Finally...some pictures

We've had some email issues, which is actually why there hasn't been any photos yet.

There are tons of alligators everywhere! All over the ranch. Here are a few pictures dad got of some. Scary if you ask me. This first one he said is about 6 feet long.

You have to look close in this one. There are a bunch of baby alligators. You can see their backs with yellow stripes on them.

This one is a 4 footer. I just don't think I would love seeing these beauties on a daily basis.

So far they are loving what they are doing. Dad goes to work at 7:00 a.m. and gets off at 5:00 p.m., just like at home. And he says there is a ton of stuff to do.

Mom on the other hand is sick of seeing snakes. There was one on dad's work truck the first day they got there. When they pulled up, it was there to greet them! One day when I was talking to mom on the phone there was a little garden snake out on the porch. While we were talking it slithered away! And the other night after she had washed her face, getting ready for bed, she was going to the kitchen and there was one in the middle of the floor. She freaked out, jumped on the couch, and didn't move until dad killed it and got rid of it! She says there are some people who have been there longer than them and haven't seen any. I think it's the Lord's way of getting her out of her comfort zone...completely!!

Mom's words...

Well, yesterday 4/15 was our first day of working @ the Orlando temple as Officiators. We had to leave our apt @ 5:30am. It was wonderful. We met alot of really neat people and I can't believe how many serving there are from Utah. Brother Decker is not from Utah, but his son, Jay Decker works for State Bank in Cedar City, which I know. That was cool, small world. I met the cutest elderly sister, Sister Joy Andrews. I believe she is Italian. She was helping me with some memorization. After about 10 minutes, she told me that was enough and that I needed to rely on the Lord more. Sure enough, as soon as I put the notes away, I could do it. I know the hands of the Lord were helping. It takes about 1200 people to operate the Orlando Temple. I never realized everything that goes on, it's amazing. Dad & I both felt overwhelmed when our shift was over, but we are going to love it. After that we drove to DISNEYWORLD, about 5 miles from the temple, and spent the afternoon in the Magic Kingdom. It was so crowded, so we only stayed about 3 hrs. We rode Splash Mountain and that is the wettest I have ever gotten. We had a great day together. We didn't get home until just before 10. Well today is laundry day & cleaning day for me. See those things never stop, even doing the Lords work.

road trip

*A-St. George, UT: Sunday, March 28 mom & dad left home and began their week long drive.
*B-SLC, UT: Monday, March 29, 8:00 am reported to the Farmland Reserve HQ to meet with Elder Richard T. Bretzing, his wife and 5 other couples for orientation. The service missionaries to do not go to the MTC because they are service only and don't proselyte.
*C-Cheyenne, WY: arrived around 11:00 pm. Remember the scenery to be dry & brown.
*D-Kansas City, MO: Tuesday, March 30 arrived 7:00 pm. Scenery starting to get green
*E-Chattanooga, TN: Wednesday, March 31 arrived. Everything was green and plush.
*F-Gainesville, FL: Thursday, April 1 arrived in the afternoon, and finally got to take a breather.
*G-St. Cloud, FL: Friday, April 2 just a couple hour drive and we were officially done driving.

(from mom)
We only stopped for gas, meals, and to sleep each day. The days were long, but we saw some beautiful country. Before arriving at the ranch we had to stop at the grocery store. That was an interesting experience. Dad hasn't been to the grocery store in years, and we both had to be very patient!

Farewell

March 21, 2010

Since their church is at 1:00, we had a luncheon before sacrament. All of our family, plus mom's parents, 2 sisters, a brother in law and sister in law were all there. It was just a small family gathering.

The Call

About a week before Christmas mom & dad got a phone call asking if they would be interested in serving this mission. They immediately called us all together for a 'family meeting'. We all thought it was a great idea, knowing it was something they had been wanting to do for sometime.

They received their actual call in January. Calling them to:

The Deseret Cattle and Citrus Ranch in St. Cloud, Florida

 as Building and Maintenance Specialists.  

the blog

This blog is by no means anything extraordinary! But we, the kids, wanted something to show whoever was interested in what sort of adventure our parents are on for the next 6 months. Plus, it will be fun to look back on in the years to come. We are relying completely on them to send us photos and some explanations...so don't get discouraged if we don't update regularly.

For now...

Our parents are on a service mission in Florida on the church farm. Dad is doing electrical repairs on whatever is needed, and mom does tours of the farm, and some humanitarian work. Once a week they make the one hour drive to the Orlando Temple(they have to be there at 6:30 a.m.) where they are ordinance workers for 6 hours a day.

I hope it isn't too long before we can update!! So check back soon!