COTTLE MISSION NEWS: Week 43 (26 November

Monday morning, I finished our blog entry for the week and got it published and then at 11:00 am we left for a medical appointment at Akumin Imaging for a bone density test for Pam. When done we continued to the USO. The parking lot of full and a Petty Officer Leadership course for E-4 and E-5 newly promoted sailors was in progress and we worked around them throughout the afternoon. Beam’s had delivered a huge food donation and there was bread, pastries, vegetables and frozen meat for patrons. Joyce Schellhorn (Director) was in the office along with Cheryl Vandiver and Dave Ostrum and Pam worked with Cheryl for a while and then answered phones and gave out Jags and Nutcracker tickets to patrons. I cleaned up a few messes and broke down the Beams boxes and got them taken care of. I also worked with Joyce getting Christmas decorations ready to display. At 4:00 pm Pam and I drove to the Credit Union and made a deposit for Joyce and then stopped at the Jarvis’ home and unloaded food donations for Stake Conference this weekend. We also went to the Lagae’s on the Naval Station and visited with them and they had a great time in Orlando and their kids were very happy to see us. We picked up our table and chairs and drove back to the Arlington Hills area. We stopped for a late lunch, early dinner and then on to our apartment for the night.

Tuesday morning, we opened the USO at 8:00 am this morning for a Petty Officer training course and for Contractors. We opened the front and back doors and let the Petty Officers and Contractors in and within a few minutes they began their activities. There were boxes of Christmas decorations everywhere and we just let them lie. Christmas was one of Joyce Schellhorn’s (Director) favorite holidays and she had quite a collection of things. We turned on everything and sat back and relaxed for a while until 9:00 am when the doors officially opened. I went outside and hung a new MIA/POW flag beneath the American Flag and Pam ran the office. Cheryl Vandiver arrived about 10:00 am and Dave Ostrum was also there so we had a full house. We weren’t sure why Joyce, Cheryl and Dave were all there at the same time as they all just sat around and talked. Pam and I hung some Christmas decorations and did some cleaning until afternoon and left at 1:15 pm for a doctor’s appointment. We checked in at the clinic and within 15 minutes were ushered into a room and Doctor Hoffman began checking our records and going through a Wellness Check. She first went over Pam’s records and Pam needed some lab work done and they talked about her being marginally diabetic. She gave Pam some information on healthy eating and exercise. She went through my records and everything was up to date, so we were done in about 45 minutes. We would see her again in March for new lab work. From the doctor’s office we drove to the St. John’s Center area and had some lunch and then shopped at Costco for fresh vegetables and fruit. On the way back to the apartment we stopped for gas and then home for the night. Pam did some arranging in the guest bedroom closet for Andrew and Sarah and made a call to Sarah to discuss the weather for it was cold today and would be through the weekend.

Wednesday morning, we finished preparations for Andrew’s family visit starting today. We left for the airport at 10:45 am and their flight landed just after we arrived and in about 20 minutes, we located them upstairs on the arrival deck. It was so good to see them and following the greetings we walked to the van and loaded up and headed to our apartment. The biggest issue was seating as we had 7 seatbelts and 8 passengers. The 4 children squeezed into the back seat and Norah and Alice double belted. At our apartment we unloaded their things and showed them around and visited for a while before going to the local Wendy’s for lunch. Our first adventure was a drive to Mayport where we took the ferry across the St. John’s river. While waiting to leave we saw Jelly Fish just off the pier and a Dolphin in the channel jumping out of the water as a Container ship passed by. After unloading we took the Timucuan Preserve road and on to Kingsley Plantation and toured the facility. First, we went to the visitor’s center and out by the water and it was spectacular. We walked through the Kitchen House, Main House, Barn, Garden and the Slave Quarters by the entrance—all very interesting. While we were walking through the Slave Quarters, Sarah began running back to the main road and after we finished looking around we left and caught up to her just before she arrived at the main road. She loved the run, especially the road and canopy of trees and moss. We continued West towards I-295 and returned to the apartment via the Dames Point Bridge. The kids busied themselves with games and tablets and Sarah and Reynolds went out and investigated the apartment complex, especially the pool and to see if there was a hot tub. Well no hot tub, but they liked the pool. Pam fixed dinner and we ate, and the rest of the evening was spent visiting. We joined their family reading in Mosiah and then had a family prayer and called it a night. Jane, Alice and Norah were sleeping on an air mattress and Reynolds was on the couch. Of course, Andrew & Sarah were in the guest room.

