BLOG #40 A LOT OF THOUGHTS

BLOG # 40 JANUARY 25, 2015

MONDAY:   ELDER JUDD TAUGHT HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF THE SAVIOR CLASS.  ELDER JUDD’S THOUGHTS:  Monday evening’s class went very well as we discussed Matthew 16 and 17. We talked about the importance of personal revelation and how that concept/principle makes the Restored Church different from any other church in the world. We had 16 students come to class, which is more than I have had in any of my classes since we arrived here in Tampa. After class, I got into a lengthy discussion with one the class members, a law student, who leans toward supporting the rights of the LGBT community. Our discussion center around not “oppressing” them with our standards, but supporting their right to live that life style.  I referred to Elder Oaks most recent General Conference talk on loving all men as the Savior taught us, but at the same time not facilitating them in that life style. It is apparent to me that there are many young people in the Church that are tainted by the arguments of the LGBT people and they buy into their false philosophies and logic without thinking these things thru to the end. I pointed out that the laws that the Lord has given us are designed to preserve society, and that a society that turns from those laws will self-destruct. I am concerned for our young people today who are bombarded from every side with such false teachings both in school and out. Without a strong testimony, Church members at every age will be  faced with the reality of Heber C. Kimballs prophecy: "We cannot survive on borrowed light. We will have to get a testimony of our selves or fall. " IT IS SAD IN SOME WAYS TO KNOW THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BEING INDOCTRINATED WITH WORLDLY VIEWS IN THEIR CLASSES.  WE HOPE THAT THIS CONVERSATION WITH THIS STUDENT WILL BE A REMINDER THAT THAT GOD’S LAWS ARE FOR ETERNITY, MAN’S LAWS ARE NOT.

AFTER CLASS WE HAD THE FHE DEVOTIONAL IN THE INSTITUTE ROOM AND THEN MOVED THE WHOLE GROUP DOWN TO THE GYM FOR THE  BOARD GAMES. THEY HAD 8 TO A TABLE HAD 5 TABLES FULL—THAT IS A REALLY GOOD NUMBER AND EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME.   I DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT SOME OF THE GAMES WERE. IT WAS FUN TO TRY SOME OF THEM.

ONCE AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY ABOUT 15 STUDENTS CAME TO ELDER JUDD’S CLASS—IT IS STARTING TO PICK UP NOW THAT THEY KNOW THAT HE WILL TEACH THEM CORRECT TRUTHS AND PRINCIPLES. ELDER JUDD HAD ANOTHER GREAT EXPERIENCE THAT I THINK IS WORTHY OF TELLING. ELDER JUDD: As we discussed the importance of personal revelation, a 33 year old man came into class and sat down. His name was Richard. As we talked about the necessity of having our own personal testimony, Richard raised his hand to comment. He bore a strong testimony of how several years ago he had joined the Church because of the love and friendship he found in the Church. Then he told the class how he had struggled spiritually since his baptism. It was just this week that he felt a need to see the missionaries and try to get his feet on the ground. His prayers were answered as to what he needed to do as he walked into class. He now knew that he had to know of the truth by personal revelation. He knew by the Spirit that the Lord had led him into the class so that he could learn how to know for himself the direction he should take. I felt impressed to tell him that the Lord had guided him to class for that very purpose. He agreed that that was true. That was a great experience for all those in the class.

THURSDAY DINNER PREPARATION DAY—WOW-- ANOTHER MEAL!  T DOES NOT SEEM TO END!  WE HAD TACO SOUP, CHIPS-SALSA, AND DUMP CAKE. THIS WAS AN EASY PREPARATION. WE STARTED THE DAY BY OPENING CANS OF BEANS, DICED TOMATO, TOMATO SAUCE, AND BROWNING THE ONION AND HAMBURGER. BY THE DINNER CAME AROUND THE SMELLS OF THE SOUP WAS PRETTY GOOD. WE HAD ABOUT 45 YSA AND 4-6 MISSIONARIES.  WE ALSO HAD BRO. HOPEGOOD COME AND HELP WITH THE FOOD, HE WAS A GREAT HELP. THAT WAS A GOOD THING.  I NEED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE SIMPLICITY THIS CAKE. -- PUT FRUIT ON BOTTOM, CRUMB BUTTER AND CAKE MIX TOGETHER AND PUT IN OVEN. FANTASTIC DESSERT!.  MAYBE SOME OF YOU HAVE FIXED THIS BEFORE I HAVE NOT, BUT IT WAS SO GOOD. I THINK THAT I WILL HAVE A FEW CAKE MIXES IN MY  FOOD STORAGE FROM NOW ON. AFTER CLASS AND DINNER WAS FINISHED A LOT OF THE STUDENTS JUST STAYED AROUND AND TALKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. IT IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE TO LISTEN TO  THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

DURING THE CHRISTMAS BREAK THE KITCHENAID’S MOTOR BURN UP. IT WAS SAD BECAUSE I USE IT EVERY WEEK. THE INSTITUTE   DOES NOT HAVE A  BUDGET FOR SUCH AN APPLIANCE, SO IT WAS QUITE CONCERNING WHAT I WAS GOING TO USE. AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE SOLUTION  WE ALL FELT THAT MAYBE SOMEONE IN ONE OF THE STAKES COULD DONATE SUCH AN  APPLIANCE.. SO WE ALL THOUGHT AND PRAYED ABOUT IT.( I KNOW SUCH A INTERESTING THING TO PRAY FOR.)  BUT ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THIS PROBLEM  WAS MADE KNOW SOME ONE DONATE  A NEW MACHINE. I KNOW THAT HEAVENLY FATHER WILL BLESS THAT PERSON'S LIFE AND THE INSTITUTE.  I FELT LIKE I WAS HAVING CHRISTMAS ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS IS A GREAT FRIDAY. 

THE LONG COUNTER IN THE OFFICE/KITCHEN DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD LIGHT SOURCE ON IT SO FOR MONTHS I WOULD ASK OUR F.M. MANAGER AND HIS BOSS IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR AN UNDER-COUNTER LIGHT TO HELP ME SEE WHAT I WAS DOING BETTER. I FELT LIKE I WAS PREPARING  IN THE DARK A LOT. AND THEN ,TODAY, HE CAME INTO OUR OFFICE WITH A NEAT SURPRISE AND IT WAS CHRISTMAS AGAIN. HE WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A 16’ STRING OF LCD LIGHTS WITH A TINY REMOTE  TO TURN IT  OFF AND ON. HE PUT IT UP WITH DOUBLE STICK TAPE AND IT WORKS GREAT, BETTER THAN GREAT IN FACT. I AM SO THANKFUL AND BLESSED.—IT SURE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.  

