Saturday, April 23, 2011

The Lord is so aware of us and our needs...

Since this is Easter Weekend I would like to say how grateful I am for the Savior.
The atonement is so much a part of our lives.
I am humbled to know that He loves us so much.
The trick now is to...
Believe Him.

The week has been so full of adventure and work.
When Stan made the decision not to travel to his sisters Funeral...
I was concerned for him...
But the Lord has filled his life with so many wonderful things to keep his mind and body active.
We have also had close contact with family... 
who have kept us current with what is going on.
Thanks family!

Our daughter Becky sent a Blog about the funeral. It was real enough we thought we were there.
Many tears were shed.


Stan's mom sent him a birthday card.  
It will be cherished forever.


It was transfer week AND we got four new cars that had to be recorded and assigned to the missionaries who had the oldest cars. 
 Four new cars fitted with their bike racks...
I think they look like stinkbugs.
 Three of the old cars, the fourth one is getting it's locks fixed!
(Transfers for cars as well I guess)

New missionaries...
Sister Allen could be related since I am an Allen through my Grandmother...
and she is from Grantsville.


I love this time of Orientation.
The night before we were able to be at the mission home and have dinner with them as well.
I am so impressed with the new missionaries.
They are so alert and ready to work.

With transfers as well as new missionaries we have those who are going home.
Everyone gathers at the mission office to get their new companions...
or make the transition to go home.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

It isn't often we get sisters in the office...
This is a wonderful moment.
Just after this picture four more came in the door.
 Back: Sister Christensen, Durr, Raney, Homer, Akin and Higginsen
Front: Sisters Jensen, Holladay Davis and Freeman down front
 The assistants Moore and Rydalch who are the Roosters of the Roost...
Think there are way to many hens in the house!

Total sadness...
Elder Capps is going to Cocoa and we are no longer going to have an office Elder.
The good thing about it is...
Elder Berhold is going to be his companion!!!!
 Our last photo together....
for awhile anyway.
 Elder Pratt and Whitworth peeking behind us...

The last of the office Elders and one Spanish Elder.
 Elder Pratt (Spanish)--Capps Jensen and Whitworth.

Elder Trotter is going home!
 Elder Jonson is going home!

 This is what is called a four generation picture...
Elder Trotter trained Elder Volorio who trained Elder Goodrich who is now training the new
Elder Brough (from Tremonton)
 Great grandpa, Grandpa, PaPa, Baby


Elder Capps left the first two notes.
Elder Jensen now old companion wrote the next note.
Elder Jonson, going home wrote the last note.
 

The Hunters Creek Elders.
 Elder Shelley, Brandenburg, Campbell, Wood Jensen and Whitworth.
The no longer office but now East Elders are now two...
Elder Jensen and Whitworth.
The West are now three, Elders Shelley Brandenburg and Wood (District Leader)
I always wish these guys would never change...
But change they do...
And each new Elder worms their way into our hearts and leaves a forever print there.

 This is Elder Lopes...
He is from Brazil.
 The package he is holding is one he sent to his family.
He paid a good chunk to send it to them.
The postal service in Brazil put a little note on his families door Friday afternoon.
Since the post office is closed over the weekend...
His mom went in Monday morning to pick it up.
Oops!
They put it in the wrong pile and
it came back to Elder Lopes.
He is hoping the post office here will have compassion on him...
For his sake I pray that they do.
Elder Lopes left and Silva Augusto right are companions
both are from Brazil.
Elder Nordstrom in the middle is waiting for a Visa
So he can go to Brazil.

Don't know if I have had this cross here before.
If so I still don't know who it belongs to.
I have asked a lot of questions
and googled it but no answers.
It is quite impressive.
Not as impressive as the temple.

Temple at sunrise...
We felt angels there today.
It is where we went to remember Jeanne Marie.

Elder Campbell has been moving washers and dryers and repairing them with Elder James.
He has been shuffling bikes and cars.
Today he is taking an old car (the one not shown above) to Elder Berhold and Capps.
They have a new car that needs a bike rack on it.

