Valentine's lunch with the Hatches!

This is for the week ending 2-16-2025. When you live in a place where the annual rainfall is less than 1 inch, when it rains you really take notice. We had a day this week where it rained off and on for most of the day. Seven months ago we wouldn’t have called in rain, but now we are, and we’re sticking to it. It probably would be called off and on “drizzle”. Anyway, we have a picture to prove it. 

This week we had Zone Conferences. They happen every 6 weeks. Usually they take 3 days with 2 zones coming to the Mission office each day. We love this time every 6 weeks because we get to see all the missionaries and find out how they are doing. There is a powerful energy when 50-60 missionaries get together to get training and inspiration from their Mission Leaders. Our Mission Leaders are the best. They have a great love for the Savior, His work and His missionaries. We enjoy hearing them teach and testify. 

One of the best parts of Zone Conference is when the missionaries stand to repeat the Missionary Purpose. I have a video below.

As part of Zone Conferences, we get to recognize the missionaries for making language learning progress. There are a few ways they can get this recognition. First by taking the EI language test. Everyone that takes the test gets recognized and receives cookies. This may not sound like a big deal, but the test is tough. It’s hard even to take it in your own language. Ask Hermana Borup what she scored in English. It’s not easy. The good news is that almost every missionary in the mission took the test. 

Another way to get recognition is to score 6.5 or higher on the EI exam. This is the level of English that they require to be accepted into the Pathway Program. This is especially a big deal for the non-native English speakers. If a missionary achieves a score of 6.5 or higher they get recognized in Zone COnference by getting a candy bar. I know it doesn’t sound like a big deal but Candy Bars Are a BIG DEAL!

The third way to get recognized for language progress is by finishing a book or unit in EnglishConnect. The EnglishConnet program is the language training program that the Church has developed for non-native English speakers. There are resources available for missionaries in EnglishConnect that are not available to the rest of the public (you don’t have to be a member to use EnglishConnect). During the Zone Conferences, we recognized missionaries for progress and also gave some instructions on how to better use EnglshConnect for Missionaries. 

My big lesson this week is one that I need to learn over and over. I have a bad attitude about meetings, specifically meetings of the administrative kind. As Language Coordinators for the mission, we were asked to meet with some of the language administrators from the area office. I was not excited at all! They want us to fill out forms and do things the way they want us to do them, but we have it ALL figured out. After putting off the meeting several times. I was certain it was going to be a waste of time, but I was doing it just to be obedient. Like usual, there is always something to learn when you do what you should do. We came away impressed and energized about how useful EnglishConnect can be for the missionaries. We now have more energy to get the missionaries excited about using that great tool!

And there you have it! Our week! Of course, we continue to meet with the new members in our area. They keep coming and we want to help them stay! It is a blast to do that!

Until next time, We love and miss you all!

Your Freinds,

Hermana Y Elder Borup


Proof of rain!

We need this is the USA, Pork skin!

We went all out on Valentine's day

One of the advantages of a moto is that it is easy to give another moto a lift.

Waiting for church to start sitting by the window. It's hot here!




 

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