HURRICANE IRMA

Dear families of our most wonderful and beloved missionaries.  President Lee and I want to reassure you that we have lived through 3 hurricanes and feel at peace that the Lord will guide and direct us as to what needs to be done to keep everyone in our Mission safe.  The members are so good to help also, which we are so grateful for. We will be giving you a review of everything that we are doing so that you may have peace and know that all is well.

LATEST UPDATE

Friday September 22, 2017

KSL on Hurricane Irma in Jacksonville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycWZ70D2CoY&list=PL-akJCtNJfZA6xRDPRKldI58zHlNFeaCz&index=1

Tuesday September 19, 2017- Clean continues on the Weekends and during the week.

Sunday September 17, 2017- President Henry B. Eyring, Elder Jorg Klebingat, and Bishop Dean M. Davies, came to a large Sacrament Meeting at the Jacksonville East Stake Center.  They have been touring from the Caribbean, Key West up to Jacksonville, Florida to see the damage of Hurricane Irma.  Each spoke and gave great appreciation for the service the members of the church have given. Elder Klebingat talked about when we do our best in life and help the poor we receive a remission of sins.  President Eyring talked about doing the best we can in this life and live up to our potential.  He gave us an apostolic blessing of hope and courage to continue on in life.  It was an inspiring meeting and many missionaries brought their investigators.  We are so proud of them.

Elder Jorge Klebingat

Member of the Seventy and over the Southeast Area

CLEAN UP

Tuesday September 12, 2017-  We are grateful for the safety of all missionaries in the Florida Jacksonville Mission.  Much of the area is without power or internet access although we anticipate that to be restored hour by hour, day by day.  This morning begins with a mission wide conference call confirming the safety and well being of all missionaries along with a review of this coming week's coordinated efforts to return to our areas of proselyting and the organizing of service opportunities.  

President lee participates in a conference call each evening with Stake Presidents, area authority, and emergency and public relation specialists.   An accountability for all aspects of safety are reviewed and discussed with our missionaries being a high priority. 

Missionaries will participate under the direction of local priesthood leadership in teams of workers to provide relief and service for those in need.  This service will vary from cleaning out flooded homes to removing debris.  Supplies from the Salt Lake store house are continuing to be staged and readied for relief efforts.
Stakes and ward members have been wonderful to be sure our missionaries have a safe haven, refrigerated food, and are being updated with current conditions.   Bridges and roadways are being carefully monitored for safe passage as movement towards normality begins.  

The sky's are clear and the winds calm this morning with a beautiful sunrise.
The following versus of scripture are favorites of our in the Florida Jacksonville Mission.

"Peace be unto thy soul, thine adversity and afflictions shall be but a small moment.  Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands"

"Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still, with the upmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

We often times share with our missionaries, "If only your parents could see you now".
We are  so proud of who they are 'becoming'.  True disciples of Jesus Christ going forth each day to fulfill their missionary purpose.

At each district meeting they repeat the following as part of a few different recitations.
"I love tough things. I'm the first to do tough things. I do tough things first.  I love being a missionary.
We are grateful for the prayers of faithful families and members through out the church.  Thank you for blessing in every footstep.
All our love,
President & Sister Lee

Monday September 11, 2017- 8:00 p.m.-  All are accounted for and safe.  All are prepared to go forth and serve.

Missionaries Hunkered down in their closet eating cold beans because they have no power.  We love that our missionaries can enjoy life even while not having the finer things of life.

THE SERVING BEGINS

Monday September 11, 2017- 8:30 a.m.-  All are accounted for and safe.  Thank you for your prayers.  We made it through the worst part.  All are still hunkered down for most of the day.  Then clean up will begin.  Hurricane Irma is now a tropical storm.  We will continue to get winds for a while longer.

Sunday September 10, 2017- 9:00 p.m.-  All are accounted for.  All are hunkered down in their Safe locations.  We are so grateful for your prayers.  We have great peace we will all be well.

Sister Karper and Sister Davis Planting seeds

Sister Elwell and Sister Meyers planting seeds

Sunday September 10, 2017- 3:45 p.m.-  The morning started out with a breakfast for all the local missionaries at the Mission home.  We had waffles and Ice Cream, watched The Spoken Word, sang, and had a mighty prayer that the parents of the missionaries would be comforted.

The Winds and rains from the outer rings of the hurricane are now upon us.  All the missionaries are in their apartments, where they will stay now until the end of the storm.  We will let them know when it is safe for them to leave.

 Mighty Prayer for our parents to feel comfort.  We love you all.

