Daily Archives: December 13, 2012

Ft Lauderdale Mission 2012 Christmas Conference…

 I have tried to write on this post three times and each time it has crashed. I am beginning to think that I should just let the pictures speak for themselves but anyone who knows me can tell you I always talk/write too much.

Thursday the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission had their annual Christmas Conference. This is the only time that the whole mission has gathered together since last Christmas. It is a joyful time for the missionaries as they get to see and hug former companions. It is really an amazing time and being a part of it is one of the joys of being a senior missionary couple.

I took 125 pictures but managed to whittle it down to just the 50 I posted here. There is no way I can identify each missionary but I imagine if you have a son or daughter serving here you will find them in at least one of the photos.

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The conference was held in the Fort Lauderdale building. A lot of hard work went into setting up the tables, chairs, and decorations – I was not part of that. Sister Anderson and the other senior sister missionaries cooked and assembled much of the delicious food that was served. Sister Anderson could easily set up a catering serve after her mission – she often is responsible for 3 to 5 dinners and lunches in a week! Here she is being helped by sister Sommerfeldt our wonderful mission nurse.

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After gathering in the chapel for some opening exercises – including an amazingly spiritual reciting of our purpose by over 150 missionaries – dinner was served. The sister of course got to go first and I caught a couple of pictures. Sisters Quiocho and  Chavous look very festive going through the line.

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Sister Carnes and Holyan strike a pose for me. The elders waited patiently – I caught Elders Doman and Shaffer who served in a district with us waiting for their turn. Elder Bennett obviously saw the camera and wanted to say ‘hi mom.’

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The assistants, elders Avila, Rippstein, and Shipley put out the pies. The senior couples got to serve the missionaries and then eat. Pumpkin pie with whipped cream was served by some of the elders to the rest of the mission…it was easier than having them line up. One of the things we really appreciated about the missionaries is that you can ask them for help and they cheerfully pitch right in. Today we asked them to bring in the mail – lots of packages to be distributed, clean up trash, pass out dessert, and the put away all the chairs and tables. All was done quickly with smiles on their faces.

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The cultural hall was filled with lots of chatter and laughter as the food disappeared. After dinner some of the tables were put away and President Anderson explained the rules for the white elephant gift exchange. 10 tables with 15 to 16 missionaries around each were piled with the gifts.

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Senior missionaries sat one or two to a table and got to take part in the present exchange. At the table I was at Sister Stegelmeier got a handy sledge hammer for knocking on doors. As I went around taking pictures there was lots of laughter at what was being given.

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Sisters Quiocho & Tuai were near elder Fanaika.

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More white elephant pictures. Sister Beck gets a great looking pineapple santa that got sister Bare laughing.

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Elder Bennett gets a T-Shirt. President Anderson is checking out the gifts…maybe he was looking for the one he wanted? Elder McCormick holds up his prize.

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Elder Hanna makes his selection as sister Sommerfeldt looks on. Elder Burt got a great looking elf hat. I am not sure who was sitting next elder Doman with the storm troopers helmet. President Anderson told him that he could not wear it as a bike helmet.

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After the white elephants came the talent show. Each zone was responsible for some entertainment. Most went for singing – either the whole zone or just a few. That is what Homestead on the left and  Hialeah in the middle did. Miami Beach did a rather interesting song and dance routine that got some laughs – but they really should not give up their day and night jobs.

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Fort Lauderdale Zone – one of the largest in the mission was represented by sister Chavous and Bean and elder Rellaford. On the other hand Coral Springs got everyone singing with sister Aloi and Bagley up front. Elder Torres seems to be the only elder who is really enjoying himself.

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The Stuart Zone elders spread out across stage while elder Edwards led and sisters Sheffield and Dougal provided the accompaniment. I caught elder Rasmussen with his shiny coconut owl. After the entertainment came a mission picture that I hope to add later and then there was a short devotional. After that Santa and Mrs Claus set up shop with all of the missionaries asking for the same thing…a white 150 baptism Christmas. Sisters Brown and Quiocho get their gifts from Santa.

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Elders Hunt, Maki and Rugg take their turn

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Elder Smoot makes his case as do elders Edwards and Bjorling. Elder Duncan came with the last transfer but still gets his turn.

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All the sisters got together for a picture…why I have selected 4 pictures is that there was not one picture that shows all the sisters looking at the camera…of course a dozen cameras were clicking away and senior sisters kept joining the group. President and sister Anderson’s beautiful and gregarious granddaughter Cordelia was there with her parents for most of the conference. Cordelia loves the missionaries and likes to have her picture taken…say cheese!