Comp. Councils, Hmong Speaking Missionaries and - More Journal Prompts

Hermans Jackson and Richins with Elders McIntyre and Wilson at MLC

It’s been another busy week planning out our next transfer and who will be companions with who and in which area they will serve. We work hard making decisions on which missionaries will be compatible with each other and will work well together as companions. As I have shared before, we make this a matter of sincere prayer. Sometimes companions become close friends, even being roommates after their missions. Other times they don’t have a lot in common and have to work hard to get along with each other. This involves, new communication skills, exercising their charity muscles, and sometimes tears. The good news is that missions help these young people learn many important interpersonal skills about patience, communication, and collaboration that bless them throughout their lives, long after they have recovered from that difficult first companionship adjustment.

Mission standards ask missionaries to hold what are called companionship councils each week. These are short, intentional meetings where companions check in with one another to see how things are going. They may ask questions such as: What went well this week? Where can we improve? How can we better support one another? This time is meant to resolve any companionship concerns in a healthy and kind way. We encourage them to be curious rather than critical, to have learning conversations instead of making accusations, and above all to look for the best in each other and in themselves. We will sometimes practice “comp counsels” at zone conferences. President Quinn and I have even joined in a couple of “comp counsels” to help a companionship of missionaries.

Two elders told me that one time their comp counsel was very short and consisted of two sentences.

Elder #1: “Hey Elder, knock that off!”

Elder #2: “Sorry, I will.”

It worked!

Our missionaries who have served here longer and are on the Mission Leadership Council (MLC) go on exchanges with missionaries in their zones, temporarily for a day splitting companionships. These exchanges provide opportunities for these leaders to teach, mentor, encourage, and lift these younger missionaries. Helping them to learn and grow and communicate well with their companion.

*Elders Oh, and Hill with Sisters Ashton and Scott at MLC*

This week we held MLC and had a meaningful discussion about ways to better love, encourage, and support our young missionaries as they navigate the joys and challenges of being in companionships and doing missionary work.

Saturday night the transfer changes were announced by zoom! Now everyone knows their new area and new companions. The missionaries are looking forward to the next six weeks! In fact, there is a lot of exciting things happening this next transfer!!

*Elders Seller and Halls presenting at MLC*

For instance, this next transfer, for the first time, we will have Hmong-speaking missionaries serving in our Hmong branch, the Fairfield 4th Branch. President Vang, the Hmong Branch President, has requested Hmong-speaking missionaries in order to better serve the local Hmong community. The missionaries will be Elder Brown and Elder Harris.

President Quinn has worked closely with the MTC in Utah and has now called two of our missionaries to begin learning Hmong. They will serve in this area for six months at a time and will study the language using books and tutors provided by the MTC. For now, we will not be receiving Hmong-speaking missionaries directly from the MTC. Instead, missionaries from within the mission will be called to serve in this area on a rotating basis.

*Screen shot of the zoom call announcing transfer docs. Elder Bracken making announcements*

We also have more exciting news: President Quinn and President Dieker of the Eureka Stake have decided to place Spanish-speaking missionaries in the Eureka Zone. Our missionaries are very excited about this change as well.

Now all we need are some Haitian Creole–speaking missionaries! 😉

And 🥁🥁 we have a new assistant to the president. Elder Wilson (in photo at top) will now be serving with us in the office. Elder Parrish will be going to Eureka to be opening the Spanish area there.

Thanks for reading this post and sharing in our journey – it means a lot to me! Sister Quinn

Announcing our “Coming to Know Him” journal prompt #28! Journaling with these prompts is such a fun and simple thing that our missionaries do to come closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. We invite our family and friends at home and here to join us in journaling with these weekly prompts.

Here are more photos from the week!

Comp. Councils, Hmong Speaking Missionaries and - More Journal Prompts

God is in Relentless Pursuit of You - Rainbows