Gospel Gatoraides

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass (Alma 37:6). We have helped others feel the love of the Lord this week through our small and simple acts and have felt His love through kindness shown to us. Elders Faulk and Gould gave blessings to a team of sister missionaries.  It was a hot day and they were tired. Their bikes needed repair and their car was in the shop.  Sister Faulk took a dinner of soup, salad, garlic bread, and chocolate cake to Renata and her family who are moving to a larger apartment in our complex. Her daughter liked the soup so much she had 3 helpings. They plan to attend our LDS church for the first time on Sunday.   The Gould’s and Faulks made a farewell dinner for the Hogman’s as they prepare to return home to Washington concluding their mission.   How we’ve enjoyed working in the office together.  Elder Gould said 3 new mission cars were ready to be picked up so Sister Faulk helped by driving one off t...

Florida is officially out of a drought.   It rained all week in Orlando and the forecast predicts rain everyday next week.   The rain is warm.   Sometimes the downpour is so heavy, the fastest windshield wiper mode is not adequate.   Everything is lush and green. The tomato plants on our lanai blossomed and sprouted 3 green tomatoes.   Sunday was Mother’s Day.   Elder Faulk made waffles for breakfast and gave Sister Faulk a local and hand made Floridian wind chime.   We went to church at the Lake Reams chapel (near Disneyworld) and met Renea Beckstrand and her family on vacation.   Renea and Sister Faulk worked in ICU together for over 25 years.   Renea is a BYU College of Nursing professor and Sister Faulk taught part-time, clinicals, for 9 years.   In a few years, Renea may be an Orlando mission nurse too!   It was truly wonderful to get phone calls from Joseph and Daniel and a few Happy Mother’s Day texts from thoughtfu...

We were privileged to attend zone conferences twice this week.   The mission covers a large geographical area so zone conferences were held for the southern half of the mission on Tuesday and the northern half on Thursday.   We saw 6 alligators on the way to and from Thursday’s conference.   The missionaries were fortified by the spirit and instruction.   They had opportunities to hear from the mission president, his wife, and each other.   They had opportunities to practice role playing and talking to investigators.   Our purpose is to bring individuals unto Jesus Christ. Sister Faulk accompanied one missionary to the doctor.   Another missionary phoned at 4 in the morning saying they didn’t feel good and questioned what to do.   For the most part, this was a relatively healthy week.   This is our second week of offering pretzels and fruit snacks in the mission office in an effort to offer alternatives to candy.   However, can...

We spent a wonderful weekend with our Leesburg friends Craig Taylor and Susan Puls.   Sister Puls is the Area Medical Advisor and has 9 missions.   Elder Taylor serves in Member Leadership Support.   Other friends Michelle and Steve, and Colleen and Mark met us and Craig took everyone boating.   Afterward, we had a delicious lunch at the Hurricane Grill.   The waitress, Melissa, saw our missionary nametags and asked if we were having a church meeting.   Sister Faulk said we were gathering as friends for lunch and asked if she believed in Jesus.   When she said yes, Sister Faulk said our church is named after Jesus and asked if she would like a book to know more about us.   She said yes again so Sister Faulk gave her a of Book of Mormon along with a handwritten note and photo. Earlier in the week, Sister Faulk gave Kayla, the waitress at Flippers (pizza), a Book of Mormon too. Previously, we encouraged her to try pineapple on a pizza ...

This week we welcomed 5 new missionaries.   We love their vibrance and excitement to serve.   The mission also said farewell to several Elders and Sisters as they returned home.   We feel honored to have served with them.   We helped with dinners at the mission home on Monday and Tuesday for the arriving and departing missionaries.    Tuesday morning, Sister Faulk gave a short lesson on health and Elder Faulk taught about missionary personal financial and technological responsibilities.    In addition to his financial role in the mission office, Elder Faulk was set apart as secretary to the mission president.   That is one way to keep busy! This week the Church updated guidelines for missionary health which thrilled Sister Faulk.   We can feel the influence of our prophet President Nelson.    We were thrilled to spend Friday in Vero Beach.   It is beautiful mixture of old and new.   There was a m...