The Lord is in Charge

It was transfer week...

But we were here in Deland..

Elder Campbell took Elder Back into Orlando Monday to spend his last 'official' day working with Elder Schmeil who he trained.

Elder Moultrie stayed with Elder Haack and Bingham till Elder Squires could come Tuesday.

Good Members brought Elder Squires and Moultrie here about lunch time.

I was able to stretch our lunch out to make a nice meal for all of us.  

That way they could just go to work.

I forgot a picture at our table...

Got them at District Meeting.

Elder Squires was in  Hunters Creek District so it is great to have him with us here.

I guess these two were companions once before...

They should be off and running without all the 'get to know you stuff.'

Wednesday we went to the temple and the dermatologist for Stan.

(he has to have sores burned off every six months.  The doctor said he is doing much better.  I think that is because we are staying away from refined foods)

While he was at the doctor I ran over to Hallmark to get our August Birthday Cards.

Stan left his mission phone in the car and I threw in in my purse as I got out.

While I was purchasing the cards the mission phone rang...

It was Sister Miller (Bishop Miller's wife Deland 2)

She said a lady just called her and wanted to know more about the church...

AND...

She wanted a senior couple!

Sister Miller said, 'Well you are in luck! We just happen to have a senior couple!'

Our assignment here is to activate...

BUT...

With a request like this....

Well we jumped on it.

She works in the afternoons and we had district meeting Thursday in the morning..

She said come at 1:00...
Which gave us an hour to visit with her.

(I don't want to mention her name..it is in my journal)

When we got to her home it was beautiful!

Landscaping and the inside were just peaceful.

Her ex-husband's family are all very strong members of the church.

He was alcoholic and is now deceased.

Anyway she and her children went to a reunion this year to renew acquaintances and meet cousins.

In years past she has had missionaries and some association with the church.

She has had some very strong Christian ties with a couple other church's and her second husband is Irish Catholic.  She has done a lot of reading and had a ton of questions.

She just shot them at us so fast.

Our discussion was all over the board.

BUT...

The Spirit was there and we were able to bear testimony and challenge her to some things to accomplish over the next few days.

She said..

'I have done all the talking do you still want to come back?'
WHAT A SILLY QUESTION TO ASK A MISSIONARY?

So we made another appointment.

With the challenges we gave her we will be able to allow the Spirit to help us direct our message for her.

She said 'I don't know where this will go...

 but I do know - what I feel is real and something I really need in my life.'

Yes we are very humbled for the privilege of being instruments in the life of a wonderful lady who is searching and wanting 'stability'.
Isn't it interesting how the Lord placed us here just when this lady wanted to be taught by Senior Missionaries?

I have had problems with my back so we did some Chiropractor shopping.

(I like the one I was going to but he is to far away.)

I can't believe how the Lord has directed us even in this.

Deland is the home of Stetson University.

Named such because the Stetson's who make the hats saved them financially.

It is a beautiful small campus.

The average class is 11 students.

They have an outstanding graduate program.

These buildings are just what we can see from the main highway.

It has great oaks all around and landscaping is beautiful.

We do want to take time for a walk around campus before our sojourn is over here.

We are making friends with a couple upstairs who work and go to school here. He is doing his Masters and she is getting her education degree here as well.

We hope to have this couple to dinner soon.

On some of our free time we went to Port Orange and on the way home went past Daytona Speedway.

 The green out by the coast is so green and beautiful.

 Once again we were caught in a deluge of rain...

 After we got to the apartment we heard on the news that the 'hail' storm was horrendous out by the coast where we were.

We have enjoyed blogs from our children...

Each one has given us their 'perspective' of what the Stan Campbell reunion was all about.

How enjoyable.  

We even got a letter from Angie, our granddaughter, and got her perspective as well.

Thank you family for who you are...

for your support and love for us and each other.

How is it we are so blessed?

Sierra's activity leader was talking to the girls about service.

Then she asked the girls to give some examples of service.

Sierra said...

'Her grandpa and grandma help people all over Florida. 

Grandma feeds the missionaries and cuts hair and sews their clothes.  

She also writes letters and sends books!  (to grandchildren)

Grandpa fixes cars and bikes and takes everyone everywhere.  
He also likes to talk to everyone.  

He calls me happy go lucky and so I have to stay happy.'

I love that perspective.

In church we attended both wards again. 
The Lord sustained and blessed me that I could attend 5 1/2 hours of meetings.
Getting to know the people of both wards takes some sacrifice...
But..
Sacrifice brings blessings.
These people are so wonderful and show so much gratitude for the 'privilege' of having been 'blessed' with a Senior Couple.
It is Elder Campbell and I who feel the 'privilege' and 'blessings' of knowing these people.
It is also an education.
We get two Sunday School and Relief Society/Priesthood lessons,
BUT in both wards they are each so different.
Because of the different 'perspectives' we are taught twice as much!

We have such a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel.
It is true...
The Gospel as was organized by the Savior while He was on this earth...
His Church has now been restored.
We have the Power and Authority that He had...
that allows us to have the saving ordinances such as baptism and Temple ordinances...
that allow us the privilege of being a 'forever' family.

THE LORD IS IN CHARGE