A Bit Of Dublin

Hosting Flat Stanley

Anna sent Flat Stanley to stay with us a few days and come with us on our adventures.  I think the book by Jeff Brown tells that he was smashed flat by a falling bulletin board, but that was Ok because other than being very, very flat, he was fine, and he discovered he could go lots of places he couldn't before, and could even fold himself up in an envelope and go anywhere he wanted for a vacation.   At the end of his time here, which will be tomorrow, we have to send him back to share his travels with Anna's school class.

Checking out the pecan grove in Spring.

 Do you recognize him Anna?  We had to make him some new clothes, as we thought he would be too hot in the black ones he came in.





We have taken him on the red clay roads, to see the Georgia pines, down to the river, and to the museum and graveyard to learn about the history of the area.

Dublin Museum - used to be their  library.

It has been fun for us as well, to take a few extra minutes to understand the beginnings of this part of Georgia, and connect it with the many historical novels I have read over the years.






The day we went to the Onconee River, they were having a catfish catching competition, with proceeds going to a young cancer patient.

 People were having barbeques and swimming in the river.

It's hard to realize that years ago, all the tools, clothes, furniture, and crops were shipped up and down this river to supply all the country around Dublin, or be taken to Savannah on the Atlantic Ocean to be shipped to New England or Europe.



We attended a special program in Dublin's oldest graveyard behind the First United Methodist Church, built in 1894. Some of the people we are working with were participating in the planning and acting, and we brought our friend Carolyn along too, for a delightful evening.

Wealthy Dublin residents from the 1800s.

History from the viewpoint of house slaves.

Marina and mom Polly.  We are trying to help Polly's mom Deana prepare to
visit the temple and bring her beautiful family back into activity.

 It was called Walk Among the Shadows.  We went on a guided tour through the graveyard in the evening.  As we passed certain gravestones, people impersonating the deceased would act out a little vignette telling about their lives and how it was in Dublin so many years ago.  It was a very interesting evening.  The actors were amazing - no notes in spite of all the facts they had to remember (a detail our alzheimer friend was keenly aware of.)  Most were a little humorous; some sentimental; and it was delightful for us to see our young friends depicting a trio of children as they danced and played around the tombstones.

You can see that it was dark by the end of the evening - we could barely see to walk,  and the small lights throughout the graveyard made it seem like a magical place.  One could easily be transported to an earlier time in history.

Small Things - Happy Moments!

Ward Conference

We stayed home from a Stake Activity in Macon because we felt impressed to see a ward member who has not attended in many years.  We had visited him in the hospital before Christmas when he had blood clot and oozing infection in his leg.  He is a Viet Nam veteran with many injuries from that service, as well as other issues.  He has a long beard and hair, but is really a jovial person, who once served a mission in Idaho, and served in a Bishopric.  We really like him and have visited him at home too, hoping we could draw him out.

On this particular weekend, his daughter was graduating from High School.  We visited in the yard for a long time.  We told him we always expected him to show up especially when his daughter participated - she is always amazing.  He said he really should come sometime.  Later he said that she was bringing her Prom date to church, who was visiting from out of state.  We said "You should come too.  Jessica would love it!"

Imagine our surprise to see him all spiffed up in a full three piece suit, walking through the doors.  The Bishop called on Jessica from the congregation, to speak during our Conference.  We did not see him after, but I'm sure he was so proud of her and happy to have been given that unexpected surprise.

Dinner Together

After Conference, food magically appears and is set out on long tables.  The men cook meat the night before (in their amazing, huge outdoor cookers),  and everyone brings potluck.  The Stake people all stay and mingle as we all eat and visit together.  It is a nice custom - one that works well with smaller numbers.  (I didn't think to take pictures)

Transfers

Ah, we are always sad to have our District change.  One of us - Sister Jefferies, American Fork, UT. left yesterday for Argentina, as her Visa came through.  We did not even get a picture of her, but here is the District just before transfers.  

From back left:  Elder Jensen, Alpine, UT;  Elder Hoskin, Washington;
Elder Casper,  South Jordan, UT - Zone Leader; Elder Atwood, Price, UT;
Elder Christian, St George, UT - Zone Leader; Sister Castleton
Elder DeMetropolis, California - District Leader;
  left:  Sister Diaz, Brazil;  Sister Snider, California;  Sister Hill Idaho Falls, ID.

We have 36 new missionaries arriving this transfer and only three leaving.  Sister Hill (right) will be opening a new area and training a new sister - after just 12 weeks in the field.  The other two sisters are staying in the district, but each will have a new sister from the MTC to train.  They have each been out only 6 weeks.  Sister Hill was their trainer when she was brand new last transfer.

The Sisters were sitting right in front of us during transfer meeting today.  We wanted our grand- daughters to see their beautiful long hair, so they consented to let us take this photo.

(Notice who is taking the picture.)

Elder Jensen, right, is staying in Perry.
Elder DeMetropolis, on left,  has been our District Leader the past 6 weeks.
He will be opening a new area, training as well,  and will be the District Leader
again in his new area.  He has been out only 5 months.

