Our beloved prophet said it best about Christmas at the devotional this year. 

 "Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season. We can keep Him in our thoughts and in our lives as we go about the work He would have us perform here on earth. At this time, particularly, let us follow His example as we love and serve our fellowman...true love is a reflection of the Savior’s love. In December of each year we call it the Christmas spirit. You can hear it. You can see it. You can feel it."   Thomas S. Monson

We pray at this Christmas season that we can all slow down and let the spirit of Christmas into our hearts and find those that are in need of cheering up, those that are suffering from illness, those that find themselves in less than desirable circumstances.  There is so much suffering in the world and we as the Lord's hands can lift and inspire.  We can lighten someones burden just a little and bring light and joy into their lives.  We can help them hear, see and feel the Christmas spirit through our service to them.   Let us all make room for someone who needs us this Christmas Season.

 The first of the month  the Bishop asked us to take care of a graveside service for a family from Gainesville area.  When I talked to Sister Maruca she said she wanted a talk by Paul.  She said you are missionaries and there will be non-member family attending the service.  She told me that this was our opportunity to share the gospel.  We communicated with the family for a few days by phone and internet and then met them the afternoon of the service.  We became instant friends.  While some of the sisters were preparing the food for the luncheon I practiced a hymn with two young women who were going to sing.  After the food was in warming trays, oven or crock pot we left for the cemetary.  There were about 25-30 people there.  About 6 were members.  Paul did a very nice job talking about the Plan of Salvation.  The two YW sang and the woman's son dedicated the grave.  The sad part was that the grave was right beside a main road and the traffic made it hard to hear really well.  We were invited to stay for the luncheon and was able to get to know more of the family.  We found out that one of the family members that lives in Clearwater, part of our stake, is a member.  On the way home the sister I had been talking with all week called to ask me what make of car we had.  After I told her I asked if they would stop at our apartment and let me get their picture.    I had taken no pictures the whole day.

The Maruca family.  Sister Maruca-on the right-is really fun.  The two YW in front sang.  Can't remember the couple to the left.  They are family though.

So far this month we have moved 2 families within the ward.  People here do not stay in one place for very long.  Luckily we get to keep these families.  They both moved with a few blocks of where they lived.  The first move was on a Saturday morning.  Paul and I were just leaving to go visit some less active members and we got a call that no one had showed up and they needed help.  So we went to help.  By the time we arrived they had about 10 people there.  But we stayed.  It took about 1 1/2 hours to get the truck loaded and unloaded.  When we were done Paul was soaking wet.  He's never sweat so much as he has here.
The other move was for the family we have been involved with a lot.  Sister Morris has stage 4 cancer and has decided to try the chemo and radiation to extend her life.  We are praying that it will work.  We spent all morning filling the truck and boxing up their belongings.  She has tried to get things boxed but has not had the energy to get it done.  So I spent the morning boxing things up while the men hauled the large stuff out.  They are just moving around the corner to a house with a fenced in yard...Our ward has 4 people with cancer of some sort or another.  

We taught seminary for a week while Sister Burgeson was in Germany.  We had planned a very special class for Thursday and wanted as many as we could get there.  So I sent a text to all the kids and told them they would not want to miss because we had a special visitor.
We had asked the Elders to come and be the voice of the Savior.  We asked them to do something from 3 Nephi and also to include some of the names that the Savior is known by.  They did a wonderful job.  They read parts of the Living Christ and 3 Nephi.  One of the Elders was the voice of the Savior and the other read parts that were not direct quotes.   We turned out the lights after Paul had talked a little about the crucifixion and the resurrection.  The Elders spoke from the room next door.  It was very effective I think.  After they were done we asked the Elders to bear their testimonies, then Paul and I were able to bear ours.  The spirit was very strong in that room that morning.  We did have a few more kids come but we have to work on those that don't come.

We went to court last week and were awarded our camera.  But there is now a new glitch.  We were called and told that we have to go to the court house and get a paper of replevin and pay $90 to have a sheriff serve the notice of release.  I thought the detective told me that she could do that, for free but find out that I can't get it until I pay the $90.   The laws here are really weird.  Even if you have proof that something is yours, if a pawn shop buys it from someone you have to pay or take them to court.  And it looks like you still have to pay.

