Sisters Stegelmeier and Herrera seem to be regular visitors at the mission office. Today it was about some problem with their car. Sister Stegelmeier loves to be in pictures and I have found that she can not talk without using her hands. Sister Herrera is the stabilizing influence in the companionship. Together they continue to find, teach and baptize on an almost weekly basis in the Davie area.

  

Elder and Sister Bare have family visiting and I got this picture before they headed off to Monkey Jungle. Hola to elder Lamb. Elder Lamb came in between transfers because his Spanish was good enough that they did not need to keep him in the MTC for the full 6 weeks. He will be serving with elder Fisher down in Coral Reef.

Here are three of the experiences President Anderson shared in his letter this week…

“There’s one specific moment this week that I really saw how incredible it is to liken the scriptures, we were teaching this girl named Antoinette. She had such a pure heart and her greatest desire is to follow Christ and help others follow Him. During our lesson she was talking about no matter what commandments God gives her she will follow and how all she wants is to be an example to her family members…she is the youngest in her family…so what she was basically saying is “I’m just like Nephi”. So we read with her about Nephi in 1 Nephi 3:7 and shared with her that Nephi,  just like her, wanted to follow God and in turn was placed as the leader over his siblings and was able to lead in righteousness. It was an incredible lesson and she is one of those pure hearted people that just wants to do whatever God asks her too…it’s great finding those prepared to receive the Gospel.”

 

To invoke our testimony of “power and authority” with faith as it pierces others hearts by the Spirit:

 

“We knocked on Dee’s door, and he wouldn’t let us leave a blessing, we continued to testify, and he continued to turn us down. Finally we asked if we could just leave a card with him. He again told us no, he’s not interested, so we left. We went and harvested across the street to some complexes there, and as we were walking upstairs we heard, “SISTERS!” We looked and guess who it was? Dee! He asked us if he could join us at church the next day and wanted to know more. It was amazing to see the change in his heart, from just minutes ago.”

 

Astonish them with powerful faithful testimony:

 

“We harvested this guy who accepted baptism, and then asked if he knew anyone who we could talk to. He said that his neighbor had just gotten out of prison and that we could try next door. So we went and knocked next door, and a guy answered. He was less than thrilled about us and he didn’t want to pray with us. So, we told him (very tactfully) that his neighbor had sent us over and that God had sent us there to see him. He let us pray with him and then we invited him to be baptized. He told us that he had just gotten out of prison and that he was going through a hard time…and when we invited him to be baptized, he accepted. President, I wish you could have seen his face.”

 After going into the office to play catch-up with some things that needed to be done, we went by the temple site to see if there was anything new to be seen.

  

Since the outside of the temple is pretty much finished, most of the work is going on inside. They have started working on the landscaping but it will be months before they actually do anything interesting.

 

Brother Barry is in charge of the construction for the Church and he has been very reluctant when it comes to having his picture taken or for saying much about completion dates, etc. We kid each other about me getting inside and taking pictures. I kidded him that he put up the visitor sign especially for me. He and his lovely wife are fully committed to building temples for as long as they can. He explained that the landscape contractor does not want to put it in too early or he would have to keep it up until it was time to turn it over. But he also does not want to wait so long that he must hurry to get it in. I am hoping that when we go home in three months there will be at least something worth shooting.

  

In the afternoon I went for a walk and took some pictures from around the complex that I think are self explanatory.

  

I took some pictures at Church this morning. I did not remember having any pictures of elders Thorne and Rondo in their suits. Notice how elder Rondo’s great looking purple tie goes so well with Mary’s jacket. We received a call from elders Burt and Andelin asking if we could pick up some of their recent converts and of course we said yes. These three young people really wanted to come to Church but their usual ride was not available.

  

I have mentioned that I have had a hard time getting a picture of elder Van Wagenen and his trainer elder K. Jones. They have been together over 3 weeks and it was not until today that I was able to snap a shot. They are Creole missionaries and so they basically their district covers the whole Fort Lauderdale area. The last picture was taken almost 4 years ago when we were serving in Swaziland. Elder Katende is the one on the right and he just told us that he paid the lobola so he and his bride can plan for a temple marriage in the fall. It is great to see the returned African missionaries plan to have eternal families.

