Hurricanes, Hospital Visits, and Mall Security

 Holyyyyy!!!! This week was WILD. Well, first off, sorry this is so late! I am heading to the temple and they changed my pday, so I guess this is like 2 weeks... I'm not dead! The hurricane passed by us and we did get a tornado where I'm at!! It was terrifying! We got like 10 warnings that said, "extreme danger: get in a closet now" one of which being at 5 am. I could hear the wind super loud outside, so I woke up my companion and she listened for a second and said, "it's fine" and went back to bed. 😂 It's all good. We survived. The day before Ian passed us, it was raining super hard, so we did our studies in the garage with the garage door open and watched the rain! That night we ran out and jumped in the flooding street because we had to bring our garbage can in hahahaha! It was so fun! We had all our hurricane shutters up and it felt like a cave in the house. While we were putting our shutters up, there was a snake in our yard!!! The best part about everything was that two of the sisters nearby had to evacuate and stay at our house, and guess who it was? SISTER YOUNG (my MTC companion) and her companion Sister Bevan!! It was a party!! 

Next part of the crazy week you'll have to buckle up for... 

We kept hearing noises that sounded like footsteps coming from our attic. We thought we were going crazy until the other sisters came and heard it too!! We kind of freaked out because there was a hurricane, so we couldn't have anyone come check it out. So...we decided to be brave and check it out ourselves. We went into the attic and there was SO much insulation that there was no way it was a person living up there. We figured it had to be an animal! We had the ZL's on video call and they looked in the attic with us because they happened to call at just the right time to be involved. 😂 We named the animal Walter, and we put out some bread for him. The next day we heard him less and then basically not at all the next day. We were positive that Walter had died. 😬 Turns out the whole time it was pinecones being smacked into our roof from the hurricane wind. 😂 It's become a joke in our house. Anyways, before we figured out that Walter was just pinecones, I went on exchanges, and that night I went out to change the thermostat and about died when I heard rustling and cupboards closing in the kitchen! I flipped out and ran back into my room to grab Sister Merrill and when I did, she heard it too! We locked the door and called the other sisters and they said they hadn't left their room, so we got pepper spray and went out and nothing was there!!! At this point we were all just exhausted and tired of all of the noises in the house. Sister Davis needed a blessing the next day before she went to the ER (I'll get to that) so we had the Elders bless our house while they were there. Everything has settled down! Weird! 

So as I said above, my companion had to go to the hospital. She had been having stomach pains and a big bump was forming, so we went to the ER. We got it figured out and she will be fine after she takes antibiotics, but let me tell you, those antibiotics make her CRAZY!!! 

Last story: we put out sticky notes at the mall again and we got a call from MALL SECURITY telling us that someone complained about "hand written sticky notes soliciting"! You can't sell Jesus. 🙄 Anyways. We had put out over 70 sticky notes and we had to take them all down!!!! 

Miracles: we were all safe and the house was blessed. The couple we are teaching are praying about baptism!! 

Invitation: listen to the Saturday evening session of conference!! It was AMAZING! I got so many answers. 

Sorry this email is hecka long! There was just soooo much! I love you all. You've never gone too far to feel God's love and turn your heart to Him. He loves you!!!! ❤️ 

Hurricane Ian

 Village of Wellington, FL 33414

Severe Thunderstorm Monitor

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

...TORNADO WATCH 545 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EDT WEDNESDAY...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...  

Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Miami FL
100 AM EDT Wed Sep 28 2022

The National Weather Service in Miami has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Hendry County in southern Florida...
Northern Broward County in southeastern Florida...
Southwestern Palm Beach County in southeastern Florida...

* Until 115 AM EDT.

* At 100 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles north of Intersection Alligator Alley And Miami
Canal, or 23 miles west of Sunrise, moving north at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

September 27 7:00 p.m.
The National Hurricane Center now says Hurricane Ian is going to bring "life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds, and flooding" to the Florida peninsula.

Ian is going through an eyewall replacement cycle. This process causes the hurricane to grow larger and eventually stronger. The pressure continues to drop, but the winds are holding steady at 120 mph for now. Once the cycle is complete, the wind speeds will likely increase into category 4 territory prior to landfall on Wednesday afternoon or evening.

