Last Wednesday, as Paul and I were walking out our front door for our walk, we witnessed a beautiful rainbow that spanned the entire horizon in front of us.  What a way to begin our day.  Now that the weather is getting more tolerable (less humidity) we are going out more to walk.  We are walking around our block (3 miles).  It is so refreshing.  If Paul doesn't go to the gym and we walk together we work on memorization.  We have 8 statements and scriptures on obedience that we are to memorize and then we have to keep "Remember This" from Preach My Gospel in our heads.  If I go alone I listen to a conference talk on my phone.  I really enjoy my morning walks.  

After our refreshing walk we had district meeting.  Elder Taveras had told us that he was going to ask one of us who haven't spoken before to give our 4 minute talk on Faith.  I have spoken before though.  I reviewed my notes the night before just in case.   I had spent some time on that attribute a few months ago in preparation for a talk if necessary.  But usually the Elders and Sisters are called to speak so I wasn't too worried.  Should have been.  Paul and I were early to the meeting and Elder Taveras asked me to speak.  It's supposed to be 4 minutes but Paul said that I talked for ten.  I kept waiting for someone to give me the ax.  Someone always times the talk and always stops the speaker at 4 minutes.  I finally decided to end my talk and asked how long I spoke and they said they didn't know.  I spoke on Alma 32 and gave them 5 things that help strengthen our Faith.  Alma 32 is one of my favorite scriptures.
We were challenged to read the first four gospels of the New Testament by the 6th of November and were given a daily reading chart.  Paul and I decided to read it out loud and to start the Book of Mormon over again.   It has been wonderful reading together.  It gives us a chance to talk about what we are reading and to understand better what we are reading by cross referencing and using other books to help. 
After District Meeting this week we picked up a couple of sisters in our ward and drove to Orlando to the Temple.  We look forward to our Temple trips.  They are few and far  between.  We can only go when someone in the ward invites us, or when there is a ward activity.  This week the youth were going to do baptisms for the dead.  Paul went with the kids and I did a session with the sisters.  It was a small session.  Five women (two of whom were French) and 1 man.  But the spirit was there and we  had a wonderful time in the Lord's house.

This week at District Meeting we were all asked to give our testimony about the Atonement and Faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.  That was a surprise and we all scrambled to find some of our favorite scriptures.  We also were to talk about 4 minutes.  It was a very spiritual and uplifting meeting.  These young kids are so in tune and love the Lord so much.  They are an inspiration to me.  It is also transfers again and that means pictures.  I love these missionaries and will miss those that leave us.  We also had inspections this week and so I got pictures of companionship's.

Elder Taveras                                                         Elder Durrant

Elder Walker                                        Elder Kenyon

Elder Perry                                               Elder Cornia

                       

Elder Alohikea                                           Elder  Hansen

Elder Spendlove                                       Elder Schenk

Elder McKenna                              Elder Hendley (being transferred)

Orlando Florida Temple

Sister Merrill         Me         Sister Ny

We are slowly whittling away at our ward list.  Our goal is to visit everyone on the list at least one time.  We have moved out over 250 people and are down to about 40 people we still need to see.  We continually have new move-ins so we'll probably never get to the end of it.   There was a while there that we just couldn't get into any ones home (less actives).   It can be a little discouraging. But the past couple of weeks we have been getting in and have had some wonderful visits.   One sister we visited, just lost her husband.  He was very controlling and she didn't get to church very often.  She is now very active and excited to be back to church.  We visit with people that can't come to church because of health and then there are those that are healthy and go to a different church because it is more convenient.  They love having us visit but it is obvious that they don't have a strong testimony.  Wish we could help them see what they are missing.

A week ago we had our Primary Program.  How adorable those kids were.  I could even see some of my own grand kids through these children.  One little boy would blurt out the words he knew.  Every so often he was singing with a very loud voice.  You could see the mischief in his eyes.  It reminds me of my little Jeremy.  Not sure how he would sing but he has that mischief in his eyes.  Then there was one little boy who read a talk.  He is only in kindergarten and didn't miss a word.  I thought of my little Seth who at 4 years old is reading the scriptures.

This ward is keeping us busy.  I was called one Sunday morning and asked to teach the Gospel Principles class.  The teacher was sick.  Paul said I could do it because he taught the last class.  At least he had time to prepare.  I had 20 minutes.  It was on Eternal Marriage.  I know that the Lord is with me because I am doing things that I never could accomplish without His help.  Paul and I taught Sunday School the past couple of weeks.  We each took one class.   I love teaching the youth.  These kids are also our Seminary class and we love being with them.  They are a great bunch of kids.

