December Departure

What a great group of missionaries. They will be missed in a big way. They served as zone leaders, district leaders, assistants, and trainers. This group always delivered on their responsabilities. Elders Gabriel, Coslett, Tenney, Romm, Coltrin, Pres. and Sister Cordon

Christmas Conference, Ponta Grossa, 2011

Our mission has grown significantly since last year which resulted in the need to hold two Christmas conferences, one in Curitiba and the other in Ponta Grossa. Our Ponta Grossa Conference included our two zones in Ponta Grossa and our Guarapuava zone. We had a wonderful time.

The Cast is Ready!!

In keeping with the Spirit of Christmas, we reenacted the Nativity story in our two conferences. Here are the missionaries in Ponta Grossa on stage and ready!

The Audience Is Also More Than Ready!

Here we all are waiting for the Nativity Story to begin. It was a great day with Awesome missionaries.

Christmas Conference, Curitiba, 2011

Mais uma foto da Conferência de Natal!

Christmas Conference Dinner, Curitiba, 2011

Elders enjoining Christmas dinner made by Irma Burnedette from Ponta Grossa. Look at those happy faces and look at the size of that Christmas Cake in the background.

The Curitiba Cast!!

Sister Cordon had them all ready for our Nativity. It was a cast of many. We had angels and shepherds, kings and wisemen.

In Loving Memory of Elder Marcos Prieto

Elder Marcos Prieto, a great leader of the Church here in Brasil and a dear friend, passed away this month. This picture of Elder Prieto (on the left with his two brothers who are currently serving as mission presidents in Goiania and Riberao Preto) was taken at the beginning of November in Sao Paulo at the Mission President's Seminar. He will be missed dearly. He has patterned his life after the Savior's and dedicated it to serving others. Until we meet again our dear friend.

Oh Joy! Cordons are doing apartment checks!

Elder Veiga and Elder Reeves were surprised this morning with an unexpected visit from Sister Cordon and I. We found them up, dressed and ready for the day. We were only a minor detour from their normal morning studies.

Christmas Party with the Stake Presidents and Their Wives

We had our annual Christmas dinner with the Stake Presidents and their wives. We love these dedicated servants of the Lord who sacrifice so much of their personal time and resources to help this sacred work move forward. We learn so much from them and their examples. They are like Moroni, "if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever."

Pres. and Sister Tavares of the Portao Stake, Pres. and Sister do Carmo of Campos Gerais Stake and Pres. and Sister Furusho of Boa Vista.

Pres. and Sister Santos of the Curitiba Iguacu Stake. He is Dallin's stake president.

Presidente and Sister Ogebowsky of the Sao Jose dos Pinhais Stake and Presidente Benvindo Michelisa of the Boqueirao Stake. The juice Pres. Benvindo is stirring is made from the husk of the pineapple. It is awesome. These are great people who really help the work move forward.

Pres. and Sister Pires of the Pinhais Stake; my counselor Pres. Miled Mechaileh and his wife Marli; Pres. and Sister Costa of the Sao Lourenco Stake.

December Zone Leader Council

It is such a pleasure to work with such wonderful young men and the best companion ever!!