Adam said...'It's Christmas, Eve!'

The week before Christmas as a missionary is...

extraordinary.

Can I just say we love being missionaries...

To top things off...

Orlando Florida Mission...

Had 16 baptisms Christmas Eve!

That is what the missionaries call...

A very white Christmas!

Monday was a marathon of work and service...

Elders Jackson Day Cooper Adriano Willey and Harrington...

Were called to action by President Hall...

Just when the pot roast dinner I had prepared for them was ready....

What was the action all about?

Last weeks blog I told you Sisters McClain and Miller had a flood in their apartment.

The President and Elder Gebs  who is over apartments got a place for the sisters.

 So the President called 'the district' to help the sisters move.
The sisters were staying with us...
So we took them over to their area and...

 Elder Gebs brought the mission pick up from Olrand...
and the Elders...

Went into action.

 

When it was all said and done we enjoyed the dinner I put on hold...

They are sad because...

This IS the last supper...
This is the last Preparation day dinner together.

Sisters McClain and Miller.

After their harrowing week...

They came back to our apartment where they were staying...

to finish their wash and do their weekly email...

As they were leaving they 'caroled' us...

they have such beautiful voices...

Zone Christmas Devotional this week...
We sang The Nativity
Yours truly played the piano.
The Zone leaders said to wear red and black...

 Elders Adreano Cooper Day Jackson Willey Harrington Sisters Peterson Lima Elders Fielding and Gubler
Sisters McClain Campbell Miller
Elders Rumsey Frackrell Campbell


Elder Shelley.
Good to see him...

 Sister Shelley, he is doing great!

Elder Fielding...
Good Bye!
He goes home..
Next Wednesday...
December 28

 Amy...he has been a terrific missionary right to the end!
You can be proud of this guy.

Elder Beau Bennett...

 Those of you who know Beth Jones in Malta...
He is her Grandson.
We home taught her for many many years...

Elder Gregson...
Remember that name...
You will hear it again someday...
He is so humble and such a great leader.

President Hall Campbell's Sister Hall


There is a Craft Fair/Flea Market/Farmers Market
In Orange City every Friday...

At night when all the venders are gone...

 This park becomes a light show.

Okay jewelry for the rough and tough gang...

 How about Lego jewelry?

 This is all hand made.
Each turn and twist is done with a tool.
The little Spanish man who could speak very little English.

Or maybe a marshmallow shooter.

Trevor made flutes from bamboo
All sized from very small...

 To Walking Stick length...

 And don't forget the didgeridoo...

He also had ceramic or clay flutes and pens etc.

Wind chimes with cocoa nut tops...

 Farwell Margaret...

 We have been visiting Margaret and her niece...
who she has been living with for some time...
Margaret is dying of lung Cancer...
SOOOO
Her daughter came from Mississippi to get her and take her home...

Free Grapefruit and oranges!

 What we didn't know is all the fruit flies that came with them.

These are the lights I took pictures of a few weeks back...

 I found the right setting on my camera to take the pictures...

 We also learned from the neighbor who we are fellow-shipping...
That the man who does this used to do lights at Disney World.


SATURDAY...
THE BIG EVENT!

 Bob and Carole...

 Elder Campbell Bob and Carole

 Elder Adriano Campbell Bob and Carole and Elder Cooper.

 Yes...
This was a wonderful event.
She really is what we call 'Golden'.

Bob and Carole came over after Sacrament meeting Christmas day.
We had dinner and visited and had a great time.
We were going to get more pictures...
But time got a way and they were out the door.
What a wonderful couple.
They will be friends forever.


The sisters needed a ride home from the Baptism...
They sang at Carole's baptism.

 Sisters Miller and McClain
We took them to lunch on the way home...


As we were leaving...
These guys showed up with Davis'
who were treating them to a Christmas Eve dinner.

 Elders Adriano and Cooper...

No matter where we are in this world...
There are those who celebrate the birth of our Savior...
Jesus Christ....
May you accept Him...
Embrace Him...
and
Radiate His Light...