Wednesday, April 27, 2016

#connectinggenerations

We spent the last two days with Elder and Sister Price learning all we could about family search. They are such a blessing to our Mission.

Baptism in Lynn Haven

Baptism in Calloway

Baptism in Quincy

Too Poor To Knock

Connecting Generations in Destin

Baptism in Crestview

Vacation in Milton . . . . . .sort of

Marianna Sisters

Rich History in Ozark

Crestview

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Monday Motivational

Monday's Motivational comes from the great baseball player, Jackie Robinson. Born in our little ole Cairo, Georgia. There is a plaque on the property of his birth place, along with the chimney from the house he was born in. Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was an American Major League Baseball second baseman who became the first African American to play in the major leagues in the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when the Brooklyn Dodgers started him at first base on April 15, 1947. The Dodgers, by playing Robinson, heralded the end of racial segregation that had relegated black players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Cairo Branch

Church in beautiful Cairo, Georgia today. Love the surrounding area of this Branch building, the people, and our Missionaries who serve there. We also stopped on our way back to Tallahassee at the birthplace of Jackie Robinson. There is such great history in this area. Love it!

Our Last Mission President Seminar

Thought from Elder Kopischke during our Mission Presidents Seminar this week, "Extraordinary Faith, requires Extraordinary Prayer, brings Extraordinary results!

Baptism in Tallahassee

Protestor At Church Today

Bishop Smith helping a Protestor feel welcome at Church today!

Tally 3 District Elders

Tally 3 District Elders Unite!

Good Bye Elder Moss

Crawfordville WARD

The Crawfordville Branch is now a Ward! The Missionaries are pretty excited about it too!

Elder Gunnell Talks to Everyone!

Monday, April 18, 2016

Dothan Stake Conference

We attended our last Stake Conference this past weekend in Dothan, Alabama. It was so much fun to see the Members and Missionaries. Special treat - the Missionaries sang the Mission song during Conference. And we had to get a picture of Elder Kopischke, visiting Authority, with some of our Missionaries.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Meet Sister Katherine Smith

Hi I'm Katherine I grew up in Phoenix, AZ. I just graduated from college after all these years. I'm a Mormon.
About Me I have three sisters who are my best friends. The things I enjoy doing most are reading, writing, and watching movies. I am married to the best guy in the world and I have 5 children and 9 grandchildren. I love hanging out with all of them as much as possible. I just graduated from college so now I have a lot more free time. I love family vacations at the beach or in the mountains. I was baptized when I was 17 after attending daily Seminary classes for four years with my friends. My faith in the Savior has carried me through some hard times. I love my life! Why I am a Mormon The examples of my friends caused me to ask, "What is it that is different about them?" I knew the answer was that they were happy. I wanted that too. I loved the atmosphere in my friends' homes. It felt different there. I could see that the Savior was central in their lives. I grew up in a religious home, but it felt like more of a ritual than a daily practice. During my teens, my best friend's father died, but rather than this experience throwing the family into a downward spiral they were able to understand that family relationships continue beyond the grave. I wanted to have access to those same sacred ordinances that bind families together forever. Personal Stories Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome? I was excited to be having another baby. We were expecting a little sister for our 3 sons and only daughter. The pregnancy had been difficult with all the usual nausea, heartburn, and discomfort. Labor proceeded uneventfully. Everything was fine. That is until the moment she came through the birth canal. Tragically, the umbilical cord ruptured, and our baby did not live. Despite our sadness and grief at the loss of our daughter, I clung to my knowledge that we had been sealed together in the Temple and that we would see this little baby again. The principle of eternal families helped me to overcome this painful trial. How I live my faith I love being in a church that has a lay ministry and where everyone has a chance to serve others. Over the years I have taught lessons, been a Cub Scout Den Leader, helped the Boy Scouts advance in rank, fed the homeless, and ministered to the needy. Sometimes the work I am asked to do is easy and sometimes I get to stretch out of my comfort zone, but always the rewards are great and I am the one who benefits and learns the most. Currently my husband and I are preparing to serve with and lead more than 200 missionaries for the next three years. I am looking forward to the many opportunities I will have to work with these wonderful young women and men who give up prime time in their lives to invite others to come unto Christ.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Monday Motivational

Fearless

Yeah!

Hoping For the Luck of the Irish

Dress For Success

The Long and Winding Road

The long and winding road that leads to beautiful Bellgrath Gardens.

A Great Day for a Baptism

Elder Abrams and Elder Miller in Lynn Haven.

Baptism Day in Sandestin

Baptism day in Sandestin for our Spanish Elders, Elder Bradshaw and Elder Chapdelaine.

Baptism Day in Calloway

Baptism day in Calloway for Sister Kinghorn and Sister Graham.

Just Fitting In With Their Surroundings

Baptism Day in Daphne

Baptism day in Daphne for Elder Pusey and Elder Dixon.