Our investigator, Don, is still plugging along.  We have given him all the lessons and then some.  He keeps telling us to be patient with him.  The past week we played Hugh B. Brown's talk, "Profile of a Prophet".  He was very impressed.  He came to church again this week.  Our goal now is to get him to stay after Sacrament Meeting.  He is working on quitting his smoking and coffee.  I think he is gaining a small testimony.  Hopefully we can help it grow as we continue to meet with him and are 'patient'.

We had our Bonus meeting this month and made this cute little BOO banner.  I put it on the inside of my front door.  We also made the most delicious caramel apples and some were covered with chocolate, caramel, and nuts.  Mmmm! they were delicious.  

 Last Friday we had our Trunk or Treat.  It was quite a night.  I started the day by making banana bread for the desserts table.  Midway through the day I made a big pot of Chili.  They had a chili cook-off.   Sister Frisco won for the second time.  We had dinner, the kids played games, and they had a yellow brick road and the Wizard of Oz in the Relief Society Room.  They said this was the third year and we all loved it.  The kids all lined up to get into Oz.  The Bishop was the Scarecrow in need of a brain, Brother Welling (YM President) was the Tin Man in need of a heart and Brother Kennedy (first counselor) was the cowardly lion in need of courage.  Brother Hesse was the Wizard and handed out candy that related to each need.  They all played their part wonderfully.  What a fun thing for the kids and they didn't have to be scared.  Also, during the evening we had trunk or treat in the parking lot.  Several of the families decorated their cars.

Dinner and games

Sister Maureen Hesse

               Brother and Sister Borgeson

Little Larsen Boy

Brother Frisco

Elder Nelson with Mallory Welling, Samantha and Hope Smith

Spencer Swapp

The Frisco Family.  Sister Frisco won the chili cook-off and the best adult costume.  This family came as a gardening family. 

Me with Kathrine Battle.  She has autism and is the sweetest young woman.  She won the best youth costume. 

Elder McKenna, Elder Hendley, and Sister Erika Rickles, new convert

Me with Bishop Bangerter on the way to Oz

Brother Ben Welling and Mallory

Brother Pat Kennedy

Sister Smith

Brother Hesse

Sister Burgeson (by car) and her sister.

This past week my father began to fail.  He was in a lot of pain and not himself.  On November 2, about 3:30 am he passed on to the other side to be with his eternal companion and sweetheart, my mom, who left this earth in July.  I'm so grateful for the knowledge we have of the plan of salvation and the opportunity to be with our families forever.  The Savior has made that all possible by doing his part and we can be with him and our loved ones also if we do our part.  Mom and dad are now out of the pain and suffering that this life can offer.  They are happy together and I'm sure working on spreading the gospel to those in the spirit world.  We miss you and love you mom and dad and know that we will see you again. 

TOGETHER AGAIN

I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We just finished another great conference.  We were taught well.  There is so much to digest.  I'm grateful that we can re-listen to the talks, read them in the Ensign or watch them on the internet.  We are so blessed to be able to continue to learn as we study these talks during the next 6 months.  I was excited to hear that our young men and women can now leave on their missions at an earlier age. Elder Nelson and Elder Holland said, “We need to be hastening the work.”  This should help with the hastening.  We sisters were also blessed with the Women's Conference last weekend.   The spirit was so strong as I listened to our leaders.  I had more than once a witness that what I was hearing was true.  One theme that I feel I heard throughout both conferences is that our Savior, Jesus Christ, knows us, he understands us and he will support us as we live the principles of the gospel and serve others.  Service is a very essential key in the gospel.  As Elder Eyring told us in Women's Conference, our service may not always be convenient but if we include the Savior he will be there to help us.  I loved Sister Dibb's talk on having a conviction and confidence in being a Mormon.  She told us to know it, live it and love it.  We all need to stand up and be bold and not afraid to say, "Yes, I am a Mormon."  We were taught to: immerse ourselves in the scriptures; to become the person God expects us to be; our testimony is a precious gift; submit fully to God's will; we all need the Atonement of Jesus Christ; Love one another; Come unto Christ; conversion is a lifelong quest; and asked if we Love Him?  These are just a few of the highlights in my notes that I took.  But I think one of my favorites was "Ask the Missionaries.  They can help you."   To me it was a powerful conference, a spiritual feast.  I always feel sad when it is over but know I can continue to fill my lamp with continued study.

After conference on Saturday, we had the Elders over for pizza before the Priesthood session.  We already love our new Elder McKenna.  He will be a very good asset to our area.   And we can already tell that he is focused and ready to work.  He shared his precious delicious cookies with us that his mother sent him for conference.  Thanks Wendy, they are yummy!