WE WENT TO THE OLIVE GARDEN AND HAD A VERY NICE MEAL AND CAME HOME AFTER A QUICK STOP AT THE MAFERIK’S REDBOX MACHINE FOR A COUPLE OF MOVIES(THANKS TO OUR ST. GEORGE GRANDDAUGHTERS –THEY SHOWED US HOW TO USE THE RED BOX MACHINES—-HOW HARD IS THAT TO FIGURE OUT. WELL IT WASN’T EASY‼

ELDER JUDD:  Saturday we slept in and then cleaned the apartment and drove to St. Petersburg proper to see the Farmer’s Market. When we arrived, all the vendors were taking things down packing things up and leaving. We walked thru what was left and decided to come back on another day to see what it is like in full swing. What we did see gave us a good idea that this was a big thing in this area. There was everything from clothes to Himalayan Salt Lamps on display as well as a lot of garden fresh produce from the local Florida growers. That is pretty interesting considering the fact that this is January. On the way home we stopped for a few groceries then came home for a French Bread Pizza dinner and then settled down to catch up on our writing and other computer work.

 WE LOOK FORWARD TO SUNDAY JUST SO WE CAN BE RENEWED FOR THE NEXT WEEK, BUT IT WAS AN ADDED BONUS TODAY BECAUSE IT IS FAST DAY.  THESE YOUNG PEOPLE JUST JUMP UP AND BEAR THE STRONGEST TESTIMONIES AND SHARE THEIR SWEET SPIRITS WITH US.    AFTER THE SACRAMENT MEETING YSA ALWAYS HAS A DINNER TO BREAK THE FAST. TODAY IT WAS A BREAKFAST MEAL.  I AM SURE THAT THEY FED AT LEAST 70 YSA’S. THAT IS A GREAT TURNOUT.   WE TOOK SOME PIONEER PORRIDGE—IT IS DIFFERENT TO LOOK AT BUT TASTES REALLY GOOD AND THOSE THAT WERE NOT PICKY SAID THAT THEY REALLY LIKED IT.  IT COMES FROM GEORGIA AND OUR SECRETARY, SISTER HOPEGOOD, BROUGHT IT BACK TO US FROM HER CHRISTMAS VACATION. NEXT WEEK IS THE BRANDEN ST. CONFERENCE MEETINGS SO WE WILL MEET AT THE ST. CENTER. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE HEARD AND THE TESTIMONIES THAT WERE BORNE

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BLOG#39JANUARY 18 MID-MONTH

BLOG#39JANUARY 18,2015

ONCE AGAIN IT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING WEEK, I GUESS THAT THEY ALL HAVE BEEN THAT WAY. I WILL TRY TO GIVE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT WENT ON.

SUNDAY STARTED WITH A INSTITUTE COUNCIL MEETING FOR ELDER JUDD AND 4 COMMITTEE MEMBERS. IT WENT VERY WELL AS THEY DECIDED WHO THEY WERE GOING TO HELP TO COME TO INSTITUTE THIS FOLLOWING WEEK.  THEN ON TO THE REST OF THE MEETINGS AND OF COURSE FREEZING IN SACRAMENT, I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT A JACKET FOR INSIDE THE BUILDING NOT OUTSIDE. LATER IN THE EVENING WE THEN WENT BACK TO THE INSTITUTE FOR THE CES DEVOTIONAL WITH ELDER RIDD AS THE SPEAKER. HE GAVE A GREAT TALK ON FOCUSING AND HAVING REAL INTENT IN OUR EFFORTS TO FOLLOW THE SAVIOR. WE SERVED ROOT BEER FLOATS AND OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES FOR THE REFRESHMENTS AND IT WAS A GREAT EVENING. THE TURNOUT WAS ALMOST TWICE THE NUMBER ABOUT 24 YSAS AS THE LAST CES DEVOTIONAL LAST NOVEMBER.

MONDAY ELDER JUDD HAD A PROCTORING SESSION, HE HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE:THIS YOUNG MAN IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH. AFTER THE EXAM ELDER JUDD ASKED HOW HE BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH BYU AND THEIR INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM. I MENTIONED THAT BYU IS PRIVATELY OWNED BY THE CHURCH AND THAT SPAWNED A FEW QUESTIONS. I WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH AND OUR DECLARATION THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST AND THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. I ALSO EXPLAINED THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETS AND TOLD A BRIEF VERSION OF THE FIRST VISION. I BORE MY TESTIMONY OF THESE THINGS AND THEN EXPLAINED THE BOOK OF MORMON AND GAVE HIM A COPY AFTER READING WITH HIM MORONI’S PROMISE IN MORONI 10:4-5.  I COULD TELL THAT HE WAS TOUCHED AND THAT A SEED HAD BEEN PLANTED. HE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK TO THE MISSIONARIES RIGHT NOW BUT I FELT THAT HE HAD JUST HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT HE WILL NOT SOON FORGET. I ENJOYED SHARING MY TESTIMONY IN THAT WAY AND FELT THAT THE LORD HAD A HAND IN THAT CONVERSATION.

IN PREPARATION FOR THE DINNER ON THURSDAY I MADE TWO TRAYS OF PEANUT BUTTER BARS WITH OATS. I EVEN LIKED THEM, I THINK IT WAS THE OATS THAT MADE IT BETTER. WE HAD A YOUNG MAN COME TO OUR DOOR THAT WE HAD NOT SEEN IN MONTHS WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO SEE HIM,  JAMIE LEGGETT WAS BAPTIZED SOMETIME IN THE SUMMER AND HAD DRIFTED AWAY FROM THE CHURCH IN THAT TIME FRAME. ELDER JUDD; WE WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AT HIS APPEARANCE BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN “MISSING” FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WE TALKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND HE SAID THAT THE MISSIONARIES HAD DROPPED OUT OF SIGHT TOO.  WE WERE SO GLAD TO SEE HIM AND MADE A BIG FUSS OVER HIM.  HE SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN READING THE BOOK OF MORMON AND COULD FEEL THE CHANGES THAT HAD OCCURRED IN HIS LIFE BECAUSE OF HIS BAPTISM.  WE ENCOURAGED HIM TO COME TO CHURCH AND HE SAID THAT HE WOULD ARRANGE HIS WORK SO HE COULD COME. HE ALSO ASKED ME TO CALL THE MISSIONARIES TO SEE IF THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM. I DID CALL THE SISTERS IN THAT AREA (LAND OF LAKES) AND THEY DID MEET AND TEACH HIM ON SATURDAY. HE WAS EXCITED ABOUT THAT MEETING AND SAID THAT HE WANTED TO COME TO CHURCH BUT DIDN’T HAVE A RIDE. SO I CALLED MATT WALKER (THE WARD MISSION LEADER) AND ASKED IF HE WOULD SEE WHAT HE COULD DO. TODAY, JAMIE SHOWED UP AND IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE HIM AT CHURCH

THE RELIEF SOCIETY PRESIDENCY PUT TOGETHER A NICE BRIDAL SHOWER FOR A NEW CONVERT THAT WILL BE MARRIED ON FRIDAY.IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED   FOR THE SHORT NOTICE. THEY HAD ABOUT 12 YSA AND LEADERS. IT WAS FUN TO SEE HOW THEY COULD MAKE THIS YOUNG LADY FEEL GOOD ABOUT HER MARRIAGE.

