Mini Transfer

This morning we said tender goodbyes to some wonderful missionaries! This group of sisters were some of the first in our first group of missionaries! How proud we are of each missionary. They have shared the Gospel message and come to know and love their Savior! We miss you all already! But we know loving families are waiting eagerly to give you big hugs!!!!

Trainees and Trainers

Elder McCombs training Elder Andrus

Elder Bore training Elder Daly

Sister Clay training Sister Case

Sister Grundberg training Sister Francom

Sister Kasteller training Sister Wright

Elder Hopking training Elder Beard

Sister Hawkins training Sister Bolos

Elder Barcala training Elder Geist

Sister Munro training Sister Greear

Sister Pasko training Sister Aure

Sister DeSpain training Sister Blair

Elder Shelton training Elder Proksch

Elder Richardson training Elder Davis

Sister Corbridge training Sister Butler

Elder Weller training Elder Warner

Elder Sullivan training Elder Stanley

Merry Christmas from the Florida Jacksonville Mission

“When we keep the spirit of Christmas we keep the spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us, which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.

“Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example, which if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

"Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

"Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or in distress, wherever they may be.

"Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

"Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.

"Because He came, we are gathered tonight to worship Him in bonds of brotherhood and love.

"May His precious Spirit be with us, and may He ever be the center of our celebrations and indeed of our very lives.”

-President Thomas S. Monson, First Presidency Christmas Devotional

More Welcomes!

We also welcome our full-time missionaries serving in the FJM from Whitehouse!

Elder and Sister Dolphin serve with us in the Dunn Avenue Ward

Elder Mann helps us in the mission office and all over as he oversees the many missionary phones and apartments. We are so grateful he is serving with us now!!

Departing December 2014

These wonderful and incredible missionaries now leave us after serving faithfully for 18-24 months. They have added so much strength to our mission as they have shared their testimonies with countless people. We love them. It is always so hard to see them go. Yet we know that they are "finished baking" and it is time to send them home to continue progressing and changing the world, just in new and different ways. We feel very blessed to have known them throughout the course of their missions!! 

Welcome!

Christmas arrived early for us this year when we received 17 new reinforcements earlier this month. We loved getting to know them and have them in our home. This mission is blessed to have them! 

We look forward to this next year and a half to two years as we see the growth and miracles experienced by these missionaries. We are so grateful they chose to serve and share the news of our Savior Jesus Christ in Florida and Georgia! 

Departing Missionaries - October 2014

This week we sent home with love an amazing group of missionaries! They have served so well. They truly are Disciples of Jesus Christ. Now they will add to that the calling of Life Long Missionary! We love you and will miss you dearly!

Back row: Elders Ivins, Holder, Stewart, Joseph
Middle: Sisters McCann, Shamanga, Parmer, Whiteley, Dodd, Allred, Heckel, Toledo
Front: Elders Collins, Baldwin, Barley, Sorenson, Manning

Our Amazing Elders!

 

Our departing Sisters!

Transfers - October 2014

Transfers are a day of excitement for everyone in the mission. Missionaries from all over the mission travel to the Mandarin building to meet up with their new companion and head to a new area. Change is at times difficult, yet we know that many miracles await in the transfer ahead. 

We begin the day with trainings presented to our new missionaries who arrived the day before and for our new trainers. We bring in experienced missionaries to role-play with our new missionaries. They are able to give them a taste of what to expect as they have spent months serving the people living in Florida and Georgia.

After the new missionaries meet their first companion and trainer they meet for a short meeting in the chapel along with all of the missionaries who are being transferred and/or receiving a new companion. President and I share some inspired words followed by a testimony meeting given by each of the departing missionaries. It is always a powerful and spiritual meeting as listen to those who have so faithfully served and are ready to go home and become powerful builders of God's kingdom!

After the meeting has ended our missionaries find their new companions and set off to their areas as quickly as they can to continue to work hard in bringing souls to Christ!