THE BAPTISM

We  had  a lovely evening Wednesday with the Silkers and Fradys.  We were invited to dinner at the Frady home.  It is always so good.  I think we could just have peanut butter sandwiches and we would enjoy it.  They are just great people.  The Silkers were there for Elder Silker to interview Jeff for baptism.   After dinner while they were interviewing, we made the dessert.  Jeff told us how and we tried to remember.  It was apple dumplins.  They were so yummy I hope we remember how.  It took forever.  I started getting worried.  I was wondering if they were interviewing or talking fishing.  When they finally came out Brother Frady just hugged Elder Bayles and sobbed.  Again, the Spirit was so strong.  We so love these people.  Brother Frady went around the room and hugged everyone.

The rain was so treacherous that it was very slow driving so the Silkers left right after dinner.  We stayed long enough for Elder Bayles to give Bro. Frady another lesson on the priesthood.  I love how Elder Bayles explains the principles and doings of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We had a zone meeting in Waynesville this week and on the way home I decided to take some movies of the gorge so when I got lonely for NC I could watch them.

Our replacement missionaries called and wanted a taste of what they were in for.  They will be just great and not miss a beat.  Elder and Sister Ogden from Provo, Slate Canyon area.

The baptism could not have been one ounce better.  The meeting was so filled with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.  It was tangible.  There were 35 people who came to support Jeff; even his family was there.  He also had his very best friend.  He has a lot of missionary work to do.  His family is very close and such good people.  Elder and Sister Silker were also there.  They were so drawn to Jeff at the interview.

I gave a talk on baptism  (She gave a wonderful lesson on baptism and the  Doctrine of Christ) and then we went to the font.  Elder Bayles started to give the prayer but was so teary he had to pause and gather his emotions.  It was powerful.  We really love this man and his wife. 

After coming up from the water the two men just held each other in an embrace for a long time.  Again, it was filled with the Spirit.

We showed the DVD “Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” while the men were getting dressed and a few women prepared the refreshments.  We had a cinnamon cake, two fruit plates, a veggie plate, peanut butter, chocolate bars and nuts.  Water and soda for drinks.

People stayed for a long time after just visiting and enjoying the Spirit.  It was a wonderful evening.

When we were ready to leave I noticed that Elder Bayles had forgotten to unplug the font, turn off the light in the font area, lock the door or to get Pres. Caron’s signature, and I had to remind him to get the baptismal book from the table.  Do you think he was just a bit nervous and completely taken by the Spirit?

Sunday was another wonderful day.  The Branch Pres. mentioned the baptism and how great it was before having Jeff go up front.  Elder Bayles gave him a beautiful blessing and confirmation.  Again, the Spirit was very strong.  Brother Boyd filled in for the stake speaker who wasn’t there and did such a great job of talking about personal revelation, mentioning Jeff throughout his entire talk.  What a meeting.  He is now staying to all 3 meetings and loving it.

The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is so true and changes all of our lives in such a powerful way.  It is so exciting to watch this happen.  As we follow the commandments of our Father, grow in our faith and continually repent and do better, we can feel the gift of the Holy Ghost that has been given us and endure to the end.  What a beautiful plan of happiness our Father has given us.  We testify that this is true and love that we can be together as a family throughout all eternity.  We love each other and ya’all so very much.

Tues. July 31st  We left French's in good time and went to Mrs. