Go Forward in Faith: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Birthday Fun

My birthday on Wednesday started very early as we arose at 4:30 in order to get the returning missionaries ready to leave for the airport at 5:15 AM. The Assistants and the Office Elders arrived on time. We were all a wee bit weary. To back up, the other day Elder Junk casually mentioned to his mother via email or Mother's Day that the Costco here doesn't carry his favorite muffins. Well, the next day he receives a fedex package of...you guessed it his favorite muffins. So back to the morning. Elder Junk comes up to me bright and early and gives me a warmed up 'favorite muffin' for my birthday. First present of the day. I was touched. Then we headed to Sarasota for our District Leaders Specialized training

Do you think these missionaries are focused on the trainings? Well in all fairness this was during a break.

After the trainings we went to the chapel for testimonies. After the testimonies, we were told to go to the Gym for a picture. President held me back for a minute to chat about how great the missionaries were doing. We then went to the gym for the picture, BUT it was not a picture but a surprise for me...well believe me..I was surprised! Elder Jackson put this together. Again, so sweet!

The missionaries sang to me and then they cheered and clapped and it was too sweet for this departing Missionary Granny. They all agreed that I was turning 29 again... but in reality I am very grateful to be 69.

The cake will wake them up.

Sharing the Cake and the joy.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

May Arrivals and Departures

Sister Stinson arrives from New Zealand..gentleman Elder Junk helps with luggage.

Sister Henderson a very gifted singer

Sisters and Elders getting their luggage

Loading our trailer with tons of luggage

Our trailer and truck.

All of our new missionaries. These are our very last ones. President Cusick will be grateful to have them and they are very blessed to have him.

Training the trainers..notice they avoided the front row. When we were training the trainees they sat on the front rows. Kind of interesting

Elder Langi trying to explain his attire.. It seems he had a very long car ride...

This is a Haitian family who live in Tampa and we don't have Haitian missionaries serving here. When Elder Hogge and Elder Elliott came up to pick up Elder Paupulaire we thought it would be great for them to visit this family. I was grateful to be able to go with them as they taught these beautiful Sisters. These missionaries are amazing and the Spirit was so strong. We have the very best Creole speaking missionaries in the whole world...all 8 of them.

Elder Oliver's last night in the mission. Elder Durrant had a hard time letting him go. These two have served as Zone Leaders together for a long time. You can see by the light in their faces that they have served very faithfully.

Below: Elder Oliver and Elder Shields saying goodbye.

Elder Oliver's last night in the mission.

Elder Hogge and Elder Paupulaire and Elder Elliott. We have all been so excited to have a Native Haitian missionary.

Our Spanish missionaries singing to us in Spanish as a farewell gift.

Saying goodbye to Elder Oliver

Elder Vasher's missionary shoe. I can promise you that he worked that hard for his entire mission.

Our Departing group. Well done dear Elders and Sisters. We will love you forever

Two sisters going home for ankle and knee repair..we are hoping they will return before we leave. If not they will return soon after. They have served valiantly in spite of much pain.