Florida Orlando Mission 2010-2013: June 2011

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Alex got baptized after putting if off for four or five months. And the assistants found Stephanie (top photo) at a bus stop.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

ONE YEAR MARK!

WOW -- One year ago (June 23, 2010) we entered into the MTC to serve in this wonderful and rewarding calling. We can't begin to tell you the feelings and experiences that we have had since then. We couldn't begin to express them. It has been one of the hardest and most challenging calling we have ever had but with hard trials come great joy and blessings. That joy is centered in our Savior, Jesus Christ and his atonement and gospel. It comes by inviting others to come unto Christ so that they can find that joy of which we teach. We have been able to share that joy with all the dedicated, and spiritual missionaries in the FOM. We are thankful for all of you who have entrusted us with your sons and daughters. We are so grateful for their patience as we have tried to "learn the ropes". We have all grown closer together in this endeavor.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

SIGNS OF SPRING

THESE LITTLE DUCKS WERE SO CUTE! ALL 23!

Friday, June 3, 2011

WHEN WE BIKE - BAPTISMS GO UP!

This is the saying we have in the FOM.

ZONE LEADERS COUNCIL

These are the missionaries who help run the mission, the zone leaders. Once a month we hold Zone Leader Council where we counsel together about the direction of the mission and problems are addressed. It's a revelatory meeting and it is wonderful to see how dedicated and spiritual these missionaries are. We have 8 zones in the mission.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

A FEW SHOTS OF TRANSFER WEEK

The President's new assistant makes 3!

HATE TO SEE THEM GO

This transfer we had 13 elders and 3 sisters depart from the Florida Orlando Mission. It is always hard to see them go!

ARRIVALS

We received eleven new elders and 3 new sisters this transfer. We are so excited for these new missionaries.

FLORIDA ORLANDO MISSION HISTORY

Florida has a deep Mormon heritage, going back as far as 1843. Traveling elders were occasionally sent into Florida until the Florida conference was officially organized November 1, 1895, which conference was within the Southern States Mission. In 1937, the first chapel in central Florida was built in Orlando. In 1950, the church established what is now officially called Deseret Cattle and Citrus Ranch in Osceola County, southeast of Orlando. Today the Church owns 316,000 acres covering three counties, making it the largest cattle ranch in Florida. Orlando was the second Florida stake, and was organized on February 23, 1958.

On November 1, 1960 the Florida Mission was created out of the Southern States Mission. This was the fist mission for the State of Florida. The original Florida mission was divided into the Florida South Mission July 1, 1971, then later into the Ft. Lauderdale Mission (June 1974); the Tampa Mission being created in 1976, and the Jacksonville Mission in July of 1987.

The Florida Orlando Mission is now graced to have within its boundaries the Church Ranch and the first temple of the church in Florida, the Orlando Temple.