THURSDAY WAS A HARD DAY; THE MORNING WAS FILLED WITH  MISSIONARY MEETING AND MORE MEETINGS. 5 ZONES WERE PRESENT BRANDON, LAKELAND, SARASOTA, ST PETERSBURG, AND TAMPA,WE THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE NOT TO HAVE THE FORT MYERS ZONE HERE SO THE WHOLE MISSION WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENT, BUT WE SOON FOUND OUT THAT  THE FORT MYER ZONE WAS TO BE PUT INTO THE FORT LAUDERDALE MISSION.IT WAS QUITE A SHOCK! 30 ELDERS AND SISTERS WERE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED TO A NEW MISSION WITHOUT A BLINK OF AN EYE. PRESIDENT CUSIC SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON THING SHIFTING BOUNDARIES.  IT WAS HARD FOR A LOT OF MISSIONARIES HERE AND I WAS ONE OF THEM THAT HAD A HARD TIME WITH THE LOST OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ESPECIALLY ELDER LASURAS TOKONA.. IT WILL WORK OUT OK, BECAUSE IT IS THE LORDS WORK AND THEY WILL BE FINE AFTER THE SHOCK WEARS OFF. IN ADDITION PRESIDENT CUSIC NEEDED TO INSTRUCT ALL THE MISSIONARIES OF HOW TO USE THE PREPARATION DAY TO THE BEST ADVANTAGE. I FEEL THAT JUST LIKE US WE NEED TO BE REMINDED OF WHAT IS GOOD AND BETTER.  WE WENT FROM 179 MISSIONARIES TO 139 MISSIONARIES, BUT PRESIDENT CUSIC SAID NOT TO WORRY NEXT TRANSFER 10 MORE MISSIONARIES WILL ARRIVE AND IN THE FUTURE THE NUMBER WILL COME UP TO ABOUT 160.

THE MEAL FOR THIS WEEK WAS SUCH A EASY MENU THAT I WAS ABLE TO MAKE 4-9x13”PANS WITHIN ONE HOUR. THE MEAL WAS A CHICKEN POT PIE WHICH INCLUDED FROZEN VEGETABLES, CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP, A CAN OF CHICKEN AND A LITTLE CHEESE ON THE TOP , THEN A SMALL CRUST OF  2 CUP OF FLOUR, 2 EGG, AND 1 C UP MILK  AND COOKED FOR 45 MINUTES.  NOT TO BAD TO FIX, BUT I WAS STRESSED THAT I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD FOR 54 PEOPLE(IT SEEMED THAT THE  NUMBERS KEPT INCREASING), IT WAS JUST BARELY ENOUGH NEXT TIME 5 9 BY 13" PANS WOULD BE BETTER. . IN SOME WAYS, IT WAS LIKE FEEDING THE 5,000  WITH ONLY A POT PIE. IN THIS CASE THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LEFT OVER. ELDER JUDD  AND I BOTH BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF AT THE END WHEN WE REALIZED THAT WE HAD ENOUGH,BARELY. THE LAST PLATE OF FOOD WENT TO BROTHER PATRICK.  IT WAS GOOD THING THAT WE HAD EATEN LUNCH WITH THE MISSIONARIES EARLIER IN THE DAY BECAUSE WE DID NOT GET TO EVEN LICK THE PLATE.  WE ENDED UP STAYING AT THE CHURCH TILL 11 PM  BEING AROUND THE STUDENTS. I GUESS THEY ARE FINDING OUT THAT WE ARE NOT SO BAD.  SO PLAYED PING PONG, POOL, TALKING AND OF COURSE VOLLEY BALL. ALL IN  ALL IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT.

SATURDAY WE WENT TO THE BISHOP’S STOREHOUSE TO ASSIST THE YSA IN MOVING BOXES AND BOXES OF FOOD AROUND, IT WAS SO IMPRESSIVE TO SEE THIS GROUP GET IN AND HELP THE STOREHOUSE BE ORGANIZED AND READY FOR THE PATRONS TO COME. THE MANAGER CRIED AFTER WE WERE FINISHED BECAUSE HE DID NOT THINK THAT WE COULD FINISH THE WORK IN THE 4 HOUR ASSIGNED TO US-- IT WAS DONE IN 3 HOURS. WE WENT TO BREAKFAST WITH THE YSA'S AT  FRED’S BUFFET IN PLANT CITY( LOOK ON THE STRAWBERRY BOXES AND YOU WILL SEE MADE IN PLANT CITY-- A LOT OF STRAWBERRY'S ARE SHIPPED FROM HERE.) SO ON THE WAY HOME WE STOPPED AT COSTCO AND PURCHASED SOME  THEY ARE WONDERFUL. WE ALSO PURCHASED $1.86/GALLON GAS. FIRST TIME TO SEE THAT IN A LONG TIME.  GREAT DAY‼

BLOG#38 JANUARY 10, 2015

BLOG#38JANUARY 10, 2015

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT IS THE FIRST WEEK IN JANUARY‼  WE ARE STILL THINKING ABOUT THE GREAT WEEK OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE MARRIOTT’S. WHAT A FUN TIME THAT WAS—THE KIDS WERE WONDERFUL, DELIGHTFUL AND BEAUTIFUL. THEY ENJOYED THE M.O.S.I. MUSEUM, THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM, BUSCHE GARDEN(WELL IT WAS NOT THE FAVORITE BECAUSE OF ALL THE PEOPLE) AND THE BEACH(IT WAS THE FAVORITE-- STILL LOTS OF PEOPLE BUT FUN!) AND OTHER THINGS TOO.WHILE HERE THE GIRLS MADE A HEATING BAG AND I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL USE IT IN THEIR BASEMENT ROOMS. WHAT A GREAT WEEK AND SAD WHEN YOU HAD TO LEAVE.

