The Flavor of Florida

We have been in Florida 1 year and 8 months.

In that time we spent a lot of time in the frenzied life of Orlando.

As we visited missionaries,
helping them from the office,
we were able to see some of the beauties of this remarkable state.

You can come to Florida and see a lot of green...

Palm trees of many varieties

all sitting on a large sand bar Isthmus.

Of course there are the theme parks..

alligators... 

and a diversity of birds.

Florida is a melting pot of an assortment of nationalities.

BUT...

As you pause a moment...

take a breath you see Florida.

We are impressed with the diversity we have found.

It is hard to 'farm' on a sand bar...

yet the citrus flourish.

Florida is ranked top in cattle.

There are farms that grow ferns-palms-and other warm weather trees and bushes.

We love to see and feel the beauty of the 'real' Southern Floridian culture.

This week we went to the Voulsia County Fair.

Here we found that FFA and 4-H are healthy and strong.

The schools had areas where youth could enter projects.

 4-H projects were interesting...

 Things you wouldn't find in the Mountain West

 A flower pot made of flower pots in the form of a doll

Completely what I would love...

 Okay Bronco fans...

No...
it is the University of Florida Gators.

 No Tigers are not Florida residence... just part of the show...

FFA

Elder Campbell wasn't teaching the cattle the Gospel Plan...

 But he was in his element....

 

 Elder Campbell is amazing when it comes to visiting with and passing out pass along cards...

He is amazing the way he can visit with people about things they are familiar with and then he is directed by the spirit to present the church to them and a card. If the spirit doesn't speak he passes on. I am humble to be in his presence when he is doing the Lords work.

Okay there are A LOT of kids in Florida who do not know what it is like to do things 'country'

So they had a complete area set aside to teach them different tasks.

 Milking a cow?  (this is a plastic cow)

Florida skies...

Only  in Florida...

 You really need to look close to appreciate this car...

Orange trees in yards and orchards are looking yummy...

Mom and Pop fish houses are all over and don't disappoint.

The reason Floridians live here...

 A nice November mid morning temp...

Yes...
we are missionaries first and for most...

Sorry for getting side tracked...

We spent time looking for less active...

They don't want to be active...

My heart breaks for them...

They haven't any idea the Treasure they are giving up...

There have been appointments that have fallen through...

BUT

The Lord is in control...

Stan helped the new neighbors upstairs move in...

We visited the sick...

District Meeting...

These guys are so funny...

They all wore black...

they are in mourning...

Because transfers are next week...

and they anticipate a shakeup.

 Front: Sister McClain Elder Gubler (ZL) Haack (DL) Wood Sister Barlow Elder and Sister Campbell
Back Elder Harrington Squires Day Cooper Johnson (ZL)

 Elder Johnson is going home Wednesday...

He lives in Filmore Utah.

 Elder Haack thinks he is out of here next week...

 Sisters McClain and Barlow...

Sister Barlow thinks she is leaving as well...

BUT...

We never know what is going to happen till Monday email...

When the transfers go out to the Missionaries.

 The importance of the spirit...

Those who teach by the spirit...
teach people NOT lessons....