Debbi

Water, Water, Water!

This is usually what I text to all the missionaries's phones on days where high heat and high humidity combine to make dehydration eminent. They know it means they are to start drinking and drink all day.  Last week there was water, water, water everywhere.  It started raining on Sunday and didn't end until Wednesday.  Tropical Storm Debbi dumped 13" on Jacksonville.  Orange Park, Middleburg, Macclenny, Gainesville, Lake City and many other areas were hit hard.  With all the rain the rivers and streams over ran their banks and the flooding began.  But the worst part happened on our west coast of the Gulf of Mexico.  The little towns over there were and are still covered with water.  Live Oak Florida was hit hard.  Emergency shelters created by the Red Cross sprang up everywhere for people whos homes were flooded.  All the missionaries in the mission have been trained by the Red Cross as volunteers in times of disaster. They were ready and prepared and went to the aid of those in the shelters where needed.  It was a time of service, support, compassion and love.  We were sent this email today written by a grateful woman for the service given at the Live Oak Shelter.  The elders mentioned in this email were Elder Riggs, Elder Lundberg, Elder Clements and Elder Bigelow. Elder Grant, Elder Cervo, Sister Rieck, Sister Hicks and Sister Dunkley also spent much time at this shelter and did so much good.

This compliment could apply to every missionary in our mission.  

This came though the Mormon Channel's Facebook inbox:

"Hello, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you guys for helping out my parents in the aftermath of the terrible flooding that's destroyed their home.

My parents live in the area of Live Oak, FL and a couple days ago tropical storm debby caused flooding in their neighborhood. They now have 5 ft of water in their house and we don't even know when we will be able to get in there to begin the rebuilding process. They were evacuated to the Live Oak Red Cross shelter where they were sheltered and fed for a couple of days while they made arrangements to find semi-permanent housing. While they were there at the Red Cross shelter, they were assisted by (among others) four mormon elders.

Those of us non-mormons east of the Mississippi seldom meet mormons (I've personally known maybe a dozen in my life) and when we do we usually see you guys doing exactly what I saw in Live Oak yesterday. The young men who were helping my parents were kind, well-dressed gentlemen who were volunteering their time to help their fellow man. In addition to presenting an EXCEPTIONAL public face for your church and people, they were also continuing the ministry of Jesus Christ by not just saying but by DOING.

Thank you once again for your kindness and aid in our time of need.

God bless, "

You should be proud of your missionaries. 

Last Tuesday President and I drove to Lake City.  This freeway, Hyway 10 was closed about 2 miles ahead of this picture because of flooding.  It was closed for 40 miles.  The two rivers of water on the right were ready to spill over onto the freeway.  There are not supposed to be rivers along this road.  The picture doesn't do justice to the amount of water everywhere. 

Every missionary is fine. The work is continuing.  We are thrilled to be able to serve and love in this way.  Thank you for your prayers and support.