Tropical Storm Isaac is headed for Tallahassee and may be a Category 2 hurricane when it hits there.  We're keeping an eye on it and so is her Mission President.  If necessary, she and her companion will go to the church, which has been reinforced to make it through hurricanes.  If anything, maybe she'll get a little bit of a break.  She works so hard!

So much of the news we've heard since she's gotten to Florida has been how she's narrowly avoided disasters.  After reading most of her letters, we (her family) just shake our heads and thank God she's still alive.  Most recently she's had two very close calls with lightning!  She used to love the thunder and lightning storms.  Not any more!  They're pretty violent, even without a tropical storm or hurricane.

Erika has seen more alligators than she can count now. She likes alligators and doesn't mind getting a little closer to them than I would.  But, I guess if she can outrun pit bulls, she can probably outrun an alligator!

 We were beginning to wonder if there were more to her mission than close calls and dropping into bed every night completely exhausted from hard work!!!  We recently got a letter answering that very question!  She and her companion now have so many lessons to teach they can hardly keep up with them all!  Finally!  Payback time!  She told us story after story (really inspiring ones) of people she and her companion are teaching and who are so excited to learn!  That's why she went on a mission and she's soooooo happy!!! 

Erika has been a trainer now for about a week and a half and is enjoying the new challenge.  She has a companion that is willing to work hard, which is a really good thing for Erika because she's not happy unless she's productively using every second of every day!  She has seen herself grow from a new missionary who doubted herself and her skills and knowledge and decision-making abilities and driving abilities to a trainer who can do all those things!  In fact, she's finding that she really needs to work on "shutting up" now and then so her compaion can talk more!

Here's a quote from a recent letter:
 "I guess I just feel really strongly this week about gratitude. When we remember the things He's done for us, notice the things He's given us, and ponder on His mercy and love, then we are filled with His love, blessed even more, and notice all the little things." 

She closes with: 
"Just doing great and loving life.  It's hard, but you just don't even think about the hard things because it's just way too wonderful and amazing.  (And there's always the Book of Mormon to stop the hard times in their tracks!)"