St. Pete South

St Pete North Zone

Brooke

It is curious to me how affected I am with Brooke leaving on her mission. I am strangely moved and touched by it all. Missions are so hard but so beautiful. Since we have come on our mission I haven't been with her anyway except for the week she spent with us last year, so why am I missing her so much? It is good and the right place for her to be and I will be praying for her with all of my heart. Bon Voyage and go with God's speed. May the Lord bless you and keep you til we meet again. Sweet Granddaughter.

Brooke and her friend Megan both called to serve together. They both came and spent a week with us last year and went out teaching with me and with the Sister missionaries. It is such a choice blessing to be serving with her at the same time. Tender Mercy that we will always have this that we shared.

Tampa South

Interviews in Tampa South Zone. Beautiful wonderful missionaries. I'll have them all by the end of two weeks.

Tampa North Interviews

Visitors when we went to our car after interviews. They are so beautiful and were so close. They are one of President's favorite birds.

That first aid kit is his scripture cover-very appropriate

More Emotional Week

These posts are backwards but that won't surprise you. I still do not know how to go private. Transfer week also means we will be sending home another group of missionaries who we have grown so close. This group is our first born meaning they were the first we welcomed to the mission after we arrived. We have been so blessed that everyone of them finished their service and were exceptionally obedient and valiant. At our testimony meeting every single one of us were sobbing. They surprised us with a gift and a song. They were all committed to work hard until the very end. The hardest part for them was their families counting down the days. They were trying not to be reminded so they could focus on the work. Of course, that is is exactly what I did for my missionaries. It is part of the process. They have set a beautiful pattern for the rest of their lives. They are going to be fine and I am so happy for their Mothers!

Below is another of these Elders and the two sisters also returning after 18 months. They have both been fantastic and diligent and we will miss them very much. They better all keep in touch as we will care about their happiness forever.

Here is a recent convert from the YSA. Our returning Elders taught him and he was baptized in the gulf during tropical storm Debbie. He played for them this one last night. He is playing and then they are posing together:

And today right after bidding them adieu we drove to Sarasota for a specialized training to train our new District Leaders. AFter the meeting these Elders are doing something???? They are happy because they are obedient and diligent

Emotional Week

When President Eyring called us to preside over the Florida Tampa Mission, our hearts immediately began to swell and grow with love for our missionaries even before we ever knew them. This love is hard to explain because it is so intense. We are so excited each transfer to welcome in our beloved new missionaries. I have to admit that part of me has a heart ache as I think of their mothers. I well remember the bitter sweet feelings when my missionaries were serving. It was like I prayed every day of their lives that they would serve and then when they did, I asked myself, "wait a minute did I pray for this?" We are so committed to do all we can to help them have a successful mission and to set a pattern for the rest of their lives. We are doing the best we can to keep them safe and happy and to help them really get to know their Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank heavens, the Lord is with them and us to lead us in this great work. You can tell by these pictures how beautiful they are. They are ready to go! Pray for all of us!