Happy New Year Everyone

This past week started out slow and ended in a flurry of activity as we are making plans to move to Coral Springs. We met with our Mission President and the Stake President of the Pompano Beach Stake to discuss Daily Dose English and our move into the Coral Springs ward. After the meeting, we met a man and his wife who came for an interview with the Stake President. He turned out to be the new Bishop of the Coral Springs ward and we will be working closely with him. We were also introduced to a Brother McEwen who is a realtor and he helped us find a condo to rent. We helped give a member discussion to Sister Griffin on New Years Eve. When we came out, there was a whole group of men drinking and getting an early start for New Years eve. They were friendly and wished us a Happy New Year, but we were glad to get out of that neighborhood. That evening we went to the Bean's for a New Years Party. One of the couple missionaries were unable to be there because they were taking care of two missionaries who had been hit by a truck while they were crossing an intersection. Fortunately, the truck was stationary and then the drive looked left and turn right into the Elders. Elder DeSpain broke his nose and bruised his arm and rib cage. We were in a meeting with both of them today and they are doing fine. In fact, they were excited when they learned that Florida law allows a payment of $10,000 to those hit on their bicycles.

We have been doing a lot of special projects for our Mission President. Today, Elder Black and Elder Kynaston did an audit of the mission office. We have also been uncovering problems with the mission activity reporting and have suggested some changes. We also (with the help of a realtor who is a member of the church) found a condo to live in the Coral Springs area for the remaining 16 months of our mission. We will be moving on Monday, January 19th (P-day). We are enjoying our mission so much and really love being around the missionaries. We went to lunch with three sets of missionaries today and Sister Black commented that you just want to give them all a big hug and treat them like you would your grandchildren. Next week is the beginning of a new transfer cycle so new missionaries will be coming in, others will be going home and many will be transferred to new area. It is an exciting and emotional time. We love the gospel and the Lord with all our hearts and appreciate all the wonderful experiences were are having.