We drove to St. Petersburg and Gulfport to inspection missionary apartments today. Generally they were well maintained.
We then met Elder and Sister Smith, another senior couple, for an early dinner. They live in Gulfport and ave been working with the Gulfport Branch. They have recently been asked to work with the St. Petersburg Ward. Neither of these units has a lot of strong priesthood leaders. Of course, that is true of most of the units in the mission.
After dinner, we went to see their apartment. They live in a high rise building on the Gulf coast. It is a small apartment, but they have a spectacular view.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
District Meeting and Specialized Training
We drove to the mission office to participate in with one of the Tampa Zone district meetings. The reason we went to this district meeting is that it was followed by a specialized training meeting. The topic for the district meeting was the Book of Mormon. First, we discussed the importance of each missionary have a personal testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. That was followed by a discussion of using the Book of Mormon to answer questions that we might have. We role played as a group of missionaries using references from the Book of Mormon to answer questions. Missionaries were especially encouraged to use this in meeting with youth and other members.
Immediately after the district meeting, we moved to another room in the building for a specialized training meeting. President Cusick had invited a group of missionaries to help him understand their perspectives on the attributes of successful missionaries. What triggered this was training that President Cusick has seen on how our current missionaries are part of what has been termed the millennial generation. The millennials are more technology savvy, used to regular innovation, less trusting of authority, and generally less religious. President Cusick wanted to know how these characteristics might impact our missionaries. The missionaries generated a list of attributes, but the list was about what I expected -- listen to the spirit, diligent, loving, and so forth. I believe that President may use this in future training.
Immediately after the district meeting, we moved to another room in the building for a specialized training meeting. President Cusick had invited a group of missionaries to help him understand their perspectives on the attributes of successful missionaries. What triggered this was training that President Cusick has seen on how our current missionaries are part of what has been termed the millennial generation. The millennials are more technology savvy, used to regular innovation, less trusting of authority, and generally less religious. President Cusick wanted to know how these characteristics might impact our missionaries. The missionaries generated a list of attributes, but the list was about what I expected -- listen to the spirit, diligent, loving, and so forth. I believe that President may use this in future training.
Monday, September 28, 2015
P-Day and Another Drive
We completed our normal P-Day cleaning activities and then drove to Port Charlotte. When the missionaries updated their iPads to the newest Apple operating system, some of the iPads locked up in the middle of the update process. So far as we know, this occurred on 5 of our iPads. After discussions with the missionary department, our missionary secretary was told that she would need to update the problem iPads by using her desktop Apple computer. I had to chuckle about this because Apple pitches their more expensive equipment as being worth it because it always works.
Anyway, one of the problem iPads was in Port Charlotte, so we drove there in the afternoon to pick up the iPad. After we had the iPad, we then drove to Fishermen's Village, a tourist area in Punto Gordo, a city near Port Charlotte. I had seen some advertisements for it. It is an old fishing wharf that has been converted into shopping boutiques. It was interesting, though I doubt that we will return, if for no other reason than it is over an hour drive!
Anyway, one of the problem iPads was in Port Charlotte, so we drove there in the afternoon to pick up the iPad. After we had the iPad, we then drove to Fishermen's Village, a tourist area in Punto Gordo, a city near Port Charlotte. I had seen some advertisements for it. It is an old fishing wharf that has been converted into shopping boutiques. It was interesting, though I doubt that we will return, if for no other reason than it is over an hour drive!
Sunday, September 27, 2015
A Long Drive to Sebring
It was time for us to visit the Sebring Ward again. We enjoy visiting the ward but not the drive to get there. We had to leave our apartment at 5:20 am to be there for their 7:00 am ward council. One of the reasons they start their ward council so early is they spend 20 minutes or so reading and discussing from Handbook 2. It takes time, but it helps the ward council members become more familiar with the instructions in the handbook.