SUNDAY WAS FAST FEAST FOR THE YSA WARD. WE HAD A GREAT DINNER AND A LOT OF DESSERT LEFTOVERS. IT IS ALWAYS A GREAT TIME WITH EVERYONE TALKING AND HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH ONE ANOTHER. I MADE LEMON BARS AND SPAGHETTI CROCKPOT WOW1 THAT IS EASY AND GOOD TOO.

 HERE THE RECIPE:

(BE SURE TO PURCHASE CROCKPOT LINERS AND USE ONE)

1 LB GROUND BEEF                                                                                            

1 MED ONION CHOPPED                                                                             

1 LB OF SPAGHETTI NOODLES

4 OZ OF CREAM CHEESE

¾ C PARMESAN CHEESE

3-24 OZ JARS OF PASTA SAUCE

2 C. CHICKEN BROTH

1 C. OF MOZZARELLA CHEESE SHREDDED

1.            BROWN MEAT AND ONIONS AND DRAIN GREASE

2.           LAYER 1 JAR PASTA SAUCE

3.          BREAK SPAGHETTI NOODLES IN HALF PUT ONTOP OF SAUCE

4.       BREAK UP CREAM CHEESE-SMALL PIECES LAYER ON NOODLES

5.           SPRINKLE PARMESAN CHEESE ON TOP

6.       .  PUT 1 JAR OF PASTA SAUCE ON TOP OF MIXTURE

7.         ADD 1 CUP OF CHICKEN BROTH

8.          FOR 2 HOURS HIGH  AFTERWARDS STIR ALL THE MIXTURE,

9.           ADD THE LAST JAR OF SAUCE AND 1 CHICKEN BROTH COOK ½ TO 1 HOUR MORE TURN TEMPERTURE TO LOW. 

10.        ADD THE MOZZARELLA CHEESE AND LET MELT SERVE FROM THE CROCK POT.

11.         GOOD WITH BREAD STICKS (SISTER WALKER'S BREAD STICKS ARE WONDERFUL)

WE HAD A GREAT MONDAY. ELDER JUDD STUDIED HIS NEW TESTAMENT LESSON FOR THE MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY CLASS AND I  PLANNED FOR THE MEALS OF THIS MONTH,(TUESDAY I MAKE A LIST OF ALL THE INGREDIENTS AND TRY TO CONSOLIDATE EVERY THING FOR THE DIFFERENT STORES I HAVE TO GO TOO) ALSO CAUGHT UP ON SOME FILING THAT I AM IN CHARGE OF.  FHE WAS AFTER THE INSTITUTE CLASS. WE NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO, BUT WE ALWAYS COME AND HELP IN ANY MANNER WE CAN. LAST SEMESTER WE RECEIVED PERMISSION TO MOVED THE DEVOTIONAL TO THE INSTITUTE ROOM AND AFTER THAT WE USUALLY GO TO THE GYM FOR THE ACTIVITY.

THE CHURCH HOUSE COMES ALIVE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT-- BETWEEN MISSIONARY WORK, INSTITUTE, THE REGULAR WARDS ACTIVITIES,  AND SCOUTING PROGRAMS THE BUILDING IS LIKE A BEEHIVE. IT IS FUN TO SEE HOW IT ALL WORKS TOGETHER.  WE ARE USUALLY THE LAST ONES OUT SO WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOCK THE BUILDING UP.

THURSDAY IS OUR BIGGEST NIGHT FOR INSTITUTE.  ELDER JUDD TEACHES OLD TESTAMENT AND BRO PATRICK TEACHES DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS. WE HAVE OVER  45 STUDENTS COME TO THE CLASSES AND EAT DINNER AFTERWARDS( WHICH WAS WHITE CHICKEN CHILI AND BEEF CHILI, CORN BREAD AND HARD COOKIES—THE  OVENS MADE THEM THAT WAY WHY I DO NOT KNOW. I GIVE THEM TO THE STUDENT AND APOLOGIZED FOR THE HARDNESS AND THEY ATE THEM ANYWAY!  STRANGE KIDS‼).   OFTEN TIMES THE STUDENTS WILL PLAY PING PONG, VOLLEYBALL, POOL OR JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER TO CATCH UP ON THE WEEK.  WE REALLY ENJOY THE FUN THAT THEY BRING INTO THE BUILDING. IT TRULY IS WHAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS TO HAVE HAPPEN SO THESE SPIRITS CAN FIND STRENGTH IN ONE ANOTHER.

FRIDAY WAS SO BUSY. BEFORE I EVEN STARTED THE DAY THE SISTER MISSIONARIES NEEDED TO HAVE A 3^RD SISTER SIT IN A DISCUSSION WITH A YOUNG MAN THAT WALKED IN THE BUILDING. IT WAS AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE AND I AM GLAD THAT I WAS HERE AT THE CHURCH TO HELP OUT.  I NEEDED TO PREPARE  A BREAKFAST MEAL FOR SATURDAY’S SEMINARY IN-SERVICE MEETING AND LEARNED A GREAT LESSON ON PROCRASTINATION .  I SHOULD HAVE PREPARED  SOONER BUT I THINK I WAS STILL ENJOYING THE CHRISTMAS VACATION. SO WE HAD TO DO DOUBLE TIME MAKING CINNAMON ROLLS AND DANISH PASTRIES.  WE ENDED UP STAYING AT THE BUILDING TILL 11 PM --NOT GOOD-- WE WERE SO TIRED. BUT THE ROLLS AND PASTRIES WERE GOOD.

SO THEN ON SATURDAY WE HAD TO COME BACK TO THE INSTITUTE AT 6:30 AM TO PUT EVERYTHING OUT ON THE TABLES  AND COOK THE PIONEER PORRIDGE( SISTER HOPEGOOD BROUGHT THIS PORRIDGE FROM GEORGIA TELLING ME IT WAS THE BEST EVER-WELL I HAD TO SEE ABOUT THAT) . IT WAS GOOD-I DON’T KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT SHE HAS TOLD US THAT HAS BEEN  BAD. THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRIES ARE IN SEASON  AND THEY ARE  WONDERFUL.. SO WE HAD A FRUIT TRAY OF STRAWBERRIES , BANANAS, AND GRAPES. EVERYONE LIKES THE PORRIDGE-WHY I EVEN HAD A FEW THAT ASKED WHERE I PURCHASED  IT.   WE FED OVER 35 PEOPLE THIS MORNING. IF FEEDING BREAKFAST BRINGS PEOPLE  TO THIS EARLY MORNING IN-SERVICE TO LEARN HOW TO TEACH BETTER THEN WE SHOULD BE HAPPY AND WE ARE.

