EXPERIENCES OF THE WEEK#24

September 21, 2014#24

  SUNDAY THE 14TH: I WAS ASKED TO TEACH A LESSON FOR RS CAN YOU IMAGE ME TEACHING -- HAW‼ IT WAS ON RAISING CHILDREN ON TRUTH AND LIGHT LESSON #16. IT WAS A GOOD LESSON AND WENT OVER WELL I THOUGHT.

 CHURCH WAS GOOD WITH A LOT OF YSA’S COMING BACK TO SCHOOL. AND TO CHURCH.  AFTER CHURCH ELDER JUDD HELPED WITH THE ELDERS QUORUM PRESIDENCY MEETING. WE CAME HOME AND HAD DINNER, NAPPED FOR A MINUTE, THEN BACK TO THE INSTITUTE FOR THE BYU DEVOTIONAL. ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON TALKED. AFTER THE TALK WAS FINISHED WE SERVED ROOT BEER OR ORANGE FLOATS FOR REFRESHMENTS—THEY LIKED THEM. WE HAD ABOUT 20 YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH IS APPARENTLY A GOOD NUMBER. WE CAME HOME AT 10:30 PM. IT WAS A LONG DAY!

ELDER JUDD:  I was invited to come and sit in with Sisters Goodman and Hansen as they taught an investigator/YSA fellow by the name of Andrew Allen. The week before I  had met with these same sisters as they taught him.  At the end of that lesson, Sister Hansen invited Andrew to pray but he declined saying that he didn’t feel worthy. I suggested that Christ’s atonement was made for us because of our sins and that He loves us and invite us to come to Him. He thought about that for a moment and then gave the most humble prayer I have heard in a long time. He thanked God for us, the missionaries, and for His love for him, and for the opportunity to be taught the truth of the Gospel. That prayer really touched my heart. This time, following a short lesson on how to make what we read in the Book of Mormon apply to our lives, Andrew closed with prayer with only the invitation to do so.  Again his prayer was touching and very sincere and humble. He thanked God for the love he felt and the truth that he was being taught.  It is such marvelous thing to watch these young missionaries follow the Spirit and teach with such power.  I love to be a part of their efforts.

THURSDAY WE HAD THE NORMAL CLASSES WITH ELDER JUDD AND BRO. PATRICK. WE HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ABOUT 60 THIS WEEK.   ELDER JUDD: we had a great experience discussing our connection with Abraham and  our responsibility to carry forward as his descendants the promised blessings given to him. As I was preparing for this lesson, I had a very strong impression to start with J.S.H 1:39; “and he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers…” which Moroni quoted to Joseph in September of 1823.  I taught that “those promises” included the one given to Abraham that thru him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Of course that refers to those descendants of Abraham in the latter days that would carry the Gospel to people all over the earth.  I asked why that was important to us. One student who will be leaving on his mission to Mexico in just four weeks answered that he had been praying to better understand what he would do on his mission. The Spirit was felt strongly as we talked about his charge as a descendant of Abraham. I knew that he was given an understanding that he had not had and a connection to the covenant of Abraham he had not made before. I testified to him that the Lord had heard his prayers and this was part of the answer. I also testified that he would understand even more about this as he served his mission. I said that the Lord did know who he is and the desires of his heart and they had been answered in this class. Everyone felt the Spirit testify of that truth. The student’s name was Brody Patrick, the son of the Director of the Tampa Institute of Religion. Brody had never been to this class before.

I STARTED TO WORRY THAT WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO SERVE EVERY ONE.  ELDER JUDD DECIDED THAT HE WOULD GIVE EVERYONE ONE LADEL FULL AND TELL THEM TO COME BACK AFTER EVERYONE HAD HAD ONE HELPING. WE HAD CHICKEN AL A KING WITH BISCUITS; DESSERT WAS REALLY SIMPLE ICE CREAM WITH CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL SYRUP THEY ATE IT ALL-- DOWN TO THE LAST MORSEL AND ENJOYED THE COMMERADERIE WITH EVERYONE. IT IS CALLED A JOYFUL NOISE. ELDER JUDD PLAYED PING PONG WITH JOSH CROSBY AND SOME OTHERS AND HAD A GOOD TIME BATTERING BACK AND FORTH. OH WE DID HAVE ENOUGH BARELY..

