Gospel Gatoraides

Hurricane season is officially over!   It was 6 months long.   The average is 12 named storms in the Atlantic per year but we had 15 this year.   Hurricane Michael (Category 4) hit Florida’s panhandle and left catastrophic devastation.   It will take years for the communities there to recover.   Many wards throughout the mission (and surrounding states) have been called/assigned to help over several weekends.   This week we took more missionaries to medical appointments.   Sister Faulk had several consultations over the phone and face to face as well.   Elder Faulk comes to the rescue when missionaries lock themselves out of their phones.      Elder McKenzie stopping by the mission office to say hi:   Elders Johns, Mitton, and Faulk: We had a little cold spell this week and sweaters were needed for 2 days.   Sixty degrees in Orlando, FL feels more like 45 in Lehi, UT.   The humidity makes...

We have much to be grateful for this week of Thanksgiving.   As we reflect upon our numerous blessings, we are especially grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Atonement for each of us.   Through Him, everything is possible. We are grateful for our children and their families-for their love, strength, and our dear grandchildren.   We are grateful for our mothers and the sacrifices they made for us.   We are grateful to live in the United States of America, enjoying many freedoms and always marvel at His creations through nature.   We are grateful to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Florida.   It is a dream come true.   We are grateful for our colleagues, the Senior missionaries, as they serve generously and selflessly.   We are grateful for the young missionaries and their desire to follow Him. Their energy and genuine love to bring others unto Christ never cease to amaze us.   T...

This week passed quickly. We were busy accompanying missionaries to medical appointments, attending the temple with departing missionaries, and preparing for new missionaries to arrive. Sisters Robinson and Banks: Caring for His Lambs: Sisters Butler and Nielson: Sisters Faulk, Hunsaker, Anderson, Schwendinger, Wilson, Banks, and Kroeger: The highlight of our week was to attend Cassandra’s baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Sister Faulk met her while checking out at Target (months ago) and contacted the missionaries to teach her which they did. Cassandra is leading the path in the Gospel for her family.  Now she joined the Church and has a ward family to teach her more about His love and plan for us. Cassandra would like to go to college. Naturally Sister Faulk encouraged her to become a nurse.  Elder and Sister Faulk and Cassandra: We spent the weekend with our friends in Leesburg. Sister  Faulk organized a pa...

We love our family a lot and appreciated the effort Joseph and Annie made to drive 800 miles to see us while we are serving a mission in Florida.   Sunday evening we had 10 around the dinner table in our little apartment.   Lailai, the foster 2 year old, became quite fond of Stephanie (LDS neighbor) and did not want her to leave.   We enjoyed a fun Monday at Daytona Beach before a delicious pizza dinner at the Mellow Mushroom then said our goodbyes.   We hope and pray Lailai will become part of our family.   Grayson, Leilei, Elder  Faulk , Abby, Sister  Faulk , Matthew at Ponce Inlet Beach: Ponce Inlet Lighthouse: We were really busy this week taking missionaries to doctors and coordinating their care.   We always enjoy sharing a bite to eat with them.   Elder Faulk is a good sport to drive Sister Faulk wherever and whenever needed.   We were surprised to learn some areas in our mission have natural hills! ...