BLOG#37 JAN4

BLOG#37 DECEMBER 28-JAN 4TH

WE ARE STILL HAVING A GREAT TIME WITH THE MARRIOTT FAMILY WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM FOR 4 ½  MORE DAYS.  SO WITH THAT WE PACKED THE DAYS WITH FUN THINGS TO SEE AND DO.  

WE STARTED OUT THE WEEK WITH THE SABBATH OF COURSE. I WAS ABLE TO INTRODUCE MY FAMILY TO ALL THE YSA PEOPLE WHAT A NEAT EXPERIENCE THAT WAS.

WE THOUGHT THAT BUSCHE GARDENS WOULD BE FUN FOR ALL BUT DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OF THE 50,000 PEOPLE THAT  WERE AT THE BEACH THE SATURDAY BEFORE WAS NOW AT THE BUSCHE GARDENS.  WE DROPPED OFF STEVE AND TRICIA AND GIRLS AND WE STAYED HOME WITH SPENCER TILL THE LATE AFTERNOON WHEN WE THOUGHT THAT THE CROWDS WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN.  WRONG THEY JUST MULTIPLIED. WELL AT LEASE THEY SAW THE GARDENS, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS,ANIMALS, AND TWO OR THREE OF THE ROLLER COASTERS.  BY THE TIME WE CAME ALL WE COULD DO WAS WORK OUR WAY TO THE  TRAIN FOR  A FAMILY RIDE. SPENCER LOVED THAT EVEN IN THE DARK.

TUESDAY WE PLANNED ON GOING TO THE ORLANDO TEMPLE FORGETTING THAT THE TRAFFIC(50,000 PEOPLE) WOULD BE FOLLOWING US. IT DID AND IT TOOK US 2 HOURS TO GET THERE. BUT THIS PLACE WAS WORTH THE HASSLE. AS SOON AS WE ENTERED THE TEMPLE, THE QUIET SPIRIT FILLED OUT MINDS AND HEARTS.   I WATCHED SPENCER WHILE EVERYONE WENT TO THE BAPTISTERY. MY EXPERIENCE WITH SPENCER, HE IS OUR ANGEL, WAS JUST AS WONDERFUL AS BEING IN THE TEMPLE WITH THE GIRLS. ELDER JUDD WRITES,  “THE DIRECTOR OF THE BAPTISTERY WAS VERY KIND AND WORKED WITH US AND TWO OTHER FAMILIES TO ACCOMMODATE OUT NEEDS AND EXPEDITE THE WORK WE WANTED TO PERFORM. THE SPIRIT WAS SWEET AND WE ALL HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE TOGETHER. IT IS WONDERFUL THAT IN THIS AGE THE YOUTH CAN BE SO INVOLVED IN THE WORK FOR THE DEAD. I REFLECTED ON HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE I WAS THE AGE OF MADISEN, EMILY AND KATIE WHEN I CAN ONLY REMEMBER GOING TO THE TEMPLE FOR BAPTISMS ONLY ABOUT TWO TIMES. AS A SOCIETY AT LARGE HAS BECOME MORE WORLDLY, OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUTH TO BE FOCUSED ON GREATER SPIRITUAL THINGS HAS INCREASED. WHAT A BLESSING FOR OUR YOUTH IN THIS CHALLENGING DAY. TRICIA AND THE GIRLS ALL WERE CONFIRMED FOR THE DEAD, STEVE PERFORMED THE CONFIRMATIONS AND I ASSISTED. STEVE BAPTIZED THE GIRLS, I RECORDED THE BAPTISMS AND TRICIA WATCHED THE WORK BEING DONE…….. THE DRIVE HOME WAS A JOYFUL ONE WITH THE GIRLS SINGING AS THEY DO OFTEN WHEN RIDING IN THE CAR TOGETHER. WHAT A GREAT MEMORY TO REFLECT ON: MADI, EMILY AND KATIE TALKING, SINGING AND LAUGHING ALL THE WAY BACK TO TAMPA. IT SEEMED LIKE THE CLOSER WE GOT TO HOME, THE MORE INTENSE THEIR INTERACTION BECAME. WHAT A GREAT TIME THAT WAS TO EXPERIENCE WHAT MARSHA AND I HAVE MISSED SO MUCH WHILE SERVING OUR MISSION. THIS IS ONE OF THE EXPERIENCES THAT  MADE THIS CHRISTMAS MORE JOYOUS THAN ANY MATERIAL GIFT COULD POSSIBLY DO.”

WE ALSO,WENT TO LETTUCE LAKE PARK FOR  A WALK THRU THE RESERVE TO SEE FLORIDA’S NATURAL SETTINGS, THE SWAMP AND EVERGLADE TYPE OF TERRAIN WITH ALL OF ITS WILDLIFE. AS WE WALKED ON THE BOARDWALK,EXPERIENCING A MISTY RAIN, OUR GOAL WAS TO SEE AT LEAST ONE ALLIGATOR IN THE WILD. THANKS TO STEVE’S SHARP EYE, WE DID SEE ONE ALLIGATOR WHICH MADE THE WALK WORTH THE EFFORT.  SPENCER REFUSED TO GET OUT OF THE TRUCK SO I STAYED BEHIND WITH HIM.  IT TOOK ME ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO CONVINCE HIM TO WALK ON THE ROCKY PATH JUST TO THE  PICNIC SHELTER.  WE HAD FUN TALKING AND SEEING SOME OF THE PLANT LIFE WHILE WE WAITED TO SURPRISE THE FAMILY. WE ALSO WENT TO THE LOWRY PARK ZOO. WE RENTED A WHEELCHAIR FOR SPENCER AND PRAYED THAT HE WOULD RIDE IN IT.  HE DID AND HE EVEN ENJOYED IT. IT WAS SO MUCH BETTER BECAUSE WE COULD ALL BE TOGETHER. IT IS A KID FRIENDLY EXHIBITION WHICH THE KIDS REALLY ENJOYED AND EVEN SPENCER GAVE US SOME BIG SMILES AS HE WATCHED THE VARIOUS ANIMALS AND INTERACTED WITH SOME LIKE THE MANATEES, GOATS AND GIRAFFES. WE TOOK A SAFARI TRAIN RIDE THRU PART OF THE ZOO WHICH SPENCER ALSO ENJOYED. IT WAS A NICE CLOSE TO THE ACTIVITIES WE HAD PLANNED FOR OUR WEEK TOGETHER.  ELDER JUDD, MADI, AND I, WENT TO THE YSA’S NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE LATER IN THE EVENING TO HELP WITH THE MIDNIGHT BREAKFAST. THE BREAKFAST WAS REALLY GOOD. SISTER BURNS FIXED BACON CREPES FRUIT A BREAKFAST CASSEROLE. IT WAS TRULY A MIDNIGHT FEAST AND I JUST ENJOYED TAKING IT TO THE TABLES.