Our RS was reorganized last week.  Jan Hunt, the past RS Pres., is moving to Texas.  Our new President is Sister Meridyn Weatherly.  Her husband is in med school. She told us that this is the second time she has been called to be RS President when he husband was out of town and she was 7 months pregnant.  She has a lot of enthusiasm and will be a very good leader.

Jan Hunt--Thanksgiving dinner at her home. 

Going away dinner for Jan.  She is in the blue.

We decided to make up a little card and attach it to a pass-a-long card.  We were going to make 300 cards for the complex that we live in.  I counted wrong.  Well...there were 4 cards per page; I asked for 300 copies/pages.  So we ended up with 1200 copies.  Oops! :)   I guess the Lord wanted them to get to more than 300 people.  So we took them to PEC meeting and asked the ward leaders to take some to their neighbors and then the Bishop announced it and asked the ward to do the same.  Several of the families took some.  The box is dwindling.  The afternoon that we delivered our cards the Elders came and helped along with our new convert, Erika.  She and I stapled them together and they delivered them.  Two people told them that they couldn't pass them out but I told the Elders to find Elder Nelson and go to the office.  They inquired at the office and they told them they didn't care.  We were not soliciting. We were just wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and directing them to mormon.org.

Last Friday, Paul and I went to Busch Gardens Christmas show.  Lights were everywhere.  They even blew in snow and had a hill that the kids could slide down on tubes.  We went to a show of the Three Wise Men.  They sang and quoted scripture.  Then we went to a ice show that was very colorful and enjoyable.   We walked all over the park and enjoyed the sites for about 3 hours.

The little girl in front stole the show.  She was adorable.

Took a ride around the park and sang Christmas Carols.  It was very festive.

This is a mime.  When someone went up to her she would strike a different pose

Three Wise Men.  These men had beautiful voices

Giant Snowman

Leaving the park

Last week one of the Elders emailed me and said that they heard that I play the piano and that they were including a copy of a song that he and some of the other Elders were singing for the Christmas Conference in Brandon.  It was O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  I spent a lot of time practicing last week.  Lots of chords.  It is amazing how often I am streeetched on this mission.  Well, that day I was really stretched.  After I arrived early to practice with the Elders, a Sister asked me if I would play for her.  She was singing, "Were you There?".  So I practiced with her for a while.  Sister Summerhays came up to me and asked if I was playing the prelude/postlude.  I didn't think so.?  Well my name was on the program so I had to play that.  Pretty much cold turkey.  Then when the program was in progress I noticed that Elder McDougal's name was on the program.  He had asked me to play for him but got sick and said he wasn't singing.  So when he came up to sing he told me to let him sing the first verse alone and then to come in on the second verse.  Needless to say, it was a little bit of a stressful day for me.  The program was very nice though.  There were some very talented Elders and Sisters and President Summerhays even sang a song.

 Out to lunch

 Some happy missionaries

 Practicing for our part of the program.  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 We love this couple.  Elder and Sister Satchel.  They are the office couple and the ones that keep everything going well in our mission.  They leave in February and we will miss them.

Paul and President Summerhays.  I baked some bread for some of the couples.

Elder and Sister Nielsen with Sister Ovatt.  She is going home this month.

We met a couple last week who are new to our ward.  She is a member and he now wants to learn about the gospel.  He said that he had read the Book of Mormon years ago but that he said he was under the influence of alcohol and really didn't understand any of it.  He has been sober for 5 years now and is ready to hear the truth.  They live in a little cottage with very little space.  But they are humble and happy.  He is an artist and paints ships and ocean scenes.  He is very good.  We are trying to decide on one of his paintings.  I like one and Paul likes another.  We will probably be teaching them because they told the young Elders that they wanted us to come visit them.

Cozy dining area.  Even though they have very little, they are willing to share what they have and   invited us to have dinner with them. 

David and Nancy Leonard-this is the painting that he wants us to buy.  It's nice but I have my eye on another.  

