Week 67: May 19-25, 2019

Alfredo from our English class became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He was baptized Wednesday evening prior to our class by Elder Hanson. The program was conducted in Spanish.  Everyone was very happy and the Spirit was certainly there.  We gave Alfredo a card and a temple recommend holder  picturing the Orlando temple.  We asked Elder Hanson to translate the purpose of the temple recommend holder and showed him our recommends in holders.  We look for ward to Alfredo receiving the Priesthood and to attend the temple!  This third principle in the gospel will surely bless his life.

Alfredo's Baptism:

We held Zone conference on Tuesday and Thursday this week.  It was the last Zone Conference President and Sister Clark attended before departing in July.  On Tuesday, Sister Gates played the guitar and sang for the closing song.  After the first verse, missionaries began (planned) to stand up in groups every so often until everyone was standing.  Combing the love for President and Sister Clark along with the spirit, the effect was stunning.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the church building.  On Thursday, the Clarks were given a compilation of emails from the Jr and Sr. missionaries stating how they (the Clark’s) influence their lives.   No doubt this will be a treasured memento of their service. 

Florida Orlando Mission Zone Conference May 21, 2019 at the Wetherbee Building:

Sister Faulk had a faith promoting experience Thursday.  A week ago, an Elder injured his leg playing gatorball.  He notified Sister Faulk that he could not walk.  She instructed him to see a specific MD at an orthopedic clinic.  When he tried to make an appointment, he was told the MD is no longer practicing.  Sister Faulk gave the Elder a list of names of other knee specialists at the clinic and told him to make an appointment with one who could see him the soonest.   Remarkably, he made an appointment to see a very prestigious MD the next day.  Two days after that he had a MRI of his knee.   For a week, he tried to get a copy of the CD to no avail.  Without the results, we were unable to determine the extent of his injury and formulate a plan of care.   During the afternoon session of Thursday’s Zone Conference, Sister Faulk  said a prayer and went to the clinic to obtain a copy of the MRI.  All the paperwork was in order but the MD had not yet authorized the release of the film and he was currently in surgery.  Sister Faulk was only able to arrange for the Elder to have a follow up appointment sooner.   As she drove away, she received a phone call saying the clinic received an email from the MD releasing the film and to come back which she did.  She immediately shared the results with mission leaders.  It was faith promoting to see the events unfold in this instance and a testimony of the Lord’s will at  hand. 

Thursday evening we attended a Portuguese birthday party for Ethan.  He turned 1 year old.  His grandma is another learner in our English class.  She uses Uber to come to church bringing Ethan.   The party was a very festive occasion and the clubhouse was beautifully decorated.   Remembering what our children enjoyed on their first birthdays, we brought Ethan a giant ball and bubbles.   Happy Birthday was sung in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.   Everyone was kind and gracious.  It is nice to see how much families care for and love each other and to celebrate life!

Let's celebrate Ethan:

It is always thrilling to step outside and see a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral. This rocket carried 64 satellites to enable developing nations and remote areas to access the Internet.   

Rocket Launch: