SEPTEMBER 7TH #22

September 7, 2014

Monday was Labor Day.  We had the day off and decided to do something a little different. At first we were just going to go to some different malls and walk around. Then Sister Compton told us about Tarpon Springs. This little Greek community is about 45 minutes from our apartment-right on the Gulf of Mexico. What makes this special is the sponges that they harvest in the warm waters of the Gulf. The Greeks came years ago bringing a lot of their countrymen to begin a new career here in the United States. The day we were there the city was having a craft show and fair, closing off most of the main street.  We walked a while seeing the sights of the home made articles and sponge shops.  We then went on a sight-seeing bus that took us down to Clearwater, Danedin, Palm Habor. It was a nice 2 hour ride. By the time we came back it was lunch time, so we stopped in to the Parthenon Restaurant for a wonderful gyro full turkey beef vegetables etc.  We were grateful we could learn about sponges and the cultural. We also found that Denedin was a Scottish community.  This is a state of many culturals. 

Elder Judd:Tuesday I spent the day preparing for my New Testament class and putting up the new pillar banner to replace the vertical “INSTITUTE” banner that Sister Judd and I did not like. One student even agreed with us calling it “tackey.” We agreed and finally prevailed on Brother Patrick to let us get another one that would fit better. Well, I got it and put it up. When Brother Patrick saw it he said that we were “right, it did look better!!!” Sister Judd got her hair cut today and she came back to the Institute looking really cute. She found a person here in Tampa that will cut it short likes she likes..  

Wednesday we had a busy day starting at the  very beginning. I found a dentist by the name of Dr. Scott Stafford.  I broke a back molar and guess what I have to have a crown WHY NOT?‼ At the same time Elder Judd went to the Bull Market-

Elder Judd: On Wednesday we got up earlier than usual and headed for the Institute so I could meet the Elders and go with them to prepare for Bull Market. Bull Market is a USF campus thing where all the on campus clubs vie for members and support for their various interests and pursuits. The missionaries use this day each week to meet new investigators. We were there for three hours in the heat, but we had a great canopy for shade which really helped. We met several students who were interested in hearing more about the Church. This is a gold mine for the missionaries to meet new people. So I will be supporting this effort and making sure things go well for them. This is a great effort and helps our classes as well.. I taught my NT class on the Savior’s birth at7pm. It went pretty well and I had a few more students. I love teaching the life of Christ!!! 

 

Thursday I start preparing for the late evening meal. I was excited about this meal—pancakes, syrup and fresh fruit.  Elder Judd,  Lisa Lundberg,  Kayla Holloway and I  flipped pancakes and served them to the students    It was not to hard and they seemed to like it.

Elder Judd: Saturday was a low key day wherein I spent most of the day preparing for a presentation on New Testament Jerusalem for a Relief Society Group and their husbands at the Hudson Ward in New Port Richey. Sister Jan Jeans asked if I would do something like that and I told her I loved to talk “Holy Land” anytime. Sister Judd went shopping to get a few things for us and some few things for the next Institute dinner. In the Evening we picked up Jacob McNeal, a YSA, and traveled to Brandon to our Saturday evening Stake Conference session. There were two talks by a young man and a young lady who talked of their experiences with sharing the gospel and the successes they have had. They were great talks.  President Cusick spoke about using the new tools we have to do a better and more efficient job. He used his own experience as a young man working in cement as a great example. Stake President Howell is a great leader and scriptorium and speaker. He challenged us to listen to Elder Bednar’s talk on the use of social media the Lord’s way. He gave this talk at the Religion Week at BYU in August.

Elder Judd:Tuesday I spent the day preparing for my New Testament class and putting up the new pillar banner to replace the vertical “INSTITUTE” banner that Sister Judd and I did not like. One student even agreed with us calling it “tackey.” We agreed and finally prevailed on Brother Patrick to let us get another one that would fit better. Well, I got it and put it up. When Brother Patrick saw it he said that we were “right, it did look better!!!” Sister Judd got her hair cut today and she came back to the Institute looking really cute. She found a person here in Tampa that will cut it short likes she likes..