 

On Friday morning when I walked outside a single duck came walking up looking for a hand-out and so I gave it a slice of bread. Since I have not fed the ducks for over a month, this one must have a great memory. Then it was back to serving in the office – my desk looked like there had been a yellow snow storm of post-it-notes. Sisters Stegelmeier and Herrera came to say hello and pick up some supplies. They are doing a great job in the Davie’s area.

  

Today was the first Friday of the month so that meant Zone Leader’s Council was held this morning at the Mission Home. Then about 3:00 most of the ZLs came in to pick up supplies that their zone needed. Elders Edwards and Osborn were the first to check in. Elders Torres and Beer build up a big stack for their zones. Some also had to pick up some bicycles, talk to elder Bare, and drop off baptismal records. By the time they left the big stack of Books of Mormon in English and Spanish were basically wiped out so Mary immediately order more.

  

I like to take pictures of missionaries at the office window.

  

Elders Gust and Skousen show off their best poses while elders Plowman and Shipley rest up after a mind stretching council. One of the things that everyone wants are chapel cards. Mary printed the sheets to order and then the missionaries had to cut them out or take the sheets to their zones and let the missionaries cut their own out. Elder Gust became a master chapel card trimmer…well at least he cut out a lot of cards.

 One of the perks of being senior missionaries is that you can ask for a few days off when family come to visit. Our son Jim and his family had made plans to spend a week at Disney World and President Anderson gave us permission to take three days to be with them. This was especially special for us because our youngest grandchild Colin was born after we were on our mission and so we had never been able to see him in person. Also they live in the Chicago area and so we do not get to see them as often as some of the other children and grandchildren who live in Salt Lake and Provo.

  

As I looked at the picture of the trolley and main street with the castle at the end, I realized it could have been taken 57 years ago when I went to Disneyland for the first time as a 17 year high school student!

  

Charlotte and Oliva liked to be with grandma and grandpa. One of the big things for the children was collecting the autographs of the Disney characters.

  

When we were waiting for the train to come in, a mother duck and 5 little ones came down the station tracks just when a train was about to come in. The station people hurried them along and they made it to safety before they were run over. When we were having lunch this adorable 14 month old walked up and seemed fascinated by Charlotte.

  

I took this series of pictures of Colin and his sippy cup! Good memories for sure

  

On the last day as we were getting ready to leave so we could make the 3 1/2 drive back to our apartment before it got dark, Olivia and Charlotte wanted to ride with us on the People Mover. After that we got lots of big hugs and Olivia did not want to let us go. On the way out I took a last picture of the castle. It was a cold day so Mary wanted to sit in the sun while we waited for the last bus ride back to our resort.

  

On Saturday the Waves invited a couple of food trucks to drop by at lunch time. Since we are great fans of the ‘Great Food Truck Race’ we went by to see what was being offered but did not find anything we thought was worth the prices. The favorite truck was the one serving snow cones or perhaps better to call them snow bowls.

   

On Monday I noticed that there was a line of 5 anhingas along the edge of the pool. The second one from the right seems to have been slightly out of sync with the others. When I got in the van to do some errands, I noticed that the odometer had turned to a perfect 40,000 miles and thought it was worth a picture. Sister Collins seems to be buried in boxes and the other mail that came in Saturday and Monday. She does a great job getting out the mail and writing welcoming letters to the new converts. She also goes out with her husband to find new apartments, clean out apartments, buy furniture and whatever else is needed to make sure the missionaries have safe and comfortable living conditions. They are a truly dedicated couple of missionaries who have been serving as service and full time housing missionaries for over 3 years.

 The mission had Specialized Training meetings on Thursday for the North part of the mission and Friday for the Southern part. We went to the Friday meeting in the Miami Lakes chapel. Missionaries serving in the Miami Beach, Hialeah, Miami and Homestead zones were taught about how to use the Book of Mormon and personal testimonies to answer the needs of their investigators by President Anderson and the APs. Before that sister Anderson talked about the need for listening to and following the spirit. She included a personal story that was very touching and powerful.

  

Elder McCormick and I went to the local Little Ceasar’s and picked up 38 large pepperoni pizzas. It brought back memories of South Africa and the many times we helped serve pizza to the missionaries at conferences and transfers. The sisters got to serve themselves first. I kid sister Anderson about her being able to open a catering service when she is released from their mission. The truth is she enjoys cooking for lots of family and others.

