The Savior’s Name Over Your Heart - Wearing the Tag
Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wear name tags. The tag identifies them as representatives of Jesus Christ and His Church. It also includes their title—Elder or Sister—and their last name.
For the past three years, one of the first things I’ve done each morning is put on my missionary name tag. What a privilege it has been to wear the name of my Savior over my heart. It’s a small piece of plastic with a magnetic clasp. (it used to be attached by a safety pin. I’m glad I’m in the magnet era) These tags carry a big reminder of who all of us missionaries represent and why we are willing to sacrifice and serve
Sister Quinn putting on her name tag
One blessing of wearing a name tag is that people notice it. I’ve had complete strangers ask about it, which has opened the door to conversations about my mission and my faith. Sometimes a fellow Church member will spot the tag, realize I’m a missionary, and before long we’re comparing wards, and friends we have in common.
The Quinns with Sisters Tappana & Scott
One evening, Sister Tappana, Sister Scott, and President Quinn and I were having dinner in Ukiah. As we reached for the bill, our waiter informed us that someone had already paid it. The anonymous donor simply wanted to thank us for our service as missionaries. I was deeply touched by such an act of kindness. It reminded me that people often notice goodness even when we don’t realize they’re watching.
I’ve heard that one of the hardest parts of being released as a missionary is taking off the name tag for the last time. After wearing one every day for three years, I can understand why. It becomes more than an identifier it becomes part of who you are!
Missionaries also have a tradition of taking creative photos of their tags. I recently asked missionaries to send me some of their favorite tag photos, and they did not disappoint. The creativity and enthusiasm behind those pictures made me smile. I love these photos with a CASRM mission theme. (More tag photos below.)
This week was filled with more wonderful “lasts” as we held our last five zone conferences. Our theme was “A Disciple’s Life.” We loved this precious time spent with missionaries this week giving them our final message of love & joy as we talked about being a life long disciple of our Savior Jesus Christ. ❤️❤️
President Quinn getting ready to address the missionaries in Woodland
We spoke at the Eureka Stake Conference and were priveldged to speak along side Elder Kevin G. Brown of the seventy. Once again, I was reminded what a joy it is to serve, to represent the Savior, and yes—to wear that little name tag.
Elder Kevin G. Brown with President & Sister Quinn
And here is another journal prompt to reflect on!
I took a ton of photos this week being very sentimental about our last zone conferences, plus I have some more fun tag photos, so here we go!
I appreciate you taking the time to read my thoughts! Thank you, Sister Elaine Quinn
zone conference
Sisters Gunnell & Thomas
Sister Meyer
Matching dresses!! Sister Poff, Remund & Bartlett
Elder Wilson cleaning up after zone conference
Elder Hall cleaning after zone conference
Elder Crawford helping with the clean up
Zone Conference Lunch
Ukiah RS sisters who have made lunch for us for years - Thank you !
Elders Platt & Gonzales
Sisters Quinn & Stevens
Sisters Quinn Meyers & Nebeker
Lunch in the Ukiah Stake Center. The RS always puts our table cloths and flowers
Hermanas and Sisters Dalby, King Tappana, Quinn, Stevens, Wilkinson & Eteru
Sisters Wilkinson and Eteru
Missionaries from the Ukiah Zone Conference
Ukiah Stake Center
Tree I love watching across the street from the Ukiah Stake Center
Sister Quinn & Nebeker with gift of a painting
Lots of good food for lunch at the Zone Conference
Zone Conference Lunch
Elders Brown, Call, Finger, Hanks, & Valle
Elders Braken, Cherry, McIntyre, and Ollila
Sisters McInelly & Wanstrom
Hermanas & Sisters, Brinkerhoff, Jones, Young, Ferguson, Cockrell, Aston, Beattie & Butterworth.
Dinner with the AP’s and Tech Sisters with the Quinns
Sisters Proffittm Brimhall, Winterton, & Jackson
Sister Quinn & Elder Almeida
Elder Soderquist with the Quinns
The Eureka Zone
McKinleyville Wark Building
President Quinn, Elder Waddups & Sister Quinn
Elders Larson, Waddups, Brost, Latham with the Quinns
Enjoying Lady Bird Grove - Eureka CA
Lady Bird Grove - a hollowed out redwood
Sister Quinn between two giant redwoods