Hello
everybody,
The temperature is getting close to
reasonable on some days which is a blessing. The humidity is gone which
is wonderful. Water to drink truly is the greatest treasure besides the
Scriptures.
Ruskin
has been going along as usual. Last week we had the car abducted on Monday so the
Riverview Elders could visit everyone they wanted to before they got
transferred. We went out to discover that my bike tire was flat and had
to walk home but luckily we were able to get a ride back. My bike
is slowly aging and becoming decrepit. I suspect that it will last me my
whole mission before "the Black Stallion" succumbs to rust and kicks
the bucket. The bell fell off during the first week and various parts
slowly break down, such as my back brake.
Tuesday
was crazy as my bike tire was completely flat so we walked. We had to
walk about four miles to get to some appointments and we were sore afterwards.
We did get there on time though and had some good lessons. On the way
back we got a ride home which was cool. It is good to have the car but it
makes you soft. It is cool to see how you get in shape during bike week
as the morning runs do not bother me as much. We spent the end of the day
talking to a less active who hides out nearby the bay.
We
were able to get our car back when we went to transfers with the Riverview
Elders. Elder Johnson and Elder Hathaway went down to Port Charlotte, the
area closest to the Fort Lauderdale Mission. Elder Kimble, their trainee, has
finished training and is a district leader in Tampa 1 and is finishing another
Elder's training. Tampa 1 covers the main section of Tampa so he will be
talking to lots of people in the "big city". Tampa is probably
close to the size of Salt Lake City as far as land area, but it has about twice
as many people. Before we went to the mission office we ate a sumptuous meal at
IHOP. Combining pancakes is a good idea.
Elder
Pruszynski and Elder Keppner came from Lakeland to Riverview as they shut down
their area. Elder Pruszynski is from Arizona and loves to catch anything
he can, including but not limited to Alligators, possums, snakes, armadillos,
and large fish. This should be an interesting transfer.
The
rest of the week was not too eventful. We mainly went by several people
to see how they were doing and some of our investigators seem to be
progressing. The Sisters in Apollo Beach have been having lots of success
with all of the single women we find which is cool because when "one
baptizes we all baptize" - President Cooper.
On
Sunday we went around to a bunch of members and shared our standard missionary
message. The ward seems to be coming much more along.
To
finish this up I shall share a spiritual thought:
I
read about Enoch this past week. He went from being shy and saying:
Why
is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the
people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?
To
relying on the Lord and having faith and this is what was said of him
And
so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their
enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the
earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the
rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was
heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was
the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had
given him.
And
to close out with a good quote by Elder Jeff -
Plain
old, inadequate Enoch—whose name is now synonymous with transcendent
righteousness. The next time you are tempted to paint your self-portrait dismal
gray, highlighted with lackluster beige, just remember that in like manner have
this kingdom’s most splendid men and women been tempted. I say to you as Joshua
said to the tribes of Israel as they faced one of their most difficult tasks,
“Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you”
(Joshua 3:5). (Jeffrey R. Holland)
I
know that while we have tons of weaknesses, as we rely on the Lord and have
faith that He knows what will make us better, it will happen.
Anywho,
I hope all of you do well and have lots of fun.
See
ya'll next week!
Pictures:
Elder Fabricius and the Elders in our district. Elder Pruszynski is the
one with the unparalleled smile.
A picture a member sent us last week
