Monday 4/15/2013 – Sunday 4/28/2013

Monday was a good P-day. We had dinner with the Jordan's which was pretty fun, then taught Marcy again. I didn't feel that I taught very well, but she is so golden that it didn't matter. Spirit felt good at the lesson.

Tuesday we had District Meeting and Elder Snow is a great District Leader! Then after we went to Sonny's and had all you can eat ribs! Sooo Goood! Had a lesson with Sister Simmons and it went pretty well. Everything else ended up falling through. Went to Taco Bell and got a kids meal because I wanted the bball cards that came with it. Found 2 new investigators today as well.

Wednesday I had to bleach a few shirts because my sunscreen turned the bottom of the sleeves yellow. Rode our bikes to some potentials and met Robert who had an awesome testimony of God. Had dinner with the Watkins and Elder Smith almost died on his bike but was able to jump off and not die. Had a good lesson with the McGuire's. Elder Smith prayed for my wet tie because it rained all day. Elder Snow also asked me to take my pants off. I was wearing Lakers pants and apparently he isn't a Laker fan.

Thursday we did weekly planning as always. Met Sister Chasen who recently moved into the ward. I almost wrecked on my bike and we were yelled at by a "Bible Baptist" while he was driving past us. He yelled "repent". Had dinner with the Seale's then we had Thursday night basketball. Not as many guys showed up today, but the message at the end went pretty well. Then we practiced our comedic act for Zone Conference. Elder Smith farted while practicing kissing with his hand.

Friday we saw the Sneary's and their daughter is going to be coming home this upcoming week. Had lunch with the Iosefa's. Brother Iosefa said a lot of really nice and encouraging things to us. It is so awesome when that happens and the ward seems to trust you. I met Charles, a former investigator, after that and we learned a lot about the Catholic church. Headed home to get picked up by Brother McArther to go to Milino at the top of our area to see some less actives. We met Brother Walters, the Munoz, Hobbs for the second time and Brother Pate. Brother Pate hunts anything that you can think of - gator, deer, you name it.

Saturday a guy came and fixed our kitchen light and the ceiling fan blade that I accidentally broke off the other day. Then we biked to Pine Forest's baptism....in our suits. None of the people that we invited came to it, but it was still a really good baptism. Went to a lesson with Michelle. Brother Eubanks came and helped us teach and that was awesome! She asked great questions the whole time! Then we saw Kyler, an 11 year old former, and we are going to start teaching him again. He wants to go on a mission! Saw some less actives as well. Then we met an older couple, the Thompson's. They are way nice and we talked to them and they told us that we could come back after Mrs. Thompson was healed from her knee replacement that she will be going in for soon. Then we ate with the Schoonover's which was fun. Their grandkids were there. Then we taught Sister Thomas about missionary work and talked to her about inviting some people to her home and them talking to us a bit. Brother Cline came to that because he is awesome. We also met a couple of really nice people outside of her apartments.

Sunday church was so good!!! I got so much out of it. I was in the spiritual zone! Then we went out and got to talk to Marcus and pick him up as a gator. We also picked up Trish. She used to be an investigator, so now she will be again. Went on a night walk and talked to a really nice security guard about the church. Wasn't really interested though. We went home and Elder Snow called us and it was great to hear his beautiful voice.

Monday 4/15/2013 – Sunday 4/21/2013

Monday was chaos, but we got everything done. Taught Marcy, and Sister Judkin's was there, and it was sweet! We taught the Plan of Salvation a bit more. Good lesson and Marcy now has a baptismal date of May 18th.

Tuesday we had Zone Training which was good. We have some great missionaries in the Zone. We had a lot of fun with role-plays. Then after that, we helped the Pensacola Elders move. They stayed in the same apartment complex so it wasn't too tough. Ate dinner with the Lindburg's. They are a sweet old couple that remind me of my Grandparents. Brother Lindburg uses a walker and has trouble getting around and is very quiet just like my Grandpa. Then we met a lady name Geraldine and later we met Richard. Geraldine took a BOM and Richard said we could come back and we set up an appointment. Then we taught the McGuire's a lesson. The oldest daughter got teary and hopefully that means she felt the spirit.

Wednesday we first stopped by a member’s house named Jimmy Stewart. He has been going through a rough time. Great guy though and he is a very good painter! Met Miss Land on the way home from there and gave her a BOM. Saw Sister Long as well and taught her about the Priesthood organization. Dropped by the Schiewe's and Sister Schiewe committed to do a couple things for her friends. Taught the Abbott's about the Restoration and they enjoyed it and committed to read and pray about the BOM! Had coordination with Brother Price. He is a sweet Ward Mission Leader! Then we ate dinner and called some people.