Hurricane Ian Storm Updates

Update 4 - September 29, 2022, 10 AM

Disaster Debris Removal Underway in Wellington

Recovery efforts are underway in response to Hurricane Ian’s effects on the Village of Wellington. Clearing and removing disaster debris is a major part of the recovery effort. Wellington will begin vegetative disaster debris collection and removal on Monday, October 3, 2022, throughout the Village.

Residents are asked to separate disaster debris as follows and place it in piles at the curb in the public right-of-way, not on private property:

• Construction and demolition materials (building construction materials – wood, metal, drywall, shingles, etc., as well as building contents and personal property – furnishings, clothing, appliances, etc.)

• Vegetative materials (trees, limbs, brush, leaves, etc.)

All debris must be placed in separate piles at the curb in the public right-of-way, as described above. It is the home/business owner’s responsibility to bring the debris to the curb and to properly separate it.

Your cooperation will make this debris removal operation proceed smoothly and ensure that the community recovers as quickly as possible.

We will provide updates as we work through the recovery process for removing disaster debris throughout the Village.

Download the GoWellington mobile app or use the online portal.   to report unsafe debris situations (e.g., leaning trees, trees on houses, partially collapsed structures, etc.)

Please note that this operation is ONLY for disaster debris. Please do not attempt to place garbage or other household refuse with the disaster debris, as it will not be accepted.

Regular trash removal services in the community will continue as scheduled.

Update 3 - September 28, 2022, 5 PM

Hurricane Ian made landfall at 3:05 PM as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Cayo Costa, Florida with maximum sustained winds at 150 mph. While Wellington is not in the direct path of the storm, we are under a Tropical Storm Warning, Flood Watch, and Tornado Watch this evening. Please continue to monitor the forecast and follow any advisories and warnings overnight. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service forecast tells us we should expect strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible tornadoes this evening. Emergency officials also warn about the potential for power outages. Wellington Emergency Operations officials continue to monitor the forecast, while Damage Assessment Teams, Public Works, and Utilities Crews prepare to continue to clear drains, ensure pump stations and lift stations are operational, and continue collecting debris tomorrow morning. We encourage residents to stay in their homes as much as possible to facilitate clean up efforts after the storm has passed. 

Heavy Rainfall & Flooding

Wellington's Surface Water team have been pumping around the clock in response to recent rain. We have received more than 12 inches of water in the last week and the forecast calls for an additional 4 - 6 inches as Hurricane Ian moves through the state. Please keep in mind that low-lying areas act as secondary detention areas. Expect storm water ponds and canal water elevations to increase and decrease in response to the rainfall. If you see flooding in your neighborhood, report it using the GoWellington mobile app or via our online portal.  

REMINDER: Stay safe by avoiding flood waters that can be contaminated with pollutants and have hazards below the surface. Do not drive or walk through flooded streets. 

Waste Collection

Garbage, recyclables, yard waste, and bulk waste collection resume (on their regular schedule) tomorrow, Thursday, September 29, 2022. There will be no make-up day for residents that missed collection service on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

Closures & Cancellations

Village offices and facilities will be OPEN tomorrow, Thursday, September 29. 

September 27, 2022

Dear FFLM Parents:

With hurricane Ian bearing down and moving northward through the Gulf of Mexico, we want to keep you updated on the conditions here. As of now, it appears that the storm will make landfall north of our mission near Tampa, which means that we will receive rain and wind as the storm passes off the coast. We evacuated young missionaries off the Keys and from the Ft. Myers area until the the storm is passed. We are watching closely along the west coast, in the Naples area, for any eastward change in the storm's path that would prompt more aggressive measures. For the time being, our plan is to have the missionaries in Naples area stay inside while the storm moves beyond our boundaries.

Please know that your missionary's safety is our primary concern. We will continue to keep them safe and keep you updated of any changes in the plan. Our decisions are based on collaboration with the North America Southeast Area Presidency and their emergency preparedness advisors. Rather than contacting your Missionary directly, if you have questions or concerns please contact the mission office (954-452-6960). We appreciate your prayers and support.

With love and appreciation,

President and Sister Pingree

Mom. Dad. Our Roof is Leaking and There's a Hurricane Coming!

 So, fun fact. The hurricane was headed straight for our mission, but then it turned, so it is not directly hitting us. The bad thing is that our roof is leaking and we are going to get DUMPED ON while the hurricane passes 😀 but we are just grateful that we aren't getting hit. Send prayers to Florida please for all the people that do get hit!! 🙏  We called some people about the roof and they didn't take us very seriously, but don't worry, they are fixing it today! Anyways, that's enough about that. This week was WILD!!!!