  

Elders Curtis, Maki and Dean seemed were at one table. Some elders found that they would rather share their meal with some of the sister missionaries. Sisters Smith, Hymas, Lira and Schneider serve in different zones but shared a table. After the meeting there was a special sister’s meeting but we had to leave early so I did not get any pictures of all the sisters together.

  

Missionaries everywhere seem to like pizza. There was enough for each missionary to have at least 1/2 of one. Elders Brough and Plowman found one of the far away table and were enjoying their food in peace.

  

They were then joined but the Boices who are serving as Employment specialists. Notice how getting their picture taken does not slow down the eating of most missionaries.  The Andersons ate very healthy – all veggies. Myself and the Evans had veggies but also managed to sample the pizza.

 

One of the things that missionaries love to do – besides eating – is to talk to each other. Elders Bennett, Patino and Benitez shared some thoughts as did sister Andrus and elders Fullmer, Welch and Beer. Early on elders Benitez, Johnson, and Harper were sitting with sister Brown while her companion sister Quiocho was just about to sit down.

  

I love this picture of elder Shipley which shows not only his dexterity and strong teeth but the plate of pizza and lots of good vegetables. His Mother would be proud. Sister Quiocho always likes to pose for me. While elder Shipley was eating his companion elder Gust was sharing some wisdom with other elders.

  

  

We had to go back to the office before the meeting was finished. It was time for the mission finances to be audited for 2012. When we got there sisters Herrera and Stegelmeier came in and I got them to pose with elder Collins who shares the office with me. The middle picture is not from today but from a week ago when elders Hunt and Smoot came in for a visit. After the meeting at Miami Lakes was over the Sommerfeldts came by to check in. It does not seem possible that they only have a couple more weeks before heading home to Canada. The whole mission will miss them greatly.

 Every Wednesday night the missionaries assigned to the Fort Lauderdale ward meet with bishop Brown, brothers Acevedo and Beille for a missionary correlation meeting. It is one of the most enjoyable MCM that I have ever been to – including some I conducted. Not only does the bishop and the other brothers stay on top of what is going on with missionary work and plans to keep up the retention rate, but everyone has a good time.

  

Sister Stegelmeier is not assigned to Fort Lauderdale ward but since she dropped into the office during the day I took a picture of her talking to Mary. Elder Andelin looks on as elder Burt leads the music and bishop Brown sings. Elder Thorne always has a big smile – even when I am not taking his picture.

  

Brother Hafen who often goes out with the missionaries also often joins the meeting. Brother Beille Proust with elder Andelin in the background. Brother Proust has been called to work specifically with new members to see that they get home teachers, callings, and the new member lessons. Hopefully this will increase the retention figures for the ward and the mission. Elder Hunt, one of the zone leaders, was on exchange with elder Jones so I did still have not got a picture of elder Jones and his companion and new to mission elder Van Wagenen. Elder Shipley was also at the meeting as the APs are assigned to one of the areas in the Fort Lauderdale ward.

President Anderson chose these three stories to illustrate his letter this week. They represent the idea that great missionaries, above average missionaries like there are in the Florida Fort Lauderdale mission do not let opposition stop them from bringing the gospel to God’s sons and daughters. In fact they turn opposition into opportunity!

“We knocked our first door of the day … and we were met with an aggressive shout from within the house of a man asking us what we wanted and how we shouldn’t be knocking on people’s doors and how he wanted us to leave.  He wasn’t very kind at all as we were explaining through his window of how we were representatives of Jesus Christ and that he had sent us here to leave a prayer with him, until we said that Jesus Christ loves him and because of that love, we were sent to pray with him.  Right after we expressed that love of the Savior for him, he quickly opened the door and welcomed us in to pray with him and his wife.  He told us that they needed that love from the Savior right now to mend their breaking relationship!  We left the blessing and baptismal invitation with them and they explained how they had both been thinking of being baptized and that they were also looking for a church to join!  Expressing the love that the Savior has for them, unlocked and changed a heart and created a new path for them both as they now are preparing to be baptized.”

