THE VISION OF THE SOUTH

"Make no small plans: This is the vision I have for the South. I believe that one day the South will baptize more people into the church than all other English speaking missions in the world together....We will see the time when we will baptize hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands...In your day you will see a million members of the church in the South. There will be temples plural in the Southern States. What a great call you have to serve with these marvelous people." President Spencer W. Kimball

Monday, February 23, 2015

Excited!

Weekly Letter - 23 Feb 2015
Sent Date:  Monday, February 23, 2015
Author:  Andrews, Zachary Jacob President,

Hi, so this week was super awesome. Elder Kapischke's instruction was amazing absolutely amazing. The best thing is that the missionaries are going to apply it! I know that they are going to apply it and it will change this entire mission. Elder Walker and I are really trying hard to instill his teachings into the missionaries. I am really excited to see everyone do this things. Everyone in the zone in district meetings is going to do practices in order to practice the contacting.

Love ya,
Elder Andrews

Sent Date:  Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Author:  President Hansen
Let's just keep doing these practice sessions until it is second nature to all the missionaries

Sunday, February 22, 2015

FROM PH: Elder Kopischke's Visit

Notes from Elder Kopischke's visit
Sent Date:  Sunday, February 22, 2015
Author:  President Hansen

The Nine Things that the Berlin mission did to drastically increase the # of baptisms
1. Teach to Find
2. Always have Investigators pray in the first discussion
3. Always have a member present at the 2nd lesson through the 5th lesson
4. Baptismal Calendar—Let the Creation be a part of the Creation
5. ALWAYS ASK FOR REFERRALS/Invite everyone in the house to the lesson
6. Memorize a scripture for every principle in each Preach My Gospel Lesson
7. Book of Evidence Journal where we write down all of our spiritual experiences
8. One progress report per ward or branch (no matter how many missionaries) during ward council visits
9. Teach complete families when possible

TEACH TO FIND (Alma 10, 11, 12)—“Finding Must be the Most Fun of Your Missionary Work, You will have magnificent experiences when you find”—Elder Kopischke M1: Teach a Principle Ask a Q Testify M2: Testify Teach a Principle Ask a Q Testify Invite M1: Preach My Gospel 159: “Avoid the tendency to say things such as, do you have a few minutes that we could teach you a message about… rather develop the habit of immediately beginning to teach and testify as you meet people.”

Approaches: When they look at your name tag: Jesus Christ is the most important person in my life. How do you feel about Jesus Christ? I can see you don’t want to talk to me: I have the strongest feeling I need to talk to you. Where do you see your children in 10 years? If anyone asks what the difference is between your church and my church: Can I tell you a story? There was a man named Joseph… He wanted to know which church was true and one day he read James 1:5 and decided to do as James directs and ask God himself which church was true. If you would have read this what would you have done? Tell Joseph Smith story I have a message for YOU (Make it personal NOT general, ex. I teach people about Jesus Christ) Insights: We must be salvation oriented, NOT number oriented Fear Holds Us Back, We only improve when we EMBARRASS OURSELVES DAILY!!!

Perfect Love Casts out Fear, Daily Interactions Baptismal Invitations to services are the best finding tools! We must be a people who asks Questions so we can get answers. Go to every meeting with a question! A meeting is only valuable if we have a revelatory experience. Miracles happen when mind and heart are ready to receive (share this with your investigators and less actives) Ask Question the question, “If I would have invited myself in the way I had invited them would I have said yes?” People come because of what they feel, they continue to come because of what they continue to feel.

Elder Holland The Celestial Law of Obedience asks for referrals everyday with every contact, investigator and member; they follow up with their investigator every single day! Taking the sacrament is our time to feel acceptance, to feel God’s love At Members houses ask, “Can we have an investigator come over to your home?” or “Can you pray to help us find someone to teach in your home?” Call them every day to follow up! While eating “Can I share a spiritual experience I had today?” instead of waiting for the end to just share a scripture. When you teach your faith and testimony improve as nervousness goes other aspects of the principle comes to your heart. Ask investigators to reteach the principle to you! Assignments: 1. “Teach Your Missionaries to Talk to 10 People Every day independent of Tracting”—Elder Ballard 2. Ask Referrals From Everyone, Always ask who else can benefit from our message; Role play “How to’s” for asking referrals for comp study 3. 30 Minutes of Tracting Everyday

Elder Kopischke said about the Conference: “I have hardly experienced this much power in my 8 years as a general authority.” SOUTH AMERICA HERE WE COME!!!!!

