BLOG #33

BLOG #33 November 30^th to  December 7th

THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT WEEK!  WE HAVE FINISHED THE LAST OF THE SEMESTER AND THE LAST FALL DINNER.  WE REALLY NEEDED A BREAK.  WE HAVE HAD SOME GREAT EXPERIENCES IN THIS LAST SEMESTER: WE HAVE WITNESSED SOME GREAT YOUNG PEOPLE BEING BAPTIZED -- SOME GREAT FRIENDS MADE – MISSIONARIES COMING AND GOING -- TEACHING – PREPARING DINNER AND BREAKFASTS--WORKING WITH SOME GREAT PEOPLE—SEEING SOME OF THE PRETTIEST AREAS IN THE UNTIED STATES. WHILE BEING IN FLORIDA,  WE HAVE HAD AND ENJOYED MANY BLESSINGS BEING ON THIS MISSION. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THE YEAR 2014 IS ALMOST OVER WITH?.

I FIXED ENCHILADA SOUP FOR THIS LAST DINNER OF THE SEMESTER.  TO ME IT REALLY DID NOT LOOK GOOD BUT EVERYONE SAID IT WAS TERRIFIC.  I MADE CORN BREAD( THIS IS THE BEST RECIPE THAT I HAVE FOUND. IT IS LIKE A CAKE AND YET BREAD), AND OF COURSE CHOCOLATE CANDY CANE KISSES COOKIES— IT LOOKED VERY FESTIVE...

THE ONLY CHALLENGE LEFT IS THAT I HAVE TO BALANCE THE BOOKS WITH SISTER HOPEGOOD. I HOPE THAT I WILL MAKE IT—IT IS BAD ENOUGH TO GOOF YOUR OWN CHECKBOOK BUT THE NOT THE CHURCH’S.

WE WENT TO TWO NIGHTS OF “THE FESTIVAL OF THE NATIVITY”. IT WAS MUCH LIKE OUR CRECHE NIGHTS. ONLY THIS STAKE PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON THE TALENT OF THE STAKE MEMBERS THAN ON THE CRECHES.  IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND A LOT OF WORK. THERE ARE SOME REALLY WONDERFUL MUSICIANS HERE.  IT DID MAKE ME THINK OF BROTHER AND SISTER HEALEY AND ALL THE WORK THEY DID.. THEN OF ALL THINGS WE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE CRECHE ACTIVITY SUPERVISOR IN WEBER COUNTY TO SEE IF WE COULD HELP AND WE HAD TO TELL THEM NO—I WONDER WHY I WOULD DO THAT.

 ALL 8 WARDS IN THE BRANDON STAKE WERE ASSIGNED AT LEAST 30 DOZEN COOKIES EACH. THEY HAD COOKIES COMING OUT THEIR EARS AND STILL THEY FELT THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE SHORT. OUR YSA WARD WAS ASKED TO KEEP THE COOKIE AND PUNCH TABLE FULL. THEY WERE, ALSO, ASKED TO PASS OUT THE COOKIES. SO I STEPPED IN TO HELP, WE WERE ONLY SUPPOSED TO GIVE 2 COOKIES AT THE MOST TO EVERYONE AND YET IN THE KITCHEN THE COOKIES WERE OOZING OUT THE DOOR.  CRAZY‼  IT ALL WORKED OUT AND THEY HAD A LOT OF COOKIES LEFT OVER ANYWAY.

NEXT WEEK WE TRAVEL TO CAPE CORAL. SARASOTA  AND BRADENTON TO HELP WITH SEMINARY IN-SERVICE FOR ELDER PATRICK.

THANKSGIVING WEEK BLOG #32

THANKSGIVING WEEK BLOG#32

I decided that Elder Judd could write most of the blog this week. He did a fantastic job.  He might  be doing it again!

This is the last day of November, with one week left in this semester at the Institute and the daily temperatures in the 70’s, it just does not seem possible that we only have 24 days until Christmas. Only a few of the millions of trees in this part of Florida have lost their leaves and they did not turn colors but turned a dingy brown and then fell to the ground. The great majority of trees, palms, pine, and others keep their leaves all year. So the green-ness of the trees, the warmth of the weather and the overall summer like weather we are having just does not lend itself to “starting to look like Christmas.”

We feared that no one would come due to it being the day before Thanksgiving, but I had 8 YSA show up for class and we had a great lesson.  After class, several of the students continued to talk about the subject (that Satan has no power over us except what we give him - by our choices).  Five of the students were very appreciative of the lesson and expressed their gratitude for what they had learned. Several of the students stayed around and we all talked for quite a while. We did not get home until after ten pm. It was a great evening and turned out so much better that we thought it might.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day was different when compared to the traditional way we have celebrated it in the past. We had a leisure morning with no food preparation and left for Sarasota at about 11:30 am to get in line at the Der Dutchman Restaurant where four of the five senior couples in our mission were meeting for the big dinner. When we arrived at about 12:30 pm there was a line of people out the front door just to get their name on the wait list. That line took about 20 minutes. We planned on all meeting at 2:30 and we actually did sit down about that time.  It was a great meal with all the traditional foods and trimmings plus roast beef and about nine different kinds of pie to choose from.  There was apple, pumpkin, pecan, raspberry, rhubarb, blueberry, blackberry, cherry and also coconut cream.  I had to stop at three before I popped.  I could only taste the pumpkin, blackberry, pecan and rhubarb. My last attempt was at the blackberry and I could only try about two bites.  We had a great visit with all and then bid our goodbyes and got back on the road back to Tampa. It was a good day. 

Friday started early for us because we planned to drive to the Orlando Temple for a session. It was beautiful and clear and a little on the chilly side for Florida, about 54 degrees at 8 am. We had a nice session at the temple with about 40 people in the group. The Orlando Temple is situated on a hill in a beautiful upscale area north of Orlando. The grounds look what I think the Garden of Eden looked like. It is a gorgeous setting with the white stone temple as the centerpiece, for the new winter flower arrangements around the temple they planted a lot of poinsettias. They were beautiful and so different that what we can plant at home. After the session, we sat in the car facing the temple and ate our lunch that we brought with us. 

We then drove to Clermont to find Brandon, Mandy and Rusty’s house on the Lake (Minnehaha). Brandon is a professional class wake boarder and the house they rent literally sits about thirty feet out in this large lake. The setting is beautiful and serene. Their back porch is fixed up with two hammocks, a fish-cleaning sink and two old wake boards attached to some 4x4’s to make a quaint bench for two. While we were there, Brandon invited me to try to catch some fish from the porch.  I caught three Blue Gill and two cat fish. Who would have thought that I would catch fish in Florida? I threw all that I caught back. Of course, We took some pictures for proof. We had a nice visit with Brandon and his family. They had just bought a Christmas tree, so I helped them set it up. Rusty is 9 months old and such a good natured baby and really cute. In the late afternoon, we went to the Crooked Spoon restaurant for hamburgers together, then Marsha and I started for home. In the process, we didn’t trust our GPS in the car so we had to call Brandon to get the right way back to Tampa. It is not fun being in Florida when you are lost, there are no reference points for direction. This is the hardest place to get around for me. With no mountains for reference, I just do not do well. Sister Judd gets along a lot better than I do.  After getting directions, we got on the right road and headed home. It was a nice, relaxing day, which has been quite different from the busy schedule we have had since we arrived in Florida.

