QUIET WEEK AT THE INSTITUTE #20

                                      SUNDAY AUGUST 24,2014

After the Judd granddaughters went home on Saturday the apartment felt really empty.  Of course we finished the wash and vacuumed the floor, put dishes away and then looked at each other and said “Now what?” It was fun to have them here in our home apartment-they were a delight‼!   We are anxious to know what will happen to Baylee with her knee and how she will adjust to crutches in school, to Megan beginning college and working  and  to Heather adjusting to school-playing the violin and everything else that a 7^th grader will do.

Sunday we went to church and I did some visiting teaching to a young woman with a fantastic strong testimony.  I went away with my testimony strengthen because of her. Other than that we had the sacrament which we were grateful for, and the lessons in Sunday School and Relief Society which helps teach us to be better people.

This week because we have no school we all used it to get ready for the Fall semester.  I closed out the attendance records or I should say I learned how to do this. I also went through the cookbooks to see what we would cook for the next 14 weeks—I need to tighten up the budget a little more so I need to make sure I have the cooking items I need. My microwave decided to have some problems working right, so I requested a new one.  I ended up with a counter top microwave to big to sit in the microwave shelf. So I cleaned the counter and shelf and did a rearranging job in the kitchen. Elder Judd hung the new banners on the front pillars andstarted preparation for The Gospels (New Testament) and the Old Testament that he will be teaching the students. The banners are really cool. He did a lot of work on them to make sure the people passing by will know what is in this building, although one sign will be changed to say INSTITUTE vertically instead of horizontally.  

Wednesday Elder Judd went to the oral surgeon because he had a tooth ache. Not good he lost 1 upper molar. Now he can sing “I left my tooth in Tampa Bay” He has a high pain tolerance I would have been crying my eyes out and he said I feel great. Let’s go back to work.  Great could we have one day off to recover‼! The doctors Name is Dr.  Gift cute huh?

We helped the YSA clean the church on Saturday and then did some shopping at Sam’s Club (Elder Judd wrote this next part) “and then went to dinner at a Mexican Grill  ( not my favorite but was good to talk) with Elder and Sister Severinson in the evening. The Severinsons are beginning to work in the Orlando Temple two days each week and asked if Sister Judd could hem some new white pants for Elder Severinson. After dinner we all came back to the apartment and talked while the sisters worked on the pants. When the job was done we enjoyed banana cream pie that Sister Judd had made earlier in the day.”

Indian Shore Beach

All in all it was a good week.. Now we are back to our work schedule for the beginning of Fall Semester!

South Brandon

One more thing the clouds are beautiful here in Tampa.

FUN WITH THE GRANDKIDS #19

FUN WITH THE GRANDKIDS  #19

SUNDAY MORNING WOKE UP TO GRANDPA TAKING BAYLEE TO THE TAMPA HOSPITAL EMERGENCY WARD.  IT WAS REALLY A SAD THING TO FIND OUT THAT SHE HAD TORN HER RIGHT ACL, AND WE WERE JUST GETTING STARTED  SEEING THINGS TOO. HER RIGHT KNEE WAS SWOLLEN TO ABOUT THE SIZE OF A HUGE GRAPEFRUIT.    SHE CAME HOME WITH A HUGE KNEE BRACE  --WHICH SHE HAD TO WEAR MOST OF THE TIME NIGHT AND DAY AND OF COURSE ,  USING CRUTCHES—NO PRESSURE ON THE KNEE AT ALL.   WE ALL THOUGHT THIS WAS THE END OF THE FUN AND WOULD HAVE TO SEND HER HOME.  GRANDPA HAD THE ELDERS COME ASSIST IN  GIVING HER A BLESSING. WE DECIDED THAT SHE WAS NOT GOING TO GO HOME BUT WE WOULD GET A WHEELCHAIR AND ROLL HER EVERYWHERE, SO THAT BECAME OUR ADVENTURE. BAYLEE DID NOT COMPLAIN ONE BIT. I KNEW THAT SHE WAS IN PAIN BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.  JENI FINALLY WORKED OUT A SCHEDULE FOR THE PAIN MEDICATION AND THAT SEEM TO TAKE THE EDGE OFF OF  THE PAIN.  I DON’T THINK IT IS FAIR THAT THE KIDS CAN ADAPT TO THE USE OF CRUTCHES FASTER THAN OLDER PEOPLE.  IT TOOK ME SEVERAL DAYS TO GET THE SWING OF WALKING (WHEN I HAD TO USE THEM FOR MY FOOT SURGERY). IT TOOK BAYLEE A COUPLE OF HOURS.  (IT WAS A BLESSING THOUGH‼).  WE WERE SURE THANKFUL THAT RYAN COULD PROVIDE ALL THE INFORMATION FOR THE INSURANCE AND HIS CONCERN FOR HER AND THAT JENI COULD PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT MEDS AND CONCERNS FOR HER.  BAYLEE WILL NEED TO GO TO AN ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR, WHEN SHE GETS HOME AND THEN DECIDE IF SURGERY IS NEEDED OR NOT.  THIS TAMPA DOCTOR FELT THAT SURGERY WOULD BE NEEDED. WE WILL SEE NEXT WEEK.

   WE ALL LAUGHED ABOUT ALL OF US IN THE CAR WITH OUR ACHES AND PAINS—GRANDPA A MILD TOOTHACHE, BAYLEE A TORN ACL, HEATHER NEW BRACES, MEGAN A VERY SORE BACK, AND ME JUST A SMALL BROKEN MOLAR. WE WOULD EACH DO A SMALL MOAN.  BUT WE KEPT GOING!   NOT TO LET THE FUN STOP‼

   THIS IS OUR SCHEDULE OF THE NEXT WEEK: MONDAY—THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM, AND CLEARWATER AQUARIUM, TUESDAY— MEGAN WENT WITH THE SISTER MISSIONARIES IN THE AM AND THEN IN THE PM WE WENT TO SAND KEY BEACH ( THEY HAD  A BEACH WHEELCHAIR), WEDNESDAY –ORLANDO TEMPLE (BAPTISMS AND CONFIRMATIONS) AND SWIMMING IN THE ST.CROIX POOL,  AND THURSDAY –BUSCH GARDENS AMUSEMENT PARK—My Birthday, I didn’t have to fix any dinner for the students –end of semester. That was nice. BAYLEE WENT EVERYWHERE IN A REGULAR WHEELCHAIR AND CRUTCHES AND HAD A GREAT TIME NEVER COMPLAINING ALTHOUGH AT TIMES SHE WAS IN PAIN.   GRANDPA: We were all tired, so we headed home (THIS WAS THURSDAY)for dinner and to have the girls pack for their flight home. After dinner we played “Phase 10” for a while and then read scriptures together. There was a sweet spirit as we read from the Book of Mormon. As we finished, I expressed my gratitude for the opportunity to have them visit us and then bore my testimony of the Gospel. Marsha expressed her testimony of the importance of putting the weapons of war down and being peaceful in our lives. I followed up with how the weapons of anger and hatred destroys us, not those to whom such feelings are directed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 FRIDAY THE GIRLS WERE READY TO HEAD FOR HOME AND START THEIR REGULAR SCHEDULES AND TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO BAYLEE.  WE TOOK  THEM TO THE TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO FLY OUT IN A DELTA PLANE AT 12:01 PM  OF COURSE EVERYTHING WENT REALLY SMOOTH UNTIL 11:30 AM. THEY ANNOUNCED ENGINE PROBLEMS. THAT BEGAN THE PROBLEMS AND IT CONTINUED UNTIL 9:30 PM THAT NIGHT WHEN THEY TOLD THE GIRLS THAT IT WOULD BE NO FLIGHTS OUT THAT NIGHT, COME BACK TOMORROW.  BUMMER DEAL‼.  WE WERE TEXTING MEGAN ALL DAY  (PHONE BROKEN) TRYING  TO FIGURE  OUT WHAT TO DO. FINALLY WE WENT BACK AND PICKED THEM UP FOR A NIGHTS REST AND START EARLY THE NEXT MORNING FOR ANOTHER FLIGHT. GRANDPA TOOK THEM TO THE AIRPORT AT 4AM  AND ACTUALLY GOT THEM ON A EARLY FLIGHT  YEAH!   THEY ARRIVED IN LAS VEGAS ABOUT 1PM   AND HOME ABOUT 3PM    A VERY LONG, LONG DAY…

