ASL class officially started this week and it went great! Next week, we may have more people come because Bishop is encouraging all members, especially the priesthood brethren to learn the language. Right now, it's just Sis. Homer and I teaching, but we're trying to invite our members to help out so they can teach their own language to us.
We've been on bike a few times these past few weeks. So far, we just bike over downtown to visit the Library and Lynx Bus Station for contacting. It takes us an hour to bike downtown from our apartment, we spend about two or three hours there, then bike back. It's a fun morning activity! I survive biking there, but biking back always takes forever!
We also found a random street near our apartment that always has peacocks and peahens wandering around the front yards of those homes. Funny, huh! I love to random wildlife of Florida! We also run into a lot of Sandhill Cranes that aren't afraid of anything!
My new apartment address:
Sister Kris Ellsworth
4796 E Michigan St #9
Orlando, FL 32812
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Activities and Miracles
Ummmmmmmmmmmmm ... my mind just went blank ... which seems to happen every time I start a new email to the family. Therefore forgive me for having such short emails. One of these days, I'll remember to make a sticky note of things to write home to my family.
This last week, the biggest event was the "Savior of the World" performance that the Orlando South Stake put on these last two weekends. It was at the Windermere Chapel, right across the street from the Orlando Temple. Sis. Homer and I had volunteered to interpret for anyone interested, hoping to have a good turnout of people. We had a total of three members attend, plus some interpreters and their families. Friday and Saturday we were able to interpret the full two and a half hour long performance. What I find funny was that I first thought "Savior of the World" was a short musical presentation, not an actual theatrical event. I knew the conference center did a huge "Savior of the World" performance but the Orlando South Stake Center is a normal size chapel, not capable of performances - or so I thought. They turned the cultural hall into a theatre, and it looked really nice! I wish we had taken pictures! So, we learned the day before we were planned to interpret that it wasn't only music, but it had a full script with multiple characters interacting with each other. Sis. Homer and I had fun team interpreting to each other, changing roles, and trying to clearly present this production to our members. It was so much fun! The best part was signing in unison with the choir numbers. We'd try to feed off each other to sign the same way at the same time. I'm not sure how much the members really understood, but they felt the spirit nonetheless, and that's the most important part!
This last Saturday, we had an amazing experience at the Hunter's Creek Ward Picnic! At least ten of our members and investigators who are Deaf were able to attend, and we all sat together talking and joking around. We had the picnic at Moss Park, which is a great place for parties, reunions, activities, everything - especially because it's right in between two huge lakes. Near the end of the picnic, Bishop brought out squirt guns for everyone, and a water war started between the members. And of course with coolers full of ice water sitting around and everyone having a water bottle and squirt guns, many people got soaked! It was so much fun! Our members want to do that more often to help gather their friends together and come to activities.
Also, we are starting our ASL classes in Hunter's Creek. We will officially begin this week, but last week, a family with four little girls came to learn from us; so we taught them how to pray in sign language. We look forward to seeing how many people come to learn and see what will grow with our ward becoming even more unified in language, culture, and spirit. This work is going great! We truly love it! We are excited to see what new miracles the Lord will show to us this next week.
My emailing time has come to a close, so lots of love from Orlando 'til next time!
This last week, the biggest event was the "Savior of the World" performance that the Orlando South Stake put on these last two weekends. It was at the Windermere Chapel, right across the street from the Orlando Temple. Sis. Homer and I had volunteered to interpret for anyone interested, hoping to have a good turnout of people. We had a total of three members attend, plus some interpreters and their families. Friday and Saturday we were able to interpret the full two and a half hour long performance. What I find funny was that I first thought "Savior of the World" was a short musical presentation, not an actual theatrical event. I knew the conference center did a huge "Savior of the World" performance but the Orlando South Stake Center is a normal size chapel, not capable of performances - or so I thought. They turned the cultural hall into a theatre, and it looked really nice! I wish we had taken pictures! So, we learned the day before we were planned to interpret that it wasn't only music, but it had a full script with multiple characters interacting with each other. Sis. Homer and I had fun team interpreting to each other, changing roles, and trying to clearly present this production to our members. It was so much fun! The best part was signing in unison with the choir numbers. We'd try to feed off each other to sign the same way at the same time. I'm not sure how much the members really understood, but they felt the spirit nonetheless, and that's the most important part!
This last Saturday, we had an amazing experience at the Hunter's Creek Ward Picnic! At least ten of our members and investigators who are Deaf were able to attend, and we all sat together talking and joking around. We had the picnic at Moss Park, which is a great place for parties, reunions, activities, everything - especially because it's right in between two huge lakes. Near the end of the picnic, Bishop brought out squirt guns for everyone, and a water war started between the members. And of course with coolers full of ice water sitting around and everyone having a water bottle and squirt guns, many people got soaked! It was so much fun! Our members want to do that more often to help gather their friends together and come to activities.