On Saturday, we started our day by joining a few of the YSA at the church to take care of the cleaning for Sunday. This week there were about four more than last week, which made the effort much easier. In the afternoon we joined Jonathon and Christine Hopegood (Sister Hopegood is our Support Specialist at the Institute) in attending a free water ski show on Tower Lake about 15 miles west of Tampa. Here we were in our shirt sleeves on folding chairs next to a small lake with the temperature in the 70’s, watching about twenty professional water skiers show their stuff. They did all kinds of tricks including going off a jump and doing summersaults to forming pyramids of three high. At some point there were as many as ten or twelve skiers all behind one boat. It was a great show and it really did feel like we are in Florida. This is quite a contrast from the time we spent in Calgary, Alberta… from a winter in the deep freeze to a winter in a summer place. (One of Florida’s many license plates boasts “Endless Summer” on it.) After the show, the Hopegood’s took us out for Pizza at a nice place. We had a great time and it was good to get to know them better thru this experience. Jonathon is a non-member and from England. He has a very English accent and is interesting to talk to. I hope we can get to know them better. On the way back, we stopped and picked up a couple of movies and spent the rest of the evening finishing off this restful few days quietly in our apartment. 

I have been writing to a young Elder who moved down south after his transfer, he told us this experience of “finding” a woman to teach. This is just like all the missionaries .They are having more and more experiences with people who want to know Christ and his teachings .

Elder telling us about his experience: “My companion and I were about to go finding, before that we prayed and requested for a specific direction to go to. We were prompted to go down a service station about 5 minute walk from our apartment complex to the gas station. 

As we got there, we were just standing there trying to look for opportunity to talk to people but there were not many people out there, so we felt a bit discouraged. We were gonna go to another finding place any time sooner but we felt a strong prompting that we should be patient.2 minutes later, this lady pulled up to fill her gas and so we talked to her and we showed her the He Is The Gift video.

 As we were showing this video to her, tears started filling her eyes as she felt the spirit talking to her. She has been going through a hard time in her life and she did not even realize how she had a Loving Father who gave her a very sacred and precious gift. 

She said that Heavenly Father sent us to her at that time because she feels lost and we were there to help her find her way. 

She really enjoyed the video and she was willing to set up a schedule for us to come and see her again.”

Everyone needs to watch the video ‘He is the Gift’.  It is a great 3 minute movie that testifies of Christ.

Working with this age group is so great. Marsha and I love to be around them and work with them.  I think this work keeps us young if we can keep up with them!!!  We are spending this evening working on writing the events of this past week.

BLOG #31

SOME WHERE ALONG THE LINE I HAVE MESSED UP ON THE DATES AND BLOG #'S. SO I WILL TRY TO GET IT STRAIGHTEN OUT-- BUT REST ASSURED ALL THIS INFORMATION DID HAPPEN.

 ELDER JUDD: This semester is quickly coming to close with only two weeks left before the Christmas break. It has been a busy week and my classes have been fun to teach. I am really enjoying teaching the life and ministry of the Savior. There are so many valuable insights that come as we discuss each verse of what the Savior both said and did. Every now and again one or two students makes and audible “Aha!” or “Wow!” or “Mmmm!” or they raise their hand with an insight that they had never had before. Then we talk about what they have discovered. Often, that insight or discovery enlightens the rest of us in the class and we all share in the light that has come as we focus on the Son of God and His tenderness and infinite love both to those He ministered to then and those He ministers to now---us. 

Wednesday was a busy day for Sister Judd as she worked on the menu for Thursday. On Tuesday, she made those famous rolls(5 dozen) of hers. Then she made a cookie that looked like a pilgrim hat, about sixty of them. She has baked two turkeys and boned them out for the meat that she put into a Thanksgiving dinner casserole. She also made two cookie sheets of a pumpkin cheesecake bar.  It all went over very well with the YSA coming back for seconds. It all tasted great and everyone had a great meal. And of course a lot of conversation…

THIS WAS OUR TROPICAL STORM

Also on Wednesday Sister Judd and I went to our first senior missionary in-service meeting with all 6 couples in the Tampa Florida Mission with Pres and Sister Cusick. From 10 to 12 we learned more about the mission and how it works. We were instructed to be helpful to the Wards mission leaders working closely with them. Pres Cusick was very informative. And we were grateful that we could learn more about this work. We then had Lunch with Olive Garden as the caterer. It was good and we were able to chat with the couples that we did not know very well = Serevinson, ,Ainscough, Smiths, Healey, and Salmons..  We then went to the afternoon portion of the meeting and learned about the Metro Training Center- Elders Hawks and Neilsen(AP) explained this portion--It is to help teach the missionaries how to approach people how, to  exercise and take care of themselves, how to manage their time, and how to prepare their food etc.. It was very informative.  They are really being trained for life in general. 

Sunday was a great day and the first one in a while that we were able to relax and just enjoy the spirit.  NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

ONE WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING#30

THURSDAY I REALLY WANTED PIZZA ,ICE CREAM AND COOKIES. I TRIED TO COME UP WITH DIFFERENT WAYS TO PREPARE IT MAKING IT HOT, GOOD AND OF COURSE COST EFFECTIVE FOR THE BUDGET I HAVE. THE ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE IT WAS WITH FRENCH BREAD (WALMART SPECIAL $1/LOAF) CUT IN HALF AND THEN INTO 8 PIECES, PIZZA SAUCE, CHEESE, PEPPERONI, HAM AND PINEAPPLE. ELDER JUDD AND I MADE AN ASSEMBLY LINE OF INGREDIENTS AND THEN I WOULD RUN IT DOWN TO THE OVENS. ( THE OVENS ARE IN THE MAIN PART OF THE BUILDING JUST ACROSS FROM THE GYM.IT IS NOT FAR FROM THE INSTITUTE ROOMS SO THAT IS WHERE I DO ALL OF THE BAKING.  LOTS OF  WALKING, GOOD FOR ME‼!)) WE MADE IT A FUN MEAL FOR THE STUDENT. THEY ATE ALL 11 LOAVES OF PIZZA BREAD. IT IS AN EASY WAY TO MAKE IT –I THINK THAT WE WILL BE HAVING PIZZA  FRENCH BREAD AT OUR HOUSE WITH THE GRANDKIDS. 