  IN THE MEAN TIME I HAD TO FIX A SEMINARY IN-SERVICE BREAKFAST FOR 40 TEACHERS.  ELDER JUDD AND I WERE RUNNING ON FUMES BUT THE BREAKFAST TURNED OUT OK.  IT WAS A FRUIT PLATTER , JUICE, DONUTS (PURCHASED DID NOT MAKE), AND A BREAKFAST CASSEROLE.   ELDER JUDD: The forty or so participants enjoyed the food and my presentation on the Background and Setting of the D&C and Brother Patrick’s teaching about teaching. We were finished by about 1 pm and went directly to a baptism for three converts in the building.  

Sunday we slept in and then got ready for church. President Emery (St.Petersburg Stake) spoke in Sacrament meeting and talked on the atonement. He is impressive, speaking for 15 minutes without notes, quoting scriptures and explaining aspects of the atonement with ease and graceful articulation.  Before sacrament meeting I spoke with an investigator that was invited to church by Sisters Howard and Miller. His name was Carmen, a very thoughtful young black who was boldly approached by the Sisters at a bus stop. They were so bold he said, that he had to agree to come to church. He said that he and his wife were looking for a church to be a part of.  I testified to him that it was the Lord who guided those bold Sisters to him. I am looking forward to seeing what develops from the Sisters efforts in this case.

ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GOOD WEEK WE LEARNED HOW THE GIRLS HELP EACH OTHER, HOW THEY TALKED TO EACH OTHER, HOW THEY LOVED EACH OTHER, HOW THEY LOVED THEIR PARENTS AND MOST OF ALL HOW MUCH THEY LOVE THE SAVIOR.  WHAT A BLESSING TO US AS GRANDPARENTS TO HEAR,SEE AND FEEL THEIR TESTIMONIES.  IT IS TRULY  A BLESSING THAT WE  HAVE SUCH BEAUTIFUL GRANDDAUGHTERS.

SUMMER IS OVER #18

SEMESTER IS OVER #18   8/10/14

  WELL WE MADE IT –1^st SEMESTER DONE AND WE ARE STILL ALIVE TO TELL STORIES ABOUT IT.  IT WAS GOOD AND NOT BAD FOR ME   I FOUND THAT I CAN COOK MEALS FOR A FEW MORE THAN 2 PEOPLE.  ANYWAY, JOEL WAS GREAT IN HIS LESSONS AND LOVED GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF TEACHING YOUNG SINGLE ADULTS AGAIN. ALTHOUGH HE FOUND THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE TAUGHT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN THE STAKE ADULT CLASSES (THEY WERE FUN TO TEACH TOO!!.)

  WE HAVE MET A LOT OF CHOICE YOUNG SINGLE ADULTS IN THIS WARD.  THEY ARE IN SCHOOL, GETTING READY TO GO TO SCHOOL AND SOME COMPLETED SCHOOL.  WE HAVE QUITE A FEW THAT TRAVEL A WAYS TO THE INSTITUTE AND SOME THAT DRIVE JUST DOWN THE ROAD.  WE HAVE A CULTURAL MELTING POT IN THIS WARD AND IT IS FUN TO SEE HOW THEY WORK TOGETHER.  WE ARE NOW STARTING TO SEE A FEW OF THE COUPLES GET ENGAGED.  THAT IS ALWAYS FUN AND EXCITING.  WE HAVE A LOT OF YSA’S THAT WE HAVE GROWN TO LOVE EVEN IN THIS SHORT TIME.