WHOSE HANDS  DOES IT BELONG TOO

THESE ARE THE HANDS OF THE UNKNOWN

TOM, MADILENE, MARISSA, JOE

INSTITUTE PING PONG

CHICKEN AL-A-KING AND THE LINE IS LONG

ICE CREAM IS ON THE TABLE

SIERRA AND SISTER HOWARD

YEA SOMEONE ELSE IS DOING THE DISHES

THIS SATURDAY IS THE SEMINARY AND INSTITUTE IN-SERVICE MEETING THAT BEGINS AT 8AM IN THE MORNING FOR THE TEACHERS.  ONLY IT REALLY BEGINS AT 6AM FOR ELDER JUDD AND I.  I AM ASSIGNED TO MAKE SOME BREAKFAST DISH FOR ABOUT 35 PEOPLE.. TODAY I PREPARED A MUSHROOM AND SPINACH QUICHE, SAUSAGE-BREAD CASSEROLE, AND A BACON POTATO CROCK POT CASSEROLE. WE ALSO SERVED A HUGH FRUIT BOWL, MILK, JUICE AND DONUTS (WHICH BRO PATRICK LOVES). BRO PATRICK TAUGHT ABOUT ALL THE MATERIALS ON THE INTERNET THAT THE CHURCH HAS PUT OUT TO HELP THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. IT IS AMAZING THE GOOD THAT IS OUT THERE.

WE WENT TO A BAPTISM LATER THAT NIGHT FOR A YOUNG LADY FROM INDIA BY THE NAME OF NEVEDAH,. IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE. WE TRY TO GO TO ALL THE BAPTISMS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR WARD BUILDING.

WE WERE EXCITED TO SEE A MESSAGE FROM TRICIA AND STEVE THAT WE COULD STREAM THE OGDEN TEMPLE CELEBRATION.  WE HAVE FELT SO FAR AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND EVENTS THAT WE WANTED TO BE APART OF. THEY GAVE US THE LINK AND SO AFTER THE BAPTISM WE WENT INTO THE INSTITUTE ROOM, TURNED ON THE INTERNET AND STREAMED IT ON TO THE BIG SCREEN—LOOKING OF COURSE FOR OUR GRANDDAUGHTERS AND ANYONE ELSE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE KNOWN.  DID NOT SEE A SOUL THAT WE KNEW BUT THE PROGRAM WAS FANTASTIC.  WE POP SOME POPCORN HAD A FEW CANDIES AND ENJOYED THE SHOW.  IT KEPT BUFFERING A FEW TIMES BUT THANKS TO MIKEY WATKINS CHANGING SOME SETTINGS ON THE COMPUTER(WHO KNOWS WHAT HE DID) AND THEN IT WORKED GREAT  AFTER THAT.  WE WERE SO AMAZED AT THE WORK THE CHURCH PUT ON FOR THE MEMBERS EVERYWHERE TO ENJOY SINGING AND DANCING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE TEMPLE DISTRICTS.  TOMORROW THEY WILL DEDICATE THE OGDEN TEMPLE AND  IN SPIRIT WE WILL BE THERE.

A NORMAL WEEK#23

September 16, 2014 #23

I DECIDED I WOULD JUST DO A DAILY SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEKS BLOG:

  MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8^TH:   JUST A BUSY DAY IN THE OFFICE, JOEL IS PREPARING LESSONS. I AM FIGURING OUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO EAT AND WHAT TO BUY FOR THE NEXT TWO THURSDAYS, WHEN I REMEMBERED THAT WE HAVE A BREAKFAST IN-SERVICE MEETING NEXT SATURDAY MORNING. OF COURSE I NEEDED TO HAVE THE RECIPES AND INGREDIENTS TO FIX IT.(IT IS HARD TO THINK OF A DIFFERENT KIND OF BREAKFAST WHEN ELDER JUDD AND I NEVER HAVE ANYTHING OTHER THAN TOAST, FRUIT AND RAISIN BRAN.)

  FHE: CHRIS ELTON LED US IN PLAYING “GUESS WHOSE FEET AND HANDS WERE WHOSES.” IT WAS FUN TO SEE HOW MANY WE GUESSED CORRECTLY. THE MAIN ACTIVITY WAS LEARNING HOW TO DO CPR ON AN ACCIDENT PERSON.THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT 20 YSA’S. WE NEED MORE AND WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING MORE TO COME. WE THEN HAD A GREAT DESSERT MADE BY SISTER FRENCH(2^ND COUNSELOR’S WIFE)..

  TUESDAY:   I HAD A DENTIST APPOINTMENT WITH DR SCOTT STAFFORD--ALEX PATRIK RECOMMENDED HIM, IT WAS CLEAR ACROSS TAMPA LONG WAYS TO DRIVE.  DR. STTAFFORD IS A NICE MAN, HIS MANNERISM REMINDS ME OF DR. JESSE JENSEN--HE WAS GREAT MAN AND DENTIST I WORK WITH WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.  ELDER JUDD FELT HE HAD TO GO OVER WITH ME, HE DID SAY HE GOT A LOT OF STUDY TIME IN. HE SHOULD HAVE IT WAS A 2 HOUR APPOINTMENT.

