AVA, NIXON AND PARENTS IN THE SMOKIES

Can you find the buzzard?

Another good week with lots to do.  We had dinner with a less active family and had a really good time.  He is a radiologist in three states and very busy.

Baylie's snow picture

Ava's robot out of a pizza box

Overnight it rained an inch.  I wish the moisture could even out across the states.  We've had 10 inches since January.  We visited with another less active family.  I just don't get it.  Both families could do so much for our little branch.
After district meeting Wednesday we went to Mineral Bluff to visit with our little family in Georgia.

Elder Gosselin and Leno

Silkers, Elder Leno, Elder Gosselin and us

Her daughter was asking a lot of questions about death and heaven.  Elder Bayles was doing such a good job of answering her.  All of a sudden she got very quiet and finally asked, "Are there visiting hours in heaven?"  How cute is that?  We just love them.  The mother bought a car at a lot and on the way home could not  make it up a hill.  It's a very classy looking car and she just loved it. She took it back and the dealer would not help her at all.  The next day she took her mother and father with her.  The owner/dealer got out his brass knuckles and threatened them.  The buyer got out her camera and started filming.  The owner's wife slapped her and jerked the camera away from the lady and deleted the movie.  She said she would have said words or hit back but Elder Bayles was sitting on her shoulder saying "Now Robyn, calm down" so she just kept her mouth shut and obeyed the word. Both parties called the police and the owner's call was there immediately.  They took the mother and father to the police station and threatened if they called an attorney they would put them in jail.  Do you believe it?  That's the South in its finest.  She is stuck with a car that needs expensive repair. Georgia does not have  a lemon law.
We finally found the pig man at home  He is living there with no power and someone has stolen or killed all but 6 of his pigs.
We met with President Caron before our missionary branch training meeting and he gave gave us some more to home/visit teach.  We now have 22 families on our list.  It certainly would be nice if we could get even half of them to church.

Who packed this suitcase?

The kids were supposed to be here around midnight but due to  flight delays they didn't get in until after one.  Ava and Nixon were as happy as could be and so much fun.  We had such a great visit.

Gene Autry's Champion at Best  Corner in Town

The next day we spent the whole time showing them our area.  They couldn't believe the water and the beauty.  We went up a mountain to visit the Murray's.  They live the gospel but just don't want to be baptized right now.  The kids were able to pet her horses and loved it.  Ava even gave one a kiss on the nose.

No more crib

Can someone really sleep in the space between the mattress and couch?

Saturday we spent the whole day at the Biltmore in Asheville.  We had to go through the Nantahala Gorge to get there but it was just too cold to stop and do anything.  They loved this home with 250 rooms.  Bethany just wanted to go in each one.  We had rented a mini van so we could all go that distance together.

the gift  shop

even a candy store

ready for church

Sunday we went to Stake Conference at our branch because they pipe it in.  It is too far to Asheville.  2 1/2 hours.

The Jenning's Storm

 The kids were so tired from dragging them every day that we decided to spend the day at home.  It was also way cold.
 That evening we did decide to go to an investigator's home to see their goats.  Ava loved them and let them crowd around her.  She would have gone there every day.

icic
les across the road

Monday was their last day so we went to Highlands to see the falls.  It was the only day we could have due to the cold and icy roads there.  It was 52 degrees so we felt it would be fine.  There were icicles every where.  

 The falls were beautiful even though it was cold.  I think it made them even prettier.

dry Falls

by the side of Dry Falls

  I surely do wish we had known about them when Tiff was here.  No one told us about them when we asked what we could do when our families came.

  It was a beautiful day.

We walked up ad down the street

more candy and blue ice cream

on the way home

 After the kids went to bed we played the great game of Chicken Foot.  I won't tell who won.
The kids left the next morning and I had a very hard time with it.  It is so rejuvenating when family comes but so hard to see them go.
We love our family so darn much.  You have no idea.  I think it took our mission to realize how exceptional each one of you is.  Thank you so much for teaching our grands how to pray and rely on faith to do everything.  They are the chosen the scriptures tell us will be valiant warriors for the Savior.  We love them so much and are so pleased with the positive attitudes we see in their rearing.  Thank you so much.  I love your dad and granddad.

