Week 16: May 27-June 2, 2018

Hurricane season here we come.  June 1^st kicked off the opening day.  The season runs through November.  Alberto 2018 was only a storm bringing a few extra rainy days.  We are making emergency preparations in case a hurricane does come our way.  For intense weather, missionaries serving in coastal areas will come inland and stay with the Senior couples until weather conditions calm down.  In Orlando, we don’t get thunder and lightning cracks, we get thunder and lightning whacks.  They make you stop whatever you’re doing and take notice.  Florida is the lightning capital of the US. 

Sunday we attended church in Leesburg.  Two sets of sister missionaries serve in that area.  After dinner, Sisters Hardin, Naylor, and Faulk tested a relaxation therapy tape generated by Elder Openshaw, AMHA.  Surprisingly, all the Sisters felt relaxed after listening to it.  

On Monday, Elder and Sister Christensen (Sacramento), MLS missionaries, joined us at Susan and Craig’s.  We took a boat ride to see wildlife.  Along the way we spotted a few alligators sunning themselves and found many types of birds nesting on an island.  We were treated to BBQ burgers, a blueberry dessert, and as always, great memories.  

Front and Center:

Nesting:

Floridian Oak:

Brother Branson, Elder Taylor, Elder Christensen, and Elder Faulk:

Elders Faulk and Gould gave a Sister missionary a blessing.  She came into the mission office for Sister Faulk to assess before going to the MD.  We welcomed Elder and Sister Kroeger (Utah) to our mission.  They will be following the Hogmans.   

Sister Faulk met with Renata for English lessons.  She felt impressed to encourage Renata to read to her children in English daily, watch the news on TV daily, and listen to a song or 2 on the radio daily.  All this is in addition to Renata attending night school.   

Sister Faulk gave Sisters Knox and Jamison Health Self Reliance awards.   They phoned to inform Sister Faulk they were sick, what they were doing about it, and if needed when they would contact Sister Faulk.  Way to go Sisters! 

Sisters Knox and Jamison, Health Self Reliance Awards:

Friday night, Sister Clark hosted a homemade lasagna dinner at the mission home for the Kroger’s and Hogman’s.  The Senior couples in the mission attended.  We are so blessed to have strength and unity within the mission.  We truly care for each other and love abounds.  

We spent Saturday on Cocoa Beach.   It is only an hour away.  We made a few stops to look in local shops before finding the right beach area.  We parked next to a man driving a Mazda Miata (similar to Sister Faulk’s parked in Utah).  He said he was fasting but when we offered him a Reeses Peanut Butter cup, he gladly accepted.   However, he did not seem too interested in a Book of Mormon.  The beach was a little crowded but still fun.  Sister Faulk walked along the shoreline collecting shells.  After that we had a PBJ lunch then enjoyed the warm water.   The weather was perfect, sunny with a slight breeze from the ocean.   On the way home, it rained briefly.  It was enough of a downpour to clean off the car.    

Elder and Sister Faulk at the Beach:

The missionaries exercise much faith and rely on the Lord.  They seek to draw nearer to and bring others unto Christ.  As we considered moving into a new apartment close to the mission office, we exercised faith and prayer for knowing what to do.  Prayers were answered and we will remain in our apartment complex.  The Savior taught us to go beyond our comfort and convenient zones and attend to those in need.  He taught us how to pray through the Lords Prayer.  We are grateful for His example of selflessness and pray we too may be useful as we go about our daily service staying true to our faith and covenants.