Zone Conference, The Frodshams, and Windshield Wiper Fluid

*Sister and Elder Frodsham out working on cars in a parking lot of a church building.*

I love zone conference week and spending time with the missionaries. Normally, I don’t even mind the roughly 700 miles we drive across the mission during this week to reach all the areas while lugging a suitcase. But this week? Between daylight savings and some very wet weather, it tested my patience a little. We ended up driving for hours in the dark on slippery roads. On the second day, we left Eureka late afternoon and by the time we got to Ukiah, it was dark, rainy, and I was exhausted and feeling a little bit like a “grumpasaurus” (a term we affectionately use for our kids when they are being grumpy).

The next morning didn’t help. Sleeping in Holiday Inn beds for the last couple of nights had my back complaining, too. But then I thought about our sweet office missionary couple, the Frodshams. They are ten years older than I am, yet they never complain and are always smiling as they drive the same roads and sleep in the same hotels.

The Frodshams are our vehicle coordinators, overseeing the fleet of 64 missionary cars. At zone conferences, they inspect and tune up each vehicle while the missionaries are inside being taught. Neither rain nor fog stops them! Yes, they do have some help. Brother Rick Isgrigg and Elder and Sister Ritchie are on their team, helping them check lights, tire pressure, oil, windshield wiper fluid, other fluids, and even inspecting the interiors of each vehicle.

On top of that, they keep track of missionaries’ driving records, traffic violations, office paper work, etc. About 90% of missionaries drive safely, they say. They are the first to get “that phone call” if someone has an accident. They also facilitate the buying, selling, and rotating of mission vehicles.

When their bishop first called them on a mission, they worried their obligations would prevent them from going. But they accepted the call and have been blessed, witnessing miracles in how things have come together for them. They love their service and also know the importance of putting family first. They especially love working with the missionaries and being part of their energy, faith, joy, and excitement. The missionaries absolutely adore them. President Quinn and I are so grateful for the Frodshams’ dedicated service in the mission office and willingness to help in any way, also helping prepare meals for missionaries.

*Just a little bit of wind shield wiping fluid the Frodshams carry with them.*

Back to zone conferences, here are a few fun facts behind the scenes. The APs (assistants to the president) come with us to teach and handle all the technical setup. They sleep on camping cots in the church buildings (their backs are much younger than ours!). They haul screens, projectors, cords, electrical strips, microphones, you name it, for our presentations. The tech sisters travel with us, too, staying overnight with the sister missionaries in the different areas and providing training along the way.

*Tech Sisters - Sisters Wright and Dyreng training at zone conferences*

Each zone conference includes training from President Quinn and me, a musical number from some of our musically talented missionaries, and “departing testimonies” from those going home at the end of the transfer.

*Sister Stevens singing at zone conference*

We are also very grateful to the local Relief Societies, who provide lunch for us. This week we had to smile as a hot baked potato bar was the common lunch — good for cold rainy days. And these sweet sisters made yummy pumpkin pie desserts for us too. They’re also thoughtful about gluten-free options for missionaries with allergies. After zone conferences, the missionaries pitch in to clean the church buildings, emptying trash cans, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms. Then the lights go out and they head back to their missionary work.

*Elders Cherry, Rondina, Hill, Shiffman, and Grambo at zone conference*

Despite the grumpasaurus moments, zone conference week is a joy. I agree with the Frodshams there’s nothing like seeing the missionaries’ energy, faith, and excitement firsthand and Thank you Frodshams for your beautiful service!

*Sister Scott, Hermana Haroldsen, Dalby, Myburgh, and Sister Steinfeldt at zone conference*

As always thanks to YOU for connecting with us through my weekly mission updates. I hope you see your son or daughter in the photos now and then. If not tell them to come see me and let me take their photo!! Some missionaries are more camera shy than others!

Here is the “Coming to Know Him” #18 Journal Prompt. We hope you are following along with us in journaling from home too!