Bits and pieces

I guess there are weeks like this.

We did have some visits...

and that was worth all else.

We have some Floridians that we visit that are a hoot.

We have some that are getting ready for baptism.

But there were some that just were 'no shows'.

I guess that is to be expected.

The young guys get that a lot more then we do.

Pray for them...

they work so hard.

The same moon we have here shines at home...

 There is one moon in the center...

The one to the left is the parking lot light...

No District Meeting this week.

It was President's interviews and training.

That is always a wonderful experience...

 The Elders heading back to their work...

 Elder Cook has an Uncle in Orlando...

Halloween for the district.

We took the sisters home and stopped to eat...

None of us had eaten since breakfast so we would eat about anything...

 Alligator appetizers....

 Sisters McClain and Barlow have their first taste of 'gator'...

Big news...

 Four bears roaming Ormand...

 This sign made me cry...

Saturday Elder Neil Anderson came for a Mission Conference...

We had several speakers but Elder Anderson was the main person to address us. 

Sister Hall had pictures taken but we couldn't get our personal pictures.

If we get a news letter the picture will be there.
(a picture of the picture in the news letter of Deland Zone)

 Front: Sisters McClain and Barlow, Sister and President Hall, Elder and Sister Anderson, Elder and Sister Burns, Sister Peterson and Lima
Middle: Elders Zuniga Frackrell Haack Johnson Gubler Cooper Day Waite and Fielding.
Back: Campbell's Harrington Cook Squires.

The actual highlight was seeing all the missionaries.
They are so wonderful.
It was so humbling to feel of all the love and hugs that came our way.

All these cars....

We didn't have to check them!!!!!

So good to see this marvelous team again...

Elder Jensen (a zone leader now) the Campbell's and Elder Lewis a trainer.

 Elder Engemann acting the roll once again...
He is a wonderful Assistant to the President.

 Amy..
Elder Fielding is still doing very well.

Sister Lovejoy Sister Campbell and Sister Kaaa...

 I love the hugs and loves-- these gals are wonderful...

 Good Ol' Elder Shelley is training a young man from Northern Germany.

Elder Finke and Elder Shelley

OKAY CAN I SAY THE DAY HAS BEEN WONDERFUL SO FAR...
BUT WE HEADED TO THE AIRPORT TO MEET....
FAMILY!!!!!!!

This bus was going the same direction.

 Ben and Becky's family at the airport.

 Ben and Ross Dani Olivia Elder Campbell Becky
Back
Melissa Dylan Larry and Jordan...
Can I just say this even topped having an apostle speak to us today.

After a swim in the pool they are taking care of their tummies.

Sunday....
Ross couldn't last through the High Council speaker...

 So wonderful to have a full house...

 Ross turned a big number 4!

 Elder Haack and Harrington came to teach us a lesson...

We had to feed them first.

They taught the Gospel Plan

Faith

Repentance

Baptism

Enduring to the end.

We are a family here on earth....

 Temple and families go together...

 Ben and Melissa's crew...

 Becky and Larry's fam...

 Ross and Grandpa found the machinery even at the temple.

 Dylan is in deep deep thought...

 The beautiful girls...

 Elder and Sister Campbell?  OR

Grandpa and Grandma Campbell!

The close of a beautiful day...

There are so many out there who plead and pray for help.

There are those who are discouraged, 

those who long to return but who don't know how to begin...

Let us have ready hands,

clean hands, 

and willing hearts,

that we may participate in providing what...

our Heavenly Father would have others receive from Him.
(President Thomas S Monson)

The ability to appreciate beauty is of God

There is so much beauty around us...

Especially in the people we meet daily...

They are a true gift to us.

 Our Preparation day at Port Orange.
Beautiful little park in which to teach Karen.

 We introduced her to the New Smyrna Sisters
Sisters Worwood and Peterson
(Sister Warwood was transferred to Stuart)

Karen Sisters Campbell Peterson and Warwood

The adventures of a Senior couple finding 'sheep;

This is a back road or sand pit.
So glad we had our four wheel drive.

This was a challenge even for it.

There is a miracle in this trip.

 We spent a couple hours trying to find a sister.
Which included many roads like the above.
When we found her place there was a gate, brick wall and electric wire and dog.
Elder Campbell wrote a note with our phone number.
Then she showed up!
She was so glad to be found.
She wanted to come back.
IF...
We had been able to just drive directly to her home ( only12 miles)
We would have missed her...
The Lord allowed us to see some beautiful country...
and rough roads...
So she could get home before we left.
The Lord is in Control.

