Following Elder Steenblik - Back to Southchase

Brett was just transferred back to the Southchase Branch, where he spent the first six months of his mission. He came back just in time to witness the Sealing of the Rodriguez Family, whom he baptized some 10 months earlier. Lives for generations will be changed forever.

From his letter, Monday June 30, 2008
So I talk about the Rodriguez family a lot cuz they are awesome and because they are getting sealed on the 18th so that’s cool but there’s more. They got married really quick when they did their civil marriage and since she had always hoped that her husband would get baptized and they would get sealed she always had hopes for a big wedding like the ones we have. Well so they are getting sealed and they are having the big wedding they wanted and they in their reception are going to do a lot. Well it’s also a dinner and they called me this week and they asked me to give a toast at this dinner. AHH! Scary thought! I can teach the gospel, talk to everyone; give doctrinal talks in church in English or Spanish with fairly little problem. This I have no Idea how to do. And I don’t know if im to do it in English or Spanish yet. AHHH!

The Rodriguez Family

Families are forever


The Happy couple

From Brett's letter, Monday July 21, 2008

So we planned out our meeting and everything that was going to happen on Friday. And let me tell you that was the most crazy/amazing day of my mission.... We were going to be at the temple to attend a 1:00 session before the 3:00 sealing. So we ended the meeting and bolted. We got there just before they closed the session. And when we finished we ran out to the sealing office to find out that the Rodriguez family had not arrived! So they let us go back to the celestial room and sit we talked to some missionaries from Jacksonville and we asked to be witnesses for some proxy sealings. So just before 5 the Rodriguez family showed up. It was definitely late haha. And then just before they start their aunt informs me that they also asked me to be one of the witnesses for their sealing. I was surprised. So they did that and it was beautiful and absolutely amazing. Their little boy who is normally off the wall was so peaceful and very awestruck I guess. You could tell the temple was a very special place. So we then went to the reception they had and that was also cool. Fortunately people have told me that the toast I gave (yup they also asked me to give a toast) was good. That made me feel good cuz I realized I have never even seen a real toast! So that was crazy. I was telling someone how amazing it was that I was transferred to the branch again just before the sealing and they said, “well elder its because that is who you were sent to Florida for” I feel like that a lot actually.

The Birthday boy

Goodies

Mom, the Mission President might get jealous.

I'm having more fun with the wrapping paper.

How exciting. Say Mom, we don't have an iron. O well, with my suit coat on, no one will know.

Men in Black, On A Mission From God!
the tie we got in Lake Tahoe.

The good guys. The Men in White, "On a Mission from God"

Bro. Mario Ramirez's Baptism.




Some of the families and people I have come to Love.




P Day
I wonder if I still have what it takes
Looks good so far.

Oh, I think I still have what it takes.

Oh ya!

Not so good from the left side. I should have
listened to Dad. Lance and Jacob, learn to switch hit.






New Church issue Missionary vehicles that have been accessorized.