Gospel Gatoraides

We received a large group of missionaries from the MTC this week.   They arrived Monday and we had a dinner for them Monday night at the mission home.   Tuesday morning we met them again to teach the things they need to know about the mission to get off to a good start.   We love their desire to serve.   Tuesday evening we said farewell to our missionaries who are returning home to their families.   We are so grateful for their hard work and love for the Lord.    New missionaries: Missionaries Spainhower, Wallis, Sanders, Onines, and Crump: Throughout the week Sister Faulk cared for sick missionaries and Elder Faulk worked on paying bills and managing phones.    We are called to serve and do so mostly in supportive roles.   Elders Johns and Bagley: Friday evening we had dinner with friends Jerold and Debbie Johnson.   They lived in our Lehi neighborhood, moved to VA, and recently retired to FL.  ...

We attended the temple several times this week.   There are 2 temples in Florida (Orlando and Ft Lauderdale).   How blessed we are to have one close by and to have the powers of heaven here on earth.   In the temple, we find peace on earth.   In the temple, we feel love from Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and Our Father in Heaven.    In the temple, we draw nearer to them.   Florida, Orlando temple: Our granddaughter, Cedar, had surgery at Primary Children’s Hospital in UT so we went to the temple the night before and did initiatory work in addition to adding her name to the prayer roll.   Many of our missionaries and ward members were praying for her (along with our family).   Her surgery went well and she went home the next day!   Daniel, Camee, and Cedar: Elder Faulk took the Lake Nona Portuguese Elders to the temple the next evening to participate in baptisms with a new member.   They performed ordinances...

The weather is lovely in FL.  In Orlando, the temperatures in the days are in the 80s and the nights in the 70s.   We enjoy waking up and seeing the sun beginning to light our part of the world.   We find early mornings are a great time for reflection.   Our week was full as usual.   We went with several missionaries to see doctors.   Sister Faulk's cold is finally improving after 2 weeks.    We’ve been eating a lot of homemade chicken soup.   Flu surveillance: Sisters Olsen, Faulk, and Fitch: We took a little time during our preparation day to look at houses under construction and model homes in HOA communities.   After the mission, we would love to spend our winters in FL.    We found a simple plan for a rambler, now we just need to find a location.   We stopped at Mutt’s in St. Could for lunch.   The burgers and chocolate milkshake were really good. Burgers at Mutts in St. Cloud: ...

How blessed we are to have and hear General Conference twice a year.   Through inspiration, our church leaders can teach us gospel truths and motivate us to keep the commandments of God.   We are to edify and uplift each other.   As we do so, we will draw nearer to Heavenly Father and the Savior, Jesus Christ. The church is for everyone.   Through temple ordinances, families can be together forever linking generations of loved ones.   During Saturday’s sessions of Conference, Elder Faulk sensed the love the General YW president had for the girls.   He also liked the symbolism of African people giving up worshiped idolatries by throwing them in the churning waters of a waterfall to leave old ways behind and allow more room for the Gospel in their new life.    Sister Faulk loved hearing about (and agreed) the joy one feels when you give something your all, the difference between being fed and nourished, and letting your inner light shi...

President Ashcraft chose his new presidency.   He retained President Humphries and Elder Faulk and added President Hopfer.   He invited the presidency wives to their initial meeting and setting apart.   Elder Faulk was set apart and blessed with organization, health, oneness in marriage, and meeting new acquaintances.   The Ashcraft twins made a most delicious pumpkin dessert which was enjoyed by all.   We love how the Ashcrafts are warm and inclusive.   This mission is their family affair! President Hopfer, Elder Faulk, President Ashcraft, President Humphries: The week went by quickly.    We had a trio of Elders for dinner one night.   They ate everything!   We took Sisters to get new glasses at Costco then had hotdogs.   At Costco on another day, an employee commented on Sister Faulk’s missionary name badge.   Sister Faulk got her email address and explained a little about the Church.   She emailed he...

This week we were filled with many spiritual encounters. The theme for Zone Conferences on Tuesday and Thursday was personal revelation.   Is continuing revelation important and what can we do to receive more personal direction from the Lord?   We must seek Him and live worthy to receive His Spirit.   In seeking guidance, David A. Bednar said, “Many times revelation doesn’t come until we’re moving and pressing forward.”   Elder Faulk operated the sound system (as usual).   Sister Faulk gave a presentation on cold and flu in preparation for flu vaccines at the next Zone Conferences. Sister Faulk at Zone Conference: FOM Zone Conference on Tuesday: FOM Zone Conference on Thursday: We completed our English Connect class and celebrated Wednesday night with a party of appetizers, desserts and Martinelli’s sparkling apple cider.    Our learners attended enough classes to earn certificates of completion.   There is much...

Monday we welcomed new missionaries into the mission with a dinner at the mission home.   The next morning we met them again to teach things they need to know about housing,   expenditures, baptism records,   mission vehicles, and personal health.   After that, they met their companions and were off to begin good works in Florida.   Tuesday we said goodbye to departing missionaries with another dinner at the mission home.   We learned to love them through their diligence and love for the Lord and others.   Departing missionaries-Sister Robinson, Elders Mortensen, Coppi n, Witt, Small, James, Oppenlander, Watteyne, Squires, and Durant: Wednesday we had the Ashcraft twins over for a French toast breakfast.   They are delightful girls and we are thrilled they are here.   We taught our final structured lesson in the church-sponsored beginning English class.   The lesson was on health and learning to describe ailm...

Hurricane Dorian passed us by.   If it wasn’t for the news, we would not have known a hurricane was even near.   Although we anticipated heavy rain, flooding, high winds, and power outages, none of that occurred in our area.   We were spared.   We were blessed.   One set of Sisters staying with us from our mission’s southern coast returned home Wednesday afternoon.   The other set of Sisters from the mission’s northern coast returned home Thursday morning.   We were sad to see them leave but happy they were able to resume routine missionary responsibilities.   They were very polite, kind, helpful, and considerate toward each other and us.   We cooked and ate, laughed and cried, read silently and out loud, and watched 2 movies together.   We relished this opportunity to share our apartment, the Gospel, and goodwill with them.   We will not forget Dorian. Thursday Sister Kroeger, secretary to the mission president, reach...