 

You are testifying with love in every moment possible:

 

“My companion and I had an awesome harvesting time and it got to the point where we just wanted to continue but yet had other appointments to head out to, so we decided to knock on one more home. We came across Jo, whom had such a bright spirit and accepted the Saviors peace and blessing. After leaving the blessing with him and identifying the spirit, we invited him to church but he was kind of hesitant and wouldn’t give us a for sure “YES”. So Sunday morning we head out to round up our investigators for church, and we came across Jo. Jo stated that he wouldn’t be able to attend church as he was waiting for a phone call in regards to a job. We did what we do best and that was “TESTIFY” letting him know that it’s something Heavenly Father wants him to take part in and that he will truly be blessed throughout that week! Then eventually he said “YES” and he came to church with us. Then yesterday we go out to his house for our scheduled appointment and he stated that he liked church and that he plans to come again this Sunday. We had an awesome lesson with him and invited him to be baptized 01/20 and he accepted knowing that we as Representatives of Jesus Christ will be there every step of the way to prepare him for this exciting moment in his life!”

“That day we set a goal to get 21 blessings (something none of us had done before), and it wasn’t going well. I expressed my frustration to my companion. I was really beginning to feel hopeless. I was desperately introspecting trying to fix the problem… AND didn’t have anyone solid for baptism for the month.  My companion lifted me up and helped me realize I needed more faith. I humbled myself, and repented, realizing I needed to depend on my own strength less, and God more. If we were going to baptize, it was going to be by His hand. We were at 15 blessings and 4 yes’s. The next home was  a Haitian Family who accepted baptism! Then the following 3 did as well! All of which were super cool miracles (1 lady reopened her door after rejecting us, another who wouldn’t open the door, but accepted baptism thru the window); and finally, Marlene and her family of 11, we blessed them and they all clapped after the blessing. They readily accepted dates and to come to church. It took 3 cars to get them all to church, and we saw them last night and they are preparing for baptism this Sunday! I think this has been my lingering problem, trying to do it all on my own, without depending on, and seeking the grace of the Lord.”

I put that last thought in bold because I feel that there are too many times when I have the same problem as this young missionary…depending on the arm of flesh instead of the strength of the Lord.

 In case you have not noticed I carry my camera everywhere I go. It is something that I started doing when we were in Indonesia and it just seems natural now. It takes me a while after we get home to not carry it on my belt. I guess I should get a phone with a camera and then I would only need to have one case instead of two.  I must confess that there are times when I completely forget to take a picture that I should…I am busy doing something else and my older, one track mind just does not register.

These are pictures I took Friday through Monday…

  

For each transfer Sister Pier makes cards for the missionaries that give the date of the transfer, companion’s name, what area they will be serving in and their position. The copies are laminated and trimmed so they can be used on the two transfer boards to show where the missionary is serving and then moved around before transfer to where they will serve. Usually I get to do much of the laminating and trimming – unless of course I can do a Tom Sawyer and get others to do it.  Sunday morning was unusual in that there was quite a bit of fog. But even that could not hide the beauty of our lake and the reflections.

  

One thing that being on other missions has taught us was that we were often called on to transport members and non-members to church and other meetings. That was one of the reasons we bought a good used van to take on this mission – that and the fact that we brought half our house with us. On Saturday the missionaries start working on Round-Up where they contact all their investigators and try to get them committed to going to Church. They will then contact us and ask for rides – they can not provide them in a mission vehicle. On Sunday the APs – Elders Gust and Shipley – met us at this apartment where they had committed some investigators to attending. Unfortunately as sometimes happen either the people decide not to go or just do not get up in time. In this case they did not answer their door or their phone. We were of course sorry for the elders and the people who do not realize what they are missing but it allowed us to go pick up our other investigator for Elders Thorne and Rondo.

 

After picking up Jean we headed for Church. On the way we pass over this small draw bridge and since we had time I stopped and took a picture of the canal with the many boats and nice yards. When we got to Church we got a call from Sisters Bean and Lake who had another contact who needed a ride and was close by so we dashed over there and picked him. It is fun to meet these people who are interested in seeing what services are like. I do not imagine many of them have been to 3 hours of straight church but most seem to enjoy it – especially primary age children – but too few come back for a second time.

The last picture was taken on Monday of elders Shipley, B. Jones  (we also have an elder K. Jones) Gust and Torres. Elders Jones and Torres are the Coral Springs zone leaders and stopped by to pick up some supplies for their area. We love to see and talk to the missionaries when they come through the office. They are so full of the spirit as they talk about how the work is doing.