AT THE FEET OF A PROPHET

P-Day this week was not really a day for us to do our own thing.  We went to lunch with Sister Daras a woman in our branch.  She took us to a Chinese restaurant.  It was very enjoyable.  After that we met Tiffany and Hyrum to go see their new home.  It was a cold day and the snow had not melted yet from the last storm.  We ended up going up a mountain.  Up and up and up. Hyrum was in front of us and couldn't go any farther.  He tried and tried and tried until I was sure he was going to go off the side of the mountain with three precious children in the back seat.  He kept banging into the bank and then trying again.  One time he was cross ways of the road and headed to the edge of the cliff.  It made me a nervous wreck.  Granddad finally told him we were going back down so he did too.  I needed to stop and resettle my nerves so we stopped at Andrews when Elder Bayles suggested I buy a new pair of boots.  I think I'll try that again some time.  It took me some time after we got home to settle my nerves.
We were invited to dinner at a new member's home.  She had two of her granddaughters there.  We had a lovely meal and then the new member gave a lesson on the restoration.  She taught with such humility and with a sweet spirit. It was a very fun evening.  They came to church Sunday.
Thursday we went to a member's home to finish her front porch.  No one could make it to help but her father showed up and made it so much easier.
We were invited to a non member's home with his member girlfriend for dinner.  When we showed up we were surprised to find they had gotten married the day before.  They are so happy.  He is such a good man and she is a cute new bride.  We talked about the gospel and he invited us to his home for more.  We are needless to say excited.  He is pure back wood country and she is knock out beautiful.  The are in their late 40's.  They are now living in his home which he has redone.  It is a cute little country home and she is going to rent her 3 story chalet that she owns. They have been very careful to live as the Lord would have them.  He processes wild gamefor people as a second job.  He is so wonderful.  He cooked us venison tenderloin back strap which melted in my mouth.  I couldn't believe I was eating venison and taking more.  So good.  We had grits and skillet corn bread too.  It was a country dinner that was so good.  We tried to leave early due to the fact they had just married but they would not hear of it.  They have invited us to dinner and a lesson again next week.

Friday we headed to Waynesville for a Zone Meeting.  The zone leaders train us so well.  We learn so much each time.  It is just good to be with missionaries.

Pioneer Restaurant   (spelling makes me think of granddad)

 We left our missionaries there to do splits with the leaders and headed for Charlotte for a meeting with Elder Russell M. Nelson.  It is too long a drive to travel all the way back to Murphy. so we stayed in the mission home.

The meeting was Saturday with all the missionaries.  We now have 26 sisters and getting 12 more next transfer.  The meeting was something I just can't explain.  To sit on the front row right in front of the pulpit and hear an Apostle of God.  The spirit could be touched it was so strong.  Elder Gittins also addressed us with such strong feelings.  We were blessed by both.  Elder Nelson was so personal.  You knew he was talking to you personally with such love for you.  He had such a warm, soft, friendly, fun but powerful way about him.  It was so easy to feel you knew him personally.  He taught so many truths and doctrines of Christ.  He said every day we repent we strengthen our conversion.  He told the missionaries when they go home to go to the temple and do work for our own family.
Elder Nelson was the first cardiac-surgeon who touched the human heart with the sack that surrounds it removed or cut through while the patient was alive.  He pondered why this couldn't be done and went to the scriptures.  He read where God does nothig out of order and all is under His law.  He prayed and pondered and studied some more and accomplished his goal.  He was even sent to China and other countries to teach them the process.  He found a way to actually stop the human heart beat and start it up again.  It was amazing to hear his humble account of this. He gave up all the recognition and money to accept the calling of an apostle.  He is truly a man of God.  He also let us know that for 14 years in 48 countries elders have been called at the age of 18.     The brethren do everything with much study, prayer and guidance from our Father.  They do it as a group of 15 men in that upper room of the temple.  How he loves those men.  He then gave the missionaries an apostolic blessing.  Many tears were shed the entire meeting. ( Of course none of them were mine.)
 President Monson is a prophet of God and does receive revelation directly from our loving Father. We know this to be so true.
As usual we got lost on the way home but saw some new of beautiful North Carolina.  We were following the Silkers so we love blaming it on them.

Saturday was also Dave Jennings' birthday.  We didn't forget him; we just didn't have time to call and guilty on the so tired Sunday from the trip.  How do the brethren travel as much as they do and not be forever tired?  We were exhausted after a mere 16 hours on the road in 2 days.  They are traveling all the time.  We love Dave and the way he honors his priesthood.  Just read in Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-37.  Go all the way to the end for further instruction.  Dave follows these verses and for that we are grateful.  We feel all our sons are working hard to fulfill the goodness of these verses.  We love ya'all.  We love the way Dave takes care of our daughter and our "Little Bits".  We are looking forward to a trip to the cabin with our trailer and enjoying the family.  Thank you Dave.  Happy Birthday!

We are so blessed to have a family of stout hearted men who honor their priesthood and strive to do what the Lord expects.
We were so proud of 2 of or recent less active members when they both said the prayers in Sunday School class.  What a beautiful thing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ does to help families live together forever..
At 10:00 Sunday night we got a call that a man had died.  His wife is a member but not on the records and no one knew she was.  We were called by a sweet sister and rushed over to give a priesthood blessing.  I am so grateful that I have a companion who is worthy at all times to do this. How blessed I am.  I think I love him.

Oct. 14, 2004  This morning after breakfast we started on our journey to visit some other saints in Alamance Co,(where we were in Caswell) we left there about half past seven and arriving at a family of Saints by the name of J.G. Jefferies at half past twelve at noon having traveled twenty-two miles thru a dusty road.  After eating dinner we sat around the fire resting ourselves & eating apples.  We spent the night at Mr. Jefferies.