LAST OF THE VISITORS

I left out an entire day on the last blog so you might want to go back and read it again to find the additions.

We had a wonderful experience with the Fradys again.  After a yummy dinner of venison burgers and while we were still sitting at the table, Elder Bayles started talking about Elder Holland’s conference talk.  It was on how we believe and then build on that belief.  It doesn’t come all at once.  They just broke out in tears.  That was the very thing they had been talking about the night before.The Spirit works so beautifully when we are In tune.  He thought he had to be perfect inn his knowledge and testimony before he could be worthy to be baptized.  It was a moment  we will never forget.  What an answer to so many prayers.

Our little family had a flat tire so we spent some time finding a used one that they could use.

We had a meeting in Charlotte Thursday so we went up Wednesday so we wouldn’t have to get up at 3:00 A.M.  We were so excited to see 2 of the 70.  We heard from Elder David L. Evans and Elder Gifford Nielsen.  We got there early only to find they had changed the time but forgot to tell us.  Thank goodness we were early and only missed shaking hands.  The meeting lasted from 9-5:00.  It was supposed to end at 4:00 but the missionaries wanted them to keep going. 

We love our missionaries; they are so obedient and dedicated.  One of the best things we saw was an elder who had been sent home and now 9 months later he is back in full swing.  We just love this elder. (not in any of the pictures)

Missionary work is going to make some huge changes in the near future.  Elder Evans shared some of them with us and it is unbelievable what will be happening.  The gospel is going to spread to all the world with such strength and power.  It is so true.  The Lord is truly hastening the work.  It is definitely in His hands.

Because of the longer meeting and having to wait to get the elder’s bike, and eating at a very slow restaurant we didn’t get home until 12:30.  Boy were we tired.

Clark and family arrived in Atlanta going to see the temple on the way here.  We met at the Frady’s for a cook-out.  We had hot dogs and pork on a stick.  We also baked bread on a stick and has s’mores.  Before we ate the grands played with some goats born that day.  It was so fun.  We ate and cooked by the river so we stayed until we couldn’t see any more. 

The lightning bugs put on quite a show.  We sang and enjoyed each other.  Brother Frady was very touched.

We let everyone sleep in and then headed for Highlands.  They loved the falls and even went swimming.

Clark dove in head first

 

tHEY HIKED A BIT ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

 We had dinner at the Best Little Corner restaurant.  I think we have taken everyone there.

Tiffani has had surgery and even though we are having fun here I sure do wish I could be there to help out.  She says she is doing fine.

We love Sunday’s especially when we can share them with our children.  They filled a row but saved a place for the Fradys.  We had to sit behind them.  We loved that they felt so comfortable with each other.  The Gospel does such wonderful things if we but let it.  After church we just hugged and hugged good-by so we invited the Fradys to join us for dinner.  Twelve people in our kitchen 

What a blast.  Of course we had Granny’s haystacks.  That evening we played Chicken Foot.

On our way to the Biltmore we stopped and bought shoes in Andrews.  I found they are on line also.  Look out budget. 

outside &
balcony

The Biltmore was not even a little crowed so we had a great time  The gardens were beautiful.

Getting eaten by a plant dragon.

  We had packed peanut butter, jam and honey so we stopped where some geese were and ate.  They almost ate us. We took the Parkway to the Smokey Mountains but everyone was so tired until we hit Cherokee.  They loved that place and bought souvenirs.We enjoyed an entire bag of boiled peanuts before the gorge. 

On the way home we stopped at the swinging bridge in the gorge.

OH! NO!

                                                              I'LL SAVE YOU

OH! NO!  THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SAVE ME!

                                             

 We didn’t get home until 8:30 and were so tired.

We let everyone sleep in again and then after some pancakes went to Clay’s Corner to see where the Possum Drop is.  Everyone loves that place.  Clark saw some things we had never seen but we will not put them here.  They have written permission from the State legislature to drop the possum next year.  YaHoo!  It was their last day so we went to see Joe.  His wife Irene was in Atlanta so we went to the  Gorge to visit.  He was touched that we would go see him.  They will be baptized just not yet.  The kids wanted to swim so we  went to some falls we found by accident one day.

  They loved it.  We go home ate Chinese and they headed to Atlanta.  It was a super visit and we will now make it to the end.

On June 3^rd Parker turned 12.  I just can’t believe he is going to be a deacon.  I remember when they brought him home to our house.  Erik thought he was the only person in the world to ever have a baby.  He held him so much and loved him tenderly.  Parker has never disappointed us.  He is a good young man who loves his family and especially the Lord. He is very smart and loves to learn about most everything.  I still remember how he could name every kind of dinosaur when he was only 2.   We love you Parker and sure do wish we could be at your ordination but we will be thinking of you.

Fri. Julu 20th We left Winston at 9 A.M. amd wa;led