19 Amazing Young Men-Zone Leadership

Today was our first experience with the Zone Leader Council.  I was more impressed than ever as I continue to be amazed every week of this mission.  A Zone Leader Council is held once every six weeks.  It includes the 2 Zone leaders from each of the 8 zones, the Assistants and Pres. I get to attend also, but not in an official capacity.  Even though they put me on the program for a few minutes. The purpose of this council is to discuss the needs and plans for the mission.  It is remarkable to watch church leaders in the making. President Albright began by talking about councils and their purpose in the church.  ( I think he did that mostly for my benefit)   Elders Ganaway and Gifford lead the discussions and let everyone give their ideas and opinions about what might work and how to go about doing things in the mission.  They all work together to decide what would be best, the pros and cons, and how it effects all the missionaries.  It is inspiring to see them "council" together and value everyone ideas.  I learned so much from watching and listening today. Not only do they accomplish a lot, but they have a lot of fun.   I took pictures of each zone leader companionship.  They are in order of pictures:  President Albright and Elder Newton (our invited Spanish Elder), The Assistants: Elder Gifford and Elder Ganaway, Woodbridge Zone: Elders Baldwin and Elder Withers,  Oakton Zone: Elder Ross and Elder Langi, Mt Vernon Zone: Elders Nickle and Elder Hardy, McLean Zone: Elders Sill and Elder Carter, Fredericksburg Zone: Elder Shattuck and Elder Bell, Centreville Zone: Elders Lieppman and Elder Tye, Annandale Zone: Elder Elton and Elder Johnson, Ashburn Zone:  Elder Esplin and Elder Redford.  








It's interesting how this day is organized.  They all arrive in Fairfax  at the chapel at 5:30 a,m, to play basketball before the council.  This means many of them get up before the sun since they have to drive an hour to get here.  They play non competitve ball (3-on-3)for a couple of hours.  Then they come to the mission home and all get showered and dressed as missionaries ready for work.  At about 6:00 we got up to start fixing breakfast.  Cinnamon rolls, fruit, bacon, and drinks.  After breakfast they begin their meetings.  They take a break around 10:30--more refreshments. Back to work until noon and then it's lunchtime.  A long held mission tradition: Meatball sandwiches.  Something new to Pres. and I, but they are pretty good.  Anyways I guess the mission record is 6 sandwiches.  Can't even fathom.  They had sandwiches ,watermellon, chips, goodies,  and rootbeer floats.  They are really lively  young men and it was fun to just observe and listen to them laugh and enjoy each others company.  I think President Albright is doing a great job,  He relates well to them, is kind, understanding, and a great motivator, leader, and friend to each one of them. I am watching  and can tell they really respect, admire 
and are learning to love him as their new leader.  The mantle has changed shoulders and he is doing great in this new calling just as he has done in all his callings.