Thursday we had our weekly planning and it was way good. We set some good goals and made some good plans. Had some dinner and baseball with one of the many Smith's in the Ward. Brother Smith is in the Stake Young Men's. Then there is Bishop Smith and President (Elders Quorum) Smith. They are Brothers and then their Dad is in the ward too and I will call him Papa Smith. Then we played basketball with a ton of non-members and gave them a message at the end. My basketball skill is so far gone! Today was cool though because everyone bore testimony of how they knew God was real! It was sweet!

Friday we just went around randomly and tried to contact a ton of people that we planned to see. We had a lesson with Sharron and dropped the baptismal date on her. So she has a date of May 25th. We have a few things left to work out with her but she seems to be seeking. Visited with the Iosefa's who offered to feed us so we accepted. Then we headed to Sister Hall's, Taught her and Lester a bit and then we headed back to the Iosefa's for some food! Then we went around and tried to contact some more people.

Saturday we started by biking and as we were biking we saw a couple softball games going on. Elder Smith said he met a girl that volunteered at it. It was a league called "The Miracle League" and it’s a league for handicap people; so I said well we could go and FSU it. The FSU Elders would go to big crowds and wait for someone to talk to them. So that is what we did and, by the way, this is such a great idea for these kids that are handicapped. While we were watching a girl named Becky came up and started asking us a ton of questions and we ended up giving her a BOM and also 3 pamphlets. She also invited us to a Russian Bible study group at PCC (Pensacola Christian College) that was later that night and we told her we would go. Then we went to a formers house and talked to Jackie for a while. Somehow the topic of a girl named Sarah came up and we came to find out that she is from Roy, Utah (Elder Smith lived in Roy) and has the same birthday as me. She is also Jackie's cousin. Then we remembered that she was the same lady that we were looking for the other day but could not find her so we left a note in her PO Box. We don't have an address or anything so we asked Jackie to ask her if she could give us her info. It is just meant to be for us to meet or teach Sarah! Had dinner with Sister Platt and then we went and walked around a car show for a few minutes to see if we could OYM. Then a lady just came out of nowhere and hugged Elder Smith. She has a son out in the Tampa Mission named Elder Smith so we talked for a minute. She is just visiting up here and she is from Utah. Then we went and made a map at Office Depot. Then headed to PCC and Becky and her sister took us on a tour of the campus. It is very nice! They have bowling, pool, ice skating, volleyball, basketball, badminton and the largest rock climbing wall in the country. Then went to the Bible study and it was really good. They have some pretty good hymns and that talked about how worship isn't going crazy and partying and what not. So that is right along with our beliefs. They have a ton of crazy rules there though. We almost got out of there without anyone yelling at us, but right at the end some guy came up and had a bashing mentality and tried to tell us what we believed and that we aren't Christian. Great day overall though.

Sunday we had a good Ward Council. Church was good as well. Marcy and Sharon both came! We had dinner with the Brook's which was good. Sister Gray called us and told us to come get a ton of chicken she had made so we did. We also saw the Jaurez Family and the Ryder's as well. They are both great families. They are sadly inactive right now, but we can fix that. Now we are watching a movie called "Our Heavenly Father's Plan". It is a corny, but a great church film.

Monday 4/8/2013 – Sunday 4/14/2013

Monday was our P-Day and we mostly ran around like chickens with our heads cut off. Shopped, mailed a package, emailed, laundry and we also played some ping pong on our kitchen table. In the evening, we taught Marcy the Plan of Salvation and it seemed to go pretty well. She is a bit scared to split her family up if she were to be baptized. Great lady though! She is so ready for this!

Tuesday we had a really good District Meeting. Elder Snow is our District Leader and he really knows what he is doing. I was put in the "Hot Seat" and everyone just asked me questions for about 5 minutes. It was pretty fun! Everything else fell through, but we met a lady named Heather and saw some less actives, then fixed Elder Smith's flat tube.

Wednesday we did service for the Jennings' and then shared a spiritual thought with Brother Jennings mom. She is a non-member and she is in her 90's. Such a sweet kind lady! Elder Smith needed to replace his bike tire so we went and got one of those and I got some "Foster Grant" sunglasses for when we are biking so that crap won't fly into my eyes. The fact that they had the name Foster in them sold me on them. We saw a less active lady named Sister Ansley, saw Brother Gunn (less active) and Sharon (gator) and taught Sharon. They think they are married so we tried to teach them that they aren't and that they need a marriage certificate to be lawfully wedded. They said that they were married by God. Then we saw the Curry's who were going to feed us but that fell through. They are awesome though!

