Apostasy:a falling away...The people of Ammonihah once had the gospel and were craftily lulled away from the truth.  They then persecuted the prophets of God (Alma and Amulek) and killed the saints.  They had to prove that they were right and that the prophet and the saints were wrong.  The lawyers of the time created an atmosphere where good was evil and evil was good.  They thought all is well, all is well.  Sound familiar?  Today we see this also as we are meeting and talking with less active members of the church.  When they tell us that they want their names removed from the records of the Church or no longer want to come to church, I usually express some concern and try to talk to them a little but they say all is well..., don't worry..., I'm ok..., you don't have to worry about me, I'm going to be fine, and often with a smile.  For some their inactivity occurred because they were offended or influenced by someone who told them they are in the wrong church, and they listened.  One sister we met the other day was so sweet and kind at the door.  I initially thought that she would listen and come to church. We both commented later that she would make a great R.S. President.  But, she said that because of the actions of others in another stake, she and her family have lost their faith and testimonies.  They have returned to the Catholic Church.  How sad.  It was really disheartening.  We visited another sister that I have been praying for for months now.  We knew that she had quit going to church and had lost her testimony but as we talked to her the first time I felt that there was just a spark of something there so we have kept her in our prayers and kept in touch.  Last week we took her a loaf of bread and visited with her for about an hour.  After some general conversation we started to talk about church and how it might help her.  She at this point is struggling with health and some other big problems.  She says that she is going to have a divine healing when she can put everything behind her and get rid of the anger.  She told us that she had to get in touch with her inner self, feelings and her senses.  (I wish she would come to her senses).   I think I know a "little" of  how our Heavenly Father feels when his children turn away from him when we sin or turn away from him.  Even though we don't know these people at all there is a hurt down deep and a desire to pull them up and out of the pit they are falling into.  These are good, wonderful, nice people who have just lost their way.  And we have to respect their feelings and not push too hard.  In "Know This, That Every Soul is Free" it says, "You can force no man to heaven".   So we leave wondering if we did or said enough.   We continue to pray for these people with the hope that they will someday realize what they have given up.  The Gospel is true but it takes effort and strength, prayer and study, to keep our testimonies strong and to live the principles that are taught us.

This week is transfers.  I always hate to see some of our Sisters and Elders leave.  Elder Palmer has been here since we got here and beyond.  I have grown to love him.  He was our anchor when we first arrived.  He is now going to the Highlands area.  Then we found out that Hermana Beck is going also. She has only been here one transfer.  I was very excited when she was assigned to our area because I had become acquainted with her during the cantata.  She is also going to the Highlands area.  I will miss them both.  Hermana Levanger went home.  She was also here when we arrived but was transferred shortly after.  She then came back to "die" as they say here.  Elder Palmer always talked about being born (coming on your mission), your father (your trainer), your son (greenie), etc.  So when you die you go home.  Monday evening after a lesson with one of the investigators of Elders Palmer and Hargon we took Elder Palmer to say goodbye to some of those he was or is still teaching.  Elder Hargon will take over.  He was a greenie two transfers ago and is now a trainer for Elder Hendley.   We then took them to Jimmy Johns for dinner (actually just a sandwich).  Elder Palmer wanted to eat there.  It was quite tasty.  We'd never been there before.  We offered to drive them on Tuesday if they needed a ride.  They said they were ok....until about 2 pm on Tuesday.  Elder Hargon called to see if we would drive to Tampa and pick them up from the mission office.  Actually it worked out well because we needed some forms and other things for our teaching.  Then we got to meet and get to know our new Elder Hendley.  I will miss Elder Palmer's conversations, planner covers, text messages, and spirit.  He is very unique and a very faithful missionary.  

Kendra and Warren will hopefully be baptized in August

Elder Palmer imitating the statue to the right

Elder Hargon from Washington and Elder Hendley (greenie) from Provo

Dan and Erika:  The Elders are teaching Erika the lessons.  She is moving along well and will soon be baptized.  She requested that we sit in on the lessons.  We meet with her about twice a week now.  Dan, her friend/boyfriend comes to the lessons with her.  He was baptized about two years ago.  