I finally got in touch with a sister in our ward and she is in the hospital.
There are a lot of things being done in her behalf.
I tried to be a part of it...
BUT the visiting teacher and home teacher and Compassionate Service Specialist have it all under control. 
It is beautiful to see how the Lord works through his servants.
+++++++++++++++++++++

I am sure most of you remember the great white duck that was the mascot of Colonial Grand Apartments...
It seems he used to have a partner.
They were named Heather and Glen..
the name of the housing community (Heather Glen) across from Colonial Grand.
Heather was run over by a car in the parking lot...
so Glen was alone for a lot of years.
He became crippled and folks around fed him and loved him...
He got to old...
Animal Control got him and put him in a retirement home for Ducks.
So now this funny looking guy is a loner...
No other ducks will associate with him.
He is almost pretty...or handsome or something.
 This week Mary Eskelson drew pictures for 'the grandma and grandpa missionaries'

I invited Power and James to dinner for Easter.
James had other commitments.
Then there is a family whose mom has been in the hospital.
(I mentioned her before)
I asked if they needed food for Easter dinner.
Mom said yes.
Then the Home Teacher and Visiting Teacher (husband and wife) and the Compassionate Service Leader told me that the ward members would take care of them and not to worry.
So I invited Jennifer to dinner instead.
This was her 'first Easter Dinner'
Before she joined the church Easter was bunnies eggs gifts etc.
She is such a sweet humble teachable gal.
The Powers Jenneifer and Stan and I had just said the prayer and the phone rang.
It was the daughter Fabiola (13) who called to see when we were picking them up for dinner!!!!
I told her what I had been told but as soon as we were done we would bring their dinner to them!
I wanted to jump and run right then!
But did my hostess duties then started cleaning up and getting food ready for the Pinaro's.  
The others felt my urgency and helped then left.
Powers got away but I did get a picture of Jennifer...
such a choice one who is trying to hard to do what the Lord asks her.

Fabiola and brother Eugene.
 I felt so bad that they were counting on us for dinner.
Don't know what happened to the other families who were going to take care of them.
I need to make some calls to see what happened.


There is so many who are suffering trials...
That of course is what this life is for.
As I was reading this week a thought by the Apostle Orson F Whitney (1855-1931) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle stated:
No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted.
It ministers to our education,
to the development of such qualities as patience,
faith,
fortitude
and humility.
All that we suffer and all that we endure,
especially when we endure it patiently,
builds up our characters,
purifies our hearts,
expands our souls,
and makes us more tender and charitable,
more worthy to be called the children of God...
and it is through sorrow and suffering,
toil and tribulation,
that we gain the education that we came here to acquire."

Each life that touches ours for good...

Louie and Jeanne Marie Tibbitts
Jeanne Tibbitts
4 July 1958---16 April 2011

 Deanna Edwards a family friend and recording artist...
expresses our feelings beautifully...
  I love Deanna Edwards whose life was filled with love and compassion for those who were dying and those who were grieving. Her Work Shops and original songs will live on in the hearts of those she has touched.  
Mine is one of those...
These are her words...

Eric Lund, a young man who was dying from leukemia in a New York hospital, said to his mother, "Mom, walk in the world for me!" He was really saying, "I want you to live better and love better because I was here." His message has given hope to countless thousands who have made the decision to make their "walk in the world" a beautiful one.
Walk In The World For Me

The time has come now
For me to say goodbye.
No sad farewells
Will we share
For you will live within me
And I will live in you.
No words can say
How much we care.

We've walked together
On the dusty roads of life,
But kept our eyes upon a star.
We've laughed at the little things
And cried along the way.
I've come to know
The friend you are.

Walk in the world for me!
Sing a happy melody!
And keep my memory
Not far away.
May you find
That life will bring
All the best of everything!
Take special care of you
For me today!
 
 Love you girl...
 