   I  FIXED MY LAST MEAL FOR THIS SEMESTER IT WAS CHICKEN SALAD WRAPS, CHIPS, CARROTS, PUMPKIN & BANANA & POPPY SEED BREAD. IT WAS VERY GOOD AND FILLING. EVERYONE APPRECIATED IT AND SAID THAT THEY WILL MISS THE NEXT TWO WEEKS OF NO DINNERS.  I WILL NEED TO START THINKING OF NEXT SEMESTER AND WHAT SURPRISES I CAN GIVE THEM.  MY THANKS TO MANY OF YOU FOR YOUR RECIPES I HAVE FOUND IN MY OLD WARD COOKBOOKS. NOT ONLY ARE THE RECIPES FANTASTIC BUT THE MEMORIES OF YOU ARE EVEN BETTER.  I NEED TO GIVE SPECIAL THANKS FOR MY DAUGHTER, TRICIA, SHE HAS COME UP WITH SOME FUN IDEAS AND RECIPES. TRICIA YOU ARE THE BEST‼

   ELDER JUDD TAUGHT 2 DIFFERENT CLASSES THURSDAY NIGHT-- HIS MISSIONARY PREP. CLASS AND BRO. PATRICK’S PEARL OF GREAT PRICE CLASS (HE WAS ON A WEEKS VACATION.) AND HE HELPED ME GET THE DINNER SET UP.  THE CLASSES WENT WELL ABOUT 35 STUDENTS IN ALL FOR THE NIGHT. THIS IS GREAT FOR THE END OF THE SUMMER SEMESTER. BUT THE NEAT THING ABOUT THIS WHOLE NIGHT WAS I WENT TO THE AIRPORT AND PICKED UP MY GRANDDAUGHTERS FOR A WEEK’S STAY.  I WAS SO EXCITED. I DROVE TO THE TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, (--I DID NOT GET LOST EITHER). I WAS SENT TO TWO DIFFERENT GATES AND HALLWAYS, JUST TO GET A PASS TO GET TO THEM, AND ON TOP OF IT ALL I WENT THOUGH SECURITY (  LOSING MY ONE INCH KNIFE -- I THOUGHT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD CHANGED THAT RULE--NO  NOT IN THE TPA) ANYWAY I WAS SO EXCITED  WHEN I FINALLY SAW THE GIRLS WAITING FOR ME AT GATE E64. BAYLEE AND HEATHER HAD QUITE A DAY STARTING AT 4 AM NEVADA TIME. THEY WERE PRETTY TIRED BUT EXCITED TO BE HERE TOO.   WE DROVE BACK TO THE INSTITUTE AND PUT THE SANDWICHES TOGETHER AND ALL THE OTHER FOOD OUT ON THE TABLES FOR THE STUDENTS.  WE THEN LEFT FOR THE AIRPORT AGAIN TO PICK UP MEGAN WHO HAD BEEN IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FOR A 2 WEEK HUMANITARIAN SERVICE PROJECT. MEGAN HAD A GREAT TIME GIVING SERVICE TO THE DOMINICANS-SHE HELPED IN FINISHING A HEALTH  CLINIC AND HELPED WITH A SCHOOL.  SHE WAS ALSO ABLE TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE LOCALS, AND SEE A SMALL PART OF THE ISLAND. THE LAST DAY THEY DID SOME SWIMMING AND CLIFF JUMPING IN A BEAUTIFUL AREA, BUT AS SHE JUMPED SHE HIT THE WATER A LITTLE HARD AND GAVE HER SOME BACK SPASMS. SHE IS OK --IT JUST HURTS  A LITTLE. IT WAS GOOD TO GET ALL THE KIDS TOGETHER AND HUG AND KISS THEM. THEY LOOKED WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL.  WE WILL NOW DO SOME FUN THINGS WITH THEM TILL NEXT WEEK.

ALLIGATOR ON LOG

 
FRIDAY THE JUDD FAMILY WENT TO LETTUCE PARK WHICH IS A NATURE HABITAT FOR ALLIGATORS, TURTLES, AND BIRDS OF DIFFERENT KINDS. IT IS MUCH LIKE THE EVERGLADES ONLY IT IS A VERY SMALL PARK.  WE WERE ABLE TO SEE  ALLIGATORS-- SOME LARGE ONES AND A LOT OF DECAYING TREES.

SPANISH MOSS DRAPING  DOWN TO GROUND

WATER UNDER THE GREEN VEGATATION

DON CESAR HOTEL

 LATER THAT EVENING WE DROVE OUT TO ST PETE’S DON CESAR PALACE/HOTEL. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SISTER MISSIONARIES THAT THIS PLACE HAD A FANTASTIC ICE CREAM SHOP AND IT WAS  THE GIRLS WERE TO BUSY CATCHING UP ON BEING SISTERS TO LEAVE ANY EARLIER.( IT IS GREAT TO SEE THEM BE TOGETHER).  WE ALSO DECIDED TO GO TO THE SUNSHINE SKYWAY BRIDGE. THIS BRIDGE CONNECTS THE ST.PETE ISLAND AND THE MAIN LAND OF FLORIDA.  IT IS A MASSIVE BRIDGE COVERING A LARGE, LARGE AREA OF WATER. THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE BIG CRUISE LINERS PASS UNDER THE BRIDGE TO GET INTO THE TAMPA PORTS.
RIGHT BY THE GULF.  WE FOUND THE DON CESAR ICE CREAM SHOP BUT MISSED THE GULF WATER BECAUSE IT WAS NIGHT BEFORE WE GOT THERE.

 SATURDAY WE WENT TO THE MOSI --MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, IT IS PACKED WITH HANDS ON ACTIVITIES AND LOTS OF VERY INFORMATIVE INFORMATION. WE SPENT LOT OF OUR TIME ON THE 3^RD FLOOR—HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL BEING.  THIS WAS GREAT UNTIL BAYLEE FELL ON A 1 INCH

PLATFORM AND HIT HER KNEE VERY HARD. HER RIGHT KNEE STARTED TO SWELL IMMEDIATELY.  WE FOUND SOME ICE AND WENT INTO THE THEATER TO WATCH THE “UNIVERSE” HOPING IT WOULD HEAL IT . BUT WE ENDED UP RIDING IN A WHEEL-CHAIR TO THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE AND THEN THE CAR.  WE WILL SEE WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE TOMORROW.  BAYLEE IS SUCH A GOOD SPORT.  WE NOW HAVE TWO SICKIES MEGAN CAME HOME FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  WITH A HURT BACK AND SO SHE IS NURSING THAT   BUT WE ARE STILL GLAD THAT WE HAVE THEM  AND SORRY THAT THEY HURT.  WE ENDED THE DAY CALLING AND REAFFIRMING THAT WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND WATCH THEM CLOSELY.  I AM KEEPING  TRACK OF HEATHER  SHE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HEALTHY WAIT A MINUTE SHE HAD HER BRACES PUT ON THE MONDAY BEFORE SHE CAME  HER MOUTH IS VERY TENDER—I DID NOT DO IT‼

Summer Semester  #17   8/1/2014

I think that I forgot to send the blog this last week—what I do is write the blog at our apartment and then take it to the Institute  office and  use the internet there.  It all works out if I remember to do it  before  I get busy with something else.

Sunday we had Fernando over for dinner before he left for Columbia --his home land.  He is one of Heavenly Father’s choice children that was waiting for someone to introduce him to the gospel. Elder’s Flinders and Hawks were the lucking one to find him. We felt his love and his testimony the moment we met him.  We pray that his family will see the change that has come over him and will want to know more of what has happened to him in the last little while. As it is his parents  are worried about him being abducted into some strange cult.  He will change their minds soon I am sure.              

FHE was sponsored by the sister Missionaries –Sister Howard (Park city Utah)and Sister Millar(California, I put that in more  for me than anyone  else because I know  I will forget where  they come from and they are  such good sisters. ) ANYWAY: They had a sidewalk chalk drawing contest Titled: Favorite gospel topics.  Each pair or individual had to choose something they wanted to draw.  We had about 20 YSA drawing on the side walk portraying all different messages about the gospel. Anything  from the birth of the savior , the creation, the temple, love, the light of the gospel and more.  I don’t think that anyone of the  drawings were the same.  It was fun to see the creativity of these YSA and them getting together and doing something that was on the cement and a little dirty.  Of  course apple cobbler was the dessert—made by Sister French.  The sad thing  it rained really hard that night and washed all  the pictures off the cement.  They will have to do it again.  

