BLOG#42 & 43 FEB 2 & 10TH MONTH - TWO BLOGS IN ONE

BLOG#42 FEBRUARY 8, 2015

WE ARE IN THE 10TH MONTH OF THIS MISSION CAN YOU BELIEVE IT‼ WE HAVE HAD SOME GREAT EXPERIENCE, MET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE AND HAVE ENJOYED THE AREA. JOEL IS DOING A GREAT JOB OF TEACHING STUDENTS,  DOING A FEW FIRESIDES FOR SOME WARDS IN THE AREA, HELPING BRO PATRICK DO WHATEVER AND HELPING ME WITH DINNERS.   I AM MEETING A LOT OF STUDENTS, TALKING WITH THEM, GETTING TO KNOW THEM AND HAVING A GREAT TIME FIXING MEALS . THIS WEEK, WE HAD FRENCH BREAD PIZZA AGAIN ( WE HAD THIS LAST SEMESTER TOO) ONLY THIS TIME WE HAD 4 CHOICES : CHEESE, PEPPERONI, HAWAIIAN AND CHICKEN/ALFREDO. OF COURSE, WE HAD A GOOD HOMEMADE BROWNIE. (THANKS TO KARLA AND MARIETTA ‘S RECIPES.)  BOY! 50 YSA’S CAN IN HAIL 88 PIECES FAST –25 MINUTES LATER IT WAS GONE.

ELDER JUDD WROTE THIS TENDER MESSAGE IN HIS JOURNAL THAT I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD SHARE WITH YOU. IT IS ABOUT BOTH  OF US AND HOW WE FEEL ABOUT EACH OTHER. HE SAID: ‘Marsha and I have grown closer together over the last nine months in a way that makes our companionship sweeter and more comfortable. We think alike on so many things and work together on whatever task is at hand. As I am teaching, she often peeks in and notes who is in class, or encourages a student who comes in late to head into class. She helps me keep attendance accurately. When I am preparing, she is sensitive to my need to concentrate, as we are sharing the same office. When the press of getting things ready for the meal on Thursdays hits, I enjoy helping her with various tasks to facilitate the effort. She has a difficult time cutting onions up without crying her eyes out. So I step up and dice those odoriferous critters to help the work move along more smoothly. Even though we literally spend 24-7 together, I never get tired of having her around. In fact, I feel like I am empty when she is not close by. We have been seen, on occasion, hugging and sharing a kiss or two, to the delight of whoever sees it. Perhaps that is a part of our message to the YSA… happy marriages are not impossible and in fact are alive and well in this challenging world of today. Marsha and I both know why we are so happy. It is the fruit of living the Gospel and serving, sacrificing and putting others before ourselves. That is the secret to true happiness. Truly, when we lose ourselves in service to others, we find ourselves.

In addition to the above, our testimonies have strengthened a great deal and we have been refined in our feelings and dealings toward and with others. This entire experience is one that is worth every effort and every sacrifice. I do not even want to think what we would have missed by not serving this mission.

Have there been things we have missed by being here in Tampa? Yes!!! There have been times when we sorrowed over not being able to be home when family or friends needed help or comfort or encouragement. But we have also been reminded by family and friends that they have felt the hand of the Lord reaching out to them in special ways that testified to them of His special attention over them during this time. In all of this, we know more now of the tender mercies of the Lord and His everlasting kindnesses through our mission experiences.’

WE ARE EXCITED THAT SOME OF THE YSA’S YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ARE GET READY TO SERVE THEIR MISSIONS.  ONE YOUNG MAN IS THE ONLY MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY AND HAS NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THEM BUT THEY DO NOT APPOSE HIM GOING, SO HE HAS WORKED HARD TO EARN MOST OF THE MONEY HE NEEDS FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS—HE WILL BE SERVING IN MEXICO. HE LEAVES THE MIDDLE OF APRIL-- WE  ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE TEMPLE WITH HIM WHEN HE GOES FOR HIS ENDOWMENTS. HE IS A GREAT EXAMPLE TO A LOT OF OTHER YSA’S IN OUR WARD.      THIS IS THE YOUNG MAN WHO WILL LEAVE NEXT MONTH FOR HIS MISSION.  HE COMES TO THE INSTITUTE TO ALL THE CLASSES. THIS PICTURE IS AFTER THE CLASS IS OVER WITH. HE IS A GREAT YOUNG MAN.  

FRIDAY, WE WENT OUT TO EAT AT RED LOBSTER AND HAD A GOOD DINNER—THEY KEPT ADVERTISING LOBSTER-FEST ON THE INTERNET SO WE THOUGHT WE WOULD TRY IT OUT AGAIN.  I REMEMBERED THE WONDERFUL CHEESY BISCUITS THAT WE HAD A LONG TIME AGO—THEY WERE SO GOOD AND THE DINNER WAS GOOD TOO. SATURDAY WAS OF COURSE THE YSA’S TURN TO CLEAN THE CHURCH, THAT IS WHERE WE SPENT A COUPLE OF HOURS IN THE MORNING HELPING THEM. THEN WE DID OUR USUAL SHOPPING, WASHING THE CLOTHES AND GETTING THE APARTMENT CLEANED UP.  BUSY DAY! AND WE WERE TIRED AT THE END OF BOTH DAYS.

 BLOG # 43FEBUARY 15

TWO BLOGS IN ONE WEEK, I THOUGHT I HAD SEND OUT LAST WEEKS EARLIER. I NOW KNOW THAT I HAVE MOMENTARY MIND GLITCHES. I ALWAYS THINK THAT PROBLEM IS FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO EXPERIENCE NOT ME AND NOW I KNOW IT IS ME EXPERIENCING THEM.