SATURDAY WE FIXED A BREAKFAST MEAL FOR THE SEMINARY IN-SERVICE GROUP. IT WAS MUFFIN QUICHES, CINNAMON, BLUEBERRY, MORMON MUFFIN, AND OF COURSE FRUIT, MILK AND JUICE. THESE EARLY MORNING SEMINARY TEACHERS COME FROM 5 DIFFERENT  STAKES IN THIS AREA, SOME DRIVE FROM FORT MYERS IN THE SOUTH, BROOKSFIELD IN THE NORTH, ST PETE IN THE WEST AND LAKELAND IN THE EAST.  IT IS A LONG DRIVE FOR MANY OF THESE FAITHFUL SAINTS, WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR TEACHING SKILLS FOR THE YOUTH OF THE CHURCH IN THE SEMINARY PROGRAM. THEY GIVE THEIR TIME AND MONEY TO HELP THESE GREAT YOUNG PEOPLE.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON ELDER JUDD GAVE A TALK AT KODY DAHLKE’S BAPTISM. THEN ON SUNDAY HE GAVE A DIFFERENT TALK AT JIA ZHANG BAPTISM.  HE WAS REALLY GOOD TALKING TO TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE MEETING THEIR OWN NEEDS AND WHAT THEY NEEDED TO HEAR. BOTH OF THESE YOUNG ADULTS WERE SO HAPPY AND WE COULD SEE A LIGHT IN THEIR EYES THAT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE.

SATURDAY WAS ALSO TEMPLE DAY FOR THE YSA WARD. WE HAD ABOUT 25 YOUNG ADULTS COME AND DO BAPTISMS AND CONFIRMATIONS  FOR THE DEAD. THEY ARE SO EXCITED TO COME AND DO THIS FOR SOMEONE ELSE-SOME EVEN BRING THEIR OWN FAMILY FILE.  THE OFFICIATORS ASKED ELDER JUDD TO OFFICIATE AT THE FONT AND I WAS ASKED TO SIT IN THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CONFIRMATION ROOM. WE WENT TO THE TEXAS LONGHORN FOR DINNER AFTER. SOME WENT TO A CHINESE PLACE AND OTHERS WENT TO A SANDWICH JOINT. ALL IN ALL IT WAS A FUN EXPERIENCE.

ELDER JUDD AND I WERE ASSIGNED TO GO TO A YSA FIRESIDE IN PLANT CITY WHICH IS ABOUT 15 MILES EAST OF THE INSTITUTE BUILDING. OUR ASSIGNMENT WAS TO TALK TO THE YSA ABOUT COMING TO INSTITUTE CLASSES HERE IN TAMPA.  WE TOOK THE INSTITUTE PRESIDENT-JACQUI SHELTON WITH US AND ALL OF US BORE A TESTIMONY OF THE VALUE OF TAKING INSTITUTE TO STRENGTHEN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOSPEL. IT WAS GREAT EXPERIENCE.

ELDER JUDD AND I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING AN ELDER THAT WE BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH EARLIER THIS YEAR.  HE IS FROM FIJI AND HAS THIS WONDERFUL SMILE AND HAPPY ATTITUDE. HE WAS RECENTLY TRANSFERRED TO NAPLES THE SOUTHERN POINT OF THIS MISSION. OF COURSE WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT HIM BUT WE RECEIVED A NOTE ON MONDAY INDICATING THAT HE WAS DOING OKAY AND THAT HE REALLY WAS ENJOYING HIS NEW AREA AND COMPANION. WE ARE RELIEVEDTO HEAR HIS GOOD NEWS AND CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HIS SUCCESS.  WE,ALSO, RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTE YESTERDAY, MONDAY NOV. 17TH WHERE HE WAS BACK TO HIS HAPPY SELF-- MAKING JOKES AND TALKING  ABOUT FOOD AND HOW MUCH HE MISSED US AND ALL THE GOODIES THAT I MADE.  WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HIS SUCCESS DAILY. 

WE ARE IN OUR 2ND WEEK NOVEMBER#29

WE ARE IN OUR 2^ND WEEK OF NOVEMBER#29

WE HAVE ENJOYED A DELIGHTFUL WEEK—WEATHER-WISE . WE HAVE BEEN IN THE MID 70’S DURING THE DAY MOST OF THE TIME, AND REALLY THE ONLY TIME IT IS COLD IS WHEN WE ARE IN THE CHURCH BUILDING.  I REALLY THINK THAT THE BROTHERN SHOULD TAKE THEIR COATS OFF AND FEEL WHAT WE FEEL AT TIMES THEN MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNED DOWN A NOTCH OR TWO. I GUESS THAT IS MY LITTLE TIRADE, NOW BACK TO THE WEATHER.  WE KEEP WONDERING WHERE THE FALL IS. OUR SECRETARY, SISTER HOPEGOOD, CAME TO WORK ONE DAY WITH A SWEATER AND LONG DRESS BOOTS ON. SHE ASKED IF WE FELT THE CHANGE OF WEATHER OUTSIDE. WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND THEN SAID NO NOT REALLY. THE ONLY THING WE CAN TELL IS THE HOT HUMIDITY IS GONE.  THAT MUST BE HOW THEY TELL.  IT IS GREAT FOR RIGHT NOW AND WE MIGHT AS WELL ENJOY IT‼!

WE HAVE GROWN TO LOVE THE YOUNG ELDERS AND SISTERS THAT ARE IN OUR AREA.  AS WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CES PROGRAM IT PUTS US IN THE INSTITUTE BUILDING ALL THE TIME, SO WE SEE THE MISSIONARIES COME INTO THE BUILDING THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO THIS AREA. SOME ARE QUIET, SOME ARE VERY TALKATIVE AND SOME  YOU LOVE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE OF WHO  THEY ARE.  ELDER TAKONA, WHO CAME  FROM FIJI JUST SIX MONTHS AGO, WON OUR HEARTS WITH HIS SMILE AND SWEET PERSONALITY. WE HAVE COME TO LOVE HIM AND HIS SENIOR COMPANION, ELDER NELSON. THEY STOP INTO OUR OFFICE EACH DAY AND IF WE HAD ANY FOOD LEFT OVER FROM SOME EVENT, THEY USUALLY ENDED UP WITH IT. ELDER TOKONA’S PARENTS ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH AND HAVE  HAD A HARD TIME WITH HIM LEAVING  FIJI TO SERVE A FULL TIME MISSION—AS A RESULTS THEY HAVE NOT WRITTEN TO HIM THE ENTIRE TIME HE HAS BEEN OUT. THIS LAST TRANSFER HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO NAPLES THE FURTHEST CITY AWAY FROM HERE.  WE WILL TRY TO ENCOURAGE HIM WHILE HE IS IN HIS MISSION. HE HAS A GREAT TESTIMONY OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