We have met some wonderful people this week...
Some who don't really want to be found...
BUT
Another sister who was 'kind of  lazy' as she said.
She has been reading praying and had a couple babies while being less active...
 She wants her new born and two year old blessed.
 Since she had been gone so long she didn't think she was worthy to come back.Oh how sad.
She is a daughter of God.
She now knows that.

Elder Campbell went out with the Elders a couple of times this week as well.
That gave me time here to catch up on our records...
Yes someone has to do it.

District Meeting

 High Priest Day...
I guess High Priests wear suits that don't match.
These guys are so funny.
Elders Harrington Cook Cooper Squires Haack Day Sisters McClain and Barlow

We got our trees pruned this week

The shredder and I think this was the last truck.  There was a lot of stuff hauld off.

The weather has cooled off and that has been wonderful

 People say that is why they live in Florida.

In the fall this tree blooms with the most beautiful yellow flower.
There is another one with red flowers.
Together they really look like fall.

More signs that we see as we travel
Look closely...

 Bear Crossing...
Garbage's are in wire cages.

The South is still alive!

We see these all over...

 Always a reminder of our sweet loved ones...

No it isn't a tropical storm or hurricane...

 But a lot of water and flooding.
As we are doing this blog it has been two days of rain and low pressure.

Some of the country we saw this week...

 A baptism in the Deltona Ward

 Sisters McClain and Barlow...
With Mike and the ward member who baptized him.
We took an 'investigator' to this baptism...
She was impressed.
We went out to dinner with her and took the sisters at her request.
Wonderful fellowship time.
She loves the sister missionaries.


The ability to appreciate beauty is of God.
Especially in one another.
Look for beauty in everyone you meet, and you'll find it.
Everyone carries divinity within them.
And everyone we meet has something to impart.
(Richard Paul Evans)

The field is white already to harvest.....

Stan made the comment this week that has given me much to ponder.

"If we harvested our wheat

like we harvest people for the Lord's Kingdom

we would only get one kernel at a time."

Before we came here, by here I mean Deland...

we always supported missionary work...

we even dabbled in it at home and while we worked in the office.

BUT!

Now that we are actually trying to harvest...

We find it so rewarding...

along with tiring...

frustrating...

heartbreaking...

and sometimes discouraging.

We need the members to fellowship...

to find people to teach...

to get out of themselves and look more to the Lord's Kingdom.

We have so many who help...

Yet there are more that don't think they have time....

Monday was our Preparation day but were able to give service to an investigator.

It was a very pleasant day...

That service spilled over to Tuesday when she needed a ride to where she was moving to.

She had a neighbor who packed her things in his truck and took them to Port Orange...

But she and her dog needed a ride.

 

 Yes that is a dog in our car....

 It was a beautiful day and ride.

 Sorry I just got Karen...Pebbles was being funny....

District Meeting...

The last week of this transfer...

So we took pictures....

Just in case someone was transferred next week. 

 Elder Harrington Sister McClaine, Elder Squires Cooper Haack Day Sister Barlow Elder Cook and the 'ol senior couple.


We do a lot of work together...
They help us...
We help them.

Elder Haack Campbell and Harrington taking a break between teaching appointments.

Planning for the next appointment.

Conference...

 This is always such a monumental time in life.

Just think...

It is a time when we can be taught and trained by the Prophet himself...

as well as the 12 apostles...

and those called to help and serve.

What a privilege.

To be able to receive answers to our prayers...

Revelation for ourselves...

Who among us doesn't need that?

How many could use that opportunity?

Once again I do not have words to express gratitude...

for the words and counsel given.

So much has been said.

I could summarize...

But what I heard may not be what you heard and needed.

Humility is the only feeling I can express.

Break between Saturday Conference...

They had dinner appointments at members homes Sunday.
Elder Campbell Squires Cooper Haack and Harrington.
What wonderful young men...
They each talked about their impressions and emotions.
Humbling once again.

...Therefore,
O ye that embark in the service of God, 
see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, 
that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day... 

The field IS white ready to harvest;

and lo,
he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might,
the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, 
but, 
bringeth salvation to his soul.....