A Week to Remember

I will start by saying sorry for not having very many pictures this time I left the picture card in my computer. I totally forgot to take it out of my computer last Sunday evening..  Oh well I did take some pictures of the sunshine on our patio, what little few minutes it is there and the ASL (American Sign Language) Sisters hard at work.  Then I will need to paint pictures with words and hope I don't put you to sleep.

I have always eaten my breakfast on this little patio.  When we first got here it was dark, but still nice.  Right now when I eat the sun is just coming up.  It is so beautiful and the birds sing and there are so many different kinds of morning songs.  It is one of my most favorite times of the day.

The two 'sticks' you see planted are Plumerias.  The will bloom and be the flowers they make Lea's out of.  I purchased them at the farmers market in Winter Park.  The people who sell them, most of the time at Epcot, cut them from the Plumerias plant and paint them with the color of paint of the flower.  The branches or sticks are sold just as 'sticks'.  I kept them on the table for a week or more before planting them.  They say to put them three inches into the soil and they will grow, and not to water them till they have about a five inch leaf.  They are a succulent plant so everything it needs is in that 'stick'.  In about a week it started to grow, no water, and they are still growing.  I was taking a picture of the sunlight and not focusing on the 'stick's.  I will keep you updated on it, but it is amazing, if I didn't do it my self I would not have believed it. 

I don't know if you can see this man.  He walks every morning, we see him as we drive to work.  When we first got here he was heading toward us, now that the sun comes up earlier he is usually walking back to his place.  He carries a cane but swings is back and forth beside him horizontally as he walks. He probably promised his children wife or doctor he would "would carry" it with him while he walked. 

The ASL sisters are amazing.  They cover a huge area but most of the hearing impaired come to our ward so they are teaching two classes a week in our building.  They are Sister Ellsworth and Sister Homer.  These sister do a wonderful work.  Now they are teaching the people to sign so we can communicate with these wonderful people.

Sister Homer is on the left, she is a runner and such a cutie.  Sister Ellsworth is a ballerina and really knows her stuff.  She cannot talk without signing.  I had her sit on her hands one day when she was in the office and she couldn't talk.  Both sisters are loved by the hearing impaired.  

Their classes are Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Stan went with Ian Bowles, the father of the family we met last week -- Wednesday and I went with Melissa and Mackalah Bowles on Saturday.  Machalah five is really good at it, she is smart anyway.

On a sad note.  Thursday morning I was in the office early -- and so I answered the phone when it rang instead of Sister James.  It was Elder Lopez' father from northern Mexico informing us that his wife, Elder Lopez' mother was killed in an automobile accident.  He needed Pres Darrington's phone number.   I was able to get him the information he needed and then sat stunned at the news.  I felt so badly for this Elder.  As it turns out the father, a stake president, had the funeral Friday and encouraged his son to stay where he was.  I can now see the wisdom of this. As a mom that is what I would want.  They are a strong family in the gospel.  Pres Darrington went down to see him, gave him a blessing and spent some time with him.  He encouraged the Elders who have served with him to contact him and keep in touch.  Elder Lopez is upset and rightfully so, BUT he understands the plan of salvation and knows their family have been sealed in the temple and will be together again.  I know he is still numb and the reality of it will hit him probably when her returns to his home.
A piece of trivia--His mother was killed by a drunk driver.

Of course we have our alligator.  He has only eaten some of our little ducks and keeps to himself.  He attracts the attention of all who walk around our apartment complex lake.  Since he is eating the little ducks the apartment management have called in animal control to come get him.  But tonight he was still there...don't know when animal control will come get him.  Just after I took this picture he casually walked up on the bank.  Little JD Eskelson was so excited about it he frightened the alligator away.  Kind of exciting news for our peaceful little apartment complex

