Week 22: July 8-14


Monday we met an Elder at the orthopedic surgeon’s again for an MRI assessment.  He was cleared for activity as tolerated, but was referred to see a neurosurgeon for a condition.  A few days ago, the mission president and his companion gave him a blessing.  He has not had any pain since that time.  It is truly remarkable.  It is power in the Priesthood!  We took the Elders x 4 again to McDonald’s for more 2nd breakfasts which were appreciated.  

Friday morning we attended the temple along with Florida Orlando Missionaries preparing to return home.   It is such a powerful and humbling spiritual feeling to see and be amongst young people in the service of their Lord.  It is not easy to set aside cares of the world and personal desires to serve others day after day for 18 months (Sisters) or 2 years (Elders), yet they do it willingly and cheerfully.  They are remarkable and impressive disciples.  They are sons and daughters of God as we are too.  

Sisters Stratton, McCullough, Hunsaker, Adams, Faulk, Simmerman, Callaway, Naylor, Hardin,and Stephens:



Saturday our investigator and friend, Ruben, was baptized.  He is a lawyer from Venezuela working construction in Florida.  He is very kind and gracious, and always has a smile.  He knows the Bible and obviously loves the Lord.  Sister Faulk lead the music and Elder Faulk spoke about baptism.  We presented Ruben with Gorden B. Hinckley’s book Standing for Something.   Taking this step in becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and promising to always remember Him is a marker of faith which can lead to increased joy and happiness throughout a lifetime.  Ruben said he felt really good and his smile could not get any bigger! We celebrated with Ruben and the missionaries by taking them for a bite to eat.  

Elders Lindeman and Tracy with Sisters McCullough and Stratton and Ruben:

Ruben and Elder and Sister Faulk:



You know you’re in Florida when you wake up to the morning light and see this shadow on your bedroom window.  Most everyone and everything love the sun. Thank goodness this little guy was on the outside.   We see little lizards everywhere.  One was flexing and extending just his front legs.  It looked like he was doing push ups.  Our daytime temperatures are in the 90s and the air is so heavy that it feels like being wrapped in a warm wet washcloth.  We wonder how folks survived without air conditioning.  None the less we love it and are grateful to serve a mission in Florida. 

Morning Shadows:



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