Well this is long enough and there is more but I will try to include some of it in our next blog.   Everyday brings a new experience.  We are loving our work here.  We send our love to all and hope that you have a very.....very....very

    Merry Christmas

And a

Happy New year

We pray that as you celebrate Thanksgiving Day you will know that we are thankful for all of you, our family and friends.  We are so grateful for your love, support, and friendship.  We are grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, for his Atonement, grace and mercy.  We are grateful for the Gospel that blesses our lives.  We are grateful for the blessings of life.  We are grateful for children and grandchildren whom we love and adore.  We are grateful for parents who taught us and loved us.  We are grateful for our opportunity to serve our Savior on a mission in Florida.  

Life throws us some curves.  We don't always expect or want them to happen but we know that they are for our good.  Losing both of my parents in the past three months was something I knew could happen but hoped that they would be preserved so I could be with them again in this life.  I have thought about that and realize that these are selfish feelings and what I wanted was not for their good.  Had they lingered they would not be happy.  They were both suffering in their worn out bodies.  I am  grateful Heavenly Father, in his infinite wisdom graciously allowed them to be relieved of their suffering.  I now envision them together again, with happy smiles, willingly serving those who need to hear the gospel.  They are on another mission.  What a blessing.  Knowing this makes it easier to say goodbye for a while.  They are both very special people, loved the Lord and served him and their family well. 
The night before my father passed away, 9 hours, my cousin, Cindy, passed away.  She was also a special daughter of God.  She lost a kidney when she was in her 20's, had two transplants, one lasting for about 30 years.  About a month before her death she fell and broke her neck and things went down from there.   When she lost her mother 20 years ago,  my mother took her in and would include her in our special times.  I was fortunate to attend her funeral while I was in Utah for Dad's funeral. 

Pam Brinkman (Paul's sister)

My Aunt, Thelma Barlow and her daughter, Kathy

 Bret, and his daughter, Isabelle

 Dan, and his wife, Lori

The brothers of my cousin, Cindy.             Bruce                                      Justin                         Byron

Beautiful grandchildren, Brooklyn and Weston

Son-in-law Darren King, daughter, Stacey

My brother Robert and his wife, Lori

Paul's 99 year old mother, MaRee and brother, Miles

Kellie, daughter-in-law and grandson, Crew

Daughter, Kimber, Grandson, Weston and Matt (son-in-law)

My brother, Brent, was presented with the flag 

Picture I drew of mom and dad

Picture of dad on horse

A very delicious meal at the family dinner after funeral

Kimber, Stacey, Me, Isabelle, Lori, Kellie

Dana, (sister-in-law),  son, Scott,  brother-in-law, Miles

Janet, Me and Susan

Beverly Carmack, Ronda Porter

Thank you to all the sisters who helped with the family dinner.

We so appreciate it and love you all.

 While I was gone to Utah, Paul was busy here.  He participated with the ward and branch service project at PARC.  It is like the DI.  They painted the store inside and out.  They set up shelves and organized them.  They organized the clothing racks, book shelves, etc.  They had great participation and the people at PARC were so appreciative of their work.  They have been trying to get this done for years.  Paul took me by the other day and the building looks so nice.  They did a great job.
FYI-I lost my umbrella while I was there.  It's white and has musical notes and staff on it.  If anyone has seen it could you give it to Haley and Bo to take to the house.  Thanks.  

Elders McKenna and Farnsworth

Sister Engerer (Was the HR person for this activity), Sister Fleck

Sister Burgeson - Seminary Teacher when not cruising  :)

 

 Bishop Bangerter                         Elder Nelson                           

When I returned home we had a zone conference.  I always love these meetings.  We learn so much and the spirit is so strong with all that priesthood in the room.  We had a full morning of training.  Sister Summerhays taught us about the true doctrine of the creation.  She talked about Christ being in every part of our salvation.  From the creation to the Atonement.  We broke into groups and were given some scriptures to read and then talk about the purpose, what they teach, comparisons, the blessings we can receive, and how we can connect the dots, so to speak, to help us in our lives.  It was a wonderful learning experience.  It will help us use the Book of Mormon and other scriptures more effectively as we teach.  After a wonderful lunch served by the Spanish Branch, the Elders went with Pres. Summerhays and the sisters, all three of us, went with Sister Summerhays.  The last few minutes of the meeting was spent bearing testimonies.  I love listening to the young people bear their testimonies.  They have such strong faith and commitment and love the Lord. 