Door to Door Contacting

This afternoon, we were finally able to contact a person we have searched for since last summer.  We were so excited to find him at last.  He has Utah roots though he has lived here for 28 years.  His father apparently taught vocal music at the U of Utah many years ago.  He says he is sort of the black sheep of the family.  He lives in an old single wide trailer with two dogs and 23 cats that he promised someone he would care for.  He said we could come back to visit, but we would have to visit outside because of all the cats.  We told him we would come on a sunny day, or would bring our umbrellas.

April Showers - Bring?

Missionary Work

We just want you to know that we are busy finding, visiting, teaching and caring for members and new investigators every day.  So far this month even though we had two days of General Conference, Ward Activities, Zone Conference, and Doug was sick for a week, we have still made 45 home visits.

If we work hard, we can double that by the end of the month.  We never run out of people to see, but some days it takes more courage than other days to call for appointments, or just appear on their doorsteps.

We have taught new member lessons on the Restoration, and The Plan of Salvation, and have had many Gospel discussions, and blessings in the homes, besides getting to know people better.  Many times we find people who are not members, so sometimes we have referrals for the Young Elders, and they are always excited to have new people to teach.

Our Mission President has asked us to include a song with each lesson we teach, so Doug is loving that.  He was always threatening to do it before.

We are finishing the Book of Mormon together as a mission, for the 3rd time since we came to Georgia.  It is fun to discuss it together, and interesting what new things we discover each time.

Our Mission President, who has been in the hospital for surgery, found opportunities to share the Book of Mormon with 33 new friends all in two weeks.  We could all be doing much more than we do.

Young Women's Camp Fund Raiser

Our tiny ward only has 4 or 5 girls in the YW program, but they sponsored a potato bake and dessert auction to pay for camp.  We decided we should support it, so tried to find the blog that had featured fresh strawberry pies.  We remembered they were show-y and easy to make.  Girls - which of your friends posted about strawberry pies.  We couldn't find the post so resorted to the internet.

We hope they were good, as they sold for $40 each.  The apple pie went for $25.  We couldn't test them before-hand to see if they were cooked enough etc.  We were feeling a little nervous about that.

We were giggling about the starting time of ward activities.  At 6:00 starting time, this is how the place looked.  It soon filled up though, and by 6:30 everyone was there, and it turned out to be a fun, and successful evening.

Sorry for the fuzzy picture, but I used it because for some reason, I thought it was funny to have Doug waving at you all.

Kittens and Carolyn's

Today was Fast Sunday because of General Conference last week.  We had just put dinner in the crock pot to stew away, while we made some visits, when Carolyn called to invite us to dinner.  She had not remembered it was Sunday until too late for meetings, and she wanted us to come and spend some time with her and perhaps give her a blessing.  We thought that was as important as any of our other visits so we went to Montrose (about 20 minutes away). 

Carolyn is such a sweet lady.  She keeps trying to find ways to keep track of things, but her encroaching alzheimers limits what will work for her.  This week, she has been going to help a friend just down the road, who has been ill.  I think she loses track of how many times she has been there,  so when she thinks of it, she just jumps in her car and runs down. The friend finally had to tell her not to come so much as she needed to nap.  Carolyn felt so discouraged, as she only wanted to help one of her favorite people.  She thought maybe a blessing would help.

Doug gave her a beautiful blessing to help her cope with this memory deficit that she is trying to accept.  We have truly grown to love her.  She is an important part of our lives now.

Everything looked so green today.  After dinner, we sat out on the patio, and watched it rain, and played with the newest batch of kittens born in her bedroom closet.  These pictures are especially for the grandchildren.  

Trees and Trimming

We have become interested in the way they trim some of the trees here in our neighborhood.  They cut them back all the way to small branch stubs.  Most of the other trees have already blossomed and have all their leaves.  We have been wondering when these will begin to sprout.

Now we know!  On a future blog we will show you what they look like when they are finally grown out.










We think of all of you, and pray for you daily.  We are so grateful for your lives, and for your love and support.

New Things to Contemplate

Tech-savvy?

Not so much!  I have been trying to figure out how to organize photos on I-photo.  If any of you have a good way, please show me how to do it.  I have spent too much of our P-day trying to follow U-Tube directions and thinking it shouldn't be so hard!

I couldn't resist posting this little text message from Doug.  Sent probably in desperation when my 15 minute excursion into the local department store (Belks) turned into an hour.

I sm in the pseking lot     

...com iout when resdy

love you.

I was still giggling about it when I got to the car.  He said, "Well at least I got the last part right."

Mission President's Question

What if you woke up this morning with only the blessings and talents you thanked Heavenly Father for last night?

I was remembering a hurried prayer mentioning the wonderful Conference and asking for continued blessings for Doug and others who were ill, and you our wonderful family and friends, but very little of gratitude for the blessings and talents that He had already bestowed.  I think I usually do better, but it was food for thought.

How about you?