We have had a lot of interaction with the Bowles family this week.  But the highlight was Friday night.  If you remember, they have had some hard times.  Stan meeting him was not an accident.  He has been working with the Employment Center looking for a job and looking on his own. They are a close family with sound character and work ethic.  They had been searching for a church to help them find peace and security.  Melissa actually walked into the temple a month ago or so.  She thought is was beautiful and peaceful.  She said when she walked up to it the doors just opened up and she walked right in.  She found she couldn't go in any further but was fascinated by it. Don't ask my why the officiators didn't help her find the missionaries at that point... Maybe it just needed to be here and now.  Their first meeting with the missionaries officially was Friday night.  I played with the children and walked the halls with them, but from what I heard Ian and Melissa were so excited about what they were being taught.  The missionaries were so good with them.  The Bowles have committed to baptism on June 19.  They are so excited about it, you can see the light in their eyes.  They are smiling a lot more and feeling that peace they were searching for.  The ward members are so good to them.  Visiting and inviting the children to play etc.  The Lewis family have children exactly the

same age as the Bowles... and little Ema and Machalah have hit it off as friends.

 Dad and I went with these same Elders--Hansen Rice and Beckstead today after church to Hadie Riveria's home for dinner.  She is the sister that was baptize one month ago.  I spoke at her baptism.  She offered to feed the missionaries but the missionaries cannot visit single sisters without a chaperon.  So they asked us to go with them.  She is delightful.  She is about our age and has never been married.  She is from Porto Rico lived in Indiana most of her life.  She is the oldest of a large family so she took care of her mother when she was sick and dying.  She is a neat lady, she has a deep and abiding love for the Savior and when she went to the Gladys Knight concert she knew what she was hearing was the truth.  She has a strong testimony already.  The Elders had a lesson with her, reviewing what she knows and questions she might have.  She reads the scriptures a lot and had some good questions. 

After this week I know things happen for a reason.  We are just instruments or bystanders to the Lords great and marvelous work.  I am humbled and at awe constantly as I witness the miracles that occur around us on a daily basis.  I love the Lord and know without a doubt that this is the true church.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly

Monday morning I turned my computer on and this is what I saw! 

Elder Bracero and Steinmen staring back at me from their car.  I cried.  Now I will have Elder Bracero & Steinment in my face as long as I am in the office.  We had the new missionaries (15 of them) come in Monday night, the Swain's helped the President and wife feed them a formal dinner at the mission home.  Monday the outgoing missionaries (8 of them) went to Disney or any park of their choosing as long as a member would go with them.  Tuesday night Stan and I helped feed the outgoing missionaries at the mission home and they left Wednesday morning. 

Monday and Tuesday the office was packed with missionaries; those leaving and transferrs waiting for companions and people transporting missionaries from one area to another.  Wall to wall people and no standing or sitting room. Those going home and transferring loved to look at the board above my desk with all the new companionship's.  They see themselves and how much they have changed.

Elder Doxey, who is Elder Bracero's replacement as assistant.  He is a good choice and fun to have around the office.  He is happy, positive and a hard worker.

Elder Hansen is replacing Elder Moyle as office assistant.  Elder Rice is still here as well as Elder Beckman who wasn't around for a picture. (A threesome). I have had a lot of contact with Elder Hansen this last week.  I am so impressed with him.  He was a Zone leader and blew his knee while playing basket ball on preparation day.  He was told he would have to go home to have surgery.  He has talked them into one more transfer, another six weeks.  That puts him almost at the end of his mission.  He is an incredible missionary as you will see later on. Here he is replacing the ink cartridge to our office copier.  

Stan talking to the new missionaries about vehicle maintenance and safety. I talked to them about keeping good records.  They are so overwhelmed -- they won't remember a thing we said tomorrow.  

That's right one sister-- a very beautiful and competent petunia in an onion patch.  

Wednesday was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO quiet.  Kind of like having the whole family home and when they all leave the house deflates.  That is just what happened to the office.  

Tuesday evening we had a tornado watch.
We very seldom have time or desire to turn the TV on at all.  BUT I decided to see what was happening with the 'Biggest Looser'.  I was so tired from everything we had done including feeding the out going elders and cleaning up afterward.