Also, we are starting our ASL classes in Hunter's Creek. We will officially begin this week, but last week, a family with four little girls came to learn from us; so we taught them how to pray in sign language. We look forward to seeing how many people come to learn and see what will grow with our ward becoming even more unified in language, culture, and spirit. This work is going great! We truly love it! We are excited to see what new miracles the Lord will show to us this next week.
My emailing time has come to a close, so lots of love from Orlando 'til next time!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Ever Onward
We had a great week last week! I'll probably be sending another package with pictures because of the fun we've had this week! First, we had temple service on Tuesday. The temple has been closed for cleaning so we went to help with anything needed. Sis. Homer, myself, and a few Elders went to the Temple President's home to dig a trench to prep for the rainy season this year. It was a lot of fun! That same day, we were able to serve our members by washing two cars - since coming on my mission, I've noticed that I do enjoy washing cars.
We have several investigators who are progressing in the gospel and it is amazing. There is no better feeling than to have an investigator tell us that they are trying to practice their prayers every day. One of our investigators we had given the BoM Stories DVD - because we haven't received the ASL BoM shipment yet. She said she hadn't read much of it, but then she continued forth describing five different BoM stories that are spread throughout the book. It was amazing!
One fun finding idea we tried this week was to go with the Windermere Sisters and to take sidewalk chalk and write "Questions of the Souls" on main sidewalks. It was a lot of fun. I don't know if anything came from it, but by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. And we are trying to figure out other ways to finding people besides tracting.
Saturday, we had a Ward YM/YW Fundraising activity where they put on a Luau and cake auction. Because we have many Polynesian members in our ward, it was a true Luau. They had cooked three pigs in a pit (buried in the ground, wrapped in banana leaves, cardboard, and blankets) and even had a Polynesian dance group from Sea World come perform for us. It was a lot of fun! Sadly, none of the Deaf members attended. This next week we have a Ward Picnic and we hope that will be a great turnout for our investigators and members.
All is well here in Orlando. We're teaching amazing people! We've had our emergency preparedness training for the summertime! We're learning how to drink three bottles of water a day! It's going great! Ever onward!
We have several investigators who are progressing in the gospel and it is amazing. There is no better feeling than to have an investigator tell us that they are trying to practice their prayers every day. One of our investigators we had given the BoM Stories DVD - because we haven't received the ASL BoM shipment yet. She said she hadn't read much of it, but then she continued forth describing five different BoM stories that are spread throughout the book. It was amazing!
One fun finding idea we tried this week was to go with the Windermere Sisters and to take sidewalk chalk and write "Questions of the Souls" on main sidewalks. It was a lot of fun. I don't know if anything came from it, but by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. And we are trying to figure out other ways to finding people besides tracting.
Saturday, we had a Ward YM/YW Fundraising activity where they put on a Luau and cake auction. Because we have many Polynesian members in our ward, it was a true Luau. They had cooked three pigs in a pit (buried in the ground, wrapped in banana leaves, cardboard, and blankets) and even had a Polynesian dance group from Sea World come perform for us. It was a lot of fun! Sadly, none of the Deaf members attended. This next week we have a Ward Picnic and we hope that will be a great turnout for our investigators and members.
All is well here in Orlando. We're teaching amazing people! We've had our emergency preparedness training for the summertime! We're learning how to drink three bottles of water a day! It's going great! Ever onward!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Another Week of Missionary Work
I forgot to mention that yesterday was my eight month mark! I just thought it was funny to be able to call home on Mother's Day on my eight month birthday :-D
All is well here in Orlando! Last P-Day, we went to Downtown Disney to see the sights and take some pics of us (S. Akin, S. Clanton, S. Homer, and I) being silly. I also chopped off all my hair to prepare for the heat and humidity of Florida summers. I keep forgetting that I cut my hair ... but while emailing the missionaries keep walking in, noticing me, and making comments because it's so different! I'll sends pics soon of my before, mid, and after (I got my hair cut twice - one of the Sisters didn't like the original cut and decided to fix it up - cutting it even shorter)!
This week was a lot of driving trying to contact our referrals, and every once in a while the Lord gave us a miracle. We met an amazing young man who is seeking for truth but doesn't think God would answer his prayers. We spent the first lesson teaching him about the spirit and how God answers prayers every day. We look forwards to teaching him more and helping him grow in his relationship with God and his understanding of the gospel.
We had a really interesting Sunday because we attended two wards and team interpreted both of them. In one of the wards, we were able to teach during the last hour to two brothers who have driven to Hunter's Creek from Daytona Beach for the last three weeks to attend church. They love to learn about the gospel so we were able to teach them the first lesson simply to them. Because of distance, we'll probably only be able to teach them once a week but we are greatly impressed with their strong spirit and willingness to travel so far to hear the words of God.