Paul, Sister Turley, Sister Rood, Elder Farnsworth

Elder and Sister Keys, Elder Prince

More Elders

And More Elders

 President Summerhays put on some of his wife's clothes to 

roll play with the Elders.  Telling them that there are 

temptations in the world and that they need to be cautious.

Looks like it was a very entertaining roll play

I came home to the news that a sweet sister, a new convert, is back in the hospital with stage 4 cancer.  That was hard for me.  I have grown to love this sister and her little family.  She is so strong under this trial that she is struggling with.  She is raising a grandson, 6 years old, whom she and her husband adopted.  Little William is like a grandson to me.  He always comes to me and gives me a great big hug.  She is so worried about him.  She asked us to help her with some SS issues to be sure that he will be taken care of when she passes.  We in our ward had a fast for her and pray that her time is lengthened and she can return to good health.  But the Lord knows best and will do that which will be right for her and her family.  

Last Saturday President Summerhays took Paul golfing.  Paul was afraid to go home and face his golf buddies and not have played with the pro.  But they finally were able to have a free day and he had a wonderful time.  President Summerhays gave him some pointers to become a better player.  Watch out Dorn, Greg, and Troy.  They played TPC in Tampa.

 Today, Thanksgiving, Paul played with a member of the ward at the Vinoy Country Club.  He said it was an excellent golf course.  But...he said he didn't play very well.  He now needs to put his lessons into practice.

 Vinoy Country Club Golf Course

Vinoy - Beautiful

 Brother Jim Hunt             Paul

The other day I cut up my pumpkins, two of them at least.  The big one started to rot on the bottom and smelled really bad when Paul picked it up.  After I cooked them I made some pumpkin cookies that were so good.  I got the recipe on Pinterest I think.  We always need to have something sweet around here because we are always having a need for a treat.  I've spent the last week making rolls for just about everything.  Last night I took some cinnamon rolls to a dinner appointment we had with a member family.  They were a hit.  Today I made rolls for our Thanksgiving dinner.  I put a little piece of paper with 'I am thankful for....' in the middle as I rolled them up.   We went to dinner at the Hunts (she is our RS Pres).  They also invited a young family with two little children.  The 3 year old ate an entire roll before most of us got our plates filled.   I mentioned that there was a message in the rolls only after we realized that the 3 year old had eaten the roll and message too.  I guess paper won't hurt him.  One day our next door neighbor told us that our apartment smelled like a bakery and I wasn't even baking that day. 

Monday, November 19, we went with some of the other senior couples to Myakka State Park.  We took a ride on an airboat and saw alligators, birds and lots of beautiful nature.  The lake was full of water lilies and different water plants.  The only downfall was it was cold that morning and I wore a very light sweater that did nothing to keep me warm.  After the ride we walked to the little dam that they have there and watched the vultures temp the alligators.  One of our group had a camera with a very large zoom lens.  He got some beautiful close ups in the park.  He had it on a tripod and carried it around everywhere we went.  We had lunch at the cafe in the park.  I decided to try the "gator stew".  Yes, children, your mother ate alligator!   I guess I'm getting braver in my old age.  It was really good.  It tasted like chicken and was very tender.  After our yummy lunch we drove to the canopy overlook of the park.  We had to climb up to a suspension bridge which took us to a tower that went 79 feet into the air.  It was quite a hike but well worth it.  We were above the trees.  It was a beautiful site to see.  It was a great day getting to know the other senior couples that we don't see too often. 

Look at those teeth

We still had a climb ahead of us after crossing the canopy walkway (a suspended bridge)

 

Senior Couples

Cafe where we had lunch and "gator stew"

 Life is good.  We are having a wonderful time.  Since returning from Utah we have been very busy, much of which I will include in another blog.  Time is passing so fast.  We have a little over 7 months left and so much still to do.  Our goal is to visit with all the members of this ward before going home and to get the ward list up to date.  The problem is that we have to get into these homes and it is hard to find people home.  We have been going to an apartment the past couple of weeks (5 or 6 times now) and no one was ever there.  They are new 'move ins'.  Today we checked at the office to see if that apartment is occupied and it has been empty for months.  Not sure where our new move in went!  This happens often though.  By the time we get their records they are already moved out.

We send our love to all of you.  Have a wonderful week.