Thursday morning, Andrew and Sarah were up about 9:00 am and they dressed and went running out on Fort Caroline Blvd. They returned in two hours and we had some lunch at the apartment and then drove to Atlantic Beach and took highway A1A and through Neptune and Jacksonville Beach towns south to Ponte Vedra and pointed out to Andrew the location of the Sawgrass Country Club where the Players Tournament was played each year. As we continued along A1A they were amazed at the homes, the beautiful trees and landscaping. Finally, at a small gas station we stopped as there was access to the beach and the kids went out on the sand and ran around looking for shells and playing in the water. As you would imagine one by one, they got wet, mainly their shoes, but Norah got wet up to her waist from splashing water so when we got back to the van, they were cold. We continued to St. Augustine where we planned to spend the afternoon, but first located a Wal-Mart and Pam and Sarah went inside and Pam purchased a pair of leggings for Norah and new shoes for all the kids. Finally, dried and dressed, we drove to the visitor’s center in the center of Old Town St. Augustine and found parking. After some instructions, we bought tickets for the trolley ride to see the city lights at 6:00 pm. We walked to the Fort (Castillo de San Marcos) and spent an hour walking through the main floor and up on the ramparts. The kids really enjoyed the enormity of it and I know Andrew and Sarah were impressed. From the fort we crossed back into Old Augustine and wandered through some of the old streets and viewed the buildings, old Victorian homes and narrow streets and ended up at a playground park just west of the parking garage. The kids played for about 45 minutes. It was constructed out of Redwood and was interesting. Finally, at about 5:15 pm we walked to where the trolleys were lining up for the evenings Festival of Lights and waited in line for 6:00 pm to arrive. We boarded the first set of Trolley cars and it was cool, and we were glad we brought coats. During the Christmas holidays, the city of St. Augustine lights up and becomes a festival of twinkling white lights as it hosts the annual Nights of Lights holiday display. Visitors and long-time residents alike are treated to a wonderland of lights adorning the ancient city, beginning at the Plaza de la Constitución, with its stunning holiday tree in the center and oaks strung with lights, and stretching out to illuminate all of St. Augustine's historic district. From roof shingles to doorway entrances, the downtown buildings take on a glow of holiday cheer, with millions of twinkling white lights covering the historic sites, bed and breakfasts, museums, restaurants and shops of the nation's oldest city. The ride was beautiful, and we all enjoyed the lights, music, singing, and comradery of the people. The ride lasted for almost an hour as we crisscrossed the city and saw many of the sights several times from different approaches. It was well worth the cost. We ended up right by the parking garage and were given a cookie and cup of Warm Apple Cider, which was wonderful. We loaded up in the van and headed for home. We were hungry and decided to stop at Costco where we had pizza and sandwiches and it was perfect. We arrived at our apartment 45 minutes later and settled in for the night. As Norah said, it was the “best day ever.”

