March 2014 in Missouri

The winter months in Missouri are typically cold, windy, and snowy.  The last two winters we have had major snow storms in March.  This past week the temperatures have been in single digits or below zero.  Also during the winter months, the number of guests coming to the visitor centers declines significantly.  There are between 200-400 guests per day during the summer months, between 100-200 per day during spring and fall, and less than a 100 per day during winter.  In total we serve approximately 60,000 guests per year at both Independence Visitor Center and Historic Liberty Jail.  We are looking forward to spring weather, for the warm temperatures and for more guests to the visitor centers!  This photo is from the backside (south side) of the Independence Visitor Center.

 

This photo is of property owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, further on the south side of the Independence Visitor Center.  The Church owns 20 acres around the Visitor Center.

The east side of the Independence Visitor Center, with the Community of Christ temple to the north.

A group photo of Sister Missionaries at the Brenchley's home, after a pancake breakfast on February 25, 2014.

A photo we sent to Sister Allie Howe in California, for the celebration of her 20th birthday on her mission.  Happy birthday Hermana Howe!  In the photo, left to right, are:  Sister Forbush, Sister Fenzualida, Sister Morris, Sister Pyne, Elder Pyne, Sister Hansen, and Sister Gunter.

Elder and Sister Stevenson, who have returned home to Alpine, Utah, Sister Heylen, Sister Rogers, Sisters Hunter, Sister Zito, Sister Pyne, and Elder Pyne, at the Hallmark Visitor Center in the Crown Center of downtown Kansas City.  Hallmark is a major employer in Kansas City.

Sister Zito, Sister Hunter, Sister Rogers, and Sister Heylen, at the Fritz Railroad Cafe.

A selfie of Sister Heylen in the back of our Ford Explorer driving home from a P-day visit to Kansas City.

Sister Rogers on the same trip.

Sister Heylen, from Sacramento, California, who we served with for many months in the Independence 1st Ward and Independence Visitor Center.  She now serves at the Historic Liberty Jail. 

Sister Pyne's Birthday in Missouri

January 25, 2014 was Sister Pyne's birthday in Missouri.  Here is a flower arrangement she received from her mission companion, Elder Pyne.  She also received gifts from her children, a dinner out, and many acknowledgements from the Sister Missionaries in the Missouri Independence Mission.  She was well celebrated!

Our Ford Explorer was decorated to celebrate Sister Pyne's birthday.

 A hallway to the Guides Room in the Visitor Center was also decorated.

Cakes and cookies were also baked to celebrate Sister Pyne's birthday.

Sister Raymer also celebrated her birthday the same week.  She preferred fruit for her birthday, so Sister Pyne prepared mixed fruit, yogurt, and granola to recognize Sister Raymer's birthday.

Also, the same week, Ryan Brown, a regular visitor to the Independence Visitor's Center, celebrated his 28th birthday.  Ryan is developmentally disabled, and comes from a neglectful and abusive home.  The Visitor Center is his refuge.  Here he is looking unusually sharp, because he is showered, shaved, and wearing a new coat and side bag given to him by the missionaries at the Visitor Center.  We also gave him a watch for his birthday.  He was thrilled by all the attention given him, including from Sister Ray and Elder Godfrey, to Ryan's right in this photo.

When we took the birthday celebration stickers off our Ford Explorer, we stuck them to the inside of the front door to our apartment.

We also stuck stickers from our vehicle on the door of our apartment closet.

Sister Jorgensen, Sister Heylen, Mark Pope, Sister Pyne, and Elder Pyne at the Historic Liberty Jail.

Sister Moore, Sister Jorgensen, Sister Ogletree, and Sister Heylen in the Independence Visitor's Center.

At the Departure Breakfast the morning of February 5, 2014.  Sister Weng, Sister C. Wilson, Sister Ogletree, and Sister S. Wilson are returning home.  This breakfast was held on the morning of a major snow storm in Independence, Missouri.  The temperatures were below 0 with the windchill factor, and the roads barely passable, but we had a heart-warming departure breakfast in the Visitor Center, honoring these sister missionaries.

All the Sister Missionaries at the Departure Breakfast.  The snow was too deep for the Historic Liberty Jail missionaries to attend, plus many of them were sick with the flu.

Another photo at the Departure Breakfast.

January 2014 -- Missouri Independence Mission

The Sister Missionaries at the Independence Visitor Center and Historic Liberty Jail come from a rich mix of ethnic backgrounds, including Asian, Polynesian, Latino, Indian, and Caucasian.  This photo of Sister Missionaries represents that mix!  It is so helpful to have so many different languages represented at the visitor centers, since we have people from throughout the world visiting the centers.  Many of our exhibits, media, and printed materials are also in various languages, which helps us better serve our international guests.  Left to right, Sisters Medel, Borges, Villanuava, Harding, Ita, Weng, Fa'anunu,and Singh.