They have had a few new members move into the ward which has provided some strength for them. They are also looking forward to the arrival of snowbirds who will also strengthen the ward, at least until next spring.
They have had a few new members move into the ward which has provided some strength for them. They are also looking forward to the arrival of snowbirds who will also strengthen the ward, at least until next spring.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Wilson's Departure
Kim and Annette left today to return home. We enjoyed their visit. We get along well and enjoy doing similar things.
Although we were sad when they left, as compensation for us we attended a baptism in the Beneva Branch for a husband and wife. Although the services were in Spanish, we enjoyed being able to participate. We were especially happy for Sister Tawzer, one of the sisters who taught them. Sister Tawzer was not called as a Spanish speaking missionary. However two months ago, President Cusick assigned her to work in the Spanish branch. She has been working to learn Spanish and gave a talk in Spanish at the baptismal service.
Although we were sad when they left, as compensation for us we attended a baptism in the Beneva Branch for a husband and wife. Although the services were in Spanish, we enjoyed being able to participate. We were especially happy for Sister Tawzer, one of the sisters who taught them. Sister Tawzer was not called as a Spanish speaking missionary. However two months ago, President Cusick assigned her to work in the Spanish branch. She has been working to learn Spanish and gave a talk in Spanish at the baptismal service.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Selby Botanical Gardens
We decided to visit the Selby Botanical Gardens which are in downtown Sarasota. The gardens are located on the grounds of two old estates. Renee and I had talked about visiting them, and we all found the visit quite interesting. One of the specializations of the botanical gardens is orchids. They have some fabulous orchids. I was going crazy with my camera. While at the gardens, a woman who works there stopped me and asked if I was wearing an "LDS badge" - Renee and I were wearing our nametags. She lives in the Venice Ward and is the Sarasota Stake Primary President.
Later in the afternoon, we drove to Myakka River State Park. Renee and I have visited there previously. It has been closed for a month or so due to flooding. They just reopened the main road. It was actually interesting with the woods flooded on both sides of the road. And, we were able to see an alligator!
Later in the afternoon, we drove to Myakka River State Park. Renee and I have visited there previously. It has been closed for a month or so due to flooding. They just reopened the main road. It was actually interesting with the woods flooded on both sides of the road. And, we were able to see an alligator!
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| Sarasota Bay |
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| Selby Gardens |
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| Kim and Annette Wilson |
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Road Trip South
We wanted to drive to see Marco Island, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island which are in the Naples and Ft. Myers area, south of us and outside of our mission area. Those areas were part of our mission until last January when they were transferred to the Ft. Lauderdale Mission. I checked with President Cusick, and he gave us permission to drive there. So we planned a day trip.
We were interested in seeing Marco Island because Marriott has a time-share resort there. However, we were not impressed by the island. Even worse, they are building two additional towers at the Marriott resort. We checked it off our list of places to visit.
Renee and I had visited Sanibel and Captiva Islands about 20 years ago. Our memories were positive, so we wanted to see why. Both islands, which are connected by a bridge, are pleasant without a lot of commercial development. I'm sure the limited accommodations on the islands are very expensive. We stopped at one of the beaches on Sanibel to look for shells. We have read that the "shelling" on Sanibel and Captiva is good, and we found that to be the case. We found a lot of shells, though not any large or unusual ones.
We were interested in seeing Marco Island because Marriott has a time-share resort there. However, we were not impressed by the island. Even worse, they are building two additional towers at the Marriott resort. We checked it off our list of places to visit.
Renee and I had visited Sanibel and Captiva Islands about 20 years ago. Our memories were positive, so we wanted to see why. Both islands, which are connected by a bridge, are pleasant without a lot of commercial development. I'm sure the limited accommodations on the islands are very expensive. We stopped at one of the beaches on Sanibel to look for shells. We have read that the "shelling" on Sanibel and Captiva is good, and we found that to be the case. We found a lot of shells, though not any large or unusual ones.
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