Georgia, Atlanta Mission Conference

Our mission President is still in the hospital, but we had a mission-wide conference anyway - by phone.  It was an interesting experience to hear everyone checking in from all over the mission for roll call, and then be able to hear various experiences from companionships as well as instructions from our young assistants and the President without having to travel anywhere.  It was amazingly interactive.  Such a new world we are in!  (As for us, our young Elders had to show us how to mute the missionary phone!)

Priesthood Blessings

Doug has been sick all weekend - the kind of scary sounding pneumonia--like, lung rattling that we have dealt with many times in the past.  The clinic was closed for the weekend, and we didn't want to take him into emergency if we didn't have to, so we started the antibiotic that our Dr. from home had sent us with.  He said, "Get on it right away.  Don't wait to see a doctor" - so we did.

Doug slept almost straight through Saturday and Sunday, and the Young Elders gave him a beautiful blessing.  Somehow,  it seemed more special to see them falteringly using their Priesthood authority for one of the first times in this way, and realizing that each priesthood holder, using their authority worthily, has as much power as another, regardless or their experience or position.  

Doug has responded quickly to the meds and the blessing, so much so, that we didn't feel we needed to see the doctor after-all, though we are watching the symptoms closely.  We have been greatly blessed with good health, while we have been here, and we are so grateful.

Although he missed Conference, Doug will be able to pick it up  over the internet now he is feeling stronger. (lds.org)

In fact, here he is today - after a little nap, it's back to the Preparation Day chores!  See, he is even smiling about it.



Later that same day, the young Elders were able to give another Priesthood blessing to our dear 90 year old friend,  Sister Harrison, who suddenly had a stroke-like emergency during the last session of Conference, and had to be taken to Macon for treatment.

A Conference Highlight

When Bruce Porter of the Seventy was speaking about not letting the trials of life dim our faith,  Sunday's afternoon session, he used the example of his friend's voice singing out across campus through the dreary winter morning, a song from the musical, Oklaholma.

Was it just me, or could some of you picture Rob running through the snowflakes on a similar kind of day, or a wheat field in the hot summer singing at the top of his voice, from the musical Oklaholma:

Rob built a fire pit so the kids could have a wiener roast.
Sky and Hallie Hansen in Hyde Park

Oh What a Beautiful Morning! 

Oh what a beautiful day!  

I've got a beautiful feeling - 

Everything's going my way! 

I can see others of you loving it too.

Maybe we should each pledge to sing or think about these words, as we face each new day.  At least we would get the day started with a smile!

April in Georgia!

Birthday Central

We are excited to think of all of our family who celebrate birthdays this month.   We love you all and wish you the happiest of birthdays and the best of good things in the year ahead!

Michael Castleton - Chelsea's oldest son on April 20th.  We usually post pictures of the Grandchildren, but somehow Michael has evaded our camera.  He turns 20 this year.  He has been living with roommates in Lethbridge, Alberta, and working at a Ski and Skate Shop.

Zoe Capsolas -  Sarah and Jamie's middle child (of 3), living in Ladera Ranch California.  She will be 4 on April 11th.  This picture was taken by Aunt Mary-Jane just before we left.  I think it captures Zoe's quirky enthusiasm.  She is fun-loving, full of life and up for anything.  She has a great sense of humor, and always makes us smile.

Peter Snarr - Rebekah and Ryan's child (third of four).  Photo from last summer in our back yard (thanks MJ).  Peter has changed so much this past year - is that part of turning five?  His birthday is April 7th.  Besides being a puzzle expert and liking to display his latest physical exploits, he has the best fine motor skills I have ever seen in a boy.  We will not recognize him when we return.

Keith Castleton - our oldest son has a birthday April 3rd
Rebekah Snarr - our beautiful 4th daughter celebrates April 28th.

General Conference is this weekend!  

LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City
right across from the LDS Temple

We can hardly wait.  It is always a great blessing to hear the choir - (and try to pick out Ryan Snarr, our son-in-law, singing).  Also, to listen to the prophet and the apostles who we know have been called by God to lead and direct us in this portion of the latter dispensation.  We love to hear their messages and take from them what we individually need in the way of direction, recommitment, and comfort.



All sessions will be available through BYUTV on Satellite TV
byubroadcasting.org:  via internet at
www.lds.org; or at your local LDS chapel.

Sessions are at 10am and 2pm MST on Saturday April 6, and Sunday Apr. 7th.

I know there is a way to put an official site on the blog, but when I tried, I didn't even know the terms they were using to explain how.  Help, all you tech savy people!

The Conference Center in Salt Lake is such an amazing place.
It's the world's largest theater type building.
We wish you could all see it, and feel the spirit that is there.
When the meeting or performance is over, the people seem to disappear.
There are seldom any big waiting lines. 
That is incredible in a place that seats more than 21,000.
It is large enough to fit two Boeing 747 airplanes without the wings touching,
and still there are usually people waiting in case there are any vacant seats.

We have been carrying Conference notices to the homes of all we visit - knowing that if they will tune in, they will feel the spirit and come away with worthwhile resolves.

We hope it will be so for you as well.  We always feel close to you during Conference, knowing that many of you are hearing the same messages as we are, and sharing our feelings of unity, love and peace - even if you are listening in places far away.