4/8/2018 Baptism, Red Bird, Artesion Springs

Always wonder how people think of these things - pretty clever (if you know the Hokey Pokey)

    The highlight of this week definitely was the baptism of Dorche', a young lady the sisters met on campus.  After her baptism she told of not being completely satisfied with the church she was attending and had prayed to find something else.  She had looked, found nothing, and had about decided to just stay where she was when she met the sisters on campus.  "There was something about them."  She said she wanted to talk to them, but was hesitant.  Then Sister Studdert (standing next to her in the picture) smiled and said, "I like your hair."  That broke the ice - they talked and set up another appointment.  When they gave her the Book of Mormon she said she knew it was a book she needed to read.  She felt the truthfulness of it but still was a bit dragging her feet on being baptized until general conference.  She didn't miss a session.  "I knew President Nelson was a true prophet."  

The sisters that taught her - Sisters Newman and Studdert
The Elder who baptized her - Elder Altamirano.  

Elder Waite confirmed her the next day in sacrament meeting.

Mike keeps trying to get good pictures of this bird so we can find out what it is -- you can see that it is predominantly red (not a cardinal by the way)

 

When we can we take a few hours on Saturdays to visit places close.  This time it was the Boulware Springs Historic Water Works.  The spring was the source of city water until 1913, 308,000 gallons a day.  University of Florida moved from Lake City to Gainesville in 1905 because the city promised the university free water for life from the Boulware Springs.  The springs still produce 194,000 gallons of water a day, but it now flows into Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and is no longer used in the Gainesville water system, however, University of Florida still does not have to pay for their water.  

 The trail is narrow in some places and you have to move to let the bicycles pass.  There is the short hike we took, a little over 2 miles round trip, but you can actually go up to 20 miles so there are a lot of bikers. 

 We walked down to the bridge - a little better than a mile - 

 one area had Florida trees on one side and pine trees on the other

 There is a unique bike rack at the beginning of the trail that is painted on one end the Scarlet Kingsnake and the other end, the Easter Coral Snake.  The rhyme again:

Red touches black - friend of Jack. 

Red touches yellow - kill a fellow.

Hugh B. Brown shared this story about his mother's encouraging words as he left on his mission when he was about 20.  "Hugh, you remember when you were a little boy and you would have a bad dream or wake up in the night frightened?  You would call from  your room, 'Mother, are you there?' and I would answer and try to comfort you and remove your fears.  Now as you go on a mission and out into the world, there will be times when you will be frightened, when you feel weak, inadequate, alone, and have problems.  I want you to know that you can call to your Heavenly Father as you used to call to me and say, 'Father, are you there? I need your help.'  Do this with the knowledge that He is there and that He will be  ready to help if you will do your part and live worthy of your blessings.  I want to reassure you that He is there and will answer your prayers and needs for your best good." 

      We add our testimony to the truth of that and the importance of prayer in our lives.

D&C 19:23 - Learn of me, and listen to my words, walk in the meekness of my spirit

and you shall have peace in me.

4/1/2018 Oranges, Quilts, RS Birthday Party, and A Temple in Russia

Lots of pictures, few words - but that probably is the best.

They have huge oranges here, this is one of the smaller ones - and the sweetest we have ever eaten - and they have stayed around for four months -- we're hoping it lasts the rest of our time here.

This is the wall in our office,

just in case you missed it -- Aaron gave us the Nevada cutting board and Mike added the pictures.

Another senior sister missionary, the counselor to the mission president's wife and I came out to this.  There are four or five times more than shown here - it was fun to see all the quilts.  There are a lot sold every year.  All the husbands found a reason to stay home.

Trenton's Suwannee Valley Quilt Festival 

The one above was for sale but very expensive .. obviously it is very old.

These are all pieced

It is always fun to see the things going on at the university - They are breaking ground to renovate Norman Hall - built in 1932 and home to the Education College.  It is right across the street from the institute.  They even had the drum line of the UF marching band there .. we got the music but missed the picture of the group.  Apparently there were a lot of dignitaries there, but nobody we knew. 

 Relief Society Birthday Party- The girls spent lots of time decorating to an Alice in Wonderland theme - there were about 12 here, which is a good number.

The girl on the left, Dorche', has a baptismal date set for the 7th of this month.  It is exciting to see the light that comes into people's lives as they learn about the gospel.

Sister Studdert, happy and hard-working, and Julia, member for a year.

Tatiana - our Institute Council President

Julie (RS Pres) Samantha and Amanda (Counselor)  We will lose all three of them in May.  That is something new about a YSA branch - it is always changing.

Amazing conference - and the exciting news of a temple in Russia.  That is an answer to the prayers of many faithful saints for many years.

And another favorite scripture

 Alma 37:37 - Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord,that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou  risest in the morning, let they heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. 

       We are grateful to be here, grateful for our testimonies, grateful for all of our friends and family, grateful, grateful, grateful .. so blessed for so many years ..