LILY JOHNSON  MANGER SCENE

LEE CHRIST TEACHING THE GROUP

FERNANDO TREE OF LIFE

VERONICA  FAMILY AT THE TEMPLE

Elder Judd proctored several exams this week. This has really helped out Bro. Patrick from having to come to the Institute so often.  He spends a lot of time on the road anyway checking out all the seminaries and other Institutes, so this just gives him more time to be somewhere else he is needed to be.  We have met a lot of great people trying to improve themselves from the BYU independent online study classes  . He has also been busy preparing for the last two classes for summer semester—Isaiah and the Latter Days and the Missionary Prep. Classes.   And I forgot he will teach Bro Patrick’s class because he is taking a vacation this week.  Three classes in all.  Reminds me of when he taught at UVSC.

I fixed my usual meal for the students on Thursday night.  I was a nervous wreck thinking  I did not have enough for them. It was Hawaiian Haystacks  and for dessert-- chocolate blossoms and peanut butter blossoms cookies.  I know I did not know what blossoms were either ,but they are round cookies with candy kisses in the middle of them—the students likes the peanut butter ones a lot and I liked the chocolate ones better. I guess I will make the peanut butter ones again.  Darn~!  One student who was born and raised in Hawaii, Calvin Gipson, said he had never heard of Hawaiian Hay Stacks and that they don’t eat that stuff in Hawaii.  We had a big laugh over that!!!  picture

We had an extra meeting Tuesday night. The new early morning seminary teachers came in for an orientation meeting. We were really blessed to have our children have released time.  I don’t know if we could have gotten them up at 5 am   every morning.  It is so different here-- these men and women have this as their calling in their ward, special people to do this.  I am thankful that they will teach the youth principles of the gospel.  I provided some cookies and fruit for the group. 

SISTER MILLER AND TIM SILACO

Sunday was the YSA’s Fast Feast.  They have a meal after the3rd hour. Everyone is supposed to bring something to eat. They had a good turn out and a lot of food.       

FOOD!

THE LINE  IS STARTING

ROBERT AND BROTHER JON JEANS

QUIET WEEK #16

QUIET WEEK #16

7/28/2014

THIS WAS A VERY QUIET WEEK AT THE INSTITUTE, BECAUSE WE CELEBRATED THE 24^TH OF JULY. THAT IS FUNNY BECAUSE MOST MORMON FLORIDANS DO NOT EVEN KNOW THAT IT IS A HOLIDAY.  OF COURSE THERE IS A FEW COMMUNITES THAT HAVE STRONG LDS TIES THAT HAVE SOMEKIND OF STAKE PARTY OR CELEBRATION OF SOME SORTS.   WE, ELDER JUDD AND I, DID GO OUT FOR LUNCH WITH THE ALL THE SENIOR COUPLE  IN OUR MISSION—NOT TO CELEBRATE THE 24^TH BUT JUST TO BE WITH THESE  GREAT SENIOR MISSIONARIES( WE ONLY HAVE 5 COUPLES AND 1 SISTER IN THIS AGE GROUP). WE DID WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY JULY 24^TH THOUGH.

ELDER JUDD HAS HAD SOME TIME TO GET SOME EXTRA WORK DONE ON HIS LESSONS FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. HE SAYS: 1. IT HAS BEEN FUN PREPARING THIS SUBJECT (ON ISAIAH) TO TEACH. I AM AMAZED AT THE VOLUME OF PROPHETIC STATEMENTS ISAIAH MADE ABOUT THE LATTER DAY EVENTS CONCERNING THE RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL ET.AL. . 2. I SPENT THE TIME PREPARING TO TEACH BROTHER PATRICK’S CLASS ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SUMMER TERM BECAUSE HE WILL BE ON VACATION. I HAVE FELT STRONGLY THAT I NEEDED TO SPEND THE TIME IN HIS CLASS TEACHING THE TENTH ARTICLE OF FAITH IN AS MUCH AS THE TOPIC FOR THAT CLASS WAS THE ARTICLES OF FAITH. I HAVE PUT TOGETHER POWER POINT ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, ITS ORIGIN, RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE SCATTERING AND GATHERING.  I FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THE DIRECTION IT HAS TAKEN. HOPEFULLY, IT WILL BE A GREAT HELP TO THE YSA.

