Meetings and More Meetings

Zone Meeting in Thomasville  11/27/12 (two and a half hours away)

We left in the dark at 5:15 am to pick up the young Sisters in Cochran and get to their meeting by 8:00 am.  We had sessions all day until 4:00 with a quick lunch break. The Young Elders then had leadership meetings after that, so we arrived home in the dark around 7:30 pm.  We were fortunate to have Elder Lawrence Corbridge of the Seventy instructing us all day.  We joined with the Columbus, GA Zone, so we were able to see two of the other Senior Couples, and came away with many suggestions to try to incorporate.

Thomaston is hillier than where we are, and there are more pecan groves and peach orchards.  They have a brand new church there.  The Foy's, (in light jacket), a new couple from Panguitch are serving for six months, in a branch group in the Columbus Stake.  They have only a few families in their group, but they meet separately as no one except them, has transportation to get into the branch.


Christmas Devotional from Salt Lake City  12/02/12

Most of our members watch the broadcast from home, but we came over to be sure people could get in if they decided to come to the chapel.  The Young Elders were there before us, and had the lights on.  It all seemed very welcoming.   We loved the sweet spirit we felt as we listened to each member of the first Presidency.  The music also added to the feeling of love and peace.

We couldn't find Ryan in the choir, but knowing he is there makes the music more beautiful to our ears.  We hope you were able to hear the messages and feel the Christmas spirit.  I'm sure you can pick it up online at LDS.org

Our doorway in Dublin - welcoming Christmas!

Our Missionary Tree Dublin, GA 2012
Notice the star at the top.  Doug insisted and picked it out.

Close up so you can see the ornaments.

See what a little Christmas spirit can do?

It is fun to turn on the Christmas lights when we are up early to study or later in the evening when we read scriptures together.

We are almost finished the Book of Mormon for the second time since we arrived in Georgia.  This time we are reading with the whole mission trying to finish by Christmas.

The 'Family' block was a little gift from the President Harding and family.  We could choose from faith, believe, love, etc.




























Senior Couples Meeting at the Mission Home 12/08/12  (two and a half hours away)

We had a pot-luck dinner in the mission home.  It was great to be with the Senior Missionaries.  They have so much enthusiasm for the Gospel and their callings, it is infectious.  We each brought salads or desserts, and then they ordered sandwich wraps to go with it.  We had time for visiting as we ate, and then we shared experiences from our areas.  We were asked to respond to: One thing I am thankful for, and one thing I know for sure.

President and Sister Harding also spoke to us.  It is interesting to feel the zeal and spirit of a newly called leader.  We are in good hands!  We have 17 missionaries leaving before Christmas, but will have replaced that, plus eleven in January - eight new young sisters have been assigned here.  This is an exciting and busy time in our mission.

Outdoors at the Mission Home with President and Sister Harding

From left front:  Dan and Carol Gibson (Employment Center), Chester and Linda Seivert (Military Relations), Ramona and Gene Huffaker (Housing), Tamera and David Smalley (Medical), President and Sister Harding.

In back from left:  Nancy and Glen Curtis, David and Lynn Trammell, Us, the Castletons (all member and leader support).


Members and New Contacts

Sometimes it seems that there is not enough time to see everyone we already know, but it is still interesting to meet new contacts.

This week, one of our member friends, Sister Harrison turned 90.  We were over the day before, as we knew she would have family visiting on her actual birthday.  She had just come back from renewing her drivers license, and was trying to get her house spiffed up (vacuumed), before her son arrived the next day.  I'd love to have her spunk when I have grown up a bit more.

We tried to take her a tiny growing rose for a birthday remembrance, but the store that always carries them didn't have them today, so we took a ruffled poinsettia.  She said her son always brings her one for her birthday, so I hope we did not spoil his surprise.

We also met Wilton, a member, (70 years old) who has not come for many years (like 40).  He lives on part of the  hundreds of acres he owns in a tiny house back in the trees.  He doesn't have a phone, but he has at least 100 chickens that are free range.  He says they roost in the trees.  They are beautiful - lots of different colors.  He sometimes uses their eggs, but basically they are his pets.  He raises enough corn for them and grain to feed the deer.  He says he doesn't even notice the roosters crowing.

He has an interesting philosophy about hypocrisy in the world.  He then said there are so many wonderful people in our ward boundaries who do things for others, but never go to church.  We agree with him, but reminded him of all the promised blessings they are missing, and asked him when he was coming back.  We liked this man very much and the way he thought deeply about the important things in life.

If you need one, we could send one to you!
Or you can find it online at lds.org.
It's pretty sweet - you can watch,  listen,  print,  or download each talk just by clicking.

We had a Conference Issue Ensign that he accepted readily.  He said he had caught part of the conference on TV.  We hope he will use some of that beautiful solitude he values, to contemplate what the Prophets have told us just this year, and accept Jesus invitation to come back!