Stake Conference in the Neuquén Stake

This weekend was the Stake Conference for the Neuquén Stake.  They had their priesthood leadership meeting and adult meeting yesterday.  Today they had a meeting at 9:00 for married couples and the general session at 10:00.  The only problem was that there was no electricity in the building this morning.  They found a way with a generator to get power to the microphone and the electric piano.  It was a little dark but we could hear well and the very special musical numbers had accompaniment!  The meetings were wonderful and there was a special spirit as we met with no lights!

 

President Lovell and I both spoke last night and President talked today.  He asked all those that were between the ages of 12 and 22 stand to shop all the potential missionaries there were there in the Stake.  He then had all of the full time missionaries stand so the members could see what a strength they had in their stake.  Then he shared what a blessing it had been for him to serve a mission and what a blessing it will be in all the lives of those who are serving now and for those who can serve from the stake in the future.  There were many testimonies born and much council given by all those who spoke.

 

Then after the meeting it is always fun to see some of the missionaries!

 

 

 

These Elders are ready for the cold!  It is definitely winter in Neuquén!

 

Leadership Council in June

 Here are our wonderful Zone Leaders, Sister Leader Trainers and Assistants.

 

 

 

 

New District Presidency in Esquel

 

 We had a special District conference in the District of Esquel.  Esquel is the farthest south of all the units in the mission.  It is in the Andes Mountains about four hours south of Bariloche.  President Gonzalez had been the District President but was offered a great job in Chile and had moved there with his family.

 

 This is the New District Presidency

 

The new District President is President Giorgi and is the tallest of the group.  His heart is as big as he is tall!  To the left of him is his 1st Councilor, President Olenik.  To his right is President Aravena, the 2nd Councilor.  The District Secretary, Brother Niklitschek, is on the far left.

 

It was such an exciting time and it was fun to see President Giorgi interact with the members of the District.  The Presidency is excited to work together and excited to work with the missionaries.

 

 

One fun thing about President Giorgi and his wife Dana is their connection to our nephew Vance Boyer.  Vance was one of the missionaries that had the opportunity to be involved with their baptism about ten years ago.  Now ten year later is amazing to see the influence for good that President and Sister Giorgi are in Esquel.  

 

 

Here are the members of the new district presidency with their families.  It was very special because as part of the conference,  President Aravena gave a book of Mormon to his daughter who is not a member.  It was very touching to see the love they have for each other.

 

 

The District falls under the direct stewardship of the mission.  It is a great blessing to be able to get to spend time with these wonderful members.

Another fun this about this weekend is that President Alvarez was set apart as a councilor in the mission presidency.  He was released as the Stake President in Bariloche just a few weeks ago.  We were able to have dinner in their home and get to know their family.  We look forward to spending time with them in the future.

Of course it is always fun to see the missionaries...

 

 

 

...and other members of the District.

 

This missionary introduced us to one of their wonderful new investigators.

 

After the conference one of the wards had a baptism.  There were three eight year olds baptised. It was great to see the support they had from other members of the ward. 

 It was a great way to end a great day!