Second Week

Monday and Tuesday we spent in Charlotte getting to know our wonderful mission president and his gracious wife, President Lindsay A. and Sylvia Thomas.  We had 2 days of couples training.  It was so helpful and he assured us we didn't have to go at the same speed as the Elders which made us feel so relieved.  He is a man of God who loves his missionaries.  It also made us glad we are not in a huge city but in the country.
Every day we get up and do Yoga.  Why didn't someone tell us it is so grueling.  After Yoga we walk for 45 minutes or an hour.  When we get home we study for several hours and have breakfast.  Then it's out the door to visit contact or non active members.  It is hard to find contacts in this town and most of them are out in the country by the church.  Yanceyville is losing population, not gaining.
Latyca has changed her baptismal day to Sunday.  We are so excited for her.  She studies so hard.  We could all take lessons from her.  She takes notes and asks such insightful questions each lesson.  She has such a warm and firm testimony.  She can't wait to be a member so she can talk in church.  That reminds me that we are the speakers in church Sunday.  Why do I get so nervous?  Here is this non member anxious to give one and I am so nervous.
We have also been meeting with a girl, Erica.  She has 6 children but only the 8 month old baby, Samiya, is living with her.  She said she would go to church last Sunday but didn't.  This Sunday we we more firm and went Saturday to remind her we would wake her up at 7:30 so she could be ready.  We went over at 7:30 and she said she was getting ready but would probably be late.  Samiya was ready.  We went again at 8:30 to check on her and she still wasn't ready.  We told her we would wait for her but she insisted on us going and she would get there.  It is a 15-20 minute drive.  We waited and waited even thorough the sacrament and no Erica.  During the testimonies she showed up.  I went to greet her and our ward greeter was already there giving her a hug and saying how happy he was to see her.  She loved the rest of the meeting.  She was going to go home after that but stayed for Sunday School and Relief Society.  Everyone made such a fuss over her and her darling baby.  I held Samiya the entire time.  (I didn't say it felt just like I was holding Baylie again.)  That baby never made a peep the whole time.  She's such a good baby.  Every ward could take lessons from this ward.  Everyone swarmed her after meetings and invited her to come again and were so sincere.  She felt their love and the strong spirit that was there.  We will give her another lesson tomorrow.
We loved that we could call Ashley on her birthday and she was there.  We love you Ashley and are so proud of the daughter of God you are.  Keep it up.  You're so special.
We got the incredible family new letter.  What great writers ya'll are.
The other good news was to hear Annette is out of ICU.  Whiy to fihit gal.(that's in NC language)
Baylie called last night to recite the 2nd article of faith.  Way to go Baylie.   You're so like your mother.

Bartlett Yancey Home

                                                 

old barn

I did really well with my missin' of the grands 'till I opened a letter from Hailey, Molly and Lily. We also got some pictures of Ava, Nixon and their parents.  Thanks. I miss everyone so much but am where I am supposed to be.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so true and we must share it.  I love my companion.