One Month on the Job

Wednesday all of the computers in our area were down so we did what was needed without the Internet and headed for the temple.  This is the view coming up to it from the south.  I believe that is the only hill in Florida, but of course I haven't been very far away from our apartment.

This is a very beautiful temple, the spirit is beautiful.  BUT it is very poorly attended.  All of the Stakes and Wards in the Orlando Temple district are working hard to motivate people to attend.  Stan and I were the only couple in the 4:00 session plus one other lady.  We heard that Thursday night was a big night with the room almost filled.  As we were leaving Wednesday there were a lot of youth attending for baptisms.  That was exciting to see.  This temple district needs your faith and prayers.

Saturday was very laid back and relaxed.  Stan didn't want to travel so I went to the Farmer's Market after I cleaned and did the wash, which only takes an hour at best.  Then later on I needed to get a cable for our Garmin GPS unit so we can upload new information.  I was going to make a quick run to Target or Best Buys.  As I got out there without Stan I thought to myself, "Self this would be a good time to check out the Florida Mall".  So without Stan rushing me I went in.  

What a surprise.  It isn't the biggest mall I have ever been in or the best, about normal.  BUT the people.  Yes it was Saturday afternoon and I did expect a lot of people the parking lot indicated that BUT when I say people I mean the different kids of people.

What a treat!

 I just walked and listened and observed.  It was absolutely amazing!  The diversity always blows me away.  The languages, costumes, colors, and animation.

I walked through the food court and there were places in there representing every country.  The smells and samples were enough to make my head spin.  On my way back through I opted for a taste of the Natural Foods Cafe and had a wrap that was delicious. When Stan is with me I will share some of the exotic places with him.

I also walked through Penny's and they were having a huge sale.  Buy one get the second for 88 cents.  So I made good there.  Lots of fun :-)

I was just headed to the Wal-Mart which was the closest place by then to get my cable and Stan called.  He said the Elders in Apopka locked their keys in their apartment and were locked out. They went out on an all day service project and rode with members.  So that is how they locked their apartment keys and car keys in the apartment.   They had a garage and if they could get into the car they could open the garage with the remote and thus get into their apartment.  So I went back to the apartment, about a 15 minute drive, then Stan and I headed to the office to get the spare keys about a 10 minute drive then out to Apopka, about a 40 minute drive.  I felt so bad.  These Elders had worked so hard all day and were so tired and had to wait over an hour or more to get into their apartment. 
eke

From Left to right

Elder Merrill - Elder Campbell - Elder Barns - Elder Becksted.

(yes Campbell, there is also a Sister Campbell)

Elder Campbell and Becksted had a teaching and dinner appointment but we took Elder Merrill and Barns out to dinner.  They went in and showered and put on white shirts and ties and of course name tags.  We had a wonderful time with them.  By the time we got home to our apartment it was after 10.  The cable I set out to purchase about 4:00?  Well I will get it Monday evening, in time to upload new information

 to get us to the different Zones next week for Zone Conference.   

I learned that we do indeed live in a beautiful area of the Orlando mission.  Not everyone had beautiful groom landscapes and roads and screen enclosed back yards.  

This was an area that was not so nice, I missed the house I was aiming for  but it isn't good.  We also saw briefly the skyline of Orlando.  I hope I can get out and seen more. 

I mentioned once that Orange Blossom Trail (OBT) and John Young highways basically are our main north south roads.  Well this is where they meet and cross over each other and head in opposite directions.  Very interesting. 

Stan and I look back on this last month and if feels like it has been a life time.  We have learned so much, and been through so many adventures learning and growing and gaining friendships and meeting these beautiful youth who are so dedicated to the Lord's work.  We are so blessed to work next to them.  We are learning the importance of the work we do to help these missionaries to be unencumbered  in their work.  All they need to do is focus on building the Lord's kingdom and getting those reports into us. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true-- there no doubt this is the Lords work.  Thank you for all your support, faith and prayers in our behalf -- we feel so blessed.