Monday, September 30, 2013

So excited for this baptism!

Brother Amos Quick was baptized about two months ago, and was able to baptize his grandchildren. What a special day!
Super duper missionaries, Sister Jamison and Sister Gossling.

Coastal Cleanup in Tallahassee

Many of our missionaries participated in the annual "Coastal Cleanup" along the gulf coast this past weekend. It was a great opportunity for us to show off our new "finding" t-shirts. The logo on the front says; "We specialize in Family Trees", and Mormon.org on the back.
Great job missionaries!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Welcoming our first two Spanish speaking Sister Missionaries to the Tallahassee Zone. President Rodriguez is a HAPPY Branch President! We are looking forward to great things from the two of you, Sister Dawe, and Sister Richardson!

Mission Tour with Elder and Sister Pino

We have been so privileged to tour the Mission with Elder and Sister Pino, General Authority, this past week. We enjoyed a great weekend in Panama City for Stake Conference where we had the opportunity to speak along with Elder and Sister Pino. We then held a Mission Conference with half of our missionaries on Tuesday, and the other half on Wednesday, where we were instructed and blessed with the testimony and teachings of Elder and Sister Pino. Some of our missionaries had to drive three plus hours to be at the conference beginning at 9:00 a.m. We feel very blessed to have such wonderful missionaries, and it was so inspiring to be with so many at one time!
And our lucky Assistants had the opportunity to have dinner with Elder and Sister Pino.
Elder Pino gave us some great council on how to achieve our Mission Vision. He asked Elder Wilkey to draw on the blackboard his message. It was fabulous!
It was a great week!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Family History Booth in DeFuniak Springs

Sister Cooper and Sister Bennion participating in the Family History Booth during the town Fair in DeFuniak Springs. It worked well until the downpour of rain! I know they will look for other opportunities.

Went Teaching with These Cute Sisters!

So grateful for the wonderful service from these two sister missionaries! We had the opportunity of teaching with them today at the home of Brother and Sister Smith. They are a powerhouse companionship and we truly love them.

Elder Correa

This is Elder Correa's cute family. They came to the mission home to pick him up from his mission, and will drive back to Gainsville, Florida.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Departing Elders

Good bye to some of our most valiant Elders! Elder Norton, Jolley, Bastian, Deardon, Meza, and Correa.
We love our Spanish Elders; Elder Deardon, Elder Meza, and Elder Correa. Elder Meza's family picked him up at the Mission home this morning for the trip back home to Georgia.
And, the traditional picture at the Airport---
We'll miss you Elders!!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

And, Last Weekend -

We attended the most incredible fireside in the Fort Walton Stake, planned and put on by our very own Sister Bunderson and Sister Strickland.
It was a musical production about the life of the prophet Joseph Smith. The chapel and cultural hall were filled with members and non-members. What a great way to share the message of the gospel. Way to go Sisters!! And we have to say our missionaries ROCK! Seventeen of Heavenly Fathers children were brought into the waters of baptism last week. We are very proud of them.

They're Here! 35 New Missionaries

It's quite a sight to see when thirty five missionaries arrive at the airport! People stop to watch and wonder who these great looking young men and women are. It's also an opportunity to share pass along cards. Of course it always becomes a challenge when the plane can't load thirty one pieces of our luggage! But it arrived later last night, and every missionary is on his or her way to their new companion and area.
One last picture of the group before they begin their travels!
Unfortunately tomorrow we will have to say good bye to Elder Norton, Assistant to the President. We love him, and will really miss him and the wonderful gifts and talents he has blessed this mission with.
And, we welcome Elder Wright as our new Assistant along with Elder Rhoades.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

BUSY Saturday

We began our Saturday attending a Baptism for Dennis, in the Tally 1st Ward with Sister Krebs and Sister Milne. What a great way to begin a day!
We then helped our campus missionaries get set up for the trial run of our new "Finding Tool" on the FSU campus. Helping Seminole fans find out their heritage through Family Search. Who knew missionary work could be so much fun! We received some great referrals, and are looking forward to the next game.
And then we topped off the day as we headed west to Marianna for the Wards Annual Peanut Boil. Bishop Sims invited us to celebrate with the ward. Elder Taylor and Elder Farris were out harvesting in the afternoon, while Men in the ward boiled peanuts for several hours prior to the party. It was great fun to see Elders Taylor and Farris, Sisters McKenzie and King, Elder and Sister Thompson, Elder and Sister Griffen, and the wonderful Marianna Ward members. We found out that 2/3 of the peanuts grown and harvested for use in this country come from Marianna, and north into Alabama and Georgia. It's a great day to be a missionary in the Florida Tallahassee Mission!