HURRICANE MATTHEW NEWS UPDATE

Sunday October 9, 2016- 9:30 p.m.- All accounted for.  It was a day of serving.  Your missionaries can tell you about it in their letters tomorrow.  This will be our last post on the hurricane.  We love you all, President and Sister Lee

Sunday October 9, 2016- 8:00 a.m.- Just as Brigham Young did in the days when the handcart companies were experiencing hardship on the plains.  He had the Saints meet at a Short Sacrament Meeting then sent them on to rescue the Saints on the plains and to others to prepare goods and food for them when they arrived.  The same happened today.  The Saints met in early short Sacrament Meetings then were sent to help the Saints and the communities who were affected by Hurricane Matthew.  The Stake Centers have supplies that have been needed by those still affected by power outages and food shortages.  We love to see the church in action.  Truck loads of supplies were moved into the church buildings.  Many missionaries helped in this effort and today supplies will be taken around and clean up performed.  

Heavenly Father is watching over our missionaries.  We pray for their safety every day.  Sometimes many times a day when we feel so prompted.  We have had many miracles that we know saved their lives.

Price Creek District helping to clean

Elder Roy and Servoss

Red Cross Center in Jax West

Elders Muhlestein, Proffitt, and Martin

Elder Gregory helping to serve Lunch to all at the Red Cross Center

Friday Planning during the Hurricane

Sisters Fotheringham and Morrow at Elder and Sister Bookers Apartment

Gainesville Missionaries Serving

Back Row left to right:  Elders Booker, Pacella, Day, McMullin, member, Beard, Bradbeer
Front Row left to right: Sisters Booker, Ruesch, Hardy, Hibbard, and Tofilau.

St. Augustine Missionaries serving all day

Elder Floyd, Brown, and McConkie

Elders Ward, Arave, Hansen, and McConkie

The Waycross Missionaries Manning the Red Cross Center

Elders Fisher and Berg

Sisters Ridenour and Smith at the Red Cross Center
helping the children to be happy and not scared

Saturday October 8, 2016- 9:30 a.m.-  All are accounted for.  Notes from our Conference Call:

Lake City Zone Leaders- Elders Bangerter and Olson Did not get much of the bad weather.  A part of McClenny was the only place where power went off.  Will be coordinating with Ward Leaders as to where to go to help in other Stakes if needed.

Gainesville Zone Leaders- Elders Smith and Free- Weathered the storm well and will be working with Ward and Stake Leaders to be First Responders for the areas and communities that were hit hard in other stakes.

Kingsland Zone Leaders- Elders Faber and Berg-  No one is allowed back into Kingsland and Brunswick areas right now.  They will be continuing to help at the Red Cross Units that have been set up in Waycross.

JAX East Zone Leaders- Elders Karren and Folsom-  Ft. Caroline Blvd Church has been set up with supplies for any needed.  Missionaries will be working with Stake and Ward leaders to disperse supplies and help where needed.

JAX West Zone Leaders-  Elders Gregory and Wadsworth-   Most of the missionaries are headed back to their apartments and will work with their Ward and District Leaders to help where it is needed.

JAX South Zone Leaders- Elders McConkie and Ward- The missionaries are headed back into St. John's where the church has set up their supplies to help those in need.  They will be working under the leadership of Stakes, Wards, District Leaders to do what they will be assigned to do.  

All emergency cautions were gone over when they serve to clean up.  Standing and Flood water precautions, Animal, Reptile and insects alerts, Diarrheal disease concerns with contaminated flood water, Wash hands with soap and clean water before eating and handling food,  Do not enter into any flowing water ever, Watch for any open wounds- wear waterproof bandages, Do not let your feet be wet for a long period of time, and many other precautions given by Brother Pereria from FEMA.

The missionaries all sound upbeat and ready to serve.  President Lee and I went out to exercise this morning and it was the first time we have seen many of our neighbors out and they were visiting with us and much more friendly.  There definately are wonderful things that come out of hardship.  We love it and are so grateful that your sons and daughters have had this opportunity to live through this and learn leadership qualities.  We love you all for your support.  Thank you for your prayers, we know it is what made the storm become less then it was suppose to be.  They are still calling it the storm of the Century.  God was with us, we felt it the whole way through.  He loves his missionaries so much.  Love always, President and Sister Lee

Friday October 7, 2016- 7:30 p.m.-  All missionaries are accounted for.  It was a day of hunkering down or Service for those near an evacuation center.  We are so proud of our missionaries.  We lived through the worst part.  In two hours it will be past Georgia.  The hurricane is still a category 2, but all missionaries close to Way Cross or Jesup and far from the coast.  You all can be at peace now.  Tomorrow we will have another Conference Call on what they can and cannot do in service to help clean up.  We will teach them to stay away from hazardous situations.  Sister Pereria's father is with FEMA coming to help with clean up.  He has given us much good advice to help the missionaries be safe.  We are so proud of your sons and daughters.  They showed leadership.  That is what we desire for them.  Love you.  Our next update will be in the morning.  

