CCSM Senior Missionary Conference

As we were nearing the end of our mission, Sister Howlett had an appointment with the Neurologist in Colorado Springs, CO that had been helping her through the Multiple Sclerosis flare-ups she had been having.  Thursday, July 5 was the date of the appt. so our Colorado Colorado Springs Mission, (CCSM) leadership decided to have a Senior Missionary Conference on that Thursday and Friday.  It is a five hour drive from Garden City, KS to the mission headquarters, so the Mission presidency decided to plan the conference for the time when we would be in town. 

The senior missionary dinner with missionaries seated around the table from left:
Elder Cherry, Elder Howlett, Elder Walker, Elder Pace, Sister Pace, Elder Niceler, Sister Niceler, Sister Snow, Elder Sparrow (standing in back), Sister Walker, Elder Snow (walking with plate), and Sister Cherry.

After the successful doctor’s appointment, we found a grocery store where we bought our contribution to the dinner with all the senior missionaries that was scheduled for Thursday night.  We had come the farthest, but others had to travel as well, and we all made it there, except for President and Sister Anderson who were shepherding several young missionaries who had finished their missions and were going home.  We had a very nice planned potluck dinner held at the Meadowlake Stake center in Colorado Springs.  As part of the evening’s activities, each couple was asked to take five minutes to tell a miracle story that they had experienced on their missions.  Sadly we didn’t take notes, but we remember one story. 

 Elder Snow, who works with his wife in the office over all housing issues talked of not being able to do much active missionary proselyting, but one time he met a young woman who saw his missionary name badge and began asking him some questions about the Church.  He answered what he could then asked her if she would like a Book of Mormon to read.  She heartily agreed so he went to his car and got her a book and a list of some scriptures and parts to read in it.  She completed the reading assignment and still wanted to know more, so he gave her address to some young elders to go teach her.  It is still on-going, but he felt it a miracle that because he was wearing his badge this young lady was prompted to ask questions.  Many people are curious about the “Mormons” and if we are willing to open our mouths and testify or at least answer questions, we can direct these people to the truth.

Senior missionaries serving in CCSM from left to right, (wives seated below their husbands):  Elder and Sister Howlett, President and Sister Sparrow (he's 1st Counselor in mission presidency), Elder and Sister Cherry, President and Sister Anderson (our mission president and his wife), Elder and Sister Walker, Elder and Sister Snow, Elder and Sister Niceler, Elder and Sister Biesk

The next day, 6 July 2012, we had a very nice conference with eight of the nine couples taking turns giving a part of the conference by telling some important parts of their missions and how it can help each of the couples.   (Elder and Sister Pace decided to man the Mission office during the conference.) 

We were assigned to talk about what senior missionaries do to help the less active members.  We spoke about our efforts to “re-baptize” the less-active members of the Garden City ward, meaning to help them return to church and recommit to follow Christ the rest of their lives.  We also talked about our assignment to teach new member lessons and work with the students in the English class Elder Howlett taught.  Our main work was to try to help people come back to Church and partake of the Sacrament in remembrance of the Atoning sacrifice of our savior, Jesus Christ.  This would renew their covenants which they made at baptism.  Some did come back or remain active, but sadly many chose not to return.

Elder and Sister Pace made it to the dinner, but could not come to the conference on Friday because they chose to be in the mission office in case of any emergency phone calls or business.

Other presentations were entitled “Morning Sanctification,” ”The Importance of attending District and Zone meetings with the young elders and sisters,” ” Working with ward and stake leaders,” ” Service,”  “Health” and “Vehicle care”.  Toward the end, our mission president and his wife, President and Sister Anderson, arrived and gave us great messages about the importance of senior missionary service and that the best reasons to serve is because we love the Lord and His children.  It was a beautiful enriching conference, and we appreciated getting to know the seniors serving in our mission with us.  Any senior couples who are willing to serve can be a great help in building the kingdom of the Lord.  We are blessed because we chose to do so.

Elder and Sister Sparrow were recently released from being full-time missionaries serving in the CCSM.  They live in Colorado Springs and President Sparrow is still serving in the Mission presidency.  They hosted us in their lovely home on Thursday night after the senior missionary dinner.  Just FYI, they have received another mission call to serve as a senior couple supporting the LDS cadets in the Air Force Academy there in Colorado Springs.  President Sparrow is a retired Air Force officer.