One of the difficult things of our mission is saying good-bye to sister missionaries who we have come to love and appreciate.  These four missionaries, from left to right, Sister Lettig from Utah, Sister Altier from California, Sister Moon from Utah, and Sister Spivey from Georgia, are four of our favorite missionaries who returned home in December 2013.  They will be amazing church members, spouses, mothers, professionals, and members of their communities.  Their mission experience will help them excel in all these areas.

 

One of the highlights of our mission is being part of the friendshipping, teaching, and spiritual conversion process of many guests at the visitor centers and many recent converts in our congregation in Independence, MO.  Sister Lettig and Sister Heylen are two of the sister missionaries we have worked closely with, since they are assigned to the Independence 1st Ward where we attend church services, teach Sunday School and Priesthood classes, and help with those who are investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

The Senior Couples and Sister Missionaries who serve in the Independence Visitor Center and Historic Liberty Jail.

Although we are into the new year, and Christmas 2013 is completed, here is another photo of Sister and Elder Pyne, in front of the Christmas tree on the lower level of the Independence Visitor Center.  This is the level where church history presentations are given.

The sister missionaries enacted the Nativity on Christmas morning!

Sister Pyne, Sister Altier, and Elder Pyne in the first room of "God's Plan for His Family" video presentation.

Sister Pyne, Sister Moon, and Elder Pyne in front of the Christus statue, where many of the most spiritual moments in the visitor center occur.

We are grateful for Sister Villanuava and Sister Borges, two of our spanish-speaking sister missionaries.  We have many spanish-speaking guests!

Valerie Pollard was baptized in January 2014.  I had the honor to confirm her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Anna Bella, a recent convert, is standing to the right of Valerie.  Helping friendship and teach those who are investigating the Church is a major highlight of our mission.

Sister Heylen to the left and Sister Jorgensen to the right were the primary teachers for Valerie.

In the lower levels of the Independence Visitor Center and Historic Liberty Jail are Teaching Centers where the sister missionaries contact referrals from all over the world.  These referrals are primarily people who have accessed the websites of the Church and are seeking to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  With approximately 300,000 new converts per year, Church membership now exceeds 15 million.  This photo is of a training session for sister missionaries while role playing how to more effectively teach the gospel by telephone.

   

Sister Godfrey and Elder Godfrey are returning on January 24th to their home in St. George, Utah after completing their 18-month mission as senior missionaries.  We have become close friends with the Godfrey's since we work closely with them in the visitor centers and they live right across the hall from our apartment!  January 17th marked the 13th month of our 18-month mission.  We are nearing the completion of our mission.  It has been a joy serving in Missouri, but it will also be a joy returning home to our family, church, and community in Georgia.  We return home in mid-June 2014! 

Christmas Season in Missouri

 Sitting in front of the Christmas tree on the main level of the Independence Visitor's Center.

Michelle's clothing colors match the tree beautifully.

Standing by one of the trees and part of the Nativity Scene Exhibit in the exit room at the Historic Liberty Jail.

A photo of another section of the nativity exhibit at the Historic Liberty Jail.

Standing by the tree in the front lobby of the Historic Liberty Jail.

In a Christmas store in the Country Club Plaza of Kansas City, Missouri.

Standing on the sidewalk outside the Christmas store, with the impressive exterior lighting of the Country Club Plaza in the background.

At the Cheesecake Factory in the Country Club Plaza, with some of the magical street lighting in the background.

A photo of the Mormon Chorale of the Heartland of America singing at one of the many musical programs hosted by the Independence Visitor's Center throughout the Christmas season.

There was large attendance at the various musical programs hosted by the Independence Visitor's Center.

A dinner was sponsored for all the full-time missionaries in the Independence Missouri Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Sister Missionaries who serve at the Independence Visitor's Center are very musically talented.  They performed both chorale arrangements and played hand bells.

Elder Pyne had the privilege of baptizing Sonya Shamow into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This photo includes Sister Heylen, Sister Lettig, Sonya, Sister Erikson, Sister Altier, and Elder Pyne.

Sonya and Elder Pyne.

Sister Wood, who is from California, with the Pyne's.

Sister Harding and Sister Call, from Utah and California, respectively, with the Pyne's.

Sister Jacob, from Cedar Hills, Utah, with the Pyne's.

Sister Harward, Sister Erikson, Sister Smith, Sister Luening, and Sister Altier following a breakfast at the Independence Visitor's Center.