The Brunswick Elders at the Red Cross Center getting ready to help

 Elders Flake, Dewsnup, Dredge, and Warner

Elders Flake, Dredge, Warner, Dewsnup,  and Sisters C. Smith, Ridenour


The Orange Park Sisters played some basketball

Top: Sister Beach
Middle:  Sisters  Tullis and  Pereria
From Bottom: Sisters Grissom, Stepherson, and Bedwell

Friday October 7, 2016- 5:00 p.m.- The hurricane is now a Category 2, and 40 miles east of Jacksonville.  Winds will be down to 45 mph.  Good News.  I asked everyone to get me pictures of what they were doing.   A few came in but not many.  I will get those on as soon as I can.  We have no power, so if you stop hearing from me it is because my battery died.  We are almost through the worst here in Florida.  Now Georgia will be getting the brunt.  Gainesville, Lake City, and Kingsland, Ga Zones have not had it bad.  Some wind and rain.

Friday October 7, 2016- 3:10- We have been without power now for an hour or so.  I couldn't get onto the blog to update it but I realized I could use my phone hotspot and it worked.  I called everyone on the East side of Interstate 95.  Everyone is hunkered down and doing well.  The winds do not seem to be that bad, however we are getting lots of rain.  For months we have heard they are in a drought here,  I don't think they will be after this.  Missionaries in Lake City and Gainesville are not having the strong winds we are getting.  We are an hour in and all is well.  

 Yesterday Elders helped board up an Atlantic Beach Building
Elders Peterson, Leon, Dusenberry, Guinup, Barnes, and Cook.

Friday October 7, 2016- 10:20 a.m.-  President Lee's friend growing up was Ed Rasmussen.  He was a bishop in Kissimmee, Florida and lived through 3 hurricanes.  He says, "We are praying for you and your missionaries.  We lived through 3 hurricanes in a 6 week period.  It was not fun but we had many baptisms after that experience."  Hurricane Matthew- Hearts are being prepared.

Friday October 7, 2016- 10:10 a.m.- Sisters Olsen and Ulrich called and said the coordinating scripture with the hurricane Matthew 10 (October): 7 (7th day) says:  And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Elder Cengiz sent this scripture in.  Alma 44:4- Now ye see that this it the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith.



Friday October 7, 2016- 10:00 a.m.-  Elder Beard just texted us that in his studies today he read Alma 26:6.  He said Coincidence- I think not.
Alma 26:6-  Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the "storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.


Friday October 7, 2016- 9:00 a.m.-  All are accounted for.  All are hunkered down in their apartments or homes except for those at the Red Cross Center.  Also Elders Fisher, M. Berg, C. Berg, Faber, Goates, and C. Christensen are at the Waycross Elementary School helping with the Evacuation Center there.  They had more than they had planned so they asked the missionaries to help.

Friday October 7, 2016- 8:45 a.m.-  The hurricane was just reported to us as a Category 2-3.  Keep those prayers coming.

Friday October 7, 2016- 8:30 a.m.-  Elder Wadsworth and Muhlestein helping command a Red Cross Center.  Also at the center is Elders Proffit, Hornfischer, Martin, and Gregory.  They took the training yesterday and were asked to command the center.  We are so proud of the initiative of these missionaries.  This was their idea.

Elders Wadsworth and Muhlestein
Not pictured but there manning the Center are Elders Proffit, Hornfischer, Martin, and Gregory

 Elder Muhlestein playing games

 Elders Gregory, Martin, Hornfischer, two Medics, Elders Muhlstein, Proffitt, and Wadsworth

Elder Wadsworth

The missionaries are working hard.  
You can tell them by the tags they are wearing over their Red Cross Vests.

Friday October 7, 2016- 8:00 a.m.- We received this report from Elder and Sister Cengiz, a senior couple in our mission.
"We are seeing faithful, obedient missionaries.  Eating breakfast, getting ready to pray, study, and plan for the coming week.  President Lee, these sisters are obedient missionaries, they are a joy to have in our home."

Sisters Cengiz, A. Smith, Clay, Warr, and Webb

Friday October 7, 2016- 5:00 a.m.-  The hurricane has lessened to a Category 3.  It still is a strong hurricane, but instead of 15 inches of rain they are predicting 8 inches (3 of which we have already gotten) which is a huge difference. You can hear the relief in the newscasters voices.  We will still have strong winds clear to the West coast of Florida.  All the missionaries will be told to stay inside all day, night, and part of Saturday morning.  We have a conference call at 9:00 a.m. this morning with all the missionaries to give them last minute instructions.  Remember all missionaries are now in safe areas and ready to ride out the storm.  Thank you for your prayers.  I know they were and will be heard.  We also know that Floridians have been praying hard!  God will have a humble people won't he!  Love you all, Sister Lee

Assistants to the Presidents Coy and Britsch with Brother Chytraus doing service.
Pizza for dinner was the reward.