VALENTINE’S WEEK! I HAD SUCH GREAT PLANS FOR DINNER FOR THE STUDENTS…….. BUT ACCORDING TO THE BUDGET I HAVE BEEN GIVEN I HAD TO CUT BACK A LITTLE ON THE EXTRAVAGANZA THAT I HAD PLANNED ON. SO WE HAD A HAM, BOW TIE PASTA, BROCCOLI BAKE. IT WAS DIFFERENT AND GOOD, AND IN 30 MINUTES 5 - 11X13” PANS WERE DEVOURED. I HAD ALSO MADE ABOUT 10 DOZEN HEART SHAPED SUGAR COOKIES. I MADE THE FROSTING AND HAD THEM DECORATE THEIR OWN. I PUT OUT A VARIETY OF SPRINKLES AND OTHER SUCH THINGS FOR THEIR CREATIONS. THEY CAME UP WITH SOME PRETTY INTERESTING FROSTED COOKIES.  IT WAS A FUN TIME WATCHING SOME OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE DECORATING AND EATING AS MANY AS THEY WANTED TO.

I MENTIONED A BUDGET THAT I HAVE TO FOLLOW EVERY WEEK. IN THE PAST I HAD ONE THAT WAS DIFFICULT TO USE (I THOUGHT ANYWAY). I WOULD HAVE TO PUT IN THE AMOUNT RECEIPTS AND ADD HERE AND SUBTRACT THERE AND MOVE ONE COLUMN TO ANOTHER COLUMN, ETC. I HAD TO FOLLOW A CHEAT SHEET EVERY WEEK TO CREATE A REPORT FOR BRO. PATRICK TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAD IN THE MEAL ACCOUNT.   

IN DECEMBER BEFORE THIS SPRING SEMESTER STARTED, I HAD ASKED SISTER HOPEGOOD IF SHE COULD COME UP WITH SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE UNDERSTANDABLE AND EASY FOR A PERSON SUCH AS I WHO DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT EXCELL SPREADSHEETS. SHE TOLD ME THAT SPREADSHEETS ARE HER FAVORITE THING TO WORK ON. I TOLD HER JUST MAKE IT EASY FOR ME AND FOR BRO. PATRICK TO UNDERSTAND AND TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE HAVE IN THE MEAL BUDGET EVERY MONTH. WHEN WE CAME BACK FROM CHRISTMAS BREAK I HAD A NEW SPREADSHEET AND IT WAS ACTUALLY FUN TO DO. SHE TOLD ME THAT HER AND HER HUSBAND DEVELOPED THIS NEW SPREADSHEET  WHICH WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND  AND ACCOMPLISH—I NOW CAN ACTUALLY FINISH ON FRIDAY KNOWING HOW MUCH I HAVE IN THE MONTHLY BUDGET ALL WITHOUT PULLING OUT MY HAIR. . I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE BOTH OF THEM FOR MAKING THIS REPORT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND .  SO THANK YOU BROTHER AND SISTER  HOPEGOOD FOR MAKING MY JOB MORE FUN.

FHE IS A GREAT NIGHT FOR A LOT A INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SINGLE ADULTS, IT ENCOURAGES  THEM TO MINGLE AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER. ON THIS NIGHT CHRIS ELTON HAD ASKED THE MISSIONARIES TO DIRECT THE ACTIVITY. THEY CHOOSE NO DRIBBLE BASKET BALL AND SPOONS-- WHICH IS FINDING A SERIES OF CARDS (IT IS DONE BY PASSING THE CARDS VERY RAPIDLY TO THE NEXT PERSON SO THEY CAN GET  4 OF A KIND CARDS),  AND AS SOON AS ONE PERSON HAS THAT SERIES OF CARDS THEY JUMP  FOR A SPOON  AND GRAB IT OFF THE TABLE. AFTER EVERYONE GRABS FOR A SPOON, THE ONE WHO DOES NOT GET ONE -- LOOSES. IT INVOLVES A LOT OF MOVING FAST, LAUGHING AND SCREAMING. OF COURSE WHAT EVENING DOES NOT HAVE REFRESHMENTS—SISTERS FRENCH AND HARRIS PROVIDED COOKIES AND MILK. IT WAS A VERY GOOD ACTIVITY.  WE STAYED AROUND AFTER THE LAST OF THE LARGE GROUP LEFT AND TALKED WITH ABOUT 8 YSA’S. IT IS FUN TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM AND SEE THEIR FACES AND LAUGH WITH THEM.  WE DID NOT ARRIVE HOME TILL ABOUT 10:45 PM -- OH WELL ISN'T THAT WHAT PEOPLE SAY WILL KEEP US YOUNG  NO SLEEP!!!

FRIDAY WE FINISHED ALL THE PAPER WORK  AT THE INSTITUTE AND  PICKED UP AN ARBY’S SANDWICH  AND A REDBOX MOVIE—THE IDENTICAL.  WE WENT TO THE APARTMENT AND JUST RELAXED EATING AND WATCHING THE MOVIE.  IT WAS A GREAT EVENING TO END THE WEEK. 

WE WENT TO THE CHURCH ON SATURDAY AND HELPED WITH THE MONTHLY CLEANING, THEY HAD ABOUT 8 PEOPLE COME AND THAT WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF PEOPLE—THE WORK WAS DONE IN 1 1/2 HOURS. JUST AS THEY WERE FINISHING UP THE WORK, AND OF COURSE EATING BROWNIES, BRANDON AND MANDY  JUDD STOPPED BY  ON  THEIR WAY TO CLEARWATER FOR AN OVERNIGHTER AND INVITED US FOR A QUICK LUNCH WITH THEM.  WE ARE THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE SUCH GREAT NIECES AND NEPHEWS HERE IN FLORIDA THAT WE CAN ASSOCIATE WITH.