Week 68: May 26-June 1, 2019


The end of this week marks the beginning of the rainy and hurricane season.  It lasts through the end of November with the greatest potential for bad storms in September.  While Elder Faulk likes the rain, Sister Faulk loves the sunshine and a  slight breeze.

Monday night the Sr missionaries gathered together for the monthly family home evening.  Each couple brings their own meal and the hosting couple provides dessert.  It was our office partners, the Ekenstam’s turn to share the lesson.  Sister Ekenstam served her famous carrot cake afterward.

The Elders came for dinner Tuesday evening.  We appreciate their selfless efforts and don’t mind having them over for a monthly meal.   It is our way of honoring them! Elder Nay likes everything and Elder Robey loves watermelon.  

We continue teaching English Connect on Wednesday nights and have really grown to love the learners.   It is not easy to learn a new language as an adult and we salute their desire, courage, and efforts.  We have about an equal amount of Spanish and Portuguese leaners.  Our emphasis is to have learners feel more comfortable speaking English!

Friday Sister Faulk taught about Health and Happiness to newer missionaries.  It is their third week serving in FL.  They find not everything on their mission goes as expected.  There are ups and downs but how we respond to that is important.  Managing nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress are key elements for lifelong success.

A highlight of our week was joining Alfredo, one of our newly baptized English learners, at the temple.  We participated in baptisms for the dead.   Being worthy of temple covenants and helping others receive those ordinances is truly a blessing.  There is such a sweet and peaceful feeling within the temple.  How marvelous it would be if everyone could experience that.  There is much work to be done-to gather Israel and have their hearts turn unto Jesus Christ. 

Alfredo, Sister Faulk, and Elder Faulk at the Orlando Temple:

The Sr missionaries visited the Church’s Deseret Cattle and Citrus Ranch in St Cloud, FL.   The ranch is in our mission.  It supports several families, real cowboys, and full time missionaries who work as ranch hands.  The Elders have expertise in plumbing, electricity, or construction etc,  The sister participate in several humanitarian projects, keep the history, and guide tours of the ranch.  Although it is not the largest cattle ranch in the US, it is the most productive.   This was our 2nd visit to the ranch.  

Oh to church cow in Florida:



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