Mon. Oct. 11th We got up in good time this morning & after eating breakfast we went to the P.O. but were disappointed  again, so we got ready & left Bro. Keith's at ten o'clock.  Sister Keith fixed us up a lunch which we took with us, and after walking until about one o'cock we ate it.  We then went on six miles farther to Black Mountain, arriving there at 4 o'clock & thinking we had plenty of time to get us a ticket, we sat down awhile and before we knew it the train was coming,  My companion got him a ticket but I didn't get one so I had to get on the train without any and to our great surprise the Conductor let me have it for just the same price as I could get it at the station.  After riding thirty-five miles we got of the train at Bridgewater & some negroes directed us to Bro. Wises's where we arrived at about nine P.M. having walked twenty-two miles.  My foot also got a little lame. At ten o'clock we retired.

GET OFF MY LAND AND DON'T COME BACK

We love the Smokeys

Monday we did all our chores in a hurry and headed to Asheville to have Lucy's tires rotated.  We had a Zone Conference the next day and didn't want to go all the way back to Murphy and then get up at 4 so we could make the meeting in Asheville.  It was supposed to rain and having had 12 inches in 3 days and 3-4 days a week of rain since Thanksgiving, we decided to stay the night.  After the tire rotation we checked into what we thought was a Marriott, Spring Hill.  We found that a Spring Hill is not a Marriott.  Oh well.  It was nice and not expensive and we got a king bed.  Hallelujah!  We then went to Outback for dinner.  Another Hallelujah!!  We felt quite spoiled.
We wish there were a way to describe how wonderful Zone Conferences are. Our Zone leaders are the best and train us so well.  One of them is Elder Casper who is Julie Laws' son and the other is a great young man from Orem.  We love them. We also received training from the Mission Assistants and from President and Sister Craven.  We always learn so much from them. We leave so filled with the Spirit.

office staff missionaries teaching elders how to clean their bathrooms

 We so need prayer in our lives.  Prayer gives messages to the heart to let the Spirit in.  "On your knees, on your feet, never sitting on your seat"  We're going to try to remember that.
We learned that on Mon we will get 14 missionaries and next Tues 26 more.  Wow!  We don't know how they're going to find places for all of them but our mission president will find a way.  He's remarkable.
Sister Cravn taught more about the tree of life and the important lessons taught in that dream.  Did you know that everyone who embarked upon the "straight and narrow path" had already been baptized?  We love it.  We are encouraged to use the priesthood and leave the Savior's peace and blessing upon the homes we visit.  Elder Bayles does it and does such a great job. The Spirit is so abundant when he does this.

This was also Asher's birthday.  What would our life be like without Asher?  We love his special spirit.  He has learned so much since we left.  We talked to him on the phone and we're excited to get to know him again.  He has grown so much.  Our Father loves his little ones so much and we are go grateful.  He knew Erik and Shanelle would be the best parents for Asher.  He loves his brothers and they love him so much.  It's a perfect match.
Thursday we decided to find some less active members on our list.  We went to see a member no one has seen for some time.  We had a hard time finding the home.  We found a road up a mountain, Vengeance Creek Rd, that we thought might lead to her home.

 We  drove up and saw a home at the end of the road.  We decided to ask this man coming toward us if he knew her.  WOW!  We were told he has told many Mormons to never come back and the next time someone comes he will take legal action.  "Get off my land and don't come back" were his words.  He was not kind and very loud.  We hurridly turned around and headed off the mountain.
It was a bit scary and we were needless to say, nervous.  We had been told that the people in Andrews were not Mormon friendly.  We learned that this is true.  Even grandpa had trouble there The Lord blessed us that the man was not carrying a gun.
On our way out of there we came across some fun sites.

home in Marble

across the street

resort with basketball, swimming and van ride, even a dish

A good man we have been teaching split a truck load of wood for one of our people.  She really needed it and Elder Bayles loved doing something with wood, especially for someone else.