SO I was going to just relax --for once.
Then the weather came on telling us about this storm.  When they have a Tornado watch they stop all programing and tune in to what is happening.  I felt so helpless.  We had no clue what to do to warn the missionaries.  Thank goodness it wore itself out and all was well.  The next morning we got briefed on the things we are to do if we are in the know and who to call etc.  Scary.

We got an announcement from my oldest granddaughter Adrienne Rice.
She is graduating.
We cannot believe this.
I love Fiddler on the Roof and the famous quote:
"I don't remember growing older, when did they.....?"
We will miss this and my heart aches to be there.  Hope she feels our love for her.

Thursday Stan was going to go to Staples for some things.  As he left the office he felt like he should go to Auto Zone to return an item.  When he got there --there was a young man coming out of the business with two little girls in tow.  Stan stopped and felt impressed to look directly at him and greet him.  He was very down and discouraged.  Stan with his ability to visit with people found out he had lost his house, no fault of his.  He was paying rent, but the person he was paying rent to was not making payments on the house.  So the third party who was the original owner evicted them.  That wouldn't have been so bad but at the same time the company he was working for cut everyone's hours in half.  He had no home and couldn't keep working there because he had to move to find someplace to live.  They are living in the InTown Suits, where we lived for four days before we could move into our apartment.  BUT he has a wife and three children.  On top of all of that, the used old car they had, that was almost paid off was repossessed because he had no way to make payments.

InTown Suites are pay by the day @ 50 dollars OR by the week $202.  He was doing anything he could just to keep a roof over their heads each day and a box of cereal for the kids to eat. (Kids are Mickalah 5 Hayden 2 and Ian 1.)  His name is also Ian.  Stan took Ian to see Elder Swain in the employment center.  Elder Swain taught him interview procedure and how to present himself in 30 seconds, he also found him some job interviews that matched his skills.  Between the Swain's James' and Campbell's this family won't be out on the street or without food while they get their life put back together.  We don't do this for just anyone, but this is a very different man.  He is so humble and so willing to do anything to keep his family safe.  He needs a helping hand. He was so impressed with what we were doing he asked more about our church.  He visited with his wife Melissa and they wanted to go to church with us Sunday.    Melissa his wife has been cooped up in that little room with the children for so long.  We took them all to the ward picnic Saturday with the missionaries--Elders Hansen, Becksted and Rice. Friday Stan and I got to transport a couple of Elders to see a doctor, one of them was sick.  We took Ian and his girls with us and took them all to dinner, very fun.

Hayden top then Melissa and next the Van full with the Ian's in the back with the missionaries, then Mackalah.

We have the mission van so we could get every one in one outfit.

The whole Bowles family together at Moss Park

Moss park is situated right between Lake Hart and Lake Mary Jane.  It is a beautiful place.

Sorry about the dash board but you can get the idea as we drive into the park.

Gazebo where our ward gathered to eat.

The birds,  Sandhill Crane were not afraid of me at all.  Just a bit a trivia, Sand Crane mate for life.  You can see why we watch for the pair that are always on the road when we travel to church.  They are among the tallest birds in the world and capable of flying at great heights.  40-48 inches high with a 7 foot wing span.  Animals we see in the zoo we see on the road and everywhere we go.  So Cool.

Wood Stork--40 inches tall with 5 foot wingspan.
They nest in large colonies like this one.  We have seen them in much larger colonies as we travel around the state.  It is amazing to see them fly and perch in trees.  It is remarkable to see them take off and land.

They are not afraid of people.  Just a stones throw to the left is the beach where the Bowls family were when I took their picture.  

When the picnic was over we took everyone home and then we regrouped changed clothes and went to see the Windermere Stake Production "Savior of the World".  There was a group who did this last Christmas and there was such a demand they did it again, many of the same people but for the most part a whole new cast.  We had a couple from our ward who played Joseph and Mary.  I was very impressed. They depicted events leading up to the Saviors birth and then the Resurrection.  It was a powerful production. Such a strong testimony of the Savior and His existence. We would like to have taken the Bowls family but they were so tired and had to do a lot of wash to be ready to go with us to church. 