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Life and Death

A wonderful blessing that came to us this week...
Is... 
 Kedric Aiono Campbell...
  Parents are Jim and Shaye.

 Okay...
I think these two look so much like his daddy...

Kedric is named for his uncle Nick who's middle name was Kedric.
The Broco's hat?
Nick and Jim are both Broco's fans..
so he wears is proudly???
Go Boise Broncos!!!!!
==================================
 Time is marching on...
Yet there is so much to do.
All the world around us is alive and beautiful...
Yet things are not normal weather wise...
As most of you are experiencing.
The rumor is this is the year for a Hurricane.
That would be a terrifying experience.
Not sure if we want that one.
But Easter is around the corner and there are signs all around.
This is the house by the East Elders that decks out for every season...
I have followed it through the year.
The little dinosaur even has a ribbon in it's hair..


===============================================

We were taking a walk around our lake...
The Eskelson's came along and the children had been picking clover...
They came running up to us with a bouquet of flowers....
'These are for you!'
Tears came to my eyes...
that hasn't happened in a very long time...
A bouquet of wild flowers...
What a blessing children are.
 The sun has finally made it back around to our patio...
it is so beautiful when it does shine in there just a little bit.
The honeysuckle on the hedge just outside our patio is so sweet!
=========================================================

 Monday evening Elder Bennett and Engemann...
Prepared dinner for the Powers and us.
Shepard's pie.
It was so good.
Their apartment was clean...
We were even asked to take our shoes off...
A very pleasant hour...
Elder Engemann sang us a song as well.
Dinner and a show...
What more could we ask?
 They are our Hunter's Creek Zone Leaders.
They live in Kissimmee...
That is their area.
 Powers enjoying the music.
Stan and I took Elder Bennett and Engemann out to dinner Thursday evening...
I have a feeling Elder Bennett will be transferred. 
 They chose to eat at Chrispers...
They are such a fun pair...
We will miss Elder Bennett when he is transferred.
(PS--he wasn't transferred, he is going into his 7th transfer here, Wow)

============================================

Thursday morning we had District Meeting.
 Elder Squires, Wood (DL) Whitworth and Jensen.
Elders Shelley and Schmile left with sandwich in hand for an appointment.
Brother Pokipola brought subs for the missionaries lunch.
No assignment...
he just did it.
Elder Capps has so many talents...
music is one of his gifts...
he is blessing us with some of his music.
( He is being transferred to Palm Bay, Cocoa Zone--He will be missed)
===================================================

Friday we got four new cars for the mission...
Actually we got them Thursday...
The assistants helped get them to the office after the bike hitches were put on at UHAUL.
 The assistants and Stan were just finishing up and were going to go for lunch.
I was home for the day for different reason...
But I made some 'Darn Good Chili' while I was cleaning out our storage closets.
I knew Stan didn't have a lunch...
so I called and told him I had the chili if he wanted to come to the apartment.
That was just as they were going for lunch.
So they came here to eat lunch.
There was a lot of gratitude for the inspiration of making and inviting.

======================================================

Saturday morning we went to the temple
THEN...
We attended the Pease Family Baptism for Maggie.
 Here she is with her friends that all sang at the baptism.

Grandpa Baker with all the little ones gathered round...
It reminded us so much of Sydney's baptism...
And the one we missed.
Olivia's.
I was in tears most of the time.
We have been to a lot of baptisms since we got here...
But this is the first family baptism.
Home sick?
Oh yah!
But we are so busy we don't have time to think about...
Home.

============================================
We have had a wonderful Stake conference...
Last night we were encouraged to use our temples...
and to get to know the Lord and ourselves there.
Today to we were inspired to become doctrinally sound..
Know the Savior...
Believe Him...
Accept Him into our lives.
What fitting messages to help heal the heart...
This morning as we were preparing to leave for Conference...
Stan received a message from his brother Ron...
Jeanne Marie--
Stan's baby sister...
parted this earthly life.
She has gone home.
She knew the Savior.
He has walked with her these last few years...
especially the last few months.
Her life is such a testimony to us...
of the Lords great plan of happiness.
She will be greatly missed.
Good by dear Sister...
'Till We Meet Again.'

