Half way through

Our funniest Elder so far just before he is transferred.  One of the other elders gave me a semi-matching tie for Christmas since I had made such a big deal about how nice his tie was.

Our new sister's first trip into Alabama for zone training. She had been in the mission field about one week

The Elders trying to give Sister Lay a bad time during a district activity

I am not sure if the face was because she didn't like her putt or that I was taking a picture of her

Some of them take it seriously

His knick name in Marianna is Opie Taylor, I wonder why.

The Sisters being good sports about another activity that they had no idea how to play

 

I must have handed the camera to Sister Lay

Our Sister's patiently waiting for their turn to be interviewed by President Smith.

Missionary parking practices are questionable, the result of them needing to have someone outside guiding them when they back up.

Sister Lay's exercise program she performs while I go eat breakfast at Sonic or Whaffle House.    (This is obviously an unapproved picture, but since I am doing the blog I guess I get to post what I want and then pay the price.)

The farewell party for the office mission couple.  They were great and will be missed.

Some days are tougher than others.  I had to take the Elders to a physical therapy appointment in Panama City and we wondered down onto the beach.  This may be the only time the one on the right gets to see the gulf since he is waiting for his visa and then he will be off to South Africa.

The Dr. Martin Luther King parade held in the black part of the community.

This preacher is in all of the parades, typically dress in her black robes, went upscale for MLK.

The next two pictures are for Mark Workiman

This was on a senior couple outing on valentine's day.  I thought I had gotten off cheap with a card, but oh well, we were looking for something to remind us of this part of Florida.  The artist is actually located in the Ward boundries we are in, even though he is not a member.

The replicas of the Nina and Pinta were on display,  We got pictures, but opted not to spend the two hours plus waiting in line to go on board.

As you can see, life is going good.

We asked a local for a place to eat, he told us to take a dirt road for about 2 miles turn right and go to the end of the road.  Not cheap by any means, but was excellent.  We were surprised how busy they were.

Spring must be on its way, the trees are starting to bloom and we are over run by robins.

The work is progressing.  This is a family where the husband was inactive.  He and his family started coming to church when his dad became active.

He was ordain a priest the same day he was able to baptize his wife, oldest son and his nephew.

This was a reinactment of the mother saying the closing prayer at the baptismal service.  She was so overcome by the experience of the baptism that her son had to go up and put his hand on her shoulders to help her get through saying the closing prayer.

Life is good, we are having a great time out here calling people to come unto Christ. Even though some struggle to believe that Christ acturally appeared to Joseph Smith, the Holy Spirit helps them understand the truthfulness of that event.

Love Elder Lay.

December 2014

Florida State Univerty vs. Boston College

The FSU Sod Cemetary where they have replanted grass from opposing teams' end zones when FSU has won what they feel are important victories.

For the BYU fans amoung you, at some point they thought beating BYU was a significant victory

Going into the FSU baseball stadium for pregame activities

The Brass section warming up for the game

And the percussion section

The pre-game crowd in the baseball stadium

The 450 member band in it's final warm up.  Notice the brave soul setting in the rain.

The FSU band marching onto the field and then lining up for the football teams entrance

The Seminole bringing the spear onto the field for the opening ceremony.

The crowd gets into the game by doing a "chop".  They pretend to have a tomahawk in their hand as they chant a war song. Sing and chop, sing and chop.

 The former FSU football player, Burt Reynolds, sticking the spear into the center of the field.  It should be noted that Burt Reynolds started and ended a promising carreer his freshman season.

FSU scoring the first touchdown! An unusual event this year at an FSU football game.

The skies opened and a down pour continued for most of the game. Most of the fans remained loyal.

Sorry about the picture, but it was the best I could do in the down pour.  Shows the scored tied 17 to 17 with 7 seconds left, just before FSU kicked the winning field goal.  Boston College missed their field goal which would have won the game.

A selfy of the drowned fans.

With permision of the Assistants to the president, we were able to take the Sisters serving with us in Marianna to Panama City and of course, they wanted to see the beach.  Neither one had seen it yet. As you can see it was another one of our well selected days where the weather was horrible.

All the trips to Panama Ciy to get Sister Lay's kidney stones removed at least allowed her time to finish the quilt for our grandson Ben. 

Ben thrilled to have is new blanket which he informed us that his grandmother, Sam and he made.

Christmas Parade in Marianna

At first we thought they had Santa Claus in jail.

The middle queen is the Bishop's daughter

The grinch after he has reformed

These kids were having a great time dancing.

And finally, Santa Clause

Our home away from home for Christmas

I was out looking for a manger scene to put in the yard.  Decided to check out the Christian store in town.  Their inventory consisted of one manger scene which Sister Lay now owns.  (I knew she would have to have it they minute I saw it,)

What I didn't expect was that I would also have to buy Mary and Joseph as well.

She did let me off with a small tree in the house.

W purchased this yard art to show we are indeed Christians.  We saw it at a local festival earlier but I thought I could find it cheaper than what they were asking.  So  I ended up going backto where the festival was, getting their address and driving to Alabama to buy it for $10 more.

Our front porch with the wreath and christmas lights

Our house from down the street.

We had half mission conferences in Tallahassee and Pensecola.  Because of the miles involved we took six elders with us.  With the time change going from the central to eastern time zone we had to leave earlier than they would have liked.

Finally, I am ready for New Years Day

GO Noles!!!!!