Federal Way Washington LDS Mission-Current Blog

 Message from the Presidency
Federal Way Washington Mission
Last Blog for this mission

The last transfer meeting of the Washington Federal Way’s Mission was Friday, May 25th. Where each missionary will be as the mission divides is now in the history book. (We have a wonderful history book. If you come and visit us ask us and you can see it.). Transfer meetings are something I always look forward to because they always strengthen my testimony of revelation received by President Rasmussen for each missionary individually and the mission as a whole. It is a wonderful thing to behold.

President Rasmussen spends the week preparing for the Friday meeting. He carefully reads each missionaries letter, looks at the history of where they have served in the mission and prays to know God’s will for them. I call this the hunkering down days.  Last week he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.  This is usually at least three solid days. He is constantly seeking the will of the Father for his missionaries. He sits in his office in much deep thought and prayer. He has spent time throughout the transfer contemplating changes for next transfer but now starts looking at details.

Those who attend the transfer meeting are the assistants, myself and President Rasmussen. President Rasmussen makes every decision. We are there to answer questions or add insights we have regarding individual missionaries as we interact with them regularly. When you put all of our information together you have a clearer picture.

We fast in preparation. In the attitude of fasting, we kneel and pray for President Rasmussen to be guided by the Spirit and receive the revelation to know the will of Heavenly Father for His children in the Federal Way Mission.

We then look at such decisions as who will be trainers, zone leaders, sister training leaders and district leaders. These are usually decided first. Then President Rasmussen goes through and makes any companionship changes he has received revelation for. We discuss each change. He asks us if how we feel about it and we talk about it.

He then looks at and contemplates each companionship one by one. When he is satisfied that it is correct, we again kneel in prayer for confirmation from the Spirit. He again looks at the companionship’s one by one to confirm it is correct. Again, he asks us how we feel about it.

I can testify that the Lord is in the details of the Washington Federal Way Mission and the lives of his beloved missionaries....your sons and daughters. President Rasmussen leads this mission by revelation. I see it over and over again.

Bishop Waddell tells us we are blessed to have that, “birds eye view every parent wishes they could have to watch the growth of their missionary”. We do have a front row seat to watch over your missionaries as they stretch and grow, laugh and cry and become more like their Savior. This transfer will be a growing experience for all of us! As always, we are all going to have to depend on our Savior for strength.

We appreciate the support of your missionary. Things are extra exciting right now but the most exciting part is we are a vital part of the hastening of His work. We love it whether we are in Tacoma or Seattle!

Love,

Sister Rasmussen 

Looking Back - We remember:

              Christmas Packages - what fun, what work to get them to all the missionaries!

     Sister Rasmussen's Training Sessions for all new missionaries - They just got off the plane

            President Rassmussen and grandchild playing with the missionaries over the holidays

 Sr. Ford-Trudo remembers injured knees for some missionaries - they play hard and have fun!

 Sr. Mintindo, new convert from Kenya. Her testimony is so strong. She suffered many hardships to join the church, but she is strong.

 Precious memories of valient missionaries of the past. We will always remember them.

 The ball drop in New York City was nothing compared to the fireworks over the Space Needle

 Every Missionary has special talents that bless the mission. They are so appreciated.

            We enjoyed Elder Wilson's art work. His skill with water colors is amazing!

 Funny - no one was funnier than this dear Elder - He always had such a good sense of humor

                           Oh Yeah! - Flu season was enjoyed by all, especially this Elder.

 The first snow on Christmas Day in Washington in many years was amazing. It was so beautiful on the gorgeous tall evergreen trees.

 Gathering for the Christmas Devotional was really fun for the Sisters and Elders.


   

                
                 Honoring the Savior in all our activities and thoughts and prayers is our focus!

Looking to their leaders for support. This is a beautiful picture of the supporting hand of Sr. Rasmussen when  missionary needs a little extra.

Departing from the Federal Way Washington Mission - last departures from this mission.

 The send off group of President, President's assistance and their wives. President and Sr. Rasmussen and President and Sister Campbell and President and Sister Laymon. along with the last 3 Elders to be sent home - who served honorably.

After their last dinner at the mission home along with their companions. What a marvelous group of missionaries.

Elder Cottrell saying goodbye to Elder Roach

Their last Temple trip together/ What a blessing these sweet missionaries have been they have been.

Assistants to the President. Fine hardworking missionaries.Elder Jacobson will go to Tacoma mission. They are so lucky to have him. Elder Christensen goes to the Seattle mission.


Devotionals - a chance to hear new members bear their testimonys.
 

Zone Conferences - Study- Train and Learn !

Auburn Conference

First they are instructed. Then they practice gospel concepts, teaching each other 

LDS Missionaries are very well trained. They have had 4 years of daily seminary, meaning they study from the Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price and Church History using the Doctrine and Covenants. Most are raised in a Gospel centered homes, others are bravely serving as new converts themselves. They work 14 or more structured hours, planning, goal setting, teaching, finding new investigators world wide. They serve in missions overseen by a Mission President and their wives. 

 Lunch with Enumclaw and Puyallup Zones

 The Elders have much to discuss with the missionaries
 

 Kicking back and enjoying a delicious meal with missionary friends.

 Sisters discussing their recent missionary experiences. Very uplifting!

 Always serving. Relief Society sisters (and Sr. Rasmussen) prepares the meals.

 Serving the missionaries. Sisters come to zone conferences to sew and patch the missionaries clothes. It important that they are always presentable because they represent the church and the missionary efforts.

South Hill and Graham Zones
 

Kent-Renton Zones

Federal Way Zone
 

Baptisms - Throughout the year, How great is your reward if you bring even one soul to the Savior through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands:

97 Missionaries are on their way to the Seattle Mission. 36 will be in the Tacoma mission. The zones that are transferred to Tacoma are Graham, South Hill, and Puyallup. Missionaries that are in those three zones are the 36 who will be going to the Tacoma Mission. 

Zones staying in the Seattle mission are Enumclaw, Auburn, Maple Valley, Kent, Federal Way and Renton. The transfer will be on June 26th.



As some missionaries are moved to the Tacoma Mission, we will miss them. We will gain other missionaries from the Seattle area, we will welcome them. Sr. Rasmussen and I look forward to the new challenges ahead. Thank you for supporting your missionaries in the Federal Way Washington Mission!