WE ALL SLEPT IN THE NEXT DAY AND THEN BEGAN GETTING READY TO TAKE THE FAMILY BACK TO THE AIRPORT FOR THEIR FLIGHT HOME.  IT WAS A WONDERFUL 10 DAYS TOGETHER WHICH STRENGTHENED OUR FAMILY TIES AND LOVE FOR EACH OTHER.

FRIDAY THE APARTMENT WAS LIKE A MORGUE AFTER THE BUSY HOLIDAY. WE DID GO TO THE INSTITUTE TO START GETTING READY FOR THE NEW SEMESTER. IT WAS A VERY QUIET  DAY AND EVENING SO WE WATCHED A  MOVIE AND JUST RELAXED.

FAST MEETING WAS REALLY GOOD TODAY. WE HAD SPECIAL TESTIMONIES FROM ABOUT 20  YOUNG PEOPLE.  IT IS ALSO  FAST-FEAST—A MEAL TO BREAK THE FAST AFTER THE MEETINGS ARE OVER WITH. I MADE A COOKIE SHEET OF LEMON BARS AND A CROCK-POT OF SPAGHETTI FOR THE DINNER .  THE YSA REALLY LOVES THESE MEALS—EVERYONE BRINGS FOOD. AT TIMES WE WONDER IF THEY WILL HAVE  ENOUGH FOR THE 50 OR SO PEOPLE.  IT IS LIKE THE FEEDING OF THE 5000 IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE ENOUGH BUT ALWAYS END UP HAVING MORE THAN WE ALL CAN EAT. 

ELDER JUDD:  WE HAVE LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS ON OUR MISSION. THE TIME HAS GONE BY SO FAST. AT THIS POINT I WOULD DESCRIBE THIS EXPERIENCE AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN OF MY LIFE. ONE OF THE REASONS HAS TO BE SHARING THIS EXPERIENCE WITH MARSHA. WE HAVE GROWN CLOSER TOGETHER AND INCREASED IN APPRECIATION OF THE GOSPEL SO MUCH. SERVING A MISSION AT THIS TIME IN OUR LIVES IS A RICH AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE THAT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A SACRIFICE AT ALL IN SO MANY WAYS.

I AGREE WITH ELDER JUDD – IT HAS BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE!

BLOG#36 DECEMBER 28

 BLOG #36 DECEMBER 22-28

THIS IS THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS AND FAMILY. WE WISH THAT ALL OF OUR FAMILY COULD BE HERE----NOW THAT WOULD BE FUN, BUT WE KNOW THAT THEY WILL HAVE A GOOD TIME WHERE EVER THEY ARE.

LAST FRIDAY WE SPENT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME HELPING TO PREPARE A LETTER TO SEND OUT TO ALL THE BISHOPS AND STAKE PRESIDENTS TO HELP ENCOURAGE ALL THE YSA IN THEIR AREA TO COME AND PARTICIPATE IN THE INSTITUTE PROGRAM. MONDAY WE STUFFED ENVELOPES AND ADDRESSED THEM- IT TOOK ALL MORNING WHY I DON’T KNOW, MAYBE WE ARE JUST SLOW.  WE JUST PRAY THAT IT WILL REACH THE RIGHT PERSON SO THAT IT WILL ENCOURAGE THE YSA TO COME AND BE STRENGTHEN IN THE GOSPEL.

WE DID NOT HAVE FHE THIS WEEK SO WE DECIDED TO TAKE A SMALL TRIP UP TO PORT RICHEY—ABOUT 1 HOUR FROM OUR APARTMENT-- TO VISIT BOB AND JANICE JEANS. IT WAS A DELIGHT TO BE WITH THIS FAMILY. ELDER JUDD BAPTIZED THIS COUPLE 49 YEARS AGO IN CHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE. ALL OF THEIR 5 CHILDREN AND THEIR GRAND-CHILDREN ARE STILL ACTIVE. WE HAD A GREAT TIME TALKING ABOUT THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL IN OUR LIVES AND THE DIFFERENCE IT HAS MADE IN THE QUALITY AND PEACE OF THE LIFE WE ENJOY. SISTER JEANS ASKED ELDER JUDD TO SHARE THE PRESENTATION ON JERUSALEM THAT HE DID IN HER WARD WHEN THEY WERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE THIS LAST FALL.  IT WAS GREAT EVENING THAT WE SPENT TOGETHER AND ONE THAT WE WILL CHERISH FOR A LONG TIME. THIS WAS ANOTHER “TENDER MERCY” THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN US ON OUR MISSION---TO BE ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH THE JEANS AND MANY OF THEIR CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN WHILE SERVING HERE IN THE TAMPA MISSION.

WELL WE CLEANED AGAIN AND FINISHED THE SHOPPING AND BORROWED 3 AIR MATTRESSES FROM THE MISSION FOR 3 OF THE KIDS..  WE ARE GETTING REALLY EXCITED. OUR APARTMENT IS SMALL BUT IT WILL BE OK.  WE WILL HAVE THE ROOM THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS TIME.

 WE LEFT EARLY TO GO TO THE AIRPORT TO GO AND PICK UP THE CHEVROLET SUBURBAN.  IT WAS BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 643 MILES ON IT. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A BUS, WE WERE COMFORTABLE IN IT, AND WE WOULD BE ABLE TO ALL GO TOGETHER ON OUR OUTINGS.  WE WAITED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AT THE AIRPORT IN ANTICIPATION OF THE FAMILY TO ARRIVE.  JUST AS THE BOARD AT THE CELL PHONE WAITING PARKING LOT STATED THAT THE PLANE ARRIVED THE CAR NEXT TO US BATTERY WENT DEAD.  WHAT A DECISION TO HELP OR NOT TO HELP ----THE KIDS ARE WAITING‼  WE ENDED UP HELPING AND DOING A GOOD DEED AND IT ONLY TOOK A MINUTE OR TWO TO HELP THIS COUPLE BE ABLE TO GO GET THEIR KIDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. IT WAS A  GOOD THING TO HELP AND IT ONLY TOOK A MOMENT.  WE DROVE DOWN TO THE ARRIVAL GATE WHERE THE FAMILY WAS WAITING AND SPENCER JUMPED INTO MY CAR AND THE GIRLS JUMPED INTO THE SUBURBAN. WE TALKED TILL ABOUT 1 AM AND WERE SO THRILLED THAT THEY WERE HERE.