OF COURSE IN THIS CALLING WE ALWAYS HAVE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE CONCERNED FOR. 1.  ADAM WHO JOINED THE CHURCH SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN A DIFFERENT STATE-- BUT FELL AWAY FROM THE CHURCH, WHEN HE CAME BACK TO FLORIDA HE FELT THAT HE HAD TRY HARD TO GIVE UP HIS HABITS THAT HAD TAKEN OVER HIS LIFE AND BEGIN AGAIN TO LIVE THE GOSPEL AS HE SHOULD. IT HAS BEEN A HARD JOURNEY BUT HE IS DOING A LOT BETTER AT THIS TIME. HIS GENERAL APPEARANCE HAS CHANGE. IT IS GREAT TO KNOW HIM.  2.  ANDREW A. IS A VERY SOFT SPOKEN YOUNG MAN AND HAS A HARD TIME GETTING TO KNOW THE YSA PEOPLE. WE HAVE TRIED TO MOVE HIM INTO WHERE THE YSA’S ARE TALKING SO THAT THEY CAN GET TO KNOW HIM BETTER. IT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE WITH HIM FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE. 3. FERNANDO, OUR SPECIAL FRIEND FROM COLUMBIA, CAME AND LIGHTED UP OUR LIFE WITH HIS SPECIAL TESTIMONY AND LOVE FOR THE GOSPEL. HE HAD TO GO HOME TO COLUMBIA SHORTLY AFTER HIS BAPTISM. HE WAS HOPING THAT HIS PARENTS WOULD JOIN BUT SADLY IT IS NOT THEIR TIME FOR COMMITMENT TO THE GOSPEL—SOMEDAY IT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THEIR SON’S TESTIMONY.  4. JAMIE L. IS ANOTHER YOUNG MAN WHO CAME INTO THE CHURCH WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOSPEL.  5. LANIEKA IS OUR JAMAICAN SISTER THAT JOINED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. SHE IS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN SCHOOL, BUT KNOWS THAT SHE IS BEING HELPED BECAUSE OF HER COMMITMENT TO THE GOSPEL. SATAN IS WORKING HARD ON ALL THESE CHOICE YOUNG PEOPLE  TO GET THEM BACK TO HIS SIDE,BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT THEY WILL DO AS THEY GROW CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THEIR HEAVENLY FATHER.THEY ARE STRONG AND WILL FIGHT TO STAY IN THE GOSPEL. WE HAVE OTHERS THAT THE MISSIONARIES ARE WORKING WITH. WE DO LOVE GETTING TO KNOW THEM TOO. WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE THIS IS WORKING WITH THESE YSA’S.

THIS WEEK I FIXED CHILI-MAC, CORN BREAD AND WHITE AND CHOCOLATE TEXAS SHEET CAKE. I THINK THAT I JUST CHANGE THE NAME OF THE MEAL, ADD A DIFFERENT SAUCE AND NOODLE AND IT BECOMES CHILI-MAC, SPAGHETTI,  ETC. IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE… THEY EAT IT ANYWAY IT IS FIXED.

 ELDER JUDD’S CLASSES ARE DOING GREAT. THE CLASSES ARE THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF THE SAVIOR AND THE OLD TESTAMENT (FIRST HALF). HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON UPDATING ALL OF HIS PICTURES FOR HIS CLASSES(HE HAS FOUND SOME FANTASTIC PICTURES ON THE INTERNET).HE HAS ENJOYED FINDING THESE PICTURES BECAUSE THEY ARE SO MUCH CLEARER AND SHARPER THAN THE PICTURES HE TOOK OF THE SAME SPOT. SOMEONE IS A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER.

THIS FRIDAY WE LEFT THE OFFICE ABOUT 4:30PM, HAD DINNER AT THE CRACKER BARREL, CAME BACK TO THE APARTMENT AND WATCHED 2 MOVIES. I KNOW BORING BUT IT WAS A GOOD CHANGE‼ SATURDAY:  UP AND BACK TO THE CHURCH TO HELP THE YSA CLEAN THE CHURCH. I NEEDED TO WASH THE CLOTHES IN THE AFTERNOON AND OF COURSE GO GROCERY SHOPPING – IT DOES SEEM THAT I AM ALWAYS FOOD SHOPPING FOR EITHER US OR THE YSA.  COSTCO AND WALMART KNOWS ME BY NAME.

WE HAD A SURPRISE CALL FROM ONE OF OUR YSA YOUNG WOMAN WANTING TO KNOW IF WE WOULD LIKE TO GO TO A UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL OVER IN ST. PETE.  WHAT A SURPRISE‼  KASSIE’S BACKGROUND IS UKRAINIAN. IT WAS FUN WATCHING  THE UKRAINE DANCES, TRYING THEIR FOOD AND LOOKING AT THEIR HANDICRAFTS--ESPECIALLY THEIR FANCY DECORATED EGGS FOR WHICH THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR. WE DID HAVE A GREAT TIME.

ELDER JUDD WAS ASKED TO GIVE A BAPTISMAL TALK FOR A YOUNG LADY, KAI-LA CANCEL,ON SUNDAY. HE SPOKE ON MORONI 10:32, MATTHEW 11:28-30 AND THE CONCEPT OF BEING YOKED TO THE SAVIOR AT BAPTISM WHICH WOULD GIVE US A PARTNER TO WALK WITH THRU THE REST OF OUR LIVES. I REALLY DID ENJOY, AS I ALWAYS DO, HEARING HIM BEAR HIS TESTIMONY OF THE SAVIOR.

NOVEMBER BLOG #27

NOVEMBER BLOG #27

November can you believe it? It is still sunny, not quit as warm, but still really nice.   I did wear my lightweight jacket tonight as we went to the Institute for the BYU devotional. Elder Donald Hallstrom gave a great talk on building on a rock foundation. How many times do we stress this point? Sometimes at church, well maybe all the time at church they Turn the temperature up to the highest cold mark and expect everyone to be content and happy, I wasn’t I was freezing.  And then on top of that we served ice cream -- banana splits, and root beer floats   cold cold cold  oh well‼. I think that I should have served hot chocolate now that would have been great idea. Next time!    I know I am in Florida and I should be warm all the time, but we are finding that it is hot and a lot of humidity and hot and cool with humidity funny‼

Elder Judd’s thoughts:  Thursday went smoothly with my OT class, which had about 10—pretty good number for this area. We discussed the Passover and the exodus out of Egypt into the Sinai. Brother Patrick’s class had about 43 in class. The dinner Sister Judd prepared was highly acclaimed--It was South West Chicken Bake with a green salad and Pumpkin Cupcakes. The students seem to prefer just mingling after class and dinner rather than playing Volleyball the last several weeks. The net was set up later than usual and only about 10 or so went in to play.  All of that ended at about 10 pm.  We stood around talking to Alex for about another 30 minutes about various Institute issues, so we didn’t get till home about 11pm.  It was a long day but a positive one. EtienneVawters, who I baptized last week,was in attendance and I can see some real growth in him. He is a sharp young man and I believe he has a lot of potential.

