Where did the year go?!!!

Congratulate President Barry and me...we entered the MTC one year ago today to serve in this most wonderful and rewarding calling. I can't begin to describe the feelings we have experienced. I could not do them justice. It has been the hardest and most challenging calling we have ever had. With great trials come great joy. That joy is centered around Jesus Christ, his atonement and His gospel. It comes by inviting people to come unto Christ and to find that joy for themselves. That joy is shared with over 210 of the most dedicated, spiritual and obedient young men and women we have ever met...your sons and daughters. We lovingly thank you for entrusting them to a couple of novices. They have been patient with us as we learned the ropes. We have all grown together as we strive to become Disciples of our Master - Now and Forever!!

I hesitate sharing with you a few unconventional pictures of our past year. In the past blog posts you have seen the everyday work we do. These are never before seen pictures of our few down times with family and holidays. Enjoy!

Grandma moment...our daughter Verdean and grand daughter, Lexi

Our grand kids made homemade snowflakes for us for Christmas since we don't get that in Florida.  We are making snow angels in our very own snow! 

Grandma moment!! We were blessed with 4 new grandchildren this year!  Olivia came to visit. 

President Barry's birthday

Christmas with our daughter, Jessica



A grandpa moment.



I heard a loud rumbling sound coming from the office one day...the snores of a one time power nap.  This never happens!  He must have been really tired.  We are looking forward to two more years of joy, feeling the spirit guide and direct the Lord's affairs in this part of the kingdom and feeling very tired.



JAX South

...Where does the time go! We have finished the tours around the mission, visiting all the district meetings, training and interviews. We love your sons and daughters. They all strive to be obedient and worthy disciples of Jesus Christ.  You should be so proud of them!

This is the Fleming Island District.  Elder Larsen is the district leader. 

Elder Rasmussen, Elder Taylor, Elder Larsen, Elder Svedin, Elder Wilkey, Elder Summers

This is the Palatka District.  Elder Dyerly is the district leader. 

Back Row:  Elder Mourra, Elder Dyerly, Elder Leavitt, Elder Jensen, Elder Wilkey, Elder Oteo, Elder Deal, Sister Deal,
Front:  Elder Johnson, Elder Engele, Elder Summers, Elder Jamison

The St. Augustine District.  Elder Johnson is the district leader.

Back right:  Elder Schuyler, Elder Chadwick, Elder Dandridge, Elder Wilkey, Elder Webster
Front:  Elder Summers, Elder Johnson, Elder Elms



JAX East Zone

This is the Beaches District - Elder Taylor is the district leader 

Back:  Elder McArthur, Elder Murray, Elder Baker, Elder Bagley, Elder Garnica,
Front:  Elder Day, Elder Taylor, Sister Cutler, Sister LaJeunesse

The Mandarin Zone - Elder Wily is the district leader

Elder Lyman, Elder Neville, Elder Wily, Elder Lucas, Sister Hafslund, Sister Rule



This is the Fort Caroline District - Elder Allred is the district leader.

Elder Durfee, Elder Allred, Elder Bushman, Elder Frizzell, Elder Clements, Elder Crawford



Gainesville Zone

This is the Chiefland Zone with Elder Brown as the district leader. 

Elder and Sister Stills,  Elder Taft, Elder Wadsworth, Elder Brown, Elder Lewis, Elder Preator, Elder Boamorte

The Gainesville District with Elder Maxfield as the district leader.

Sister Capua, Sister Liku, Sister Shepherd, Elder Goodman, Elder Maxfield, Elder Hammond, Elder McClellan

The Ocala District with Elder Murdock as the district leader

Elder Larrocha, Elder Hansen, Elder Ramstedt, Elder Murdock, Elder Greco and Elder Fuller (taking a rest)

There is one more district called the Campus district with Elder Johnson as the district leader.  There must have been a glich in my brain as I forgot to get a picture of these great missionaries!  They are Elder Brimhall, Elder Bigelow, Elder Johnson, Elder Nicholson, Sister Prettyman, Sister Waddoups, Elder Wadsworth and Elder Taft 

JAX West

This is the Orange Park District - Elder Reid is the district leader



Back:  Elder Robbs, Elder Kiracofe, Elder Johnson, Elder Bezzant, Elder Reid, Elder Rhodes
Front:  Elder Barrionuevo, Sister Kitchen, Sister Hosea, Elder Haw



The Timuquana District - Elder Craig is the district leader

Elder DiCristofano, Elder Jensen, Elder Osborn, Elder Bass, Elder Camp, Elder Lisman, Elder Craig, Elder Carney



Lake City Zone

Lake City Zone is in the west part of the mission which is the northwest part of Florida, excluding the panhandle.

Meet the Lake City District.

Back Left:  Elder Todd, Elder Knudsen, Elder Tenney, Elder Allen, Elder Salvesen, Elder Barnes - District Leader
Front:  Sister Mathis, Sister Martins



This is the Starke District

Back:  Elder Collard, Elder Drake, Elder Hinton - District Leader
Front:  Elder Robinson, Elder Cox, Elder Morris, Elder Snow, Elder Failner

Zone Leader Council again!

It feels like the days are moments and months are only a week. We have this meeting monthly but it seems I am always talking about it. We had a big transfer this month with a lot of changes in the mission. We have a few new zone leaders and are happy to have them.



Back Row: Elder Pelo, Elder Wilkey, Elder Osborn, Elder Summers, Elder Jacobs and Elder Graham
Front:  Elder Taft-new, Elder Wadsworth, Elder Aiono, Elder Failner, Elder Snow-new, Elder Craig-wait, he isn't a zone leader.  He was substituting for Elder Bass who is new.  Elder Bass got sick the night before and couldn't attend.  He is better now!  Last and the best in my opinion, President Barry - love you!



ANOTHER mission tour

It's interview month again. President Barry decided to go to every district meeting, give a training and then interview each missionary in the district. We started with the Kingsland Zone. They have 3 districts.



Kingsland District
Back Left:  Sister Pedersen, Sister Fitu, Sister Patterson, Sister Surtees
Kneeling:  Elder Wilcox, Elder Parker, Elder Fergus, Elder Graham - District Leader

While President Barry does interviews Sister Barry trains how to have an effective companion study and then all do role plays.



Brunswick District
Back:  Elder Grant - District Leader, Elder Graham, Elder Riggs,
Elder Pelo
Front:  Elder Howell, Elder Turner, Elder Gebhard 
( Missing: Elder Webb and Elder Rowley could not attend.)

Waycross District

Elder Holcombe, Elder Marquez - District Leader, Elder Waechtler, Elder Nelson, Elder Banner, Elder Woodard, Sister Elliott, Elder Elliott