DURING THE END OF THIS WEEK, WE CELEBRATED THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR, HAD A CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST, A CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE FAMILY AND  FOR THE MISSIONARIES, WENT TO THE M.O.S.I. MUSEUM WHICH IS DEVOTED TO PRESENT THE WONDERS OF THE WORLDS IN WAYS YOUNG PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND AND BE MOTIVATED TO LEARN MORE--SPENCER LOVED THE FULL SIZED MODEL OF A DEEP SEA SCIENCE SUBMARINE(HE WAS MESMERIZED BY THIS),  WENT TO THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM—WE TOUCHED LIVE SEA RAYS AS THEY SWIM BY, AND WENT TO THE SIESTA KEY BEACH NEAR SARASOTA ALONG WITH 50,000 OTHER BEACH GOERS—THE BEACH WAS ONE OF THE FAVORITES OF THE MARRIOTTS, SPENCER LOVED KICKING THE WAVES AND GIRLS LOVED THE COOL WATER AND SEA SHELLS—WE ALL LOVED THE SUNSET. GOD KNOWS HOW TO MAKE THE PRETTIEST SKIES. 

WHEW‼ WHAT A ENDING TO THE WEEK.  WE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

BLOG #35 DECEMBER 21

BLOG#35   DECEMBER 15-21

WHAT A GREAT MONTH THIS HAS BEEN AND BOY HAS IT GONE BY FAST.  OF COURSE, WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY SNOW, BUT A FEW DAYS OF VERY COOL WIND AND NO SUNSHINE. I CANNOT COMPLAIN—SHORT SLEEVES AND NO COATS FOR THE MOST PART IS FANTASTIC. THE TRAFFIC HAS BECOME VERY CONGESTED BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE OR SNOW BIRDS FROM THE NORTH COME DOWN TO FLORIDA TO GET AWAY FROM THE COLD SNOWY WEATHER WHERE THEY LIVE. I REALLY CANNOT BLAME THEM BUT IT SURE MAKES THE TRAFFIC WORSE.

ON MONDAY WE CAME TO THE INSTITUTE BUILDING TO SEE THAT SEVERAL TREES IN THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING WERE CUT DOWN. IN ADDITION TO THOSE TREES, WE HAD ASKED THAT THE OAK TREE NEXT TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE PARKING LOT BE CUT DOWN FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE NEXT DAY THE TREE WAS GONE. IT HAS MADE A DIFFERENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE SIDEWALK PEDESTRIANS GO BY AND CARS WHIZ BY WITHOUT HITTING THEM OR BEING HIT. THE CHURCH WILL NOW DO SOME ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING TO HELP POINT OUT THAT THIS IS THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS BUILDING.

THIS WEEK WE HAD 2 MORE EARLY SEMINARY CLASSES TO VISIT—ONE IN DAVENPORT EAST OF TAMPA (THIS CLASS STARTED AT 5:30 AM) AND ANOTHER ONE IN THE TAMPA STAKE. WE HAVE BEEN SO IMPRESSED AT THE DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE BOTH THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS MAKE TO HAVE EARLY MORNING SEMINARY. WE KNOW THAT THE LORD BLESSES BOTH THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS FOR THE PRICE THEY PAY TO MAKE THIS PROGRAM A SUCCESS.  THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE CHURCH IN THE MISSION FIELD.

TRANSFERS WERE THIS WEEK THEY SEEM TO ROLL AROUND TOO OFTEN.  I THINK OF PRESIDENT CUSICK AND THE AP MISSIONARIES THAT HAVE TO MAKE ALL THESE CHANGES—WHAT A HEADACHE THAT MUST BE!  OF COURSE WE ALWAYS HAVE A FEW THAT HAVE WON OUR HEARTS AND IT IS HARD TO SEE THEM GO EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW IT WILL HELP THEM TO GROW .

SATURDAY WAS A DAY OF CLEANING, PLANNING  MEALS, AND SHOPPING AT COSTCO. IF I HAD NOT MENTIONED BEFORE NOW TRICIA AND FAMILY ARE COMING TO FLORIDA FOR CHRISTMAS.  WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THEM HERE.  IT WILL BE TIGHT QUARTERS BUT FUN‼ WE BORROWED A LITTLE TREE TO MAKE THE PLACE LOOK MORE FESTIVE AND EVEN PURCHASED A LARGE POINSETTIA. THE PLACE LOOKS LIKE CHRISTMAS.

IN THE EVENING, WE TRAVELED BACK TO ODESSA TO THE TAMPA STAKE CENTER TO SEE THEIR SPECTACULAR “A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM,” WHICH WAS VERY WELL DONE. IT CONSISTED OF A MOCK UP OF THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM WITH SHOPS AND DISPLAYS AND THEN A RE-ENACTMENT OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. IT WAS VERY WELL DONE AND ATTENDED, WE ARE TOLD THAT OVER 3,000 PEOPLE WILL ATTEND DURING THE FOUR EVENINGS. MANY PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS COME TO SEE THIS PRESENTATION. AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION, EVERYONE IS INVITED INTO THE CHURCH BUILDING FOR HOT CHOCOLATE AND COOKIES.  MANY MISSIONARIES WERE THERE TO GREET ALL WHO CAME AND TALK TO NON-MEMBERS ABOUT THE GOSPEL. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE AND ANOTHER GREAT EFFORT TO LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT WE, THE MORMONS, ARE CHRISTIANS!!! ELDER JUDD HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH A PAIR OF BROTHERS, ONE A MEMBER AND THE OTHER NOT. THE MEMBER (AND HIS WIFE) HAD JUST RETURNED FROM SERVING A MILITARY RELATIONS MISSION. THE OTHER BROTHER IS A MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH WHO IS PLANNING ON A TRIP TO THE HOLY LAND WITH HIS CONGREGATION IN APRIL. I SPOKE WITH HIM IN LENGTH AS TO WHY HE WAS IN FOR A TREAT OF HIS LIFETIME, SHARING SOME OF THE THINGS HE WILL SEE AND WHAT AN EXPERIENCE IT WILL BE. THEY HAD A GREAT TIME TALKING TOGETHER ABOUT THE SAVIOR AND HIS LAND OF NATIVITY.

SUNDAY WE HAD ANOTHER GREAT SABBATH. THREE YSA’S TALKED ALONG WITH ONE OF THE STAKE PRESIDENCY   IT WAS A FULL MEETING OF GREAT INSTRUCTION AND RENEWING OUR COVENANTS WITH THE SAVIOR.

BLOG#34 DECEMBER14TH

BLOG #34 DECEMBER 8^TH-14TH

THIS MONTH IS FLYING BY! IT IS THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH -I GUESS THE SAYING IS TRUE TIME FLYS BY WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN!

