District Meeting in Starke

A district meeting is held once a week and is ran by the district leader. Elder Blair ran a great meeting and had an activity of walking through a maze blindfolded. Elder Brown is trying it without the aid of the 'still small voice'. He didn't get very far on his own. Elder Bass successfully made it with the whisperings of the 'spirit' (Elder Blair).

Baptism - Victor Noriega

It would be impossible to document all the baptisms of the mission but I hope the few we show will portray the incredible spirit that is there.

This is the Noriega family with Elder Johnson.

Sister Noriega and her two children where taught and baptized a year ago by Elder Johnson and Elder Black. Soon after the area was closed to missionaries. Victor Noriega, the father, decided to be baptized recently and they asked Elder Johnson to come back and perform the ordinance. Elder Black recently finished his mission. I'm sure he would have wanted to be there.
It was a day filled with the spirit. After Sister Noriega bore her testimony we all saw a glimpse of eternity as that sweet family spontaneously formed a group hug and wept in front of those assembled. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. We saw and felt that families are indeed eternal.

Leadership Training Seminar

There are many changes made church wide in the way missions are run. One of those changes is a 3 day seminar for all the mission leadership and all the trainers. The curriculum is provided by the church missionary department. We met in the institute classroom for 3 days of doctrinal training and leadership training. There were many powerful moments. We all were taught and edified. Each zone leaders and the assistants taught the sessions. They were superb. You would be proud of your sons.
Elder Perez teaching.
Elder Jackson, Elder Price, Elder Huntsman, Elder Spencer Front: Elder Call, Elder Kasper, and Elder Pelo. (Notice Elder Zabriskie looking over their shoulders. He didn't think I would notice.)
A major part of their training is practicing what they learn. We spent about 2 hours a day role-playing and evaluating. This is Elder Brown and Elder Johnson.
Sister Kitchen is the investigator for Sister Joslin.
Elder Trott and Elder Toney. Pres. Barry would go around in the practice sessions, listen and train one on one...except for those Spanish speakers. :)
Elder Johnson and Elder Taft practicing how to invite people to read the Book of Mormon.
Pres. Barry teaching leadership skills.

Zone Leader Council

We have a monthly Zone Leader Council. This is where decisions on how to run the mission are made. President Barry also trains and teaches. These are outstanding leaders.

They are role playing a planning session.
Elders McFarland and Pelo, Elders Johnson and Taft, Elders Tate and Huntsman

From left to right: Elders VanGenderen, Pelo, Osborn, McFarland, Brandon, Atherton, Failner, Maxwell, Johnson, Call, Tate, Kasper, Huntsman, Perrez, Taft and Pres. Barry

Good-bye to another group

These 6 elders are amazing. They have been the leaders and the heartbeat of the mission. We wish them success and a life of missionary work and serviceElders Macdonald, Clark, Graham, Black, Schroeder and Warburton

Wedding and a Baptism

Many elders participated in the teaching of this wonderful convert, Sister Beatriz Giardo. Elders Johnson, Carty, Toney and Barrionuevo to name just a few. She married her boyfriend and was baptized right after.

Elder Williams, who finished his mission in June, was here for a visit and she asked him to baptise her. It was a spiritual day

Ready to Serve

Look at the light in their eyes and the excitment in their faces. We are thrilled to welcome our first group of missionaries to the Florida Jacksonville Mission. They are so ready to get to work. We had a great evening with them and were strengthed by their testimonies
Back Row: Elder Lucas, Elder Maxfield, Elder Graham
Front Row: Elder Lisman, Sister Martins, Elder Hammond

Great Missionaries Going Home

President Barry and I have been here for only 5 weeks and we love these 4 great missionaries as if we had known them for years. We are truly in awe of their dedication, testimonies, service and love of the Lord. They will be missed.

Elder Jolley, Elder Danielson, Elder Izatt and Elder Terry