Thursday we had our weekly planning and it was good! After that we went to see TJ and he wasn't home because he got sick and went to his grandma's. So we talked to his mom for a while.  She is way, way nice! It was way stormy so we headed in to do some work and create some white boards that will help us to be more organized. Brother Iosefa was supposed to pick us up for dinner, but that fell through and he just brought us a pizza which was really good! Then we biked to the church for our basketball night in the way rainy weather. Found out later that there were tornado warnings. My socks were so soaked so I ended up playing in just my shoes. I played pretty well though. Best part was that we had 7 non-members there. Shared a message with them and the Relief Society had an event so they brought some sandwiches out for us all to eat. Then we went out to find out that Elder Smith's bike had a flat tire. So we walked to Hillcrest Baptist (2nd biggest church in our area. The biggest is Olive Baptist which is also the biggest church in the mission) and locked up our bikes because Pensacola insisted on them taking us home. Very nice of them and the member that they were with, but in all reality we would have got home at the same time had we walked.

Friday we went and got our bikes from Hillcrest Baptist and ended up biking a lot. Met a guy named Angel and he is legit! We taught him a lot and he asked a lot of questions. We referred him to the Pine Forest Elders because he lives in their area. Also raked some leaves with Angel for a bit and got to know him pretty well. Had dinner with the Schoonover's. They are so funny and I laughed my butt off!! Rode around the rest of the night and tried to contact a bunch of people with no luck. I also got a really bad sunburn from biking.

Saturday we headed up to Brewton, Alabama, for the day of service that the Stake put on. Fun and I added to my sunburn a bit. I keep forgetting the sunscreen. We raked dirt to loosen it up and then planted wildflower seeds at a park up there. They had some other projects that some other people did as well. They had about 150 people show up because of the Church's efforts and we tore that place up and did work!! The whole Zone of missionaries was there except for just 1 senior couple. The Sisters somehow sucked us Elders into a game of tag with all the little kids. That was pretty fun though. That was during lunch when we had some hot dogs and some burgers. We rode up and back with the Walke's from our ward. They are really nice and it was fun to get to know them a bit. We got home and changed and studied and went on a 45 minute ride to Sacred Heart Hospital. Bridget (gator) was there with her 4 or 5 month granddaughter, Nevaeh is her name which is heaven backwards. We went there to give Nevaeh a blessing. She was very fussy and then Elder Smith showed her a picture of the Savior and she quieted right up. It is so cool that little baby's will recognize Jesus when they see him. She is so cute and has an awesome name! Then we headed home.

Sunday was my first week in this ward because last week was General Conference. We started off the day interrupted by Brother McLeod who is the High Priest Group Leader. As soon as we answered the door he just walked right in. We aren't supposed to have members in our apartment. So he just started talking to us about who we have seen. Then he counts that toward home teaching. Kinda grinds my gears, but God knows what is really happening. You can't fool him by saying we are doing it. He is great though and really tries to magnify his calling! Then he took us to Ward Council and I got to meet the Priesthood and Auxiliary leaders. We also set up the Sacrament because there are not many young men in this ward to do that. Great meetings! Marcy (gator) also came to church which was way awesome! Had studies after church. Brother Brook's and his daughter, Jenna, brought us food because something came up and they couldn't have us over. Then we biked our butts off and saw Sister White for a few minutes and then taught Brother Gordon (less active). Biked home to end the night.

Monday 4/1/2013 – Sunday 4/7/2013

Monday I ball'd it up! I also found out I will be transferred to the Fox Run Ward in Pensacola, Florida. I will miss Tallahassee, it was a fantastic area. This is not an April Fool’s joke...

Tuesday consisted of everything falling through and a lot of packing. Had District Meeting as well and played some "Name That Tune". My last one as District Leader, I am just going to be a Junior Companion in Fox Run. Our dinner with the Lawson's fell through, but we went there anyway because Brother Lawson was really sick and asked that we would give him a blessing. So we did and they also gave us some pizza. I was happy that we were still able to go there and see them because I love the Lawson's. He also told us we were great missionaries and that meant a lot because I have always kind of looked up to Brother Lawson. Then we headed home so I could pack. It was so funny because I was able to pull the whole "if your hand is bigger than your face you have cancer" thing on Elder Lovell. He fell for it and I hit his hand into his face! HAHA oh it was funny!