WE WERE SO BUSY THIS WEEK. IT STARTED WITH FHE DOING CHRISTMAS NOTES FOR THE MISSIONARIES FROM THE YSA WARD THAT WAS FUN , BUT I THINK THAT THE  MEMBERS REALLY LIKE THE PIZZA THE BEST.  THEY DID WRITE A LOT OF NOTES THOUGH.

ON TUESDAY, WE STARTED OUT BY GOING TO THE METROPOLITAN MINISTRY SITE IN TAMPA TO ASSIST IN FOOD AND TOY SORTING IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR BIG EFFORT FOR THE UNFORTUNATE FAMILIES IN THE AREA FOR CHRISTMAS. WE WERE JOINED BY ABOUT 14 YSA FROM THE WARD IN THIS EFFORT. WE HAD A GREAT TIME SORTING FOOD AND TOYS FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS. IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PITCH IN SOME HELP FOR THIS WORTHY PROJECT FOR THE POOR.  IT ALSO GOES A LONG WAYS TO BUILD TRUST AND RESPECT FOR THE CHURCH IN THE CHRISTIAN WORLD. 

THE WIND WAS SOOOO COLD TODAY-- COLD ENOUGH THAT I WAS WEARING A COAT AND GLAD FOR IT, BUT THANK GOODNESS I HAD A COMPANION THAT COULD KEEP ME WARM. THE TAMPA MISSION WAS HOSTING A CHRISTMAS PARTY ON BRADENTON BEACH THIS AFTERNOON SO WE WERE HOPING IT WOULD BE A LITTLE WARMER—IT WASN’T. THAT NORTH WIND FROZE EVERYONE BUT THEY ALL CONTINUED TO PLAY SAND VOLLEYBALL, FOOTBALL, TALKING ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES, EAT HOAGIE SANDWICHES AND SINGING CHRISTMAS SONGS.  WE ALSO FOUND ELDER TOKONA RUNNING UP WITH HIS HUGE SMILE. . IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE HIM AND TO SEE THAT HE WAS HAPPY.  HE HAS A GREAT COMPANION AND THEY ARE HAVING SUCCESS IN HIS NEW AREA. AFTER THE DINNER WE ALL WENT TO THE BEACH AND WATCH THE SUNSET, IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL—FLORIDA HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS AND SUNRISES.  AFTER THE SUNSET WE LEFT WITH A WARM FEELING IN OUR HEARTS JUST SEEING THIS IMPRESSIVE GROUP OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER’S BEST IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE STRENGTH IN THESE MISSIONARIES.

WE HAD AN ASSIGNMENT FROM BRO PATRICK TO VISIT SOME EARLY MORNING SEMINARY CLASS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF HIS AREA—PORT CHARLOTTE, SARASOTA AND BRADENTON. SO FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS WE FELT THE GREAT LOVE THAT THESE TEACHERS HAVE FOR THESE STUDENTS. THE TEACHERS WERE UP AND READY TO START ON TIME FOR SOME PRETTY TIRED STUDENTS, BUT WE WATCHED THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE AND LEARN ABOUT THE GOSPEL AND TALK ABOUT THE SCRIPTURE THEY HAD MEMORIZED. ALL THIS WAS DONE IN THE EARLY MORNING.

IN ADDITION TO VISITING THE EARLY MORNING CLASSES, WE DECIDED THAT WE HAD ALL THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING TO SEE SOME OF THE SITES OF FLORIDA: WE WENT TO THE MIXON FRUIT FARM FOR A TOUR OF A CITRUS FARM TURNED TOURIST ATTRACTION. ORANGES, GRAPEFRUIT, LEMONS, LIMES AND EVEN PUMMELLOWS ARE GROWN HERE IN THIS AREA IN GREAT ABUNDANCE.  AFTER THE TOUR OF THE TREES, THEY SHOWED US THEIR ANIMAL RESCUE OPERATION FOR PERMANENTLY INJURED BIRDS, CROCODILES, ALLIGATORS, TURTLES, RACCOON'S AND LARGE SNAKES. OF COURSE MIXON FARMS MADE A LOT OF ORANGE ITEMS LIKE ORANGE SPRAY, ORANGE HOLDERS, ORANGE POPCORN AND EVEN ORANGE FLAVORED ICE CREAM –WHICH WAS THAT NOT BAD!!! WE SPENT ABOUT THREE HOURS HERE.

WE WENT TO SEE THE MYAKKA NATURE RESERVE TO SEE SOME CHARACTERISTIC GEOGRAPHY OF FLORIDA. THIS RESERVE IS A COMBINATION LAKES, SWAMP,PLAINS, FOREST AREA WITH MANY ANIMALS AND BIRDS AND SOME BIG ALLIGATORS. WE TOOK A NATURE WALK THRU A COMBINATION PALM, OAK AND PINE FOREST. AT ONE POINT ELDER JUDD CLIMBED A 76 FOOT TOWER TO SEE OVER THE TREE TOPS. IT WAS QUITE A VIEW WITH MILES IN EVERY DIRECTION OF TYPICAL FLORIDIAN FLAT LAND DOTTED WITH TREES, WET LANDS, MARSHES ETC. WE SPENT ABOUT THREE OR SO HOURS HERE AND IT WAS RELAXING AND REFRESHING. WE THEN DROVE TO THE HARBOR AND BEACH FRONT OF PUNTA GORDA AND THEN BACK UP THE COAST TO SEE VENICE BEACH. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SETTING WITH A LONG, WHITE SAND BEACH WITH SEA SHELLS ALL OVER. WE PICKED UP A FEW AS WE WALKED ON THE SAND NEXT TO THE WATER..

ONE OF THE LAST STOPS WE MADE BEFORE WE MADE IT HOME WAS THE MANATEE VIEWING CENTER JUST SOUTH OF TAMPA.  THESE ANIMALS ARE 2000 LB. MAMMALS THAT LOOK LIKE BLOBS OF BLUBBER FLOATING, SINKING AND SURFACING FOR AIR. THEY ARE CALLED -- SEA COWS OF THE OCEAN. THEY MOVE VERY SLOW THROUGH THE WATER .

WE WERE GLAD THAT WE COULD SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA THAT GOD CREATE.

SUNDAY  AT SACRAMENT MEETING WE LISTENED TO THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, DIRECTED BY RACHELLE TOLMAN. SHE USED MANY OF OUR YSA IN THE CHOIR AND THE  SCRIPTURAL READINGS.  THEY REALLY DID A GREAT JOB, THIS WARD HAS SOME GREAT TALENT IN IT.