Time seems to accelerate as we get older can’t believe we are in 2026 and have been in the mission field 2 months already!
This week was our 2nd opportunity to go through Zone Conference. That is where the Missionaries gather to be taught, instructed, inspired and feed physically as well as spiritually. Elder Davis’s responsibilities during this time is to inspect the 78 mission cars and mine is to feed the 240 missionaries.
Our mission is large it covers almost all of Indiana so to help cut down on travel for the missionaries Zone Conference is divided up over 3 days in 3 areas Kokomo, Fishers and Martinsville. Based on where the Sisters and Elders are serving and in what zone that determines which conference they attend. We bring the food an hour north or an hour south to them.
Now you would think that because we have done this once before we would be prepared. NOT! Monday the day I did my grocery shopping temperatures dropped and strong winds picked up.
This is me after my Costco trip! With the wind whipping and trying to not loose anything while loading the car in record time my face was numb!! it was -10 degrees! They say February is the coldest month here! YIKES 🥶😂❣️I was grateful to get back to a warm kitchen to cook!
With supplies bought, fridge stocked we were ready to cook! Taco soup, White Chicken Chili, Potato Cheese soup with all the toppings is on the menu with salad and dessert.
How many gallons of soup does one make for 240? That was a mathematical guessing game for me as we are dealing with hungry young adults! How do you know how many bowls some will eat!!! At first my goal was 4 cups each that would be almost 1000 cups of soup!! For almost an hour I “noodled” on it. President Mathewson uses that word referring to thinking deeply about something.
I had to realistically think of what could we make in the short time available and how to transport it all.
Finally it came to me! We would be serving over 3 days. We could make more soup each day based on what they ate. Problem solved!
For some, “noodling” takes longer😉
Again Helping Hands made it possible and the Lord multiplied the food and “feed the five-thousand” In the end when all was said and done we made 480 cups – half what I first originally thought.
GRATEFUL the Lord can help in every aspect of our lives if we ask♥️
While I was inside toasty and warm cooking and serving, Elder Davis and Elder Nelson was outside directing parking and inspecting vehicles.
Let’s just say Elder Davis was experiencing his own Arctic freeze 🥶 and was grateful when he could climb in the cars and close the door to record Miles and validate that the data matched what our computer system shows. Previously all the data collection for the cars was done by paper and then needed to be entered into the computer later. Elder Davis wrote a computer program to eliminate the dual entry and then he imported the data into the system. It was nice not having to shuffle thru 75 papers to input the data. More automation coming.
He would then join me as soon as he was done THANKFUL to be eternal companions💝
As we look forward to 2026 with so many opportunities and possibilities it may feel a bit overwhelming where to start. Deciding to go on a mission has been life changing for Elder Davis and I but we are also learning it does not have to be big decisions to make a big difference.
Our Mission President, President Matheson beautifully lists some possibilities.
Kairos Moment for New Year’s Day: – With the dawning of a new day and a new year, hope springs eternal and everyone is given the chance to begin anew. Regardless of the “What ifs” which were left on the table of yesterday and last year as un-kept promises, unresolved relationships, unmet goals, undiscovered opportunities or unfulfilled dreams – today holds no grudges and carries not one of the negatives of the past forward with it. (That is the beauty and joy of daily repentance and linking arms with Jesus Christ.)
This is the beginning of a new a day and the first day of the rest of your life – Could this be your chance to transform your discipleship, your connection to Jesus Christ, your relationships with friends, companion, family? Think about it:
What if you made this year, starting to today your year?
What if you resolved to focus on realistic goals and pursued them with passion?
What if you put fear and uncertainty on the shelf this year and just went for it?
What if you stopped your negative thinking or pessimistic views of the world around you?
What if you refused to listen to negative voices, even if they are within your own head, and truly believed in your impossible dreams? (Remember with Jesus – Impossible is Nothing!)
What if you looked for the good in every opportunity, every challenge and every person which crosses your way?
What if you developed greater self-discipline?
What if you lived the standards for disciples of Jesus Christ – because you love Him?
What if you were more present and worried less about things beyond your control?
What if you truly committed to becoming a consecrated disciple of Jesus Christ?
What if you chose to bite your tongue more, speak in anger less, (or not at all) and determined that everyone will leave your presence feeling better?
What if you pressed your way all the way through your own “Third Press” moments?
What if you chose to make a difference for at least one person every day?
What if you decided to trust more in bold audacious promises?
What if you had desert first at least once a month? (Ok – this one is just for me 😉 )
What if you truly focused on who you are, where you want to go and what you want to become?
What if you began each day with a clear vision of what you will achieve?
What if you put procrastination away forever?
What if you chose to criticize less and compliment more and transformed yourself into a role-model instead of always being a critic?
What if you decided to smile more?
What if you spent 1% (14.4 minutes) of every 24-hour day improving yourself and strengthening your connection to your Heavenly Father?
What if you attacked your goals, were resilient in the face of failure and refused to quit until success is yours?
What if?…
Wherever you are in your life I hope that your new year will start today, and will indeed be the year where your “What if” will truly become your “What is!”
Another Testament of Jesus Christ the Book of Mormon , Alma teaches that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).
Choose one thing to improve this year and see the difference it makes in your life💖 Forward with Faith we go! LOVE YOU ALL! Happy New Year!
❣️Skittles❣️Elder and Sister Davis