Encouragement, MLC, Panda - and Stale Doughnuts
(Hello! “Coming to Know Him” journal prompt below!)
Hermana Brimhall on an exchange with Sister Risser.
How would you feel if someone came to spend the day with you, and it was their job to uplift you, encourage you, and help with anything you needed, Yes, even those dirty jobs! If you had worries or concerns, they would listen with love, give support, offer ideas, and never judge you. They’d even leave you with a message of faith.
That’s exactly what our young missionary leaders are asked to do during exchanges. Exchanges happen when zone leaders, district leaders, or sister training leaders split from their own companions and join a different companionship in their zone for a day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to minister one-on-one, build trust, and strengthen one another in missionary work.
Missionaries at MLC. The missionaries in the living room have “balcony seating” ha ha
This week we gathered with our young missionary leaders— zone leaders and sister training leaders—for our monthly Mission Leadership Council (MLC). I trained them on how to lead powerful, loving, and effective exchanges, as I mentioned above. I always enjoy our MLC meetings. In many ways, the MLC is the heartbeat of the mission.
During MLC, these young leaders counsel together—sharing insights, challenges, and successes from their zones. We brainstorm ideas for improving teaching, obedience, and morale. Together, we set monthly mission goals and align our efforts with our mission’s purpose. President Quinn also trained along with our assistants and the social media leaders. It was a great meeting. The unity and spiritual strength that come from these meetings are then pumped outward as these leaders take what they’ve learned back to their zones.
Elders Martin, Anglin, Graves and Bass. Sisters Drying, Dunlap and Chappell at MLC
We encourage everyone at MLC to speak up and share their unique perspectives. One zone leader, Elder Martin, said it best: “I love meeting at MLC because we get to counsel together and receive revelation for our zones. We also get to learn from all the incredible missionaries there. It’s a great meeting, and I’m grateful to be there.”
When we meet as an MLC at the mission home, Panda Express caters our lunch. We enjoy the orange chicken and chow mien as we soak up some fresh air and sunshine sitting on the mission home deck.
Panda Express for lunch - a favorite!
Sister missionaries on mission home deck
It was great having the Black family (Melissa, Justin’s & kidos ) join us for MLC. They are the last of our July family visitors. Andrew Black, our 14-year-old grandson, said, “it was interesting to listen to, but all the acronyms made it a little bit difficult to follow.” The kids were patient sitting through the 10:00 am to 2:30 pm meeting.
President and Sister Quinn with daughter Melissa, son-in-law Justin, and grandchildren Andrew, Isaac, Lydia, and Matthew Black from Billerica Massachusetts.
President Quinn and I have truly enjoyed spending time with this wonderful family. Today, though, we’re feeling a bit glazed-over. We’re grandparenting like donuts that are stale, and the sprinkles have fallen off. It’s been tricky balancing grandchildren and missionaries these last few weeks. We love both!
It’s been busy. This morning, we spoke in the Vallejo Ward. President Quinn gave a patriarchal blessing to our sweet granddaughter Lydia—a sacred and beautiful experience. We then had Sunday dinner, including homemade cookies Lydia and I made together.. We also hosted a couple of groups of former missionaries (which we loved!) We worked in R&R’s with our APs. But now we’re so tired we’re just hoping muscle memory gets us to bed without requiring any conscious thought. If you see us wandering, please just gently point us towards a pillow. Thanks for reading! Good night - Elaine Quinn
The Blacks at MLC meeting. Melissa and Justin shared their testimonies.
MLC July 2025 California Santa Rosa Mission Home
AND now for the “Coming to Know Him” 3rd journal prompt. This is so exciting! Here is a prompt to add another drop of spiritual oil for our journals! If you want to learn more about these journals please click here:
More photos from the week:
Elders Judd and Witt with Sister Quinn
Mission Home - MLC lunch
Elders Oh, Bracken, Hill and Judd
Elders Parrish and Hales
A visit with former Hermana (Alaina) Ward and her mother
A visit with former Sister (Lana) Kolowich and her parents and brother Owen.
A visit with former Elder (Andrew) Gardner with his family
A visit with a former missionary from over 25 years ago, Hermana Van Voohist, now, Sister Reynolds with her family. She is the 2nd from the right side. Her husband Brother Reynolds is 3rd from the left. He was a companion with Elder (William) Gardner’s, center, father in the New York, New York Mission over 25 years ago. Always love to make these connections!
President and Sister Quinn - Grammy and Grammy with the Black family in front of the Oakland Temple
President and Sister Quinn with Lydia Black - She received her Patriarchal blessing today!
Isaac, Matthew, Grammy, Andrew, and Lydia playing Ripple
Visiting Pointe Reyes with the Blacks. We also saw some Whales!
Justin was just innocently weeding last week unaware that he was wading through a patch of poison ivy. It turns out that poison ivy is the gift that keeps on giving, spreading, and blistering. Thank heavens he had on gloves and shoes with socks. Each day this week brought a new level of “are you kidding me?” He finally went to the ER for some steroids and antibiotics. I have been impressed with his pleasant attitude despite the pain and itchiness.