We taught at a youth night and it was so cool! We had each of them bear their testimonies at the end and afterwards all of the leaders came up and thanked us. Apparently the youth had never born their testimonies before!! At girls camp and youth conference nobody ever got up!! We brought them all cookies the next day!

So umm, ring doorbell cameras, not our friend. We were out visiting ward members when the rains came DOWN!!!!! We got umbrellas and ran to a porch and dropped off what we needed to and then the lightning struck really hard and close and the ward member said, "oh my gosh!" And then we shut the door and ran to the car (which the ring camera happened to catch) 😂 so funny. 

My district leader forgot my name in district council. Actually. I don't know if he even knew it in the first place. 😂 I feel like Sister Peterson is pretty basic, but whatever. 

I hit my 4 months this week!!! Yay!! You know how I celebrated? With the weirdest weekend. This is where it gets exciting. 

I got a paw patrol pillow pet in the mail which made me so happy! Then we found out that one of our close ward members was in the hospital for a mini stroke! We had a dinner appointment, so we decided we would take him flowers after. Sister Davis told me that the man we were eating with was kind of awkward and in his 50's. She. Was. Wrong. This man was definitely not in his 50's and he had the craziest life story I've ever heard!! 😳 He is from Brazil and he told us that he was huge into drugs and then he eventually came to America and worked for THE MAFIA. Afterwards he came to Florida where he got kicked in the face by a horse which broke his skull. (His face is still swollen after 2 years!) In the hospital he had a really spiritual experience which made him turn his life around and here he is! The dinner was an hour and a half and he told us the craziest stories! After that, visiting hours were over at the hospital, but the nice guard took the flowers to the Brother in our ward. 

Next day was stake conference where the stake president pretty much yelled over the pulpit that we didn't have enough baptisms in our stake. He eventually turned it into something good, but man. It was intense!!! Then we called to check on the brother in the hospital and his wife was so angry. She said, "HE ESCAPED! HE UN-HOOKED HIMSELF FROM THE MACHINES AND ESCAPED." He was fed up with being there for "observation" and they took too long to let him take a shower, so he went home to take a shower. We were shook! We didn't even know what to say! The whole time I just kept thinking wow... I feel like that's something my Grandpa Baldwin would do! 😂 Anyways, he's hopefully chillin now. 

Miracles: we are teaching a couple (Dean and Darlie) and they are literally the cutest!!!!! They came to a baptism and they loved it!! They even wanted to take pictures with us! They are so elect. We love them! We also had a lady in our ward come up and say that one of her son's friends wants to be baptized! So we are meeting him and his family this week!! I guess he has been going to seminary!! 

Love you all! Hope you have the best week! 

You Want Some?

 So, apparently smiling at people can be a bad idea in Florida, or maybe a good idea depending on how you look at it. We were walking into Walmart and we passed this man that was walking really weird through the parking lot. He had a paper bag and when I smiled at him he went, "You want some?!" And smiled really creepily at me. I said something to the effect of, "no thank you" and my companion went, "NO." 😂 It was so aggressive and funny. Then as we were leaving Walmart we passed some Little Debbie snacks and she proceeded to tell me that those were eaten in the hood. So anyone that has eaten Little Debbie... welcome to the hood! Jk jk.

I caught a lizard in our house this week! It was crazy!

I was also really sick, but luckily I'm feeling a lot better!

We went to dinner at a member's house and there was a little boy there. He kept saying how cool he was because he was on the football team and had a sophomore girlfriend even though he was a freshman. As you can imagine, we were very impressed. His friend (our member's grandson) stole my companion's purse and hid it because he didn't want us to leave and it was mega awkward. When we tried to escape HE JUMPED IN OUR CAR!! We told him he had to get out because that is extremely not allowed and he wasn't a happy camper. Then his grandma started yelling at him in Spanish and he obeyed. 😂 I swear Spanish is so much scarier than English.

We also went to an animal sanctuary and gave the Elders some nasty berries which they used to prank our car. Enjoy the pics!! 

Miracles: Our friends came to church and my mission president spoke again!! So cool! He called me Sister Peterson this time. Don't worry.

We randomly ended up at this park and we prayed to find a new person to teach. Apparently this lady was praying for more Christians to talk to and for a sign. God answered both of our prayers!! She is amazing!!! She writes Children's books about Jesus!! I love her already!