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.