August 12th Email

Jody arrived in Tampa, Florida last Monday on August 4th. We were all very excited to receive phone calls from her before she boarded her plane. Yesterday was the first email we received from her. Of course mom got the long one about everything. I guess she's pretty busy.

Below is Jody's Email

Hi

Today is my first pday in the field. Mondays are Pdays so that will be the day I email. Please pass this on to everyone (Grandma, Ryan, Todd, and anyone in the ward that wants to know) because I don't have time to write emails to everyone this week. I also have alot to say so it might take awhile to write this. My new companion/trainer is Sister Hofheins from Beaver. She is a great girl and very patient. We are in the North Port area. Elder Adams is in my Zone and we had a great talk over lunch last week. I am in a car share, which means one week we get the car and the next week we are on bikes. This is our week on bikes and I am really nervous but at the same time I know that God will help me to ride to teach his people. I already fell off last week and broke the light on the front. Don't worry about the light though because Bro. Harris from the ward bought me a new one. My knees were hurt really bad but the bruises are awesome looking. The seat is too high so we are working on it. Sister Colton is really concerned, she doesn't really want the sisters on bikes anyways. President called and is also worried. But I will try my best and I will succeed. All I need is faith.

It is not as hot as I thought it would be. It rains everyday, I mean it pours buckets. Florida is the lightening capital of the world so we have seen some neat displays as we run to shelter. I am so thankful for the umbrella. Everything got here safely. My bedding was lost for a few days but IT HAS BEEN FOUND!!! I was so happy when I found out. It was great being the only sister that came out because I was treated like a queen. I was the first one off the plane and I lead the group as we met Sister and President Colton. Everything basically was tailored to me. I know that that is selfish of me to say but it made the transition alot easier. I slept in a room by myself. I set the alarm and checked it twice. The next morning I woke to a knock on the door. Sister Colton told me it was time to get up. It was 7:10 and we were leaving at 7:30. I was so embarrassed that I almost cried. Sister Colton was really sweet with me and took me over later to the church for all of our meetings. Monday and Tuesday we stayed in Tampa because our area is two hours south of Tampa. But Wednesday we got right to work. We have two baptisimal dates already set. One was set before I came and the other was set last night. I love the people we teach and see so much potential. It is great to teach them and their desire to learn. It is really hard to go tracking for me. If you can beleive it, it makes me nervous to talk to complete strangers. Some times they are not very nice but for the magority they are. I pray alot and my companion says that it will get better.

We live in an apartment and some other sisters live in apartments just across the way. We have a great time together and laugh alot. There is a canal right behind the other sisters apartments. They have seen little alligators from a far, don't worry we are safe, in the back. I haven't seen any yet and if I do I hope that it is far away. There are bugs galore out here. As soon as you walk outside there is a buzzing noise. I got a red ant bite the other day and it wasn't fun. I use alot of bug spray!

I am so thankful for this opportunity. I know that this is the true church. I know that my Savior lives and that He died for me. I know it is because of Him that I have been strengthened. I know that He will provide a way for me to
preach His gospel. I love it here and I know that He has provided a way for me to handle the heat, the bugs, and my nerves. It is through Him that I continue onwards.

Love
Sister Comte