Week 73: June 30-July 6, 2019


There was a lot of excitement in the mission this week.  President Ashcraft and his family toured the mission Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday stopping at 3 chapels each day to meet and greet the missionaries.    Elder and Sister Bair and we accompanied them.  On Tuesday we were in the northern part of the mission, on Wednesday the middle part of the mission, and on Friday the southern portion of the mission.   We rode in the Bair’s Suburban and drove over 900 miles total.  The Ashcraft’s presented a darling family video and told a little bit about themselves.  The President and Sister Ashcraft first met in the MTC.  After the mission they met again, dated, and she asked him to marry her.  They have 6 children.  The youngest son is on a mission in Ohio and the youngest daughters, twin 12 year old girls, are here with them.  Jessica and Brooke drew pictures about themselves on individual whiteboards.  Each missionary stood and said something about their family, why they loved God, and what they looked forward to on their mission.  Sister Faulk said she loved getting up every morning to work with missionaries and this is her favorite nursing job ever.  Elder Faulk said he feels the Spirit when he sings hymns.  President Ashcraft concluded with a General Conference talk quote saying Jesus is the High Priest of good things yet to come. Everyone enjoyed cookies and fruit after each session.  The mission is already blessed by this new President and his family.

Mission Tour with the Ashcraft Family:

We celebrated Elder Faulk’s 61st birthday on Wednesday.  The missionaries sang happy birthday to him.  The Bair’s treated us to 5 Guys burgers for lunch.  That evening we went to downtown Orlando to see a pro soccer game.  Our team, Orlando City, lost 3-1 to Philadelphia but we had good seats and a great.  We enjoyed fireworks at the stadium after the game.  

Orlando City MLS:

Fireworks after the match:

We recognized the 4th of July and spent a few hours on New Smyrna Beach with the Kroger’s.  The Ekenstam’s changed their plans and met us there.   We never tire of watching the waves roll in.  We waded in the warm ocean water and Sister Faulk found a number of shark teeth walking along the shoreline.  We went to the Treehouse restaurant for a delicious seafood late lunch.  We arrived home just in time to beat the lightening, thunder, and heavy downpour.

On New Smyrna Beach with the Kroegers:

Saturday we attended the baptism of 2 eight year old children in the ward, Coco Chapman and Brannick Schade.  Their fathers baptized them and conferred the Holy Ghost upon them.  We know it is a day they will remember.  

We are grateful for our freedoms that our forefathers lived and died to preserve.  We live in a great nation where each generation has the opportunity to improve situations for the next.  We hope and pray our daily life will reflect our beliefs and gratitude for many blessings.     

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