  WEDNESDAY: ELDER JUDD: Wednesday began with an early start by going to the USF campus to get set up for Bull Market. Bull Market is an outdoor event where all the clubs on the campus of the University of South Florida set up tables and canopies and vie for new sign ups of the some 40,000 students who attend here. It is a great opportunity for our missionaries to get on campus and have access to them. It is a gold mine for them for contacts to teach. The missionaries can get enough referrals to work with in three hours than they can get in over several days in the normal way. We pass out flyers on the Church and the Institute and Sunday meetings. .ELDER JUDD HAD TO PROCTOR A EXAM IN THE AFTERNOON AND I WENT OVER THE ITEMS THAT I NEEDED TO DO TO GET READY FOR THE NEXT COOKING DAY AND ALSO WORKED ON ATTENDANCE CHARTS..     ELDER JUDD CALLED AND TALKED TO OUR GOOD FRIEND--DOUG SPENCER ABOUT HIS WIFE, GLENDA.  SHE IS NOT DOING WELL. WE JUST WANTED HIM TO KNOW OF OUR LOVE FOR THE BOTH OF THEM. 

I HAD A HAIRCUT APPOINTMENT ABOUT 10 AM AND DURING THIS TIME FRAME I RECEIVED A LITTLE TENDER MERCY FROM HEAVENLY FATHER. THIS IS THE EXPERIENCE: DURING THAT HAIRCUT, I WAS SITTING TALKING TO CINDY DAVIS (HAIRSTYLIST) ABOUT THE GOOD WEEK WE HAD WITH OUR JUDD GRANDDAUGHTERS. I THEN TOLD HER ABOUT BAYLEE’S ACCIDENT AT THE MOSI MUSEUM ON THE 9^TH OF AUGUST.  SHE IMMEDIATELY ASKED IF WE WENT BACK TO MOSI AND TALKED TO THE ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. I HAD TOLD HER NO AND THAT WE DID NOT SEEK MONEY TO GET GAIN.  SHE SAID TO ME IT WASN’T THAT WAYAND THAT MOSI HAD INSURANCE FOR ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED WITHIN THE BUILDING. SHE TOLD ME THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.  AS SHE TALKED TO ME I KNEW THAT IT WOULD BE A BLESSING FOR BOTH RYANAND JENI TO CHECK INTO THIS. LATER I TOLD ELDER JUDD ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION AND HE SAID LETS GO TALK THE MOSI OFFICE AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY.THREE DAYS LATER THEYAGREED THAT THEY COULD HELP US WITH THE INSURANCE CLAIM.  SEVERAL DAYS LATER THEIR INSURANCE ADJUSTER CALLED US AND SAID THAT ALL THE OUT OF POCKET FUNDS WOULD BE PAID FOR COMPLETELY,SO AFTER THE INSURANCE PAID FOR THEIR PART MOSI INSURANCE WOULD PAY FOR THE REST. WHAT A BLESSING THAT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE A LOT FOR RYAN AND JENI TO COME UP WITH.  I WAS SO THANKFUL THAT CINDY INSISTED THAT I TALKED TO THE MUSEUM PEOPLE. I CALLED CINDY BACK AND TOLD HER OF THE EXPERIENCE WE HAD AND THANKED HER FOR HER INSISTENCE OF VISITING WITH THE MUSEUM PEOPLE. THIS WAS JUST A LITTLE TENDER MERCY TO HELP OUR GRANDDAUGHTER OUT.  HEAVENLY FATHER DOES LOVE HIS CHILDREN.

    THURSDAY: I DIDN’T EVEN START FIXING THE STUDENT DINNER UNTIL NOON. IT WAS CROCKPOT SPAGHETTI, BREAD STICKS AND LEMON AND CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES. DINNER WAS REALLY GOOD AND THE STUDENTS LIKED IT A LOT. FOUND OUT OUR GOOD FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR IN OUR NORTH OGDEN WARD PASSED AWAY. GLENDA SPENCER WAS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT COULD LIGHT UP THE ROOM WE WERE IN ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT. WE COULD FEEL HER SWEET SPIRIT WHEN WE WERE WITH HER. WE WOULD OFTEN LAUGH TILL WE OUR SIDES HURT.  SHE WAS THE BEST AND WE LOVED HER.

  FRIDAY: I DID THE ENTIRE ATTENDANCE ROLLS AND ALSO THE MEAL BUDGET AND THEY ARE NOW UP TO DATE. I STILL WORRY ABOUT OVER SPENDING.  RIGHT NOW I AM WITH IN THE BUDGET --GOOD FEELING.  JOEL ALSO TALKED IN A NIGHT RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING. THE SUBJECT WAS ABOUT‘JERUSALEM THEN AND NOW’. IT WAS FANTASTIC-- LOTS OF GOOD MEMORIES. WE WENT TO DINNER AT A PLACE CALLED SONNY’S BBQ PIT. JOEL HAD BABY BACK RIBS AND I HAD SLICED PORK IT WAS GOOD, BUT THE ATMOSPHERE WAS NOT THE BEST. IT WAS IN THE TOWN OF NEW PORT RICHEYABOUT 45 MINUTES FROM OUR APARTMENT. WE HOPE THAT ELDER JUDD WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPERTUNITY TO DO THIS PRESENTATION.

  SATURDAY:  A COMPLETE CHANGE FROM THE REST OF THE WEEK, IT WAS A CLEAN UP DAY--WE WASHED OUR CLOTHES AND CAR AND WENT TO SAMS CLUB.  WE CAME BACK AND WATCHED TWO MOVIES – THE BOOK THIEF AND 3 WISHES (HAD TO WATCH TWO BECAUSE WE HAVE NO TIME IN THE COMING WEEK.). JUST A SIDE NOTE THE POPCORN WAS  BAD SO WE MADE A DIFFERENT KIND AND IT WAS GOOD, GOOD WEEK‼! YEAH

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..  

THE DAYS ARE LONG #21

 AUGUST 31, 2014

Well   we were glad that we had one quiet week because this week was work, work, and work . No time to bring our heads out of the water.

We started out this week with a new Institute class—The Life and Teaching of Jesus Christ. Elder Judd taught this just before Family Home Evening so it makes for a very long day since we start our day about 7:30 am (actually Elder Judd starts at 6am) and ended at 10:30 pm. The turnout for the class was very small a little disappointing but at the same time we realize that USF is just beginning today and that might make a difference  for the coming weeks after school really begins.  In addition to the preparation for the class Elder Judd also worked on a new banner that will read vertically instead of horizontally, we ordered it through Staples and should have it hanging by Tuesday. It will make a great difference on the look of the building. People walking by will know who we are and what goes on in this building.

Elder Judd: FHE also had only a few show up but the activity was a well planned one with a game called “Extreme Spoons.” This was a game that used face cards that had to be lined up with a certain hand. Once that hand was achieved the person who got it would run to the other end of the gym to grab a plastic spoon off of a table. That was the queue for everyone else to run also. Each time a few were eliminated until there was one winner.  It got crazy and loud each time someone got a hand that set them off. This went on for several rounds until the students had had enough. We all enjoyed the refreshments which consisted of frozen fruit juice bars and ice cream sandwiches

Wednesday and Thursday were busy day,  I went to Costco and shopped for 2 meals for the next 2 Thursdays. I must tell you the recipe I  made for the students it was pretty good if I don’t say so myself and Elder Judd loved it.  It was a baked quesadilla- I put shredded chicken, cheese, rice, chilies, and hidden valley powder and stirred it up and just before class ended I put it on the tortillas shells and baked it for about 10 minutes – which was not long enough to melt the cheese (recipe called for melting the cheese) but it was warm and they loved it and I had enough for them to eat..

Friday I had a lot of reports to do and I set the goal to leave the office at 4 pm. We seemed to have a lot of interruptions and did not meet the goal of leaving.. darn‼--Brother Patrick had two interviews for the new support specialists that we need in the next little while, he wanted us to meet them, and then I was asked to go into a phone lesson with Sisters Goodman and Hansen. The lesson was on the Law of Chastity. I felt the powerful message that was given to this sister and heard her commit to living this law.  It was a great experience to be a part of. W e left at 5pm.

Elder Judd: Saturday was spent washing and cleaning up the apartment, helping the YSA clean

the church for the last time this month, doing some needed shopping and finally attending the baptism of Mindy Pettis who was taught by Sisters Howard and Benson. The baptism was special because Mindy is confined to a wheelchair with MS. She has a strong testimony and we could see and feel her soaring spirit as we chatted with her before the baptism. Afterwards, she told us how thrilled she was for such a blessing that has come into her life. The Temple Terrace Ward did a great job making her feel welcome. There were about thirty people at the baptism.

 Elder Judd: Usually after fast Sunday we have a fast feast dinner but because so many were going to be gone out of town we were invited to an outdoor barbeque at Tara Hartman’s apartment building after Church. There were several missionaries there as well as five investigators. One young man came to the church because he felt the need to be a part of a church and just walked in and found 2 missionaries. Two ladies came because a  friend invited them.-one of which did not believe in Christ and now is praying and asking for help in learning about him, Jamie Leggett brought a friend who is interested in the church and we had a chance to talk to him and all the others who are being taught by the missionaries. It was an enjoyable time for both of us.

It was a very busy week but very rewarding‼

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‼