On Monday they were allowed out to clean up the grounds of the Stake Center of where they were staying but that was it. Many places were still out of power and dangerous to go back to.
Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission - President Garns
·
This morning everyone is anxious to return to the work, but there are many steps which must occur first. In some areas, a curfew is still in effect; in other areas law enforcement officers are not all back to work.
Wonderful members are being called upon to drive by each home and
apartment to assess damage and make sure there are no safety issues.
No one will return to homes and apartments until civil authorities give us the go ahead.
In the meantime, the missionaries will finish companionship study and cleanup, both inside and outside the Church buildings.
No one will return to homes and apartments until civil authorities give us the go ahead.
In the meantime, the missionaries will finish companionship study and cleanup, both inside and outside the Church buildings.
Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission - President Garns
·
Missionaries
were able to return to their apartments and homes yesterday - IF power
and water had been restored and there were no dangers. A large group of
missionaries without power in their apartments stayed another fun night
in the church buildings.
All are busy cleaning up the debris around the churches and in the neighborhoods. They are happy to be outside in beautiful weather, eager to serve, and counting their blessings!
Sister Pack wrote -
"To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven." President Thomas S. Monson
Internet still down, power still out, but miraculously, that which has been inoperable for two days within the church, begins to function.
Night 5; sheltering in the church from Hurricane Irma. 30 elders, 8 sisters and 2 senior couples have stayed together (sisters in separated area of course) served together, played together and prayed together.
These are from Sister Pack who was with Sophie's group.
This crane took refuge from the storm at the stake center too.
If you watched closely you could see Sophie dragging a huge palm pram. I am very proud of her. I actually laughed that it was so big and that Sister Pack videoed the end of it being drug by her. Proud of my strong girls!
At this point we had still not heard anything. But by noon on the 12th I got a phone call from Sister Pack while we were at lunch with my family. She said that Sophie was sitting right there by her. She was doing great, playing the piano and drawing picture's for everyone. (Sophie had Josh send her a bunch of picture's so that she could draw them while they had nothing to do. He sent her about 30. She is very Beckstrand talented when it comes to art, but not for coming up with it on her own. If she looks at a picture on her phone she can recreate it almost perfectly on paper. But it's also how she withdrawals from people. I worry about her not talking to anyone.) Anyway, she said that they were still without power in many of the homes and were staying at the stake center at least another night. They did have clean water and electricity there, but no internet access so no one has been able to email home like the other zones have. So Sister Pack was calling parents when she had cell service. What an angel! The phone call only lasted a few minutes and I didn't get to speak to Sophie but the spirit was so strong and comforting. I knew that everything was going to be alright.
All are busy cleaning up the debris around the churches and in the neighborhoods. They are happy to be outside in beautiful weather, eager to serve, and counting their blessings!
Sister Pack wrote -
"To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven." President Thomas S. Monson
Internet still down, power still out, but miraculously, that which has been inoperable for two days within the church, begins to function.
Night 5; sheltering in the church from Hurricane Irma. 30 elders, 8 sisters and 2 senior couples have stayed together (sisters in separated area of course) served together, played together and prayed together.
These are from Sister Pack who was with Sophie's group.
At this point we had still not heard anything. But by noon on the 12th I got a phone call from Sister Pack while we were at lunch with my family. She said that Sophie was sitting right there by her. She was doing great, playing the piano and drawing picture's for everyone. (Sophie had Josh send her a bunch of picture's so that she could draw them while they had nothing to do. He sent her about 30. She is very Beckstrand talented when it comes to art, but not for coming up with it on her own. If she looks at a picture on her phone she can recreate it almost perfectly on paper. But it's also how she withdrawals from people. I worry about her not talking to anyone.) Anyway, she said that they were still without power in many of the homes and were staying at the stake center at least another night. They did have clean water and electricity there, but no internet access so no one has been able to email home like the other zones have. So Sister Pack was calling parents when she had cell service. What an angel! The phone call only lasted a few minutes and I didn't get to speak to Sophie but the spirit was so strong and comforting. I knew that everything was going to be alright.
Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission - President Garns
Comforting news tidbits:
President and Sister Garns have been visiting locations throughout the mission. Yesterday the missionaries in the Naples and Fort Myers Zones were so happy to see them.
Elder and Sister Pack, and many wonderful members continue to visit missionary apartments and homes to assess any damage that may need to be repaired, as well as check for water and power.
The September FFLM is topsy-turvy. The AP's are busily planning and scheduling and rescheduling. Detailed will be posted as they become available.
The Fort Lauderdale Temple will reopen Saturday, but missionaries will be busy serving and unable to attend.
Our Area Authority, Brother Stephen Thompson, has planned an organized cleanup effort mission-wide for Saturday and Sunday. After the Elders and Sisters attend a temple session, they will join in the service projects.
Zones Conferences will be next week, September 19th and 20th.
If you are wondering if you can mail packages, the answer is yes, the mail service is up and running.
Florida Power and Light called yesterday to inform us that power will be restored to all of the east coast by the weekend.
The gas stations have fuel and the grocery store shelves are beginning to be restocked.
Hopefully Sophie will be back in her house today or tomorrow. We won't know until we hear from her on Monday. We will expect to see more pictures of clean up coming in as the days go on. I will keep you all posted. - PennyPresident and Sister Garns have been visiting locations throughout the mission. Yesterday the missionaries in the Naples and Fort Myers Zones were so happy to see them.
Elder and Sister Pack, and many wonderful members continue to visit missionary apartments and homes to assess any damage that may need to be repaired, as well as check for water and power.
The September FFLM is topsy-turvy. The AP's are busily planning and scheduling and rescheduling. Detailed will be posted as they become available.
The Fort Lauderdale Temple will reopen Saturday, but missionaries will be busy serving and unable to attend.
Our Area Authority, Brother Stephen Thompson, has planned an organized cleanup effort mission-wide for Saturday and Sunday. After the Elders and Sisters attend a temple session, they will join in the service projects.
Zones Conferences will be next week, September 19th and 20th.
If you are wondering if you can mail packages, the answer is yes, the mail service is up and running.
Florida Power and Light called yesterday to inform us that power will be restored to all of the east coast by the weekend.
The gas stations have fuel and the grocery store shelves are beginning to be restocked.
The picture above is of one of our Elders when he got down to Key West. And the picture below was of the same place after the winds of Irma had blown and basically sandblasted the paint off of that same cement milestone.
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