Mission Pres/ FHE /Seminary

We went to our first Zone Conference on Sat. March 16th.  The Smith's, a couple from Tremonton, picked us up so we would know the way.  We were so thrilled to meet Pres. Kezerian and his wife.  They are dynamic people and teachers and we learned a lot just being with them for four hours.  They both interacted with the missionaries in a marvelous way.  The Elders put together a healthy lunch for us all and we gobbled it down in 20 minutes so we could get back to business.  The day was delightful!  Then we went furniture shopping with the Smith's for a new couple that are coming in another week.  We found a great couch and two chairs at a second hand store that just need three springs attached in the bottom.  Elder Blackwell volunteered Brother Bell and himself to do the job.  It was originally priced at $1,900 and because of the springs we got all three pieces for $395.

We had our first Family Home Evening last night with the YSA.  Elder Blackwell and I did the lesson, game and refreshments.  It turned out well.  We had ten YSA's and they were a lot of fun.  They love to interact and their level of spirituality and knowledge of the gospel is amazing!  We are so impressed every time we meet with them.  They really keep us on our toes.  The pictures are a game where they have a famous person's name on their forehead and they have to ask questions to figure out who they are, but can only be answered with a yes or no.  It was a hoot watching them.  We made our famous peanut butter rice crispies with chocolate on top.  They were a hit!

Our visits to the early morning seminaries has been so much fun!  It is amazing to Elder Blackwell and myself that these dedicated teachers and students plus the parents are willing to get up that early to be to class five days a week.  So far we have been to Avon River, Riccarton, Merivale, and the other Avon River.  We need to plan a road trip to go to Oamaru, Dunedin, Timaru, and Invercargill.  Invercargill is an eight hour drive one way!  On the way back we will go through Queenstown, which is in the west, to visit and get acquainted with the leadership there.