Wednesday I met Elder Smith my new companion. He is pretty awesome and is a really funny guy. I think we are going to have a lot of fun. During transferring I rode in a van forever and talked to Elder Norton the A.P. He is way cool and we had some good conversations about Michael Jordan and the Lakers. I also saw a lot of old faces like Elder Olsen, Elder Cornelius, Elder McPhearson, Elder Wright and Sister Rapleye and a lot more as well. Met a lot of the Fox Run Ward as well and had some "Chili Pie" at the Eubank's house. We also had Coordination with Brother Price our Ward Mission Leader. He is really cool and seems like a really good ward mission leader.

Thursday we had weekly planning then went to a lot of places that fell through. Had a lesson with TJ and then dinner with the Booren's, then played basketball with a bunch of non-members. I sucked and then we taught a little lesson to them and headed home. I also got hit in the eye and that felt really great! haha

Friday we went all over and I met a ton of people. I met Mike Ley (less active), then Jennings and their non-member family, the Seller's (recent convert), and a bunch of others as well. Very nice ward in this area. I am sill transitioning but I think this ward will be great to work with.

Saturday Conference!! It was fantastic and I can't wait to get the Ensign! Met some more ward members at Priesthood. We saw Bridget at her yard sale. She is was nice and seems like she is prepared and ready for this gospel. Can't wait to teach her a real lesson.

Sunday Conference again!! Elder Holland had a fantastic talk! Unfortunately Conference ended. We got TJ, our Investigator, there and also got Rose and William there. They are two of the McGuire kids, they have an awesome, huge family! Had dinner with the Jordan's as well. They are cool and it was pretty good food. Mom's candied yams are way better!! Then we saw some potentials. Walked in to a wall of methane at Walgreen's... Almost killed us... Good week! I am excited to work hard and get to know Fox Run! Let’s DO WORK! Love y'all back home!

Monday 3/25/2013 – Sunday 3/31/2013

Monday I forgot to write in my journal but it was just a normal P-day.

Tuesday I got sick after basketball so I ended up sleeping from 9:30 last night to 8:30 in the morning. Then I sat around trying to feel better. Got ready and had companion study and left at like 3:40 to go and proselyte. Had a good lesson with Nero! We ended up just reading with him for a bit. We ate dinner at the Bishop's and then chatted with Elder Lovell a bit. Basically trying to build his confidence. Then had FHE at the Looney's! They are awesome! Talked about some deep stuff with them.

Wednesday was a rough morning again so I slept in a bit late. I had permission from Sister Jensen so don't worry. She told me to get a lot of rest. But we had a good day we just tracted a lot and found a new gator. Saw an inactive named E. W. Massey that is now a preacher at another church. Had dinner with the McClellen's. It was so good! Taught Tabatha and Brother Barabash came with and we had an FHE.

Thursday weekly planning, lunch, then helped Marsha again with a tree. We dug a hole and planted a tree. Then cleaned up for dinner with the Casey's. We had some egg rolls and rice. Then I interviewed Jarquecce and Xyqoia for baptism and they seemed very ready! Then we had a lesson with the Hood's. They are awesome and very fun to talk with.

Friday we had a lesson with George Turner a less active. Met Renea and we are going to teach her. Also Elder Lovell needed to use the restroom so we went to Kohl's...no restroom. So he got a tie that I wanted and found, but then he wanted it so I didn't want the same tie as my comp. Then we used the restroom at Target and got some beverages. Had dinner at the Russell's and a lesson at the Tucker's.

Saturday a lot of peeps canceled on us. Pretty good day though! We ended up having to wait on FSU to bring back our car so we did what we could at the house. We saw the Stuckey's and tracted, saw Linda Allen and also the Brumby's who tried to bash with us basically. Then we met Cam'Ron. Nice guy, took a BOM and he said we could come back.

Sunday was EASTER!! Happy Easter and it was great today! Fantastic church lessons. We had an appointment that we took Keith to and it fell through. Headed to George's again to watch an Easter movie with him. We watched the Lamb of God. Had dinner at the Matkin's which was really good! Soft Taco's! Tracted a bit and also saw the Delong's who were a referral. That was an interesting experience because their daughter answered the door and she was probably like 16 or 17 years old. She was wearing sweats and a bra... so that was odd. Then she left and I thought she was going to get a shirt on but nope! She just came back and told us her Mom said it wasn't a good time to come by. Then we stumbled upon a less active family while tracting named the Espinoza's and they told us that we can come back another time when their parents were home.  I have also found out today that I will be transferred to the Fox Run area this Wednesday. It is in the Pensacola Stake.