If you have any Jewels we didn’t write down please send them to us and we will revise them!!!

Monday, February 16, 2015

Mardi Gras


Really Good

Weekly Letter - 16 Feb 2015
Sent Date:  Monday, February 16, 2015
Author:  Andrews, Zachary Jacob President!

This week was really good. Really crazy with ZTM and Mardi Gras and all the other stuff. Our Zone is doing really well Mandeville District taught lots of lessons, they worked really hard and did lots of good. Elder Trainor spearheaded the push and lead his District admirable with a whopping 33 lessons. ZTM was good. The spirit was there and i hope that it was felt by all.

Elder Andrews

Sent Date:  Monday, February 16, 2015
Author:  President Hansen
:)

Be the Other Option

This week we have gotten lots of referrals and I mean lots. It is super awesome to have the members do the finding for us, cause we can knock doors all day and often we do. But I am super excited to see how the referrals we got turn out . Our Ward Mission Leader has been asking us to ask for more and more referrals so we have and are seeing blessing from it.

This week I was reading in 2 Nephi 2 and I was struck by verse 16:
 
 16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.
 
I really like this scripture cause it talks about lots of different things, One, it talks about how we have the ability to choose. But not to choose anything. We are to choose the options that are in front of us. That is super cool because WE need to be the people to entice the people to do the right thing so that they can choose. It is my job to put that other option in front of people so they can choose! And it is each and everyone one of our responsibilities to do that and we can't fail as long as we invite!

Love ya,
 
Elder Andrews


 

Monday, February 9, 2015

Act for Himself

Weekly Letter - 09 Feb 2015
Sent Date:  Monday, February 9, 2015
 Author:  Andrews, Zachary Jacob

This week we have gotten lots of Referrals and I mean lots. It is super awesome to have the members do the finding for us, cause we can knock doors all day and often we do. But of the referrals that we got this week I am super excited for how they turn out. Our Ward Mission Leader has been asking us to ask for referrals more and more so we have been and are seeing blessing from it.

This week I was reading in 2 Nephi 2 and I was struck by verse 16: 16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

I really like this scripture cause it talks about lots of different things, One it talks about how we have the ability to choose. But not to choose anything we are to choose the options that are in front of us. That is super cool because WE need to be the people to entice the people to do the right thing so that they can choose. It is my job to put that other option in front of people so they can choose! And it is each and everyone one of our responsibilities to do that and we can't fail as long as we invite!
Love ya
Elder Andrews

Sent Date:  Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Author:  President Hansen
I think that when we receive referrals that is a sign that members and the Lord trust us.

FROM PH: Leaders, No Hugging

LEADERS-Let's change the mission culture.
Sent Date:  Monday, February 9, 2015
Author:  President Hansen

Dear Leaders in the Lord's army,

I feel like we have some amazing leaders in the mission. I want to thank each one of you. I have been so impressed that the district leaders are setting goals for finding teaching and baptizing. In every area where the goals are being set they are also being achieved. Congratulations for all that is happening. We have seen many districts with district goals of 15 to 20 lessons per companionship.

That is awesome!

Some of the senior missionaries told me after the transfer meeting that they saw missionaries hugging each other(elders and sisters). I certainly didn't see that but if I did, I would be very disappointed in those missionaries. Let's follow the guidelines of the white handbook. Handshakes are appropriate between genders while we are missionaries. Always stay by your companion so you can see and hear everything that happens and encourage the companions to be obedient. Let's make sure our Zones and Districts are safe and appropriate. Make sure the elders and sisters don't lean on each other or flirt with each other. It is wrong! It is embarrassing for other missionaries. It makes them less effective as  missionaries. It makes members doubt our commitment. Lets focus on serving the Lord not ourselves. Let's not plan district or zone activities for finding in each others areas or social activities or any other activities that is not in the basic schedule. See that after district meeting we go back to work not hang out and take another unofficial p-day. You are responsible for these missionaries. Teach them to be focused and purpose driven. Lets make our district meetings training days, not play days.

