MOTHER'S DAY IN NC

We felt good about our week in that we visited many less active and part member families. Some were so exciting and some were disappointing. I guess that is missionary work. Some say they're not a member any more. They just don't realize this is not a smorgasbord church. We had a great after baptism lesson with Latyca. She studies so hard and asks such well-thought questions.

We had a great district meeting with the zone leaders.
Us, McClellan, Oaks, Gleason, Carilli, Closson, Wilkock

We visited a wonderful couple where he is the member. She got a pea hen and peacock for Mothers' Day. They are beautiful. They could not believe how I could talk to the birds. I couldn't either, but he answered me every time I spoke to him. I must have bird in me. I think my brain is lined with feathers. They insisted we come often and so we will.

I tried bleaching Elder Bayles' white shirts, but they still look pink to me.

Ticks, ticks, ticks! I got another one. Not telling where. The head stayed in so Elder Bayles dug it out with a needle. I think he was smilin' the whole time. Those critters are disgusting.

Saturday we got our garden planted. The boxes look so beautiful. We don't have the squash yet, but Tim says they will be ready next week.

Mothers' Day was a bit hard. Each letter or card brought such memories of little ones now and in earlier times. I love you all so much. Tears came rolling. Granddad got me an awesome antique bell. It is one they used to call in the workers from the fields. We'll put it in the back yard. I've wanted one ever since I saw the first one. Everyone has them in their yards. I was feeling quite down and feeling like we are just not working hard enough when Sunday came. We had five families show up that we have been working with. It amounted to 21 people. We could have flown to Charlotte when we saw them. It was just so wonderful and uplifting. Now we're sure it was because of Mothers' Day but nevertheless they came. We just hope we can continue to visit them and something will ring a bell.

A man who has been coming is engaged to a member and we are going to start lessons with him we hope. A great thing is that Latyca gave the Relief Society lesson. She did a great job. We are so proud of her.The youth are going to Raliegh for baptisms and Latyca and Carolyn are going too. I wish we could go but the temple is not in our mission even though it is only an hour away.

After meetings we headed for Charlotte for a senior couples meeting. We went Sunday so we could spend some time with Kristin, David and kids. They came up so we were legal. We had so darn much fun with them. It was a great visit. We had a room with a jacuzzi so the kids lived in that. We mainly just laughed and visited. Baylie thinks we are now off of our mission and living in a motel. The best part of the day was that I got to see EVERY ONE on iphone or Skype. I was in heaven and no longer sad. It made my day. Thank you so much. I LOVE YA'ALL.

We always love our time with President Thomas and his wife. It is such a lift to be with the other couples and study the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We even went to the Billy Graham Library. The couples all got together and gave the president an antique sickle or sythe whichever you want to call it. The tears flowed because that has been his saying. "Keep your sickle down" A saying that stayed with me at our meetings is "A violin plays its best music when the strings are stretched."

Billy Graham Library, in barn

After prayers last night (16th Wed) I saw a mole on grandad----nope, another tick---5th one. I finally got it out head and all, thank goodness. I hate those things.

Lucy's boyfriends

I only have a few missed birthdays left. This one is for Asher. Feb. 19th 4 years old. What a special little bundle of energy he is. He is always good for fun and loves his brothers and thinks he is as old as they are. I loved it when he wished me a Happy Mothers' Day.














The Pages had us for lunch Thursday. We just feel like we are with family. The Caswell Ward is such a friendly ward. We love the people. I had to put in two pictures because in each one, one of them has their eyes closed. Great people.




On the way home, we passed a black snake dead on the road, so I took a picture.





We visited with the Stranges and learned four new NC sayings:
pitched a fit-got angry "I just pitched a fit"
a swigger-when you make a mistake  "Oh, I swiggered"
I need to buy a toboggan.  A stocking hat not a sled
A spit and a holler-  a distance  "It's just a swig and a holler down the road"

We had dinner at the Yeatts' home.  She was with a granddaughter so Brother Yeatts did the dinner.  Wow!  It was chicken on the grill.  Half a chicken each, cole slaw, beans, bread, baked potato and fruit for dessert. Lands it was good.  Every home sits on about 3-10 acres.  They have huge gardens and can all fall.  Their gardens make our look like a tiny sand box.  Tabacca is grown everywhere.  We love the country, especially the people.

GO TO THE NEXT BLOG.  I added some after I
published it.

Wed. June 7th 1905  We got up in good time and after eating breakfast stated on again.  It was pretty warm as we rested quite a often.  We also had a bath in a creek.  At noon we had dinner and after resting awhile started on  At about two o'clock there was a little shower came up and we got under an old cotton gin and had a nap.  We got to Raleigh about five o'clock and found Bro. Vivian Smith and stayed with him overnight retiring at half past nine.

I love my companion.  President Thomas told the dist. leader he was going to transfer me and give me a young sister for a new companion.  Thank goodness for humor.