Mission Doings

Sister's Conference

At last - here is our picture for the special conference already reported October 12th.  This shows all the sisters currently serving in the GA Macon Mission.  The Sisters who met our day are in the second picture.

The Sister in the turquoise and blue lace top on the front row

was our wonderful guest presenter, Sister Weyland,

 who joined the church in Jamaica.

Did you find me - third from right at bottom of photo?

Mission Training with Elder Aidukaitis of the Seventy

Macon Zone

All the Seniors surrounding President and Sister Cottle (pink shirt),
and Elder and Sister Aidukaitis' (yellow shirt), on the front row,
work in the mission office.
We are the only Senior Missionaries in the Field in the Macon Stake.
Doug did not hear the directive to assemble quickly after our break- for the picture,
so the space saved for him on the left end of the second row, was to no avail.

Sister Aidukaiis talked a little about her family.  They are from Brazil, where they have held positions in their ward and Stake.  He has also been a Mission President in Brazil before this call to the Seventy. They have five children - two still at home, ten and sixteen.  Right now they live in Sandy, in our old neighborhood just off Sego Lily.  Their children go to Waterford - apparently the courses are closer to what they were learning in their International Schools.

She spoke to us of patience as it is needed so much in the mission field as in life.  She reminded us that it is hard to be a convert, so it is really important for us to teach them well, so they may endure well.

Elder Aidukaitis spoke to the Young Elders and Sisters about the importance of following the example of President and Sister Cottle when it is their turn to go home and choose a mate.  He counseled them to choose someone who loves God more than them, because that kind of a mate will be loyal, and stick by you no matter what circumstances arrive.  They will help to keep the priorities right.

He then took our lowest mission indicators and with great love and humor showed us that each could be overcome.  He mainly focused on the importance of purposeful planning - setting goals, that we work unceasingly and with great faith to accomplish.  He was full of examples and of course used stories from the scriptures.  At one point he asked us for our best reasons for not having people prepared to be baptized each week.  We came up with some very valid reasons I thought, but he proceeded to show us, how with the Lord's help, and our willingness to trust in Him and do it His way, all our goals could be accomplished.  He challenged us to wear out our lives in bringing the light of the Gospel to all those who are prepared and waiting to hear about it here in Georgia.

I thought of all our cotton fields being white and ready to harvest - just like the fields in the scriptures.  This is an amazing time to be here.  We can feel the enthusiasm and testimonies of these Young Elders and Sisters, and the urgency of our leaders.  We know that this is the last time this Gospel will go forth to the world before the coming of the Savior.  We want to share His Gospel with all we can, in any way we can, so these good people will have the additional blessings that come through having the Priesthood of God in their lives and homes.  We are truly grateful for what it has meant in our lives.

Ward Fall Festival

Just a picture or two so you can see one of the families we have been encouraging to come.  I couldn't collect everyone while I still had some charge in my camera, but here are some of them.  I started taking the pictures so I could learn which name goes with which daughter.  Quadruplets can be hard to identify.  The girls are nearly10 years old.  Only the mom is a member of the church.  She was baptised in Minnesota.  She joined the family late, but is doing a good job bringing everyone together.

This is Neith and Aset

This is Nebthet

This is Selket

We caught a glimpse of the big brothers and the two little guys in the following photos.  The Dad is tall and burly looking, and very strict, but gentle as well.  I wish he was shown - maybe next time.

Big brothers Imsety, 13 and Rameses, 14

Mom, Angie with baby Haru

Elliot,  5

Here are a couple of pictures of the 20 or so activities for the kids at Fall Fest.  These little girls- Jared and Sage had helped set everything up so they were happy to show off the games.  We had apple bobbing, ball throwing, mazes, etc.  They had wonderful prizes.  I wanted to play a few of the games myself.  I wanted to win some of those tiny beanie baby pets.

Apparently the ends of the suckers were colored so you could
win candy or a certain prize depending on which you chose -
no skill involved!

Hunting for buried treasure!  There were numbered coins
to trade in for prizes.  These little ones happily
played in the sand the whole night.

For this fun duck race, you had to blow the little ducks with a straw.

Chili Cook Off

Doug concocted a mean chili for the cook off.  I think he did it to avoid having to be a judge.  His didn't win, but it was our favorite.  Have you ever had white chili?  It seemed more like chicken soup to me, but it was really good.  This was a very casual event, but everyone, came, ate, visited, played, and enjoyed being together, so why fuss?

Last of all:

Here's our latest lake pictures.  We came to check on an elderly lady who lives by the lake- the lady who at 88 years old, catches the shuttle to Eatonton to get her hair done.  That's a long way on a bumpy bus.  She wasn't answering her phone.  We thought she was probably with family, but just in case she needed assistance, we drove out.  It was a beautiful day on the water.

Lake Sinclair from Sister Chester's yard.

Elder Castleton pulling himself away from the Lake