As leaders we are accountable to the Lord for those in our charge. We have been called to this calling because of the Lord's confidence in us. Lets help our missionaries to be better more committed missionaries.
I love you all and know that this message can only come from you with the power it needs.

Deepest Respect and Love,
President Hansen

Saturday, February 7, 2015

LEGEN...wait for it...DARY

February 3, 2014

This week is absolutely crazy. Two baptismal interviews, Elder Cook and Elder Halstrom came to instruct our mission it was super cool. I shook their hands...LEGEN...wait for it... The instructions that they gave us was so sick. He said a couple of awesome things but the coolest thing was at the end he said was "I know the voice of the Lord" Freaking dope! I really enjoyed it. Also we had a baptism in our ward we should of had two but one of the people was not taught all the way so I had to postpone his date. Every day this week was crazy and to add on top of that we lost power to our apartment on Thursday and just got it back yesterday. This week was fun really fun and absolutely crazy...DARY!

Elder Cook talked about how he doesn't feel adequate to be an apostle and that about every month Elder Packer walks into their meeting in the temple saying "I am still trying to figure out why I am here" That was such a huge answer to prayers cause I have to do things all the time that I know I am not adequate to do what I am called to do. There is a lot of pressure and lots of doubts about my own abilities but to hear that the Apostles have the same feelings. WOW that helped me so much.
 
Elder Cook said something that I like, that us as missionaries are Ward and Branch Builders. It is true and I think that this applies to all members of our Church; we are all in the wards and branches so that we can help them grow so that we can help the people in them come back to church and repent and change. We all have home teaching and visiting teaching assignment so that we can help our wards grow and help people feel of the joy that is in this Gospel.

I love this Church I love the Savior I know he lives and I know that he talks to the Apostles.
LOVE YA
 
Elder Andrews

PS I am good.  Not getting transferred which I am super excited for but I am super scared about who is going to come into our zone cause we just smoothed out all our problems and now we have to start all over. And they are taking one of our awesome Sister Training Leaders so that is going to make things harder.

Cousin Andrews

January 26, 2012

So this week I went to Laplace on exchanges, and I met Brother Andrews. Who is my dad's cousin. It was super fun to be around him; he pointed out our cleft chin. That was really fun and so was being in Laplace. There are some really cool missionaries there.
 
In our ward, in the next little bit, we will have 4 baptisms I am super excited for all those missionaries. My companion and I have been working hard mostly finding, trying to grow our area. Lots of knocking doors and looking through the area book. Life is good even though lots of people in the Zone are sick.  We are working through that. 
 
I didn't take any pictures of Brother Andrews.  I am feeling lots better still have a runny nose but that is cool.   Man! Jordyn Ardnt is coming home this week?!  That is crazy.  I have just started my D&C challenge which is I have 138 days left and so I am now reading a chapter of D&C everyday and will be finished by the time I will go home. I am on day two. I have any new stories but Elder Cook is coming on Saturday to talk to the mission. 
 
Other than that nothing but sunshine and rainbows!
Elder Andrews

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Elder Cooks and Halstrom

Sent Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Author: Andrews, Zachary Jacob

President,
This week is absolutely crazy. Two baptismal interviews, Elder Cook and Elder Halstrom came to instruct our mission it was super cool. I shook their hands.... legend.....wait for it......The instructions that they gave us was so sick. He said a couple of awesome things but the coolest thing was at the end he said was "I know the voice of the Lord" freaking dope! I really enjoyed it. Also we had a baptism in our ward we should of had two but one of the people was not taught all the way so I had to postpone his date.  Everyday this week was crazy and to add on top of that we lost power to our apartment on Thursday and just got it back yesterday. This week was fun really fun and absolutely crazy.....Dary

Elder Cook talked about how he doesn't feel adequate to be an apostle and that about every month Elder Packer walks into their meeting in the temple saying "I am still trying to figure out why i am here" That was such a huge answer to prayers cause I have to do things all the time that i know i am not adequate to do what i am called to do. There is a lot of pressure and lots of doubts about my own abilities but to hear that the Apostles have the same feelings. WOW that helped me so much.