Andrew Allen, who I baptized about three weeks ago has gotten into some anti church material on the internet and he has “left” the church as he puts it.  The sister missionaries and I talked to him for over 45 minutes on Monday night without any progress. His countenance has fallen and there is no light in his face. I have called him and left messages of encouragement as have the Sisters but to no avail. It is so sad to see how easily we can lose our way if we fail to be consistent in our prayers and reading the scriptures. We will continue to reach out to him. He is such a good young man.

Saturday we had it off or a P-day as they called it, but do not believe it-- we were at the church at 10 am helping clean the building with the YSA ward. Elder Judd and I washed all the door windows he was outside and I was inside which I was thankful for—the wind was blowing and it was cool. During this time frame I was asked by one of the sisters in our area to call her mother for her. The rule is no talking to parents unless it is Christmas or Mothers day! So while the sister was sitting next to me I talked to her mom. It was concerning a health issue and she needed some insurance  information.  It was fun to be able to talk and hear her mom talk to me as though the sister missionary was not around.  I did find out that this family is from Syracuse Utah and knows my uncle. SMALL WORLD‼  Shopping was next and then home for the laundry that never goes away.  We then went to the next YSA event of the day but it was about 1 hour away from our apartment .It was a outdoor event with a  HUGE BON- FIRE. I WAS REALLY WARM on one side  AND THE OTHER-side WAS REALLY COLD.  I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING WARM all night, but the some-mores were really good.

BLOG FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER #26

BLOG FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER #26

This month has flown by and I have not put out the blog.  I am so sorry.  We have a very good month and worth noting a few of the choice experiences that we have had.

 OCTOBER 3^RD AND 4^TH : SATURDAY WAS A GREAT DAY WE WERE ABLE TO GO TO THE WARD BUILDING AND WATCH GENERAL CONFERENCE.  NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE THERE, MAINLY THE MISSIONARIES AND A COUPLE OF INVESTIGATORS.  WE ARE USE TO WATCHING IT IN THE COMFORT OF OUR HOME, SO IT WAS A CHANGE FOR US.WE ONLY HAVE DATA STREAMING SO IT COSTS TO MUCH TO WATCH 10 HOURS OF TV AT HOME.  WE HAD LISA LUNDBURG OVER FOR LUNCH BETWEEN SESSIONS.  SHE HAS TO TRAVEL A WAYS TO COME TO THIS BUILDING AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET BACK IN TIME FOR THE NEXT SESSION, SO SHE CAME HERE. . SHE IS A NICE YOUNG GAL WHO WILL BE GETTING MARRIED ON DECEMBER 13 IN THE OGDEN TEMPLE TO BRENT PEREZ.

SUNDAY WE AGAIN WENT TO THE WARD BUILDING AND WAS GLAD THAT WE COULD HAVE A HUGH SCREEN TO WATCH IT.  I REALLY LIKED THE TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT MONSON, THE PRESIDENCY, AND THE QUORUM OF THE 12. I THINK WE ALWAYS NEED TO BE REMINDED ABOUT THE IMPORTANT JOBS THEY ARE ALL DOING.  ELDER JUDD LIKED PRESIDENT UCHTDORF’S PRIESTHOOD TALK ABOUT THE DANDELIONS IN OUR OWN LIFE AND NOT BE OBSESSED WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S DANDELIONS.  THEN WE WERE INVITED OVER FOR A NICE SUPPER WITH BISHOP AND SISTER HARRIS AND KASSY STRUK.  IT WAS FUN TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR LIFE'S HERE IN FLORIDA.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT IN ON A LESSON WITH SISTERS HOWARD AND BENSEN WITH A MAN BY THE NAME OF ESHAN. THEY HAD TO START FROM THE BEGINNING AND TEACH ABOUT WHO GOD WAS AND IS. I WAS IMPRESSED THAT THESE YOUNG SISTERS COULD DELIVER SUCH A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO SOMEONE THAT DID NOT KNOW OF GOD. I AM GRATEFUL THAT I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SITTING IN AND LEARNING TOO. EHSAN HAS BEEN A LITTLE ELUSIVE ABOUT LEARNING THE CHURCH, BUT COMES OCCASIONALLY.  i THINK THAT IT IS HARD TO TEACH OF GOD WHEN THAT HAS NOT BEEN A PART OF THEIR LIFE TO START WITH. 

ELDER JUDD’S WORDS: October 12^th   Sister Judd and I spoke today in Sacrament meeting. She did a great job as she spoke about the blessing of meeting for three hours on Sundays. She talked about the fact that we spend three hours in church in a week of 168 hours, That is a small amount of time compared to the 10 or so hours we spend eating every week. Then she tied that into the need we all have to build a solid foundation on Christ and the blessing that is in our challenging lives.  She stressed the importance of Institute in that building effort and testified how important that combined effort is in order to fulfill the purpose of our being on the earth at this time. Her talk was perfect for leading into my thoughts… I spoke on the talents and gifts that this generation has brought to the last days and the responsibilities that they have in building the Kingdom and preparing for the coming of the Lord. I used the experience we had in the Sinai at night with the BYU students as we walked into the dark desert from the lighted compound and saw the expanse of the heavens in all its brilliance. I talked about the Savior’s words: “Take heed that the light within thee be not darkness.” I encouraged them to take advantage of Institute which is established just for them to increase the true light in their lives.

OCTOBER 18^TH :  This past Saturday we washed the car-it was desperately in need of a cleaning. It was a beautiful afternoon and we needed a break from the past couple of weeks, so we drove to Clearwater Beach to see the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. We stopped at a local Chick-fil-a so we could have dinner on the beach (romantic to0). The traffic was so bad I guess that other beach goers also had the same idea and it took us a lot longer, but we did make it about 10 minutes before the sun dipped into the gulf. The colors of the sky were outstanding as we sat in our beach chairs eating and talking.  It was good we needed a break from the tight schedule we had been keeping.

Sunset in Sand key Beach

OCTOBER 19^TH :One of the choice YSA woman was in need of finding an apartment and was unable to do so. It was getting down to the end of the wire with no luck, she only had one or two days left in the place she was renting. She could not find anything within her budget or close to her work or church.  It was a pretty intense time for her. One Sunday she decided to go into a classroom and open her heart for help and comfort. She also sought out the priesthood for a blessing. With all that the answer came within hours. Another young woman at church was searching for a roommate to help her with the expenses of an apartment- not knowing the other young woman’s problems or concerns, she made her own concerns know to the Relief Society President. Within moments, Heavenly Father took care of that problem. He knew the concerns of the both women.

owl cookies

In-service Breakfast-rolls and oatmeal

Candy corn cookies

In all three weeks I have fixed 3 different meals-about 45-55 students each and 1 in-service breakfast about 25-30 Seminary teachers. A lot of people to fead but they are really grateful that I had made them something to eat. Week 1 tacos (slow cooker) with pumpkin and chocolate rolls, week 2 mac n cheese (so much better than Kraft—slow cooker) with cookies, week 3 shepard’s pie, and In-service meeting oatmeal (slow cooker) with cinnamon rolls and grapes. It has been a busy month in the kitchen. You can see that I am a converted to the slow cooker and I found that they have slow cooker liners (hardly any clean up it is so fast and clean).  I also did the attendance rolls during this time. I am getting a little more comfortable with the computer.

ELDER JUDD’S WORDS: Sunday, I spent the morning preparing my presentation.  It is coming together well and it looks like I will have time to sharpen it up before I present it. I know that the Spirit is leading me thru this and it feels good. I just want to be an instrument of the Lord to do His work and build the Kingdom

This past month Elder Judd has not only taught his two major classes—the Life and Teachings of the Savior and the Old Testament, but on two different  weeks he taught Bro Patrick’s class on the Doctrine and Covenant. He then was asked to do a major presentation on Jerusalem Then and Now on Saturday October 25th. He has been on his knees a lot to ask for guidance.  As I have watched him in his time of preparation, I know that Heavenly Father has guided him in the direction he heeded to go. He is a great inspiration to me. 

October 25th:  Finally this day arrived. I can see a peace come over Elder Judd before the presentation even begans. As we talked about it we know that no matter how many comes to this event  there will be someone who needs to  hear his words that he has prepare. It is a truly inspired presentation.  Before the presentations the YSA had a dinner which was really good(No, I did not even work in the kitchen at all!  It was great to sit  and  just be a part of it)  Elder Judd gave the presentation on Jerusalem Then and Now which  was fantastic.  Then Brandon Judd( nephew)  talked next.He talked about Living your covenants even in your worldly jobs( he works doing magazine write ups and instructing wake boarding-now how fun would that be).  It was great--a lot of the students loved  his talk. Then the bishop finished up the evening with challenging  everyone to  read scriptures an pray every day.  It was a great event oh I forgot the dance after all of  this. The students danced from 9-12 pm.  It was fun to see them in nice dress attire dancing with every one in the gym. GREAT EVENT !! Oh important news flash **Elder Judd danced with me first time in years  It was great!**  These YSA are inspiring! 

Rusty Judd Brandon Judd 8 month old boy

Etiene Vawters baptized by Elder Judd

Elder Judd also baptize Etiene Vawters today He is a great young man very sharp and a great testimony.

IT HAS BEEN A VERY BUSY MONTH AND I WILL TRY TO BE BETTER ABOUT GETTING OUT THE BLOG NEXT MONTH‼!

THIS MONTH IS ALMOST OVER!! #25

September 28, 2014 #25   THIS MONTH IS ALMOST OVER

  WOW‼ This month is almost over and where did it go?  We are  almost in to our 6^th month but who is  counting.. We have made some good friends here had some fantastic experiences with the YSA  people, we have been able to  love these young adults which has been pretty neat.

  Just a few highlights for this week:              

Elder Judd worked at the Bull Market with the Elders and Sisters Wednesday. The Sisters came up with a great idea of showing pictures of the famous people, that are members of the church, that these young students would know.  It was quite successful  too , well the tootsie roll helped bring them to the table too.  This day is a feast day for the missionary work to  go forth.  From this 4 hour exposure the elders and sisters have a lot of referrals to work on throughout the week, It is exciting for them and for us to see missionary work in action.

During this time I worked on the dinner for Thursday making Feathery Fudge Cake and a new recipe of chocolate chip cookies.  Yeah both turned out  great‼ 

Thursday I had a dentist appointment clear across town and it was early---too early but I made it and now I am the proud owner of a new crown.  This dentist reminds me of my childhood dentist –Dr. Jesse Jensen- who was wonderful, kind and good.   I made it back only to start making 4 batches of taco casserole.  Elder Judd became the tester he added so much taco seasoning to it I knew I would not be able to eat it but he loved every bite full.  I did not even try it because it smelled so spicy.  And yet the students ate it all.   They said it was a success.

Saturday we went to the Orlando Temple with about 35 YSA. This was the largest group in a long time.  It was such a good experience.  We were able to take 1 recently baptized young man.  He was quite excited to see the inside of the temple. One of the questions he asked us was will I see Jesus. We explained to him that His spirit would be felt and he would recognize it. He brought 1 name to be baptized but did not have all the information to complete the slip so Sister French (bishop’s counselor’s wife) is going to help him start getting the correct info to get him going.  He is excited‼

Sunday Elder Judd baptized Andrew Allen today. It is a  great day for both of them.  Andrew has such a sweet and very sincere testimony.

EXPERIENCES OF THE WEEK#24

September 21, 2014#24

  SUNDAY THE 14TH: I WAS ASKED TO TEACH A LESSON FOR RS CAN YOU IMAGE ME TEACHING -- HAW‼ IT WAS ON RAISING CHILDREN ON TRUTH AND LIGHT LESSON #16. IT WAS A GOOD LESSON AND WENT OVER WELL I THOUGHT.

 CHURCH WAS GOOD WITH A LOT OF YSA’S COMING BACK TO SCHOOL. AND TO CHURCH.  AFTER CHURCH ELDER JUDD HELPED WITH THE ELDERS QUORUM PRESIDENCY MEETING. WE CAME HOME AND HAD DINNER, NAPPED FOR A MINUTE, THEN BACK TO THE INSTITUTE FOR THE BYU DEVOTIONAL. ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON TALKED. AFTER THE TALK WAS FINISHED WE SERVED ROOT BEER OR ORANGE FLOATS FOR REFRESHMENTS—THEY LIKED THEM. WE HAD ABOUT 20 YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH IS APPARENTLY A GOOD NUMBER. WE CAME HOME AT 10:30 PM. IT WAS A LONG DAY!

ELDER JUDD:  I was invited to come and sit in with Sisters Goodman and Hansen as they taught an investigator/YSA fellow by the name of Andrew Allen. The week before I  had met with these same sisters as they taught him.  At the end of that lesson, Sister Hansen invited Andrew to pray but he declined saying that he didn’t feel worthy. I suggested that Christ’s atonement was made for us because of our sins and that He loves us and invite us to come to Him. He thought about that for a moment and then gave the most humble prayer I have heard in a long time. He thanked God for us, the missionaries, and for His love for him, and for the opportunity to be taught the truth of the Gospel. That prayer really touched my heart. This time, following a short lesson on how to make what we read in the Book of Mormon apply to our lives, Andrew closed with prayer with only the invitation to do so.  Again his prayer was touching and very sincere and humble. He thanked God for the love he felt and the truth that he was being taught.  It is such marvelous thing to watch these young missionaries follow the Spirit and teach with such power.  I love to be a part of their efforts.

THURSDAY WE HAD THE NORMAL CLASSES WITH ELDER JUDD AND BRO. PATRICK. WE HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ABOUT 60 THIS WEEK.   ELDER JUDD: we had a great experience discussing our connection with Abraham and  our responsibility to carry forward as his descendants the promised blessings given to him. As I was preparing for this lesson, I had a very strong impression to start with J.S.H 1:39; “and he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers…” which Moroni quoted to Joseph in September of 1823.  I taught that “those promises” included the one given to Abraham that thru him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Of course that refers to those descendants of Abraham in the latter days that would carry the Gospel to people all over the earth.  I asked why that was important to us. One student who will be leaving on his mission to Mexico in just four weeks answered that he had been praying to better understand what he would do on his mission. The Spirit was felt strongly as we talked about his charge as a descendant of Abraham. I knew that he was given an understanding that he had not had and a connection to the covenant of Abraham he had not made before. I testified to him that the Lord had heard his prayers and this was part of the answer. I also testified that he would understand even more about this as he served his mission. I said that the Lord did know who he is and the desires of his heart and they had been answered in this class. Everyone felt the Spirit testify of that truth. The student’s name was Brody Patrick, the son of the Director of the Tampa Institute of Religion. Brody had never been to this class before.

I STARTED TO WORRY THAT WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO SERVE EVERY ONE.  ELDER JUDD DECIDED THAT HE WOULD GIVE EVERYONE ONE LADEL FULL AND TELL THEM TO COME BACK AFTER EVERYONE HAD HAD ONE HELPING. WE HAD CHICKEN AL A KING WITH BISCUITS; DESSERT WAS REALLY SIMPLE ICE CREAM WITH CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL SYRUP THEY ATE IT ALL-- DOWN TO THE LAST MORSEL AND ENJOYED THE COMMERADERIE WITH EVERYONE. IT IS CALLED A JOYFUL NOISE. ELDER JUDD PLAYED PING PONG WITH JOSH CROSBY AND SOME OTHERS AND HAD A GOOD TIME BATTERING BACK AND FORTH. OH WE DID HAVE ENOUGH BARELY..

WHOSE HANDS  DOES IT BELONG TOO

THESE ARE THE HANDS OF THE UNKNOWN

TOM, MADILENE, MARISSA, JOE

INSTITUTE PING PONG

CHICKEN AL-A-KING AND THE LINE IS LONG

ICE CREAM IS ON THE TABLE

SIERRA AND SISTER HOWARD

YEA SOMEONE ELSE IS DOING THE DISHES

THIS SATURDAY IS THE SEMINARY AND INSTITUTE IN-SERVICE MEETING THAT BEGINS AT 8AM IN THE MORNING FOR THE TEACHERS.  ONLY IT REALLY BEGINS AT 6AM FOR ELDER JUDD AND I.  I AM ASSIGNED TO MAKE SOME BREAKFAST DISH FOR ABOUT 35 PEOPLE.. TODAY I PREPARED A MUSHROOM AND SPINACH QUICHE, SAUSAGE-BREAD CASSEROLE, AND A BACON POTATO CROCK POT CASSEROLE. WE ALSO SERVED A HUGH FRUIT BOWL, MILK, JUICE AND DONUTS (WHICH BRO PATRICK LOVES). BRO PATRICK TAUGHT ABOUT ALL THE MATERIALS ON THE INTERNET THAT THE CHURCH HAS PUT OUT TO HELP THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. IT IS AMAZING THE GOOD THAT IS OUT THERE.

WE WENT TO A BAPTISM LATER THAT NIGHT FOR A YOUNG LADY FROM INDIA BY THE NAME OF NEVEDAH,. IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE. WE TRY TO GO TO ALL THE BAPTISMS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR WARD BUILDING.

WE WERE EXCITED TO SEE A MESSAGE FROM TRICIA AND STEVE THAT WE COULD STREAM THE OGDEN TEMPLE CELEBRATION.  WE HAVE FELT SO FAR AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND EVENTS THAT WE WANTED TO BE APART OF. THEY GAVE US THE LINK AND SO AFTER THE BAPTISM WE WENT INTO THE INSTITUTE ROOM, TURNED ON THE INTERNET AND STREAMED IT ON TO THE BIG SCREEN—LOOKING OF COURSE FOR OUR GRANDDAUGHTERS AND ANYONE ELSE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE KNOWN.  DID NOT SEE A SOUL THAT WE KNEW BUT THE PROGRAM WAS FANTASTIC.  WE POP SOME POPCORN HAD A FEW CANDIES AND ENJOYED THE SHOW.  IT KEPT BUFFERING A FEW TIMES BUT THANKS TO MIKEY WATKINS CHANGING SOME SETTINGS ON THE COMPUTER(WHO KNOWS WHAT HE DID) AND THEN IT WORKED GREAT  AFTER THAT.  WE WERE SO AMAZED AT THE WORK THE CHURCH PUT ON FOR THE MEMBERS EVERYWHERE TO ENJOY SINGING AND DANCING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE TEMPLE DISTRICTS.  TOMORROW THEY WILL DEDICATE THE OGDEN TEMPLE AND  IN SPIRIT WE WILL BE THERE.

A NORMAL WEEK#23

September 16, 2014 #23

I DECIDED I WOULD JUST DO A DAILY SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEKS BLOG:

  MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8^TH:   JUST A BUSY DAY IN THE OFFICE, JOEL IS PREPARING LESSONS. I AM FIGURING OUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO EAT AND WHAT TO BUY FOR THE NEXT TWO THURSDAYS, WHEN I REMEMBERED THAT WE HAVE A BREAKFAST IN-SERVICE MEETING NEXT SATURDAY MORNING. OF COURSE I NEEDED TO HAVE THE RECIPES AND INGREDIENTS TO FIX IT.(IT IS HARD TO THINK OF A DIFFERENT KIND OF BREAKFAST WHEN ELDER JUDD AND I NEVER HAVE ANYTHING OTHER THAN TOAST, FRUIT AND RAISIN BRAN.)

  FHE: CHRIS ELTON LED US IN PLAYING “GUESS WHOSE FEET AND HANDS WERE WHOSES.” IT WAS FUN TO SEE HOW MANY WE GUESSED CORRECTLY. THE MAIN ACTIVITY WAS LEARNING HOW TO DO CPR ON AN ACCIDENT PERSON.THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT 20 YSA’S. WE NEED MORE AND WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING MORE TO COME. WE THEN HAD A GREAT DESSERT MADE BY SISTER FRENCH(2^ND COUNSELOR’S WIFE)..

  TUESDAY:   I HAD A DENTIST APPOINTMENT WITH DR SCOTT STAFFORD--ALEX PATRIK RECOMMENDED HIM, IT WAS CLEAR ACROSS TAMPA LONG WAYS TO DRIVE.  DR. STTAFFORD IS A NICE MAN, HIS MANNERISM REMINDS ME OF DR. JESSE JENSEN--HE WAS GREAT MAN AND DENTIST I WORK WITH WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.  ELDER JUDD FELT HE HAD TO GO OVER WITH ME, HE DID SAY HE GOT A LOT OF STUDY TIME IN. HE SHOULD HAVE IT WAS A 2 HOUR APPOINTMENT.

  WEDNESDAY: ELDER JUDD: Wednesday began with an early start by going to the USF campus to get set up for Bull Market. Bull Market is an outdoor event where all the clubs on the campus of the University of South Florida set up tables and canopies and vie for new sign ups of the some 40,000 students who attend here. It is a great opportunity for our missionaries to get on campus and have access to them. It is a gold mine for them for contacts to teach. The missionaries can get enough referrals to work with in three hours than they can get in over several days in the normal way. We pass out flyers on the Church and the Institute and Sunday meetings. .ELDER JUDD HAD TO PROCTOR A EXAM IN THE AFTERNOON AND I WENT OVER THE ITEMS THAT I NEEDED TO DO TO GET READY FOR THE NEXT COOKING DAY AND ALSO WORKED ON ATTENDANCE CHARTS..     ELDER JUDD CALLED AND TALKED TO OUR GOOD FRIEND--DOUG SPENCER ABOUT HIS WIFE, GLENDA.  SHE IS NOT DOING WELL. WE JUST WANTED HIM TO KNOW OF OUR LOVE FOR THE BOTH OF THEM. 

I HAD A HAIRCUT APPOINTMENT ABOUT 10 AM AND DURING THIS TIME FRAME I RECEIVED A LITTLE TENDER MERCY FROM HEAVENLY FATHER. THIS IS THE EXPERIENCE: DURING THAT HAIRCUT, I WAS SITTING TALKING TO CINDY DAVIS (HAIRSTYLIST) ABOUT THE GOOD WEEK WE HAD WITH OUR JUDD GRANDDAUGHTERS. I THEN TOLD HER ABOUT BAYLEE’S ACCIDENT AT THE MOSI MUSEUM ON THE 9^TH OF AUGUST.  SHE IMMEDIATELY ASKED IF WE WENT BACK TO MOSI AND TALKED TO THE ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. I HAD TOLD HER NO AND THAT WE DID NOT SEEK MONEY TO GET GAIN.  SHE SAID TO ME IT WASN’T THAT WAYAND THAT MOSI HAD INSURANCE FOR ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED WITHIN THE BUILDING. SHE TOLD ME THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.  AS SHE TALKED TO ME I KNEW THAT IT WOULD BE A BLESSING FOR BOTH RYANAND JENI TO CHECK INTO THIS. LATER I TOLD ELDER JUDD ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION AND HE SAID LETS GO TALK THE MOSI OFFICE AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY.THREE DAYS LATER THEYAGREED THAT THEY COULD HELP US WITH THE INSURANCE CLAIM.  SEVERAL DAYS LATER THEIR INSURANCE ADJUSTER CALLED US AND SAID THAT ALL THE OUT OF POCKET FUNDS WOULD BE PAID FOR COMPLETELY,SO AFTER THE INSURANCE PAID FOR THEIR PART MOSI INSURANCE WOULD PAY FOR THE REST. WHAT A BLESSING THAT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE A LOT FOR RYAN AND JENI TO COME UP WITH.  I WAS SO THANKFUL THAT CINDY INSISTED THAT I TALKED TO THE MUSEUM PEOPLE. I CALLED CINDY BACK AND TOLD HER OF THE EXPERIENCE WE HAD AND THANKED HER FOR HER INSISTENCE OF VISITING WITH THE MUSEUM PEOPLE. THIS WAS JUST A LITTLE TENDER MERCY TO HELP OUR GRANDDAUGHTER OUT.  HEAVENLY FATHER DOES LOVE HIS CHILDREN.

    THURSDAY: I DIDN’T EVEN START FIXING THE STUDENT DINNER UNTIL NOON. IT WAS CROCKPOT SPAGHETTI, BREAD STICKS AND LEMON AND CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES. DINNER WAS REALLY GOOD AND THE STUDENTS LIKED IT A LOT. FOUND OUT OUR GOOD FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR IN OUR NORTH OGDEN WARD PASSED AWAY. GLENDA SPENCER WAS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT COULD LIGHT UP THE ROOM WE WERE IN ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT. WE COULD FEEL HER SWEET SPIRIT WHEN WE WERE WITH HER. WE WOULD OFTEN LAUGH TILL WE OUR SIDES HURT.  SHE WAS THE BEST AND WE LOVED HER.

  FRIDAY: I DID THE ENTIRE ATTENDANCE ROLLS AND ALSO THE MEAL BUDGET AND THEY ARE NOW UP TO DATE. I STILL WORRY ABOUT OVER SPENDING.  RIGHT NOW I AM WITH IN THE BUDGET --GOOD FEELING.  JOEL ALSO TALKED IN A NIGHT RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING. THE SUBJECT WAS ABOUT‘JERUSALEM THEN AND NOW’. IT WAS FANTASTIC-- LOTS OF GOOD MEMORIES. WE WENT TO DINNER AT A PLACE CALLED SONNY’S BBQ PIT. JOEL HAD BABY BACK RIBS AND I HAD SLICED PORK IT WAS GOOD, BUT THE ATMOSPHERE WAS NOT THE BEST. IT WAS IN THE TOWN OF NEW PORT RICHEYABOUT 45 MINUTES FROM OUR APARTMENT. WE HOPE THAT ELDER JUDD WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPERTUNITY TO DO THIS PRESENTATION.

  SATURDAY:  A COMPLETE CHANGE FROM THE REST OF THE WEEK, IT WAS A CLEAN UP DAY--WE WASHED OUR CLOTHES AND CAR AND WENT TO SAMS CLUB.  WE CAME BACK AND WATCHED TWO MOVIES – THE BOOK THIEF AND 3 WISHES (HAD TO WATCH TWO BECAUSE WE HAVE NO TIME IN THE COMING WEEK.). JUST A SIDE NOTE THE POPCORN WAS  BAD SO WE MADE A DIFFERENT KIND AND IT WAS GOOD, GOOD WEEK‼! YEAH