Week 82: September 1-7, 2019


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, reached a milestone birthday.  To celebrate, Sister Ekenstam baked a carrot cake and Sister Faulk gave her a bouquet of flowers. The threesome went to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch on Friday afternoon.  We love and support each other and look forward to our work in the office every day.
Happy Birthday Sister Kroeger:

Sisters Faulk, Kroeger, and Ekenstam:

Saturday the entire mission had a rare opportunity to gather together in the downtown Orlando area to hear a popular speaker.  Brad Wilcox (author, BYU professor, and former South American mission president) spoke on the gathering of Israel and the missionaries’ role in it.   He certainly appealed to mission teaching with gusto and gave us some things to think about.  Elder Faulk and Brother Wilcox attended the same high school in Provo and he was a guest speaker at Highland Elementary (Elder Faulk’s school for 34 years).  Afterward, we went with the Bairs to Mi Tierra for a Mexican lunch.   They were celebrating their 51st anniversary.  They are a wonderful example of service.  We deeply appreciate our association with them.  
Brad Wilcox and the Orlando, Florida mission:

Elder and Sister Bair:

We are grateful for our opportunity to serve a mission, to serve the Lord by helping others.  Life has prepared us and faith sustains us.  We are most fortunate to work with so many outstanding Jr and Sr missionaries.  We love the Ashcrafts and their family.  We love our family and know that families can be together forever!







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