April 3, 2011

Dear Family and Friends, April 3,2011

This week was interview time for all the missionaries in and around Asuncion. Mark spent the whole week interviewing 108 missionaries. We really do enjoy the time with each missionary. While Mark was interviewing I spoke to each companionship about their Area Book , which is the record keeping book of everything to do with investigators and converts. I also looked at all their personal planners. Most of the Area Books are becoming better organized as we are trying as a mission to better coordinate them with the large maps of their areas so they can work smart and not waste time crisscrossing their areas. It also is interesting to look at their planners and see their personalities come through in the way they use them. We see progress in many in the way they use these tools to help them be better and more effective missionaries. I also gave a few teaching pointers to help them be more clear and direct and simple in their teaching methods. It was fun to hear of their excitement for upcoming baptisms and investigators who are progressing. It was a good week!

Mark also had a skype meeting with a district presidency in Encarnacion. They are getting skype set up with all the districts so he can have regular meetings with them all without having to travel the 4-6 hours to be there in person. It is a great way to have more teaching time with the different groups and it is much more convenient.

Conference has been wonderful! We love listening and learning. We love to hear themessages that touch us personally and also the direction we receive for our missionaries and their needs. Mark went to the Fernando de la Mora stake center with the office elders for Priesthood meeting. We have heard many reports of baptisms being performed between the sessions of conference yesterday and today. What a great day to have a baptism and general conference on the same day! It is such a great time for missionaries to bring their investigators to hear the words spoken to the world by our leaders. We hope you all have a wonderful week. We miss you all! Love , Mark and Sandy