President i am excited for this new transfer and for the new lessons and opportunities that will come. I am really excited to see what happens and who will be here i am super exited. Let me know if there is anything i can do for you?

Love ya
Elder Andrews


LEADERS-Let's change the mission culture
Dear Leaders in the Lord's army,
I feel like we have some amazing leaders in the mission. I want to thank each one of you. I have been so impressed that the district leaders are setting goals for finding teaching and baptizing. In every area where the goals are being set they are also being achieved. Congratulations for all that is happening. We have seen many districts with district goals of 15 to 20 lessons per companionship. That is awesome!

Some of the senior missionaries told me after the transfer meeting that they saw missionaries hugging each other(elders and sisters). I certainly didn't see that but if I did, I would be very disappointed in those missionaries. Let's follow the guidelines of the white handbook. Handshakes are appropriate between genders while we are missionaries. Always stay by your companion so you can see and hear everything that happens and encourage the companions to be obedient. Let's make sure our Zones and Districts are safe and appropriate. Make sure the elders and sisters don't lean on each other or flirt with each other. It is wrong! It is embarrassing for other missionaries. It makes them less effective as missionaries. It makes members doubt our commitment. Lets focus on serving the Lord not ourselves.

Let's not plan district or zone activities for finding in each others areas or social activities or any other activities that is not in the basic schedule. See that after district meeting we go back to work not hang out and take another unofficial p-day. You are responsible for these missionaries. Teach them to be focused and purpose driven. Lets make our district meetings training days, not play days. As leaders we are accountable to the Lord for those in our charge. We have been called to this calling because of the Lord's confidence in us. Lets help our missionaries to be better more committed missionaries.

I love you all and know that this message can only come from you with the power it needs.
Deepest Respect and Love,
President Hansen

Sunday, February 1, 2015

FROM PH: Elder Cook

Elder Cook and Elder Halstrom
Sent Date: Sunday, February 1, 2015
Author: President Hansen

Dear Sisters and Elders,
It was such a pleasure to sit at the feet of God's chosen servants this week. Elders Cook and Hallstrom had some great insights that will help us to serve the Lord with more commitment and power. What did you learn from them that will make you more effective? Did you remember to do the study assignment that Elder Cook gave us?Let me know in your letter.

Here are some excerpts from letters that will inspire you:
------We set a goal as a district to get 80 lessons in one week this transfer and we accomplished it! My purpose for doing that was to get us to stretch and find more people to teach. And now the goal is find more people and use the members to help them. Basically get those 80 lessons into member present. That's our goal. I'm exited for the zone conference.

------One thing that we do is every nightly planning, we set our key indicators before we set specifically who we are going to see so we can plan accordingly. It completely changed our work! For example, we finally got one of our investigators to commit to a baptismal date. We got members to two of our lessons. We found four new investigators and two new referrals and got twenty one lessons. These are the highest numbers of my mission! We just set goals and we do everything in our power to make them happen, respecting others agency. It's amazing!

------I was In PEC talking about ______ to the Bishopric..... We told them that he had a Baptism date on the 24 and then all of the sudden Bishop asked me, "how are you going to get him to church?".... and I had no clue... I thought long and hard about it when all of the sudden an idea came to my mind..... Just ask him for a ride....

------We had a lesson with a new investigator this week, we didn't know which member to bring with us. So that night i prayed. the only answer i got was "Nicole." i was like...."Nicole who?" And the only person i know named Nicole is a member of the primary presidency. So we asked her and she came with us. turns out that her and our investigator have known each other for a long time!! It was so awesome! Amber, the investigator, said that the priesthood finally made sense to her and she's gonna pray about when to be baptized!! It was amazing.

------Something that I did while companions with (old companion) is whenever we would transition to the other person teaching we would share a brief testimony which the other companion could then affirm. I hadn't though about doing that with (new companion) for a while, but during a lesson that we were teaching Sunday night we started doing it without even planning to and the spirit exploded. It became one of the most spiritual lessons I've had on my mission.

This is happening all over the mission.
------We got a referral, and we talked to him, his name is Neil Gibbs and he said that he has seen missionaries two years ago, but just for the past three months what they said began to sink into his soul and he wants to join the church! He is brilliant and loves to learn. He was pretty much agnostic but (now)accepts what we say and loves the feeling of ... the spirit.