As we left the church we had a view of the temple across the rode.  What a beautiful ending to a miraculous day.  Then we had the privilege of transporting two members who are hearing impaired to their home in Kessimmee.  That was interesting--communicating with them as they tried to tell us the way to their home.  (There is a class starting Wednesday to teach us signing).
Today we took the Bowls to church with us.  The Elders greeted us as well as the ward members who met them yesterday and helped them to feel so welcome.  There were so many people who met with them and visited with them.  I wondered if they would ever want to come back because they did have a difficult time with the children.  Ian said, after church today "It will take time but they will get used to it."  They were very impressed with the church and people and friendliness.  Before we left the church Elder Hansen had a teaching appointment with them for Tuesday afternoon.  Elder Hansen was with them and played with the children and really got to know the family Saturday.  They already love him and think he walks on water.

Now for the ugly.
I told you how the apartment gate got our car.  We needed pictures for insurance, so here are a few.

This week has been a week that felt like a year of experiences.  We are so grateful for this mission call.  As we stood in the parking lot that looked to the temple Saturday evening we reflected on this whole experience.  We have felt the love and power of the Savior in our life so strongly.  We had a powerful testimony before this, but to feel Him work with us and the missionaries is unbelievable.  There is no doubt that the Savior lives and loves us and is actively engaged in our lives.
The gospel is true--there is now doubt about it.

There is a lot happening around here.

This is the week before transfers.  It was also a week for checking the reports of all the baptisms for April and that was 31, down form the fifty they were used to.  Still a daunting task.  Plus we already have 29 baptisms for this month.  Then there have been a super amount of referrals.  These come over the internet and I assign them to the different areas through text message.  We have phone in referrals as well.  Stan has had an accident to deal with, a citation, not the missionaries fault but the car dealer who hadn't issued the license plate yet, a car break in with a GPS and a Book of Mormon stolen-- everyone thinks now they should leave the GPS in the car with copies of the Book of Mormon and get referrals that way.  NOT.  We have had car troubles with the non Toyota cars, battery problems and bike problems.  Dad  has been busier then a one armed paper hanger with an itch.  BUT he did get all the month end miles recorded.  The missionaries have to send him all their fuel receipts, as well as mileage, he records that and it goes to SLC. He is doing well, and enjoys helping the missionaries.  Taking care of twelve children and their cars was just preparation for this mission.   

There has been an excitement and  feelings of anxiety around the office all week.  Elder Bracero is leaving Wednesday morning and we are all sad.  Finding a replacement has been hard on them as well as figuring out transfers.  That is harder then I thought it was.  They can't just move someone.  They have to figure in the living quarters, cars, bikes, and where they have been and haven't been.  The assistants work hard with the President.  He gives advice and lets the Assistants work it out.  It is amazing to watch.  We are also losing Elder Moyle the head office gruru is being transferred out.  I am so going to miss him, but we will see him at Zone conferences, Elder Bracero we will probably never see again.  Here are some pictures of the office and all that has been going on.  There is a picture of the rose the Assistance gave me for Mother's day last week and the Flowers Beth sent this week. 

 This is the rose the assistants gave me.  They knocked on the door left it and ran.  It stayed perky all week, Saturday morning it gave up the ghost. 

The flowers Beth sent with the flowers the sister missionaries put together for us.  This is the information desk, where Elders get messages etc.  It also has peanut M&M's and Pretzels supplied by the senior couples for the missionaries.

;

 Sarah's flowers on my desk with the cards sent by my family.

 

I brought the flowers home for the weekend, so I could enjoy them here.

This is the bulliten board above my desk.  It has all the new companionships from transfer time.  The Elders always come and find themselves and see how much others have changed.  To the right are little thoughts left by previous Referral Secretaries.  This week I added one from my granddaughter Diana Jo (AKA Joie).  

I used this for a thought in our office devotional Friday.  For 10 years old that is deep.  But then she has lived a life time in those 10 years.  She is our granddaughter who lost her family 2 1/2 years ago. (I think I need an s on goodtimes)

This is Elder Lahaderne and Elder Wood, they are companions.  Pretty funny.  Elder Lahaderne is a big teddy bear.  He has a little bit of a stutter if he tries to hurry.  His heart is huge and he is an amazing Elder.  I don't know Elder Wood very well but if I were him I would not rile the teddy bear.

