WHERE IS SPRING?

The Blue Mountains

Another wonderful week.  We learned the man we home teach who has all the pigs has been put in jail for wearing a Kevlar vest, carrying an assault weapon and firing it at someone.  We took Tiffani and the kids there to see the pigs and we knew then that he had a problem.  He wasn't even there thank goodness but the place showed he wasn't his usual self.  The things we learn.  We also learned there are 4 encampments of militant militia right here in Murphy and the areas around,  Home sweet home.  They are hiding in the mountains.

the cane maker  on P Day

After district meeting we took a copy of the Book of Mormon to a man who had requested it.  When we drove up the country road we were worried.  We were not comforted when we got there  He yelled for us to come in and when I entered the room there he was with no clothes on, sitting in a chair with only a sheet covering his private area but I could see all sides.  We are certain he weighed over 600 pounds.  I wouldn't be surprised if it was over 700.  He cannot walk and his brother takes care of him.  He invited us to sit down and he never stopped talking.  I couldn't even get a word in edgewise if you can imagine.  I was so glad wen we left and I could get a breath of fresh air.  Oh my.
We went to our little family again and while I did 2 loads of laundry, Elder Bayles cleared off the table of stuff that had been there for over a month and took a cleanser to it and scrubbed away at the table and chairs. It took two hours! Their little girl helped him the whole time.

house with Happy Holidays still on the balcony

Tiffani gave us an Easter cloth for our family wall table

 We found another get-on for the Appalachian Trail on our way to Robbinsville

looking at the Appalachian Trail 

Notice the horseshoe turn to the trail  It is narrow all the way from Georgia to Maine

trail sign

you don't walk together

We headed to Lake Fontana and dinner with our stake president and his wife.  We never did get to the lake but ran into a falls on the road called Rainbow Falls.  It was beautiful.

  Our dinner and time with them was so fun and yummy.  They are great people.  We got home at !0:00.  They have to travel over an hour just to get to church.

After working at the food bank we went to Granny Squirrel to take laundry and get more.  I get so upset because I have done over 40 loads now and they haven't put any of it away.  They expect us to do everything.  The boys and little girl have put all of there's away and kept their rooms spotless.  I wish the parents would follow their example.  We got there at 2:00 and she was still in bed.  We will not give up for the children's sake.  They're wonderful.

Lake Hiwassee from the dam

Power House at Hiwassee dam

Saturday was a fun day.  We have 2 members to home teach at Hiwassee Dam.  We have tried to find them but no luck.  We sent a picture of one of the homes last blog.  He wasn't home today either so we went to find the other one.  His address was in a gated community on the lake.  We drove up to the gate house only to fine the security man was the one we never find home.  He doesn't want anything to do with the church but doesn't want his name removed.  Go figure.  We drove all around trying to fine the other man but no address.  The security man knew nothing of him.  We drove over the dam and enjoyed the view.
We then headed to Peachtree where the church is and another address to home teach.  She is never there.  We can never call people because we always get a busy signal which means it has been disconnected.  The gal was finally there.  She is a jewel.  She said she wants to get back in the church and will come and sit with us tomorrow.  We are so excited.  She is 28 and a surgeon's assistant.  She is going to college and is so cute and sweet.  She will really be a help in our little branch.

                                                    old homes along the way

We left there to take laundry to our little family.  They still haven't put anything away.  The boys' and girl's room are all done and clean.  I moved all the dirty laundry I an NOT going to do, into a place in the bathroom so the boys wouldn't have to have it in their way.  They are trying so hard to keep their room tidy. Elder Bayles took 4 more loads to the car and I told them that was the last one I would do.  That makes 42-44 loads.  I will not do any more.

a pair of bibs I washed  

  I will make sure the boys continue to do good.  They are going to do their own laundry ahd then they will always have clean clothes.  I washed, starched and ironed their Sunday white shirts and can't wait to see them tomorrow.  They will be so handsome.
It rains most every day here but we love it.  It sounds so good on the roof and knowing we are dry is a good thing.

Sunday Cameron turned 10.  You can go on Tiff's blog to see any details.  He had a great day.  We are so glad he is part of our eternal family.  We cannot imagine eternity without any of our children, their companions or grandchildren. (Little Bits)  We are an eternal team.  We love that covenant.  Cameron is such a blessing to our family.  He loves his sisters even though he teases them.  He would do anything for them and I feel sorry for anyone who tries to hurt them.  He gets up in the mornings and without being told practices his music.  He loves it.  He loves to learn and remembers so much.  He will be such a good missionary in ten years.  He is on the Lord's team.  We love you Cameron.

Well our family came to church but way too late so the boy didn't get to pass the sacrament but the mother was sustained as primary chorister.  We'll stick with them.  Our branch conference was very good and uplifting.  We had a potato bar dinner after church.  It was tasty.  We left in a hurry to pick up the elders to go to Franklin for interviews with President Craven.  He always picks up our spirits and gives us the confidence to go forward with vigor.  He always leaves us with such inspiration.  He's a great man and has such a wonderful wife.  We love them.
We headed home to return the elders to their car.  We had no sooner left them and headed down the road when we heard a loud crash.  We turned around because we knew the elders were behind us.  We were devastated when we found they were the cause of the accident.   They were so emotional.  They are wonderful elders and so obedient.  The girl in the other car was life flighted to Chattanoga,  TN in pretty bad shape.   President Craven told us to have the elders taken to the hospital and then to our home for the night.
They were pretty shook up.  We found the girl is holding her own and much better than expected.  We'll know more in the next post.  The elders are fine.

I love Elder George Bayles.

Oct 15th  1904 We stayed at Bro. Enriss' all day reading & writing.  We got our reports ready & sent them off.  I also wrote a letter to my father.  In the afternoon we went down and took a wash in the creek.  After talking until nine o'clock we retired.
Tues. Oct. 17th We rose in good time this morning and after eating breakfast helped pick cotton until dinner and after dinner we picked a little & went over to a family of Saints by the name of Reary, and at night we held another meeting & had a nice time.  We stayed with Bro. Reary over the night, retiring at ten o'clock.