Thursday October 6, 2016- 7:00 p.m.-  All missionaries are accounted for and in their places of residence.  

Thursday October 6, 2016-  6:30 p.m.-  We just realized a tender mercy that occurred.  Exactly 21 years TO THE VERY DAY (Oct 7, 1995)- President Lee and I lived through a Category 3 Hurricane Roxanne.  We were only 20 miles away from the center and on the northeast side of the Hurricane which is the worst position.  While staying in a hotel, there were high winds and rain.  At the time we were worried because we had no idea what really to expect.  Of course we were fine because we are here today. That experience has helped us know how to prepare for this event.  But truly it was Heavenly Father who prepared us that we might be strong and know what to do.  We will always be so grateful to him for this.  We are at peace and know our missionaries will be watched over.  This is a growing experience to build and strengthen those young missionaries.  "I love tough things.  I am the first to do tough things.  I do tough things first. I love being a missionary!!" This is part of the recitations that the missionaries say at every Mission Leader council, District and Zone Meeting. We hope you feel at peace because we do.  Love you all, President and Sister Lee 

Four of our Sisters are prepared and ready to serve
Sisters Fauver, Gilbert, Heller, Nay

Utility Trucks ready to go out to get power back to the people

Thursday October 6, 2016- 3:30 p.m.- Many of the missionaries are taking short term training classes with the Red Cross.  They will assist with Red Cross Disaster Relief in the areas in which they are serving.  Other missionaries are assisting ward and stake members in service projects, fortifying homes and neighborhoods.

The Church FM group has established various ward and stake buildings in a state of readiness as communication and command centers before and after the storm.  The Area Seventy, Stake Presidents, Bishops, and Mission Presidents continue to council in a coordinated effort.

We love serving with the missionaries because of their great faith and mighty miracles. They continue to amaze us with their strength of character.  Know that they are safe and doing the Lord's work.


Thursday October 6, 2016- 10:00 a.m.- We just had a conference call with all missionaries. They are aware of how best to help prepare and serve the community.  That was their main concern.  Isn't it wonderful that you sons and daughters are more concerned about others than themselves.  They have become leaders in their own right and are taking on adult responsibilities.  We love to see this. Becoming self sufficient is what we all desire for them.

They are in their service clothes so that when they see an opportunity to help others they are ready. One of the mission rules is no power tools. They are aware of this and will be helping in other ways. They may be sand bagging and doing other things however all of them are well away from the water ways.  They will be working with the Bishops and ward members in their evacuated areas.  We love the amazing order in which the church moves.

Curfew tonight is 7:00 p.m.-  Final accountability is at 9:00 p.m.-  We will be posting when all are accounted for.  This means all are safely in their home.  After that the plan is that they will be safely in their place of shelter until the storm has passed, depending on their location.


Wednesday October 5, 2016- 9:30 p.m.-  Everyone accounted for and evacuated.  We are prepared.  Everyone is happy, cheerful and ready to serve the members and community.  Tomorrow will be a service day getting ready for the hurricane.  Friday will be a day they will stay inside, plan for the coming week and study the doctrines needed to help their investigators and others they may be working with.  We will be accounting for every missionary everyday.  The Stakes and Wards already have their meeting houses set as evacuating places with supplies to come. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.  We love our missionaries.  The updates will continue as we receive any information.

Wednesday October 5, 2016- 5:00 p.m.-  Evacuations begin now for the St. John's River.  The first evacuation was for the Coastal areas.

Wednesday October 5, 2016- 12:20 p.m.- Evacuation is now underway.  There are no high winds until tomorrow so all will be safe.  The Hurricane is now going into the Bahamas.  Everyone will be in their evacuation location by this afternoon.  They will be staying with other missionaries or Senior Couples.  Please do not call the mission home.  Your sons and daughters are safe.

Wednesday October 5, 2016 --7:30 a.m.

Dear Parents of our wonderful missionaries,  

We will be posting regular updates on the Hurricane.  Fear not for we have an emergency plan in place.  Every apartment has a 72 hour kit with food and water.  The missionaries have a list of supplies they are to have on hand.  Today they will be able to go to the store and buy whatever they need to buy to be prepared to hunker down for Thursday and Friday.  Remember the worst of a hurricane is the winds and rain.  If they are in their apartments they will be safe.

Last Night an evacuation plan was put in place.  Now we will watch the hurricane to see where the hurricane goes.  The coastal regions will most likely be evacuated today.  The members have been so protective of our missionaries.  We want you to know that they are being very well watched over.  We have been instructed to move them all inland with other missionaries to hunker down.  Also church houses will be turned into evacuation centers if needed.  

The things we plan for are high winds, rains, and power outages.  Florida has the best water run off system.  There is a run off pond for almost every home or apartment.  

We love you all,  President and Sister Lee