Saturday September 9, 2017- 8:30 p.m.- No effects of Hurricane Irma Yet.  All are accounted for and in their apartments.  President and I have been checking all evacuation sites to make sure all of our missionaries are in safe zones.  They are and we feel very confident they are safe.  All missionaries are ready to hunker down tomorrow when the winds begin. Have peace that all will be well.  President and Sister Lee.


Saturday September 9, 2017- 8:00 a.m.-  No effect of Hurricane Irma Yet.  Conference Call.  Three more apartments evacuated because of the change in movement of Hurricane Irma.  Church meetings have all been canceled for Sunday.


Friday September 8, 2017- 9:45 p.m.-  No effects of Hurricane Irma yet.  All missionaries accounted for.  Hurricane Irma is continuing its projected pathway although has lessened to a degree in its intensity.  The weather models show it continuing to drop in intensity as it progresses over land.  We are anticipating Hurricane category 1-2 with high winds and rain when it arrives to our area.  The forecast is for higher winds arriving on Sunday and the eye of the storm crossing over mid-day Monday.  All missionaries near coastal waterways and community zones A & B have been evacuated to safer locations.

Those missionaries who have been relocated have all arrived and are settled into their homes.  All are within the mission boundaries and with other missionary companionships or members.  All Priesthood leadership are aware of the location of all missionaries in their area.  Missionaries will be communicating with and have open lines of communication with Bishops, Ward Mission Leaders and members.

Missionaries have been asked to email family members on Saturday along with taking care of their normal (Monday) preparation day needs.  Do not anticipate another email on Monday.  We will continue to share updates and accountability for the well-being and safety of each missionary on the missionary blog,  floridajacksonvillemissionnews.blogspot.com.

This evenings mission conference call was a review of our emergency preparedness and service safety guidelines.  A conference call and coordinating meeting was also held with the area Stake Presidents and Area Seventy, Elder Carter.  The general state of preparations were discussed along with a coordinated effort to assist those in need following the storm.  The church is so prepared and supplies have been rolling in by the semi load and ready for distribution as needed.

Your missionaries have such great faith.  They are a chosen generation who understand their missionary purpose and not only declare but strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that others can feel of their love for the Savior.  They are an example of the believers and are blessing in every footstep.  We are grateful for your continued thoughts and prayers.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."  President and Sister Lee.



Thursday September 7, 2017- 9:30 p.m.-  No effects of Hurricane Irma yet.  All missionaries accounted for.  All were reminded to study the Mission Emergency Booklet.  A "Safety document when serving" will be emailed tonight to each of them.  The evacuation plan was put into place.  All were told where they will be evacuated to.  They are to leave for their destination by noon tomorrow (Friday).  All missionaries will be taking their preparation day this Saturday in place of the following Monday.  Missionaries will not be communicating by e-mail next week although we will be updating their well-being on a daily basis on the blog.  We are prepared!   We believe in miracles!!  The forecast is that by the time it gets to Jacksonville it will be a Category 1.


Wednesday September 6, 2017- 9:30 p.m.-  No effects of Hurricane Irma right now.  All missionaries accounted for.  Emergency Plan is in place.  All efforts are being coordinated with local wards and stakes.  All missionaries along coastal waterways will be evacuated inland to secure housing or shelters.  Today was a day of mighty miracles with our missionaries continuing to serve with all their heart, might mind and strength.  We love these amazing Missionaries!! President and Sister Lee.


Tuesday September 5, 2017-  9:30 p.m.- Mission Conference Call- Entire mission in attendance.
President Lee:  D&C 38:30-  If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.
-A report was given of where Hurricane Irma is right now and what the projected route is.  It may hit our mission from the East, West, or go through the middle of Florida.  It also may take a different path and miss us all together.  We are prepared for any route it takes.
-A calling tree was put into place starting tomorrow night in which all must report to their District Leaders by 9:00 p.m. that they are safe in their apartments.
-The missionaries were asked to keep their phones charged, vehicles gassed up, and groceries for three days.
-The 72 hour kits were checked last month.  All are supplied with essential emergency needs.
-All missionaries were asked to review the Emergency Plan which is located in the Medical Booklet which is in every apartment.
-They each are to find evacuation Centers in their area through their Bishops.  When a volunteer evacuation is put into place, the missionaries are to evacuate then.  They do not wait until a mandatory evacuation goes into place.  At this time they may have the opportunity to give service at the Evacuation sites.  They can help in the food kitchens and do whatever the first responders give them to do.

All who are currently in the pathway of Irma will be in our prayers.  We are grateful for your prayers as well.  Thank you for raising such strong and diligent sons and daughters.  We love you all, President and Sister Lee.