Zone Conference, New Director of Mormon Battalion

This is what we often get fed by the various Relief Societies throughout our mission at zone conferences. It is quick and easy and the missionaries can put on it what they like and those with food allergies can avoid the foods they can't eat.

Our first zone conference of this transfer was held with the Vista, Fallbrook and Carlsbad zones on Valentine's Day.

These sweet sisters from the Spanish branch were the ones who worked hard to prepare the food for us.

We talked about Elder Bednar's "Parable of the Pickle" talk and sent each companionship home with a bottle of pickles to share to remind them of what they had learned.

Elder Ruhl and Elder Romney like to get a photo together after every zone conference.

Our Area Medical Advisor, Dr. Braithwaite and his wife had a nice medical/safety presentation they did in the afternoon each of the three days. He made himself available after he spoke to any of the missionaries who might have a medical question or concern.

The second day of zone conference was with the Murrieta and Temecula zones. The ride up north did not disappoint. The scenery was causing us (at least me) to ooh and aah at every bright patch of flowers along the way.

 This group of sisters fed us a barbecue chicken sandwich, salad, chips and brownies.

Probably the best part of zone conference is when the missionaries are put into small groups and they get the chance to practice teaching each other the lessons.

There is a wonderful feeling in the room when they are teaching and it is a joy to walk among them listening to their teachings. They are wonderful teachers of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here are the assistants with their important stuff to make a successful zone conference.

The third and last zone conference was held with the Del Mar, Escondido and San Marcos zones and there was still the Valentine's Day theme going on.

These sisters were serving the missionaries a delicious taco/rice salad with root beer floats for dessert.

The assistants' pose for this day was with Dr. Braithwaite and the pickle jars.

 Sour pickle faces!

We have become good friends with Elder and Sister Woods, the director and wife of the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. We see them every transfer cycle and they talk to our missionaries after each tour. 

It was a surprise when he told us they would be cutting their assignment here short by a year so they could go be the director of the visitors' center in Paris, France. They both speak French, so it is the perfect fit for them. 

The young sister missionaries at the Mormon Battalion are becoming quite the friends with us as well. So much so that they pulled the silly selfie pose when I asked them to take a picture of us with Elder and Sister Woods. 

It made me laugh as I thought of Elder Ruhl who is always doing the same thing whenever I hand him my phone to take a picture.

The replacement for Elder and Sister Woods is Mike Hemingway and his wife. He was the tutor of the training for our small mission president and wives group in the months leading up to leaving on our mission. 

He came to visit our mission in November and helped do teaching and training in his capacity as director of proselyting in the missionary department. This was great news for us to have him here! 

We were invited to the Mormon Battalion for a reception to honor the outgoing director and welcome the incoming director. There were a lot of people from nearby Old Town San Diego which is a state protected historical park. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historical buildings. 

The Mormon Battalion Historic Site adds a lot about the early history of San Diego. Panning for gold is a particularly favorite part at the end of the tour.