Hey everyone reading this, I have officially been in the Florida Orlando Mission for a grand total of 7 days. Honestly though, I feel like I just flew in yesterday.
Last week as I was flying out, I met this super chill guy on my first plane ride from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City. He served his mission in Germany and gave me a list of some amazing advice. By the time he was finished our plane was already landing so the first flight passed real fast! Sadly, I missed the connecting one and had to reschedule but I did so in a way where I still managed to arrive in Florida at the right time while also flying with another missionary named Elder Smith who was recently converted just under two years ago!!
It only took me about three days to get use to the the Florida climate, going from wearing winter coats to short sleeve shirts and shorts was a welcome change. I even managed to acclimate to the humidity somewhat quick but I can confirm that when you get out of the the shower you never fully dry off for a couple hours.
My favorite part about the the mission is easily the people. That is definitely an overused answer but it is completely true! I have already had a day where members fed me breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also just had a member volunteer to do all of our grocery shopping for us and threatened to yell at us if we were shy about making a list!
I have felt my testimony grow so much already, meeting and talking to some of the the members has made me think that perhaps the people I am teaching should be the missionaries because of the strength of the testimonies, but I have felt so blessed to be able to share the messages that we study with them to further improve their lives. The first lesson I led was with a person who will be baptized in June and is super strong in the church already. Although her husband doesn't care for it and at most, he has only ever listened to the lessons without actively participating. However, as I was teaching them, he actually started asking some intense questions about the the Plan of Salvation and even ended up sharing a personal spiritual moment he had in the military. I have great hope that he will continue to participate more and more and eventually follow the example of Christ and be baptized.
A recurring theme that seems to have come up is "Beauty in Balance." At first a recent convert said it to me when we walked to Institute, and now I have noticed it in everything! We need both good and bad in this life to improve. When we experience that which is bad in life we become able to truly appreciate the good. I have thought about that much in the context of that first hug I will give my parents when I get home. Furthermore, I think of the pain I feel when I consider the fact that I caused Christ suffering because of my sins, but I then consider the joy his sacrifice enables me to have. There is beauty in both sides!
Pic #1-- Our dress code says we don't need ties!!
Pic #2--First time in the Atlantic!
Pic #3--Christmas Decor on Palm Trees!!
Here at few other pictures that he sent....there are 2 stuffed animals and here is what Elder Killian says about those...So there was a recent baptized kid around 12 who hand made both those.
There is also a "meme" picture that was made by his companion since Elder Killian made lots of comments about the AWESOME palm trees as well as other pictures as he adjusts to being in the Florida mission.