The members in this ward are really good to us.  We have had two dinner invitations this week.  We went to the Hesse's home for a wonderful summer salad dinner.  Sister Hesse made a large green salad with chicken and everything in it and then a fruit salad and some cranberry, raisin bread that was delicious.  It was refreshing from a hot, heavy meal that we often eat.  They told us stories from their life as members of the church.  They are converts of 40 years and are strong and faithful.  Sister Hesse has lots and lots of stories that were fun to listen to, from experiences when her husband was Bishop to basketball games with her kids, etc.  After dinner, I and their daughter, who lives with them, went to the back room to look at the purses that she sells.  They are the new Miche purses.   Several sisters in our ward have them and they are just what I had been looking for.  The highlight of the evening was when Brother Hesse gave us one of his Swedish stitched blankets.  I had admired one of them at one of the shows he was part of.  But it was a bit expensive.  He said at that time he told his wife he was giving that to us if it didn't sell.  I'm grateful it didn't.  It is very beautiful.  We are planning on getting a few more of the smaller ones to take home with us.  Then he told us to take a hat he had crocheted.  He had a box of them and he said that no missionary goes home without a hat.  So we each picked one that was red, white and blue.  He is quite a talented man.  He made teddy bears and blankets and they donated them to the Children's Hospital for years.   These people are so good to us and all the missionaries.  They are so generous and giving and very loved in the ward.

This is the blanket that they gave to us.  

Closer up detail of the blanket

We also went to a gathering for the Nye's who were recently married in the Orlando Temple.  Sister Nye is from the Philippines.  They met over the internet and have known each other for over a year now.  Brother Nye went there a couple of times to visit her and her family.  She had several road blocks in getting here but she was finally able to get them cleared up and come to America.  Brother Nye is our ward mission leader and teaches the Gospel Essentials class.  People like that class so much they stay forever.  We need to find a way to graduate them to the Gospel Doctrine class.   

Brother and Sister Nye: Newlyweds

A few gifts to get them started  (Brother Hesse is on the left)

The sister on the left, Sister VanDyke, passes out the program every Sunday morning and Sister Hesse on the right types up the program every week.  She has been doing this for the past 40 years.  

Cute sister in the pink is Sister Barbara Jamison.  

Elder Nelson and Brother Bill Fiedler (party at his home)

 Revilina and Laine Nye, Ben and Carli Welling, Greg Dolphin

Sherry Fiedler (the party is at her home) and Me

Brother and Sister Jamison and Susan Fulton

Brother West and his two kids.  He is our new Elders Quorum President.  

We were also invited to a barbecue at the Hunt's home and then we watched the fireworks downtown.  They invited  about 3 new young families in the ward, the Bishop and his family and us.  There were lots of kids there.  We have 3 young doctors in the ward.  Two of them are in their residency and one is a chiropractor who teaches at the college.  Brother Hunt boiled a turkey, in hot oil, that was delicious.  They also did hot dogs and we all brought something for the meal.  I made baked beans.  There was a big green salad, frog eye salad, deviled eggs with humus (something new for me [not my favorite]), an artichoke dip to die for, and desserts to our hearts content.  No one went home hungry.  We had a great time visiting with and getting to know some of the new couples and kids. Lots of cute babies.  Of course, the bugs were a part of our party.  Everyone was spraying their kids and themselves to keep the bugs at bay.  I will not miss the bugs.  I have two new bites just today.  I have a long sleeve top on and they still get me.  

Brother and Sister Hunt:  They will soon move to Texas.  He recently got a new job there.  

Julie Bangerter (Bishop's wife)

Tara Arick, kids and Bishop

Two of our new mom's in the ward

This is the Hunt's cat.  We were told it is the meanest cat on earth.  It is also the fattest cat I have ever seen.  Brother Hunt was trying to get it to move and go outside and it started to attack him.  

We're doing great and enjoying each day.  There is always something new to learn or experience.  I finally mastered  D&C 4.  YEA!  It takes a little extra time to memorize things these days but I still have my memory for which I am grateful.  We send our love to all of you.  Have a wonderful day.