Elder Rice-- I just asked him if he was getting all those books for the new missionaries finished, he turned around and was answering me.  He is staying and will have two others to help him with his office duties.  Stan thinks it is because he needs an elder to help him with his computer work.  

Elder Moyle coming back to work. (cheap shot)

Elder Stienmen, assistant, always posing.  

Elder Bracero trying to be serious.  NOT

 

Letting off a little steam.  Elder Bracero was Elder Moyles trainer 'father' as they call it.  He is leaving and giving Elder Moyle a few pointers.  Of course I said "Take it outside boys".  

Back to work everyone.

Elder James is a brilliant man who completes his work quickly. He takes care of apartments and rentals etc as well as the mission finances.  He is eating homemade toffee right here.  His favorite pass time is eating.  He is never full.

Saturday afternoon our ward had a Luau.  We have many Polynesians in our ward, two of the families perform at Epcot and Sea World.  Brother Pokipala and family sing, what beautiful music comes from their mouths.  WOW  The other group are the dancers and they have friends with them that are not members but some are very impressed with the church are are investigating it.  Stan and I invited Sharie Howard and her mother Ginger and Lydia, Ginger's g granddaughter.  They live in our complex.  Sherie has had some very difficult times and has fallen into inactivity.  It is our job to bring her back.  Ginger is a member but doesn't want to come back, so she says.  I have been visiting her every week now and she came to the luau and brought her secret recipe carrot cake to be auctioned off.  He granddaughter approached me at church today and gave me a hug, and said, "I didn't think Grandma would ever come to any church function and somehow you did it.  I have fallen in love with Ginger, and she is so welcoming and wonderful. 

Everyone lining up to eat the TONS of food prepared.

Pokipala's singing group.  Oh how I wish we could have captured the sound.

The youth of our ward are very talented, and sang and danced while the Pokipalas rested.

The the following pictures are the amazing dancers.  I didn't get a picture of the Huka (sp) I was greeting Sherie and her family at that time.  But it was IMPRESSIVE!!!

j

 The Young Women demonstrating their talents, after all this was for their camp funds.

 They are joined by one of the members of the dance group from our ward.

The male dancers were strong and well awesome.   I didn't get many good pictures of them because they just moved to fast.  

Brother Pokipala teaching members who to move their hips.  When he sings it is like an angel singing. He is also a member of our bishopric

This is Brother Henderson also from the bishopric auctioning off cakes and this Lego Nauvo temple made by a member of our ward who works at the Lego shop at Disney. Brother Henderson is a pro golfer.  My pineapple upside down cake went for $65 

This is Sherie Howard and Lydia.  The man who did the Lego work is Lydia's daddy. Sherie also works at Disney.   Lydia's mom does plays at Animal Kingdom.  Right now she is playing the part of Nemo.  

Elder Berhold with two pineapples in his back pack, they were center pieces and three cakes purchased by us and others to feed the Elders. Stan also purchased three other cakes to take to the office for the missionaries that come in to use the computers on Preparation day and on Tuesday for the new missionaries coming into the mission.  

All the people in the church complex went up on the roof to watch the launch of the space shuttle.  What a sight--1300 miles an hour.  I forgot to take my camera up on the roof.  I think you would have had a better view on the TV.  But to be there and watch was very interesting and exciting. It was very humbling in a way to stand there watching this monster of a machine blast off into space and become just a spec so quickly. All that fuel and power it takes to thrust it into space blows my mind.  We felt very small.

There is never a dull moment in our lives.  So much is going on.  It is a wonderful place to be.  Stan and I are strengthened and blessed every day.  We enjoy being with the missionaries and love them so much.  The contact we have with them fills the void of missing our family.  

We love the Lord and recognize his hand in all we do.  There isn't any way we could do this work without his strength and power in our lives.