Inspired Training - Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Another warm and pleasant day for the second round of Leadership Training! Most of the missionaries enter through the front door of the chapel so we don't see them. Some buzz our gate and come through our office door, but those are few and far between. Throughout the day we see them all and eventually some wander into the office for one thing or another.

The training was held in the chapel today and it didn't seem like there was as much multi media things taking up space. There was a lot of practicing what was learned going on, and we could always tell when that was happening because President and Sister Gulbrandsen would come in and out of the office for different reasons. They reported how well the missionaries are learning how to stop and listen to the spirit in their teaching and then proceed to direct the discussion to fulfill the needs of the investigator. Some missionaries have reported back to the President their success stories as they have gone out at night after the training and used what they have learned.

Repeating this training every other month will produce strong missionaries. The District Leaders are to take this back to their district meetings and train those in their districts, but as time goes on and leadership changes, a good number of missionaries will get to have the training first hand from the President at one of these leadership training courses.

Elders love to have their pictures taken. All smiles in this photo are Elders Johnson (Utah), Howard (Idaho), Hales (No. Carolina), Allred (Washington), Petersen (Utah) with his arm around Rocha (Colombia, he completed four years of medical school before his mission. He is 27), and Castañeda (Colombia).

Lunch today was pizza -- a total of 25 were ordered from the San Fernando member. Bananas and Mardarinas balanced out the meal to make it healthy, and alfajores for dessert.

We, in the office, worked at our desks doing what we do amidst all that was going on. A clear description does not come to my mind.

These elders ended up in the office after the training mainly to see Elder Kroff in order to get their money changed into moneda. Elder Olano is from Peru, Beagley from Ogden, UT, Pearson from Roy, UT, Cardenas from Chile, and Martinez from Chile.

President and Sister Gulbrandsen leave after another busy day. I wondered if anyone could be as busy or keep up a schedule like President Argyle, but it must come with the calling. President Gulbrandsen is just as busy, and so busy that he has not had time to eat regularly since being here. He has lost a lot of weight and Sister Gulbrandsen made the comment that he has cinched in his belt two knotches. He is happy about the weight loss, but if he keeps going he will have to buy new clothes. A Mission President's resonsibility is mind boggling, to say the least. We don't know how they do it -- and for three years!!! We have enjoyed these two.

Elder Davis came to spend the evening with us and then spent the night with the Assistants. We had a great time visiting with him and fed him French Toast for dinner. As he took a nap on our couch, I started putting together my talk on missionary work that I have to give in Tigre on Sunday. It has me flustered and nervous. Even though I will have to read it, I need to be able to pronounce the words correctly. I'll need lots of practice.