.................Jackson, Mississippi Mission ............. Senior Missionary Conference in Gulfport

Far left Elder Vincent and Sister Fran Earnhart (Bishop's Storehouse, from Herriman, Ut), Elder Clair and Sister Carolyn Davis, (Military Relations, married 5 years from Clifton, ID), Elder Sam and Sister Marva Rogers, (Office/Proselyting from Meridian, ID), Elder Jerry and Sister Barbara Matson (Employment Resource from Meridian, ID), next front President Tom Tucker and Sister Annette Tucker, from Twin Falls, ID, behind Elder Rondo and Sister Mary Erickson (Office specialist from Clearfield, UT), Elder Preston and Sister Gill (service missionaries, married 15 years from Wiggin, MS), seated Sister Kathy Goodin (Employment Resource from New Mexico) and me. Between sessions we went for a tour of the coast. We visited the lighthouse in Biloxi, Beauvoir, the home of Jefferson Davis the Pres. of the Confederacy, and the Friendship Oak which is on the beachfront campus of University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park (formerly Gulf Park College for women), overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. This was a fabulous Conference! My favorite part was a talk by our Stake President President Garrett and a delightful talk I had with our Mission President and Matron President and Sister Brough. Here's a pictures of some of our sisters as we came out of the Baton Rouge Temple on our second day of the conference.

I Am a Child of God

Of our five missionaries only one, Elder Bishop (far left), was called to serve a Spanish speaking mission. His companion and the sisters were all called English speaking. Sister Hills majored in French at BYU and yet was called to speak English in the south. Not exactly what she expected. Just goes to show who is in charge. For the baptism of Maria, an adorable little lady who speaks very little English,all of the missionaries learned and then sang in Spanish I am a Child of God. This is a photo I took of them learning it in the classroom of our center. Sister Goodin and I were unable to attend the baptism as we went to the temple with the Pruett's, a darling couple that moved here about the same time we did. Too many good things happening all at once that day. What a hard life I have.(grin)

Meet Sister Beckstrand

I had a wonderful experience on Wednesday. Sister Beckstand and I went out teaching together. She is from Centerville, UT, attended BYU studying Social Psychology with an emphasis in gender identity and has coached girls softball at Lone Peak High. She has been serving in Clinton, MS and was just recently transferred here to train the new greenie Sister Hills. She is learning the area, and teaching techniques from the remarkable Sister Winters who sadly will be leaving us in 5 weeks. Sister Beckstrand and I had the most incredible visit with a man named David who flung open the door and invited us in when we asked if Grace was home. Grace, the girl who had been referred, was recently married and no longer lives at address. David is here visiting his sister who is somehow related to Grace. David asked us to sit down and asked if we were Mormons. Then he told us how members of the Mormon church had been so wonderful to help his grandma, asking nothing in return. He asked if we would tell him what we believe. He said "There was this man, John Adams that found some glasses, right?" So Sister Beckstand told him that his name was actually Joseph Smith and then beautifully told Joseph's story from memory.I added that even as a child I was comforted to know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were two separate beings and that they had forms. We talked about the prophets in the Book of Mormon as well as continuing revelation and succession to President Monson. Sister Beckstand then asked him to read from the introduction of the Book of Mormon "We invited all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost." He said "If you will let me have that book I will read it." We told him about the Savior's visit to the America's. He asked what he taught them. She said the same things he taught in Jerusalem and then had him read the account from 3 Nephi. He asked about baptism and authority. So we taught about the apostasy and the need for the restoration. Oh my gosh... the room was filled with the Spirit. His sister returned and he needed to go. All four of us joined hands and had prayer together. We made an appointment to return. As we got in the car she told me that this was the first time in her nine months as a missionary she has ever been asked for a Book of Mormon. It was just simply an amazing experience.

President Thomas S. Monson

My testimony is very personal to me. I have received personal revelation regarding the reality of God's love. I know that Joseph Smith restored the Lord's church in our day,that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His true and living church. I'm grateful to know that God the Father and His Son appeared to the boy Joseph. I remember when I learned the wonderful truth that they are two separate beings, one in purpose. I love the Book of Mormon and give thanks for the strength it has been in my life. I know that Thomas S. Monson,our current prophet is God's mouth piece to the world. I know that our Father in Heaven speaks to him for the church as well as to each of us individually for guidance in our own lives. I have felt His presents through the special member of the Godhead, our wonderful friend and comforter, the Holy Ghost. It is beyond my ability to express how grateful I am.

Tropical Hibiscus

We have been to see a less active sister twice. I would love to meet her, but she wasn't there either time. She has a beautiful garden in which I took this photo. So it wasn't a complete loss...grin

Teaching with the Little Sisters

We have two new young proselytizing sisters who joined our wonderful Sister Winters. We call them the little sisters. I wasn't sure if we wanted to be called the big sisters or call them the young sisters and be the old sisters. They are kind enough to call us the senior sisters. We are able to go out with them nearly every week. We spent last afternoon and evening visiting part members,less active members,investigators, tracking, and AIing (additional invite, where you just walk up to someone and ask if they would like to learn about the church). With five of us teaching we were able to split up in lots of different combination's to reach and teach more people. We teach in expensive housing areas as well as some that are less so.

Elder Killian and Sister Bishop's Farewell Party Fun

I love this wonderful group of missionaries! We have shared many fun times as well as many spiritual, sacred, hard working times together. Just like a family we took a goofy picture tonight during our farewell party. The party was held in the club house of our apartment complex in the great room where we weekly hold our family home evenings.