was the only one to leave this past week. He is gong home to

Uruguay. The night before he left we went to dinner with him. When we asked him

if there was some where he would really like to go he didn't hesitate for a minute

to say, "In and Out Burger." So In and Out it was! Elder Archondo, we wish you

the best as you return to your home land.

Zone Conferences

Throughout the month of November Zone Conferences have been held. There are nine zones in the mission. Four in the north area -- Reno, Reno North, Fallon and Carson City. There are five in the south area -- Tulle Springs, Lone Mountain, Red Rock, Las Vegas and South. As part of the conferences we continued training from "Fundamentals from Preach My Gospel; Teaching More Effectively". The topic taught was The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion. We again had some great experiences as we all learned from each other.

Elder Downs doing a role play with President Black

Sister Mack and Sister Kartchner

Elders Rogers, Vilcapoma, Farnsworth, Miller, Humphrey, Bowzer

Elders Uland and Sullivan

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As part of the Zone Conferences the vehicle coordinators

spend some time inspecting all of the cars that are

in the mission to make sure they are all in tip-top condition.

Elder Cummings

Elder Ellsworth

Elder Taylor

Elder Summrall

Elder Dagen

Red Rock Zone

Tulle Springs Zone

Lone Mountain Zone

South Zone

Reno Zone

Carson City Zone

Las Vegas Zone

Reno North Zone

Fallon Zone

Senior Missionaries