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.