 
We were thrilled that our investigator, Don, came to two sessions.  He had a hard time sitting that long because of his knees but I know that he felt the spirit as he heard our apostles speak.  He asked if he could sustain the leaders as we raised our hands to the square in their support.  I hope that what he heard touched his heart and that when we meet with him next Wednesday, we can commit him to baptism.  He is trying really hard to quit his smoking and his coffee.  I think he is making progress.  I challenged him to give up his TV Evangelical ministers and stop reading all the magazines from other churches and try to concentrate on the Book of Mormon this week.  He told me that he only watched one show.  That is progress. 

 On Saturday, the 22nd, we drove to the beach to witness a baptism of a young sister.  She requested to be baptized in the ocean.  It was a beautiful clear day.  The skies and the ocean were so blue.  The water was calm until after the baptism then it got a bit choppy.  There were about 30 people who came which included about 15 missionaries.  As she and the Elders entered the water I thought of our Savior and his baptism in the waters of Jordan; how he set the example for us and fulfilled all righteousness.  It was a beautiful baptism.  There were a few curious people on the beach but they were not distractions for us.

 Elder Benson giving the talk on Baptism

                                                                      A beautiful scene

Sister Molina

Elders from our District and beyond.  I didn't know some of these Elders but most are from here.

Some Senior Couple?

 We also had a baptism in our ward of Theo Swapp, one of my cute piano students.  I was asked to play the music for it.  I wrote in my journal that he has curly blond hair, a stocky little body with a forever smile.  He is really doing well on the piano too.

Theo, Ben (his brother) and Sister Hesse

Theo

Theo and Ben (his older brother)

 We had dinner at the Bishop's for FHE and a goodbye to Elder Hargan.  Elder Hargan was transferred to the Lake Hamilton area.  They really treat us well here.  We had steak and all the fixin's.  Afterwards we played "Hold to the Rod" game which was a lot of fun.  We could have played it all night but I had to break the party up because we were to teach Seminary the next morning.  I knew if I didn't get to bed before 9, I'd be toast in the morning. Four thirty a.m. is really, really early!

Julie Bangerter, Paul, Bishop Bangerter, Elder Hargan

Elders Hargan, Hendley                 Sister Hunt (R.S. President)                       Paul

We've been busy the past couple of weeks.  We helped Sister Hunt prepare her house to sell (she is moving to Texas), helped the Bishop move (thankfully only a few miles up the road, closer to us), helped a sister organize her tiny room in a care center which she shares with another lady, taught several lessons, met with less active families encouraging them to return to the fold, baked lots of bread and banana bread, made lots of salsa and guacamole for appointments at our home with new members, cooked meals for the Elders, gone to dinne with new converts and attended to lots of meetings.  And we love it all.  Being a missionary is a busy time but with lots of rewards.

I finally finished my second drawing of our darling little granddaughter, Brooklyn.  She is the three year old daughter of Brian and Kellie.  We have a wall of pictures of grandchildren and it is hard to know who to draw next.  So I decided to do a still life.  This time and am using colored pencils.

Brooklyn

The best news that we have is that Kimber had her 2nd little boy, grandchild #28.  He was born on Tuesday, October 2.  He is the cutest little thing.  He weighed in at 5 lbs.15 oz.  Mom and baby are doing just fine.  We are always thrilled to have a new addition to our family.  Just a little sad we can't be there to celebrate with them and to hold our little angel. I am grateful for Skype.

Just before the baby was born

 The Happy Family - Logan Matthew Haidenthaller

 Logan

Logan        Weston (his big brother)

 

 Our son, Bret, spent Friday night and Saturday morning with us.  I decided to make a roast with a recipe from the internet.  I had it baking most of the afternoon.  After Bret arrived, we took a drive to Tampa.  I turned the oven down thinking that all would be well.  The meat still needed to get a little more tender.  We returned an hour later.  On the way in the house, Paul stopped to invite our neighbor to dinner.  Unknown to him that the roast was pretty done!  The veggies were black in the pan.  This was not one of my best meals.   So instead of a variety of veggies we had canned green beans, with mashed potatoes, gravy, and a salad.  The meat was still good.  I guess you might say we had burnt offerings that night.  Next morning we left early to have breakfast on the beach.  We took Bret to Caddy's on the Beach.  It is our friend, Tony's, restaurant.  He was there and visited with us a while.  It was a nice visit with Bret but way too short.

We have been teaching seminary again this week.  The teacher had a family emergency and had to leave town.  It is so enjoyable working with the young people.   We get in some extra study as well.  The District Leaders challenged us to read the first four gospels in the New Testament in a month.  We are reading together which is very enjoyable.  It gives us an opportunity to discuss what we are reading.  We also decided to read the Book of Mormon together also.  I love the opportunity to feast upon His word.  This is a royal daily feast.  We have been truly blessed to be here to serve our Heavenly Father.  It is an experience I would recommend to every senior couple and our youth. 

We send our love and prayers to the Urie family.  We hope that little Jonathan is doing well.

We love you all and hope all is well with everyone.  Have a wonderful day.