The mission had Specialized Training meetings on Thursday for the North part of the mission and Friday for the Southern part. We went to the Friday meeting in the Miami Lakes chapel. Missionaries serving in the Miami Beach, Hialeah, Miami and Homestead zones were taught about how to use the Book of Mormon and personal testimonies to answer the needs of their investigators by President Anderson and the APs. Before that sister Anderson talked about the need for listening to and following the spirit. She included a personal story that was very touching and powerful.

  

Elder McCormick and I went to the local Little Ceasar’s and picked up 38 large pepperoni pizzas. It brought back memories of South Africa and the many times we helped serve pizza to the missionaries at conferences and transfers. The sisters got to serve themselves first. I kid sister Anderson about her being able to open a catering service when she is released from their mission. The truth is she enjoys cooking for lots of family and others.

  

Elders Curtis, Maki and Dean seemed were at one table. Some elders found that they would rather share their meal with some of the sister missionaries. Sisters Smith, Hymas, Lira and Schneider serve in different zones but shared a table. After the meeting there was a special sister’s meeting but we had to leave early so I did not get any pictures of all the sisters together.

  

Missionaries everywhere seem to like pizza. There was enough for each missionary to have at least 1/2 of one. Elders Brough and Plowman found one of the far away table and were enjoying their food in peace.

  

They were then joined but the Boices who are serving as Employment specialists. Notice how getting their picture taken does not slow down the eating of most missionaries.  The Andersons ate very healthy – all veggies. Myself and the Evans had veggies but also managed to sample the pizza.

 

One of the things that missionaries love to do – besides eating – is to talk to each other. Elders Bennett, Patino and Benitez shared some thoughts as did sister Andrus and elders Fullmer, Welch and Beer. Early on elders Benitez, Johnson, and Harper were sitting with sister Brown while her companion sister Quiocho was just about to sit down.

  

I love this picture of elder Shipley which shows not only his dexterity and strong teeth but the plate of pizza and lots of good vegetables. His Mother would be proud. Sister Quiocho always likes to pose for me. While elder Shipley was eating his companion elder Gust was sharing some wisdom with other elders.

  

  

We had to go back to the office before the meeting was finished. It was time for the mission finances to be audited for 2012. When we got there sisters Herrera and Stegelmeier came in and I got them to pose with elder Collins who shares the office with me. The middle picture is not from today but from a week ago when elders Hunt and Smoot came in for a visit. After the meeting at Miami Lakes was over the Sommerfeldts came by to check in. It does not seem possible that they only have a couple more weeks before heading home to Canada. The whole mission will miss them greatly.