Another opportunity we had this week was to take a young woman with us on exchanges. It was her first time seeing Sister Missionaries and being able to come on exchanges. I'm surprised at how many people (even members) who don't know about Sister Missionaries. We went tracting for a few hours trying to search for some missionary referrals. We didn't have any luck, but we could see this young woman grow in her desire to share the gospel with her friends. Missionary work ... it's contagious!
I love you all! I love the work! It's amazing to see all the great experiences and tender mercies that come each day!
All is well here in Orlando! Last P-Day, we went to Downtown Disney to see the sights and take some pics of us (S. Akin, S. Clanton, S. Homer, and I) being silly. I also chopped off all my hair to prepare for the heat and humidity of Florida summers. I keep forgetting that I cut my hair ... but while emailing the missionaries keep walking in, noticing me, and making comments because it's so different! I'll sends pics soon of my before, mid, and after (I got my hair cut twice - one of the Sisters didn't like the original cut and decided to fix it up - cutting it even shorter)!
This week was a lot of driving trying to contact our referrals, and every once in a while the Lord gave us a miracle. We met an amazing young man who is seeking for truth but doesn't think God would answer his prayers. We spent the first lesson teaching him about the spirit and how God answers prayers every day. We look forwards to teaching him more and helping him grow in his relationship with God and his understanding of the gospel.
We had a really interesting Sunday because we attended two wards and team interpreted both of them. In one of the wards, we were able to teach during the last hour to two brothers who have driven to Hunter's Creek from Daytona Beach for the last three weeks to attend church. They love to learn about the gospel so we were able to teach them the first lesson simply to them. Because of distance, we'll probably only be able to teach them once a week but we are greatly impressed with their strong spirit and willingness to travel so far to hear the words of God.
Another opportunity we had this week was to take a young woman with us on exchanges. It was her first time seeing Sister Missionaries and being able to come on exchanges. I'm surprised at how many people (even members) who don't know about Sister Missionaries. We went tracting for a few hours trying to search for some missionary referrals. We didn't have any luck, but we could see this young woman grow in her desire to share the gospel with her friends. Missionary work ... it's contagious!
I love you all! I love the work! It's amazing to see all the great experiences and tender mercies that come each day!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Randomness
Okay, I've decided to write in bullets this time. No organization -- which pains me -- but I've got little time to write ....
It is Magnolia blooming season!!! I am so excited! Our apartment complex is surrounded by magnolia trees and they are beginning to bloom. It's so pretty! I am definitely going to get pictures! So as you can see, magnolias are still my favorite flower :-D
We are having amazing blessings with contacting our referrals! The Lord is taking us by the hand and allowing us to meet His children who are in need and being able to bless their lives with the gospel in their own language. We continue to have double digit numbers of referrals still needing contact, but our number of contacted go up each week as we strive to find them at home and available to talk with us.
This past Sunday was Deaf Day when the Orlando, Orlando South, and Hunter's Creek Deaf members can decide to gather together for a fast and testimony meeting. We had a great turnout and were able to discuss the changes happening in the three stakes and start to resolve any concerns. Then we stayed for a potluck to socialize together and get another group picture. We're excited to see the development happening to better meet the needs of these amazing members! Sister Homer and I simply love the work! We learn something new each day and continue forth to do everything we can for our members and investigators.
We had a great experience last week when we went to an appt with one of our investigators. We were meeting him at his Auto Body shop, which we are worried is distracting and loud for trying to teach a lesson, but whatever it takes to meet with him. When we drove up, he was out waxing their towing truck (his business on the side) so we walked up and offered to help him out. For a few minutes Sis. Homer and I waxed his towing truck as we did some small talk. His kids were there, running around us so he introduced them to us - all his kids are hearing. Then his wife came and was shocked to see him allow us to wax his truck while we were in skirts. It was funny as we explained we wanted to help and continued to wax. Then they told us about the recent news story about discovering Noah's ark up in the mountains and how interesting that is ... etc. etc. Finally we were able to teach them, first of the gospel, then went back to the restoration when we realized his wife was on a search just like Joseph Smith. Wow, they are an amazing family! We learned that our investigator really wanted us to meet his wife so he called her up and told her to come and bring the kids to his work today but didn't tell her why. She was so confused at first being at his work until we showed up and they both expressed their appreciation for us just coming up offering our services then being able to teach a lesson about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was amazing! We loved it!
Mother's Day is next week ... don't worry, we haven't forgotten here in the mission. Sis. Homer and I will be attending two wards that day (Winter Park needs an interpreter so we are going to help, and Hunters Creek has a lot of investigators attending so we need to be present for them). So, to match our schedule with your schedule, I'll probably be calling you around 8:20pm Orlando time -- which is 5:20pm Arizona time?
Lots of Love! All is well here in Orlando! The work continues onward and upward. Miracles truly are happening here! A soft package should be coming to you this next week with pics CD, old letters, etc. Take care!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
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