ELDER JUDD HAS BEEN PROCTORING EXAMS FOR STUDENTS.  IT TAKES AS LONG AS 2 HOURS A TIME FOR THE STUDENTS TO TAKE THE TEST SO HE HAS BEEN HAVING THEM COME IN AT A CERTAIN TIME ON CERTAIN DAY—THAT HELPS HIS SCHEDULE SO HE DOES NOT HAVE TO TIED UP EVERY DAY( WHILETHEY ARE TAKINGTHEIR TEST HE HAS TO STAY IN THE ROOM SO HE STUDIES WHATEVER HE LIKES.). HE HAS GIVEN A BOOK OF MORMON TO ONE YOUNG LADY AND DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE OF IT AND HAD THE SISTER MISSIONARIES TAKE HER ON A TOUR  OF THE CHURCH  AND ANOTHER YOUNG MAN-- A 15 YEAR OLD WHO IS LEARNING ARABIC WHICH IS HIS MOTHER’S NATIVE LANGUAGE --A PALESTINIAN FROM JORDAN. RAMMI IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN A LOT THINGS “MIDDLE-EAST.” WE TALKED FOR SOMETIME ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON AND ITS BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE. HE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS. THE FAMILY IS MUSLIM BUT NOT PRACTICING TOO MUCH. I PLAN ON GIVING THEM A BOOK OF MORMON IN ARABIC.   HE HAS TO DO SEVERAL MORE PROCTORING IN THE COMING WEEKS. HE DOES HAVE A GOOD TIME TALKING TO THEM AFTER THEIR TEST.

IHAVE HAD THE OPPORUNTY TO GO VISITING TEACHING WITH A YOUNG SISTER THAT HAS NEVER GONE BEFORE. SHE IS A SPECIAL YSA SISTER AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL INSTILL IN HER HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THESE VISITS.  WE  WILL VISIT WITH 3 SISTERS WHO ARE ALL OLDER THAN SHE IS BUT I THINK THAT WE BOTH WILL BE BLESSED BYTHIS EXPERIENCE.  

ELDER JUDD IS WORKING WITH THE ELDER’S QUORUM IN SHOWING THEM HOW TO GET GREAT HOME TEACHERS, HOW TO MAKE AN ELDER’S QUORUM MEETING PRODUCTIVE, AND HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR CLASS EXPERIENCE.  TOGETHER WE ARE SUPPORTING THE YSA WARD IN ALL THEIR ACTIVITIES AND EVEN THEIR ASSIGNMENT TO CLEAN THE CHURCH-- THIS MONTH.

AFTER CLEANING THE APARTMENT ON SATURDAY, WE DROVE INTO TAMPA PROPER TO LOOK AROUND THE CITY AND INTO THE OLD PART OF THE AREA CALLED YBOR CITY. THIS IS WHERE TAMPA WAS FIRST SETTLED.  THIS IS WHERE THE MAIN INDUSTRY WAS MAKING CIGARS.  THEY DO NOT DO THIS NOW THOUGH.   THE ROADS ALL AROUND THE MAIN PART OF TOWN IS COBBLESTONE. IT MAKES IT QUITE UNIQUE FOR A LITTLE DRIVE. IT IS A NICE LITTLE AREA BUT THEY SAY NOT TO GO THERE AT NIGHT. IN THE AFTERNOON WE ATTENDED A BAPTISM WHERE FOUR CONVERTS WERE BAPTIZED: SISTER CHRIS FELIX, SISTER THOMPSON, HER GRANDSON, AND RUSSELL CANTOR. THEY WERE ALL VERY EXCITED AND EXPRESSED THEIR TESTIMONIES IN A MOST TOUCHING WAY.