Week 83: September 8-14, 2019


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, Coppin, 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 ailments.  Sister Faulk loved it of course.  In the Orlando area, there is a lot of cultural diversity and a great need and desire to improve speaking English.  We appreciate the opportunity to teach this course, the missionaries who shared the weekly self-reliance message, and the learners.  They have become our friends.

Sister Faulk teaching Connect Connect I:

Thursday Sister Faulk took a missionary to Costco to order glasses.   Time permitting, it is hard to beat a Costco hotdog or pizza for lunch.  Thursday evening on the way to the temple,  the Senior missionaries gathered at Spolettos for a quick Italian meal.  Sister Faulk loves the spaghetti and giant meatballs.  We participated in sealings and were able to do some ancestor names.  

Saturday we drove to New Smyrna Beach to see a painting.  A few months ago, Sister Faulk saw the watercolor in a restaurant and it spoke to her.   Elder Faulk inquired and found the artist.  He commissioned him to recreate this painting.  Elder Faulk gave the painting to her as a birthday gift.  The artist painted another watercolor too which Elder Faulk admired.  So instead of going home with just one painting, we went home with 2.  Sister Faulk gave the other painting to Elder Faulk just because.  These are beautiful works of original art and will always remind us of some of the things we love in Florida.  We gave the artist a Book of Mormon and he said he would like to read it.

Artist Samuel Ruder with The Pod and A Sunny Day:

We have so many blessings especially as we are serving a mission.  We are in awe of the spiritual strength of our children and their families.  We love them immensely.  We pray for continued blessings in the Gospel and for opportunities to serve and lift others.   We love the Lord and His Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ.  Through Him, we know all things are possible.

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