Friday morning, we left the apartment just before 9:00 am and dropped Pam off at the Lagae’s where she babysat Fiona and Clive while Samantha and Jerald took Eleanor for an IEP hearing at the elementary school. We drove around the base for a half an hour and I pointed out the various ships and what they did and covered the entire waterfront and the airfield. Finally, we drove to the beach access by Officer housing and parked and walked out to the beach. It was low tide and we walked out to a sand bar and set up chairs and laid out a towel and beach toys. The kids eagerly took off their street clothes to reveal swimming suits and wandered tested the water. They enjoyed it very much and were not timid about going out in the water, especially Jane and Reynolds. Sarah ran north to the Chief’s Club, and then returned. She wanted to run towards Jacksonville and headed out and we didn’t see her for an hour. Andrew and I took pictures of the kids and before we knew it had to keep moving the chairs and towel as the tide began to come in quickly. Before we knew it, we were 40 or 50 feet back towards the dunes. Norah was wet and cold about noon and said she wanted to go home. I suggested taking her to Lagae’s and let Pam get her warm and that is what I did. I drove her there with a change of clothes and Pam got her dressed. Later Samantha Lagae brought Pam and Norah to the beach when they got home, and we watched the kids play and enjoyed the sun and gentle breeze. We saw Dolphins playing out beyond the kids and they were amazing. Pam, Jane and I drove to ITT to get some information about Orlando and then returned to the beach for a final hour. Reynolds was a real water-baby and kept going back in and having fun. Finally, at 2:00 pm we decided to leave and gathered up our things and walked to the van and returned to the Lagae’s. We dropped off the chairs and beach toys and Samantha and Jerald got to meet the family. We came home for the rest of the afternoon and evening. The showers were going full blast and then the washer and dryer while Pam fixed dinner for us—Café Rio Burritos, good! Andrew and Sarah took their kids outside and walked around, played on the playground until dark and then came inside. Pam went to sleep early, and I joined Andrew’s family as they chapter 29 of Mosiah and then had prayers before we all went to bed.

Saturday morning, Pam and I drove to the ITT shop in Mayport to check on tickets for Universal Studios, but we also asked if they had any tickets for Okefenokee Swamp Park. She said “no”, but she did have a good deal for us in St. Augustine at the Alligator Farm Zoological Park. We had previously looked at that place, but it was too expensive. Well today was Military Appreciation Day and Pam and I would get in free and other tickets were discounted significantly. So, we bought tickets for Andrew & Sarah and family and returned to our apartment. We were on the way to St. Augustine within an hour and made our way through the city and across the harbor bridge to the St. Augustine Beach Island and located the park. We checked in and spent over 3 hours wandering through the park—Alligators, Crocodiles, Birds of Africa, Tortoises and Lemures of Madagascar. Of significance was the number of Crocodile species they had from Africa, Asia and the Americas. Every recognized species of crocodiles was found in this park. We saw parts of two shows highlighting birds, snakes and tortoises and they were very interesting. Finally, before leaving we saw them feed alligators and it was interesting to watch their response to food as the alligators gathered at one end of the pond—33 of them all full-sized adults. At home, Pam and I got ready for the Saturday evening session of conference and left shortly after 6:00 pm for the Stake Center. We got seats in the chapel and at 7:00 am President Button stood, and the meeting commenced. Following an opening hymn and prayer we heard from Brother Michael Lundell, a member of the High Council, President Button, Sister Lee, President Lee and then from Sister Jackie McCarthur, wife of the visiting authority. Following an intermediate hymn, the balance of the meeting was taken by Elder J Vaun McCarthur of the seventy (6^th Quorum). He gave a wonderful talk from the scriptures. It’s been a long time since I witnessed someone use the scriptures like he did. Basically, he reinforced the Prophet’s call to “Minister” and did a wonderful job. Following the closing prayer, we saw the Walton’s and relayed a message from Carol Berthelson about their son who was serving in Parker. We left and drove back to our apartment and everyone was asleep, so we came into our room for the night.

Sunday morning, we all were up early and got ready for church and were on our way at 9:00 am. When we arrived at the stake center, the full-time missionaries were directing traffic and parking cars. We got parked and went inside and found seats on the front row of the cultural hall and visited with stake members as they arrived. Elder McArthur was shaking hands with President Heywood and then at 10:00 am President Heywood stood, and the meeting began. Following an opening hymn and prayer President Button conducted the business of the conference. He was followed by Christina Smith of the Beach Ward, Francisco Ortiz from the San Jose Ward, Kathleen Seymour from the Dunn Ave Ward, and Sister and President Mills from the Orlando Temple. After an intermediate hymn, we heard from President Lee of the mission, Patriarch Warner and then the concluding speaker was Elder J. Vaun McArthur of the seventy. He gave another wonderful talk and conference was concluded. We visited for a few minutes and then made our way out of the building to our van and left for home. Pam fixed dinner for us and within an hour we ate and then spent the afternoon and evening visiting.