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Very Fine Week

Florida is a  beautiful place...
There are not distinct seasons...
BUT...
it is always changing...
The trees lose leaves all season and grow them back...
there are blooms all the time...
Less during the heat of the summer.
Sunset from our patio...
 But this area is beautiful...
Especially when we have so many friends and Family...
Jose brought his truck from California to Florida...
Just out of our mission...
BUT 
We went after him anyway.

 We went to Lakeland and there he was...
 Southern Wine & Spirits.
Yep...
Jose was carrying wine from Napa Valley California...
Each pallet was worth $80,000...
20 pallets...
1.6 million $$$$...
He didn't know what he had till they broke the seal on the back.
It took a couple hours to unload...
There were some problems...
He took his truck to a Love's truck stop to leave it till the next night when he would load again in Auburndale.

 Elder Campbell is ALWAYS the missionary...
We are waiting for Jose to do his paper work at Loves 
And there was a guy that was willing to visit.

I got a picture of his truck but forgot to get one of him till we got in the car.
Good to have you here Jose.

Jose was unloading his truck through the lunch hour and into the afternoon...
We went to BJ's for dinner.
I had to pinch myself...
Was he really here?
I do that anytime family is here.
 Trying out Jose's bed...
We got him all settled in for the night.
We left him early and went to the office.
Our Internet was down in the office for three day...
So I went with Jose to...
Gaterland!
 The white Alligator is a wonderful exhibit.


This guy is about twice as big as Jose.
 This big guy was quite a site...

The Great Egret's were perched all over in the trees.
 They are on Nests and under them are these little ones.

 After Gatorland we went to the Office...
There were a lot of missionaries there...
All Zone Leaders just out of Zone Leader Conference.

Elder Campbell asked Jose if he was willing to listen to the missionaries.
He said 'Sure'.
So we had Elder Brown and Vilorio over for dinner.
They gave him the Plan of Salvation after dinner...
Elder Campbell gave him a Spanish Book of Mormon...
to keep in his truck.

Checking the maps to see how to get from the truck stop to Auburndale.

Walking out to the car to take him back to his truck.
We drove out to Auburndale to see where he was going to go to load the truck.
It was a beautiful drive past two big lakes deep enough for boats and fishing.
Lakes Ariana and Mariana...
Sunset on Lake Ariana
 The road wound around the lakes and old beautiful homes.
We took him back to the truck and said goodbye.

--------------------------------------------------

Life as a missionary goes on...
We were part of a party for Elder Wood.
Jennifer Z. gave him a surprise party.
Being a new member she didn't know she was suppose to schedule the building.
We were competing with the Stake...
They were setting up for the 'Mormon' Prom for Saturday Night.
The stakes here get together and offer the High school kids an alternative to the actual Prom.

She also didn't know the missionaries were not suppose to gather like that for parties.
Elder Wood is the District leader...
So maybe they were okay.
 Surprise Elder Wood...
 Can't light candles in the church...
So this is a mock blow out.
 Jennifer Zebacacas and other singles from the singles branch.
Elder Capps and Elder Jensen giving Elder Whitworth and Wood some extra height.
Elder Shelley on the right.


Elder Shelley and Wood came to dinner Sunday evening...
Stan's #66
 Elder Shelley gave him a scripture...
 Elder Wood gave him a song...
Happy Birthday.
 They GAVE him a tie...
Elders never Give ties...
They trade ties.


So this very fine week comes to a close...
I have had an opportunity to reflect on life and our purpose here on earth this week.
Conference last week left me with so much to contemplate.
The older I get the more there is to learn and improve...
I am so grateful for a very loving Heavenly Father who knows who we are...
He knows what we need...
He knows our hearts.
To walk in the steps of the Savior will take us all back to Him.