tramp electricity

We passed a home that I was so infatuated with that I made Elder Bayles stop so I could get out and take pictures.  It's a definite fixer upper.  Someone lived in it only 2 years ago.  It was a beautiful home when grandpa was here.

back

his and hers

back door

I'ld never make it

out buildings

Kristin taught me to hold the camera up to a window

chimney side

front porch, check the foundation

how firm a foundation
remember this home was lived in 2 years ago
the strange thing is I love it

Friday we worked at the food bank.  We love giving food to those who don't have much.  They are so thankful.  We had the opportunity to share the story of the restoration and the Book of Mormon with one of the men we work with at the food bank.  We bore our testimony, and gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon.
Sunday is always a great day.  We had the opportunity to teach a young woman who seemed to be a marvelous contact only to learn that she had probably been baptized as a child. She still needed to be taught, and it was a good lesson. We love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is so true.  We love sharing it as missionaries.  We love being companions and we love each other.
Since Sister Bayles always does the Blog, you never really get to know what a marvelous missionary she is.  As her family knows, she has never met a stranger, and she loves everybody.  She is such a mother to the missionaries, and they love her.  She is a friend to the less active and those of other faiths. She will complement a woman for her hair, or dress or shoes, etc. She makes a fuss over babies. (That is partially because she misses her own grandchildren).  She truly emanates the Christ like attributes that we all so desire to have in our lives.  There is never a dull moment with her as a companion!

Thurs. Nov 3 1904 I got up in good time this morning and after eating breakfast, Elder Fawcett and I walked up to Cedar Grove, (where granddad and I took pictures of the well) a distance of four miles to get some Perfection Dye to dye his pats.  We got back here to Gates' in an hour and a half from the time we left.  We  helped Uncle Jim Hopkins unpack his goods the rest of the afternoon  After dinner I helped him price them.  Being quite sleepy I retired early.

COLD FOR THE SMOKIES

Weather is nothing like Utah but cold for here.  We love it because of no snow.

Granddad was wonderful leading us at dist meeting.  The mission president has invited us all to memorize D&C 121:33-46.  I still haven't memorized D&C 4.  I'm certain the grands will have it before we even get home.  I'm still on the first 2 sentences.  Dad's way ahead of me.

love this sign

We went to a convert's father's funeral.  We are so blessed to have the knowledge we have of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  The funeral was so hollow.

what a sign

We have a new investigator we have loved since the first meeting.  I think we told you about him last blog.  He asks such great questions and is moving right along.  Only the Lord knows what will happen.  Please pray for the Holy Ghost to guide him and surround him with the truth.  He's pure country.
A sweet lady took us to a Chinese place for Valentines Day.
We spent much of this week with Elder Bayles in bed with either a bad cold of the flu.  He is asleep now so I hope he gets to feeling better.

left-over Christmas wreath from Main--Bert

hearts made by Clara and Lauryn

Friday was very interesting.  We told our little family we would do some laundry for them.  They have moved to another home way up in the mountains and had 25 huge black garbage bags of laundry.  Their old landlord would not fix the water so it took them 3 hours to do one load of wash.  We kept telling them to just do 2 loads a day and they could keep up.  They obviously didn't.  We gave them some money to go to the laundromat but they spent it on their car.  The last time they had done laundry was before Tiffani came the that was Dec. 28th.  So that wouldn't happen again we spent 6 hours at a laundromat doing only 3 bags full.  That's how much was in each bag.  We were very anxious because the ward was doing baptisms in the Atlanta temple and we wanted their son, who was newly baptized to go and he had nothing to wear.  He had worn the same clothes for 3 days. We were excited when we finished and took it up the mountain to their home.  We called to let them know we would leave it on the covered porch if they weren't home.  They called us to let us know they were home.  We told them again where the clothes were because they hadn't checked and told them to take them right in the house and put them away because some might be a mite damp.  At 6 o'clock we realized we had left a 2 load of Levis in the washer.  We hurried and called them and asked if the father would go down and see if they were still there as the laundromat would close at 7.  It's about 10 or 15 min. from their house.  He called us when he got there to say it was closed and all dark.  Elder Bayles told him to go around to the back and see if he could find anyone.  He found the worker in a truck doing drugs with someone.  She let him in and they searched every washer and dryer but no go.  We were just sick.  There were 14 pair of Levis and many other shirts, pants and socks etc.  We called them back and said not to worry that we would replace everything.  We had a 6:00 appointment so we could do nothing.  I was just sick all evening.  I tried to figure in my dreams how much it would cost but knew that some of the things had sentimental meaning to the kids.  I prayed to Heavenly Father if there was any way could he please find those clothes.  We got home at 9:30 and still no call. (the lady said she would call if anything showed up)  We had called the family and asked for the number of items and what sizes and to call back if they remembered anything else.
The next morning I prayed again asking Heavenly Father if He would forgive me for being so careless and if at all possible help find those very needed clothes. We were just ready to go to the stores to shop when Scott and Tiffani and Erik all called at the same time.  We were going crazy with the phones.  By the time we got off I thought it would be good to call the father again to see if they had heard anything.(They don't get up before 11 so I know I couldn't call earlier.)  When I reached for the phone it rang and was him telling us the lady had found the clothes and they were in the dryer.  I said a prayer to thank our Father in Heaven for his tender mercies to me that day.  Needless The little girl had been given some black tights with white bows and she was so sad until they had been found.  Our Father in Heaven cares about every child, person and thing.  He is so loving.
After coming off the mountain we went toward Robinsville to find the homestead and birthplace of a member in Caswell.  He sent us a map so we would be sure to find it.  He was even further up the mountain above the Nantahala Gorge.  It started snowing quite heavily but we stuck it out.  What beauty we found.  We found the home and took pictures to send him and hurried back to Murphy where it wasn't snowing.

homestead in the snow

tabacca barn in the Smokies
  What a great day.

We love the Sabbath Day.  It was a good meeting.  Brother Adamovitch was the speaker and he did such a great job.  I could have listened to him the entire meeting.  We had  one investigator who we really like and that is all.  After meeting we had a ward council planning meeting and then up the mountains for dinner with a family.  They live just up the mountain in Hayesville overlooking Chatuge Lake.  We love the mountains.  We had a great time and a wonderful dinner.

 We tried to find a Bible referral on the way home.  It ended up almost in Tennessee and no one was home when we finally got there.  We'll go again.

Thurs. Oct 20th My birthday comes again & I am 21 years of age.  After eating breakfast at Kings 7 spending the greater part of the fore-noon there, we went down to visit another family of friends by the name of Squires.  There is one member of their family a member of the church, we had dinner there, but I was not feeling very well I sat around the fire freezing, they called it a chill,after I got over it we went down to Sister Jefferies'.  I was so weak I could hardly get there.  We got our meal and stayed over night.
Oct. 21st We stayed here at Sister Jefferies until after dinner, then we went dow to Squires' and stayed there the rest of the afternoon.  I also had my second chill here.  We spent the night with a family of friends by the name of Squires.
Sat Oct 22.  We left here about 7 o'clock in the morning on our way to Orange Co.  After walking about five hours we arrived at J.W. Gates having walked twenty-two miles.  After we got here I felt pretty bad I also had another chill.  We stayed here over night.
Sunday Oct 23rd  Sunday I got up feeling pretty well this morning.  We sat around the fire talking & one thing and another to pas the time away.  In the afternoon about 4 o'clock my chills began to come on again and I had another shaking.
Mon Oct 24th I had to stay in bed all day on account of having the chills I had a light chill in the afternoon.
Tues. Oct 25th I had to sit around in the house again today I felt quite bad in the afternoon & tried to sleep my chill off.
Wed Oct 26th  Today I had to stay in the house all day.  I sat around the fire all forenoon and in the afternoon I had another chill which made me feel quite bad.  At night I felt some better.
Oct. 27th I felt pretty good today better than I  have been feeling for some time.  After breakfast I sat around the fire until noon reading and one another.  After dinner I sat around the fire until about two o'clock.  I received three letters from home after reading them I took some tea and went to bed to keep off the chill.  I stayed in bed all afternoon and never had any chill.  I ate some supper the first supper  I have ate for some time.

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.