1ST BAPTISM #11

We started off this week with a Institute staff meeting , was given several assignments and then the week got even busier than we thought it would be.  We are grateful that we are able to do all the things that Bro.Patrick asks us to do--even though I do not know how to do some of the things he wants me to do. Such as post items in face book, transfer to and from one paper to another using all electronic devices.  I am glad that he has a secretary to give us lots of help.  Sister Compton has been with Bro. Patrick for about 7 years now and pretty well knows all the ins and outs of every electronic device in the office. Bro. Patrick feels that I am there to help her out, but in reality, she has to spend more time teaching and reteaching me how to do it than just doing it herself.  But I am learning and enjoying the challenge. She is a very patient person.

Elder Judd had to  teach all the classes this week Isaiah and the Latter-Days, Missionary Prep. and Bro. Patrick's Pearl of Great Price. Bro Patrick had to speak at a Youth conference in Fort Meyers (4 hours south of Tampa). Elder Judd is so grateful that he has taught a lot of these classes and saved the  lessons on the hard drive.He will bring up the each  of the lessons, review it and redo it , but he does not have to do all the research on it. That has been a great blessing, also he is thoroughly enjoying getting back into Isaiah again.  It is surprising how many young people like learning about Isaiah. I am able to hear some of the lessons that he is teaching and it is great material.  I know that we are in the days that Isaiah taught his people about.

I had some left over enchiladas (can you believe that I served leftovers to  the students ) from a couple of weeks ago,frozen of course, so I heated them up and added tacos, chips and salsa, chocolate chip cookies, (flat sad Looking at that--people said is was  the attitude  what ever!!)and pumpkin,spice, chocolate chip cookies.  Everything was devoured in one hours time.  No leftovers this week   Yeah!

We found a Olive Garden in New Tampa and went to dinner with the Severinson's and Sister Tollerton-- Office missionaries..We had a great dinner and was able to visit with some really good people. We really needed the break from the office and this hit the spot. We also took a ride over to a huge mall called Citrus Park Mall.  It had all the major store like Macey's, Dillard's, Penney's, and Sears plus 100 more little stores. The area used to be a citrus growing area but of course now is a mall. People everywhere.

We had a fantastic experience this week  we were able to be apart of a convert baptism - Fernando Giraldo
Elder Judd:
  Just last week  Elders  Flinders and Hawkes brought a young man  from Columbia (who is here in the States working on getting his chopper pilot license) here to church. He came the week that we gave talks and sat on the front row. after the meeting was over he came up to us and said I love that music it filled my soul.  I want more of that feeling. Since the Elders started teaching him last week he has attended two Institute classes and a Missionary Prep class. During the class I assigned each class member a companion and gave them an assignment to read some material on the Apostasy, plan a lesson and then teach it.  Fernando Giraldo did an amazing job as did the rest of the students. It was clear that he had been touched by the Spirit and had a testimony.  In the following class, Fernando was deeply touched by our discussion about Enoch and his city of Zion and its parallel to our day and our responsibility to prepare for the coming of Christ.  At the close of the class, he was so overcome that he rushed out to gain his composure and ended up telling Sister Judd and Brother and Sister French how strongly he felt as he wept.  A few minutes later he came back in the class room and excitedly told me how strong he felt about the Gospel.

Sunday, today, Sister Judd and I attended Fernando’s baptism at noon. It was a great experience and the Spirit was strong. Elder Judd was asked to speak on the Holy Ghost and a few thought from the Brethren on living worthy for the guidance of the Spirit to continue in our lives. Mikey Watkin, a new convert of 8 weeks, baptized Fernando and he did a perfect job. Fernando gave everybody big hugs after each talk, then again after the baptism meeting and then again after Sacrament meeting where was confirmed.

 I felt the spirit so much It was great to be a part of this event.
The weather has not been to bad -hot but not the humidity that we are expecting  latter in the summer!!
We love you all