SICKLE DOWN

Tuesday was Zone Conference.  We love being with the missionaries.  It was the last time to see President and Sister Thomas.  They are holding the sickle the senior couples gave them.  They love it.  We love them.  They bring us such leadership and training.

Couples who gave the sickle.  Pres. Thomas is always saying "Keep your sickle down." D&C 4  "And lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul."

Thomas, Kellers(leave in Aug), Us, Silkers (came out with us.) Burns(leave in Sept.)



Sister Thomas and me.

with the Pres

We went to a great ward council meeting. The stake challenged the members to have the Book of Mormon read by Mothers' Day.  Of course your dad read it twice.  This month they have challenged      

the wards to meet with every family in the ward and invite them to do something to improve the spirituality in their home. (family prayer, scriptures, meetings etc.)  We are going to many of the homes to help the ward out.  In Sept the invite is to place a Book of Mormon or give 10 pass along cards out. The  Greensboro Stake is great.

Thursday we had our first writing class at the Senior Center.  We were so worried no one would come.  Ten people signed up and they were so great.  I loved teaching the pre-write.  It felt like I was in the classroom again. The people loved it and want to do it every Thursday.  They had questions about the Church and one lady asked how to get to the church to start her genealogy.  Yahoo!  We are thinking of doing one at the church for the members so they don't have to go clear to Yanceyvillle.  One lady told us about members who live in Yanceyville who are great and wonderful people and are Mormons.  We went to visit them after writing because we had never heard of them.  They are great.  He is 80 and she is 68.  They got married in Sept.  He couldn't find the Caswell Ward so he went to Danville, Virginia, which is closer,  found this wife and so now they go to Danville. Go figure.  No one knew they were here.  They live in a post Civil War home and are completely redoing it.  They are having way too much fun.

We have now been out 5 months.  Time is going faster now.  I got a great present to celebrate.  Tick #4.  What a thrill.  We were talking to a nurse practioner today and she said dad for sure had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever when he was sick a few weeks ago.  How were we to know?

After going to an inactive and part member home after church we went to a home to celebrate with another family.  They had had several graduations.  We ate such good food.  We left that home to go to another one that was celebrating cousins graduating from BY High.  We are so fat.  Food here is just way too good.

When we finally got home we called our Lily.  It is her birthday today, seven years old.  What a special little girl.  We just can't believe she can be so big.  She is so good to Jonny and loves her family.  We are so happy with the good decisions she is making.  We are excited that she will be in second grade next year.  She will be such a good friend to the other students.  We love you Lily

Lucy's cousins.

Many times people get old, die and their kids don't want to live in the family home so they just leave it empty and build a new home or put a trailer on the land

This is a telephone pole we like.                                                                                                            

Tues. July 11, 1905  We left Gate's this morning at 7:30 AM and started for Jefferies' but we got on the wrong road and went down  Haw River.  It stormed on us part of the day and the roads were very muddy.  From Haws River we went up to McAdam's, a family of friends who lived three miles from there.  We were beginning to feel a little tired having walked about twenty-five miles.  We retired at nine o'clock.   

(Elder Bayles and I were at Haw River yesterday.)

CASWELL EAGLES

This week has been slow in that Elder Bayles has spent the entire time ill.  We still don't know what he had in that there is no doctor in the county.  Last Sunday he had a fever of 103-104 and was having chills.  He was fine in the mornings but by 3:00 he would need to go home and take a nap. He is fine now, than goodness.  He did net tick #8.  We got him before he put his head in.
We made our usual visits because we always thought Elder Bayles was better.
Sunday was Parker's birthday.  He is 11.  I can't believe how these little ones are growing.  He is such a good boy and has always been so kind to us.  He is way too full of knowledge and just love it.  He has always loved reading and can do so many things.  He loves his family and is such a good big brother.  He is going to be such a good missionary.  As I watch our elders work I can see our grands in action.  We love Parker.
Every time a tick gets on us we tape him on the calendar.  This is May's calendar.  Elder Bayles has had 8 ticks and I have had 3.  Can I tell you how much we HATE ticks?  They are very sneaks devils.  One climbed on Elder Bayles' finger while he was reading in bed.  We check each other and the sheets before we get into bed.  Go figure.


There is a plant here called the kudzu.  They grow i the south and in Taiwan and Japan, or so we're told.  In the winter they are dry vines.  In the summer they are plush greens.  These pictures are the before and after of the kudzu.

                                                                                  The change is amazing.  The kudzu is an

unwanted weed or vine.  It grows a foot a month.


Now for the Caswell eagles.  They are everywhere. You will decipher they are really buzzards.  It is illegal to kill them because they are an important part of the food chain.  They can carry a squirrel right off the ground.

                               This is our ward mission leader and his wife.




This sandwich was ordered by our dist. leader.  Every transfer time Elder Bayles takes the elders to lunch.  This is a cheese sandwich with Texas toast, then a hamburger, another cheese sandwich, another hamburger and topped with another cheese sandwich  Notice the butcher knife.  That was the only way the cook could keep it together.  The other elders including Elder Bayles ordered the garbage plate.  The hamburger was finished first.  I was sick just watching them eat all that grease.

We went to Emily's graduation party and this was on the table.  It is oranges cut in half and scooped  out  for a fruit salad.  Then finger jello is filled in the orange.  When ready it is cut into slices.  It made such a pretty plate and was yummy.   The kids and I loved it.

Welcome wasps.  I got bit 5 times by a wasp---hot, red, itchy, fever, headache, cramps but I would rather have that than a tick.
                               I love Elder Bayles!

 Thurs. June 22nd  We got up in good time and after eating breakfast and talking awhile, we started for Garner to get our mail.  After walking until noon we got there and got our mail,  I got a letter from Carlie.  After resting there awhile we started on again, we didn't get any dinner, so we ate plums.  It was an awful hot day.  We met a young man who asked us to go home with him so we went and stayed over until the cool of the evening, then started on again and commenced seeking for entertainment but could not find a place to stay.  At half past nine we went to a place and they gave us a couple of biscuits but would not let us stay so we went on a little farther and got in a chuch and stayed the remainder of the night.

MURDER IN THE COURTHOUSE

Elder Oaks called to let Elder Bayles know that I was getting transferred.  For a minute I was nervous.  He said a Sister Cunningham would be my new companion.  President Thomas told him to do it.  Elder Carilli and Elder Wilcock were transferred.  They will be greatly missed.  Boy, but we do love our missionaries.
I had my third basket class.  Again, I was the last one finished.  It is beautiful though.

We had dinner this week with the Adkins' family.  They're wonderful.  Carolyn is Mike's mother.
We spent hours on the phone with Kristin this week to figure computer problems.  I don't now what we would do without her.








Scott turned 33 on the 23rd.  How can that be?  He is way too young to be 33.  He was with us at home just the other day.  He has developed into such a fine man with so many skills.  I love the way he treats us and especially the good father and husband he is with his own family.  I do think the other 3 members of his family have him wrapped right around their fingers.  I guess he gave a really good talk about repentance a few Sunday's ago.  We have heard from several who have said so.  Sure glad we didn't stop at four.                                   



We were proctors for Dillard Middle School this week.  When they take their end of the year tests they have to have someone in the classroom with the teacher at all times so it is done without help and that no one cheats.  The students were very nice and respectful.  It seemed good to be in a classroom again.  We both did 6th grade.

The day after Scott's birthday, Camden turned 7.  You are all growing without us.  It's strange.  We called Camden and as soon as he said "hi" I lost it.  I was not at all weepy but hearing that precious little voice I went into a melt-down and could not even sing.  How I miss the little ones.  Camden is such a good boy and loves his family so much.  He is a friend to everyone.  We are so proud of how he is following our Savior.

We gave Gail the second lesson and she invited us back for another one.  She is so special and we pray that she will have the Spirit testify of the truth to her.  Pray for her please.
We visited Casses. One of the cats had 8 kittens.  I love cats but when you get over 40 it's a bit too much.

We gassed up in Virginia on Thursday.  $3.20 a gallon.  That's why we go to Virginia.  That night we helped Jesse's crew clean the church.  They call the chapel the sanctuary.  We cleaned that part, the cultural hall and vacuumed some of the halls and classrooms.
Caswell County has such beautiful yards when you go out in the country, especially around the church.  I took a few pictures but realize a camera just can't capture the beauty.

member's front yard

same member's back yard

                                     

Another member's back yard

Back yard behind back yard

Member's front yard

Member's back yard

It really is amazing how much land people have here. Needless to say they all have riding lawn mowers------and ticks.

marker closest to you

When you can walk a town in 15 minutes you look for things to do on your walk.  Elder Bayles decided to go to a cemetery where a man who was murdered by the KKK was buried.  He was a senator who was friendly to the blacks which made him an enemy of the KKK. They lured into a storage room at the back of the court house and cut his throat.  He is buried in the far corner of the Methodist cemetery among the blacks away from the street.  He served in the Civil War.  Dad read an entire book on Senator Stephens and found it very interesting.

Another marker we found in the same cemetery was Starling Gunn.  He fought in the War for Independence.  He fired the first cannon at York and was a witness at the surrender of Cornwallis.










After looking at graves we headed home.  No sidewalks so we just walked on the road.






I looked over to the left and there was a deer staring at us. They are very tiny here.

Thurs. June 15, 1905  We got up in good time and after eating breakfast went to Bro. Smith's and got our grips (suitcases) and started for Fuquay.  After walking six miles we stoped and had dinner with a man by the name of Williams.  After staying with him until two o'clock we started on again and after walking for about an hour a rain storm came up and we got in a man's house & stayed until it stoped.  We then came on down & had to wade three creeks.  We got here to Drivers's at six o'clock and stayed with them over night.  I had the headache all night and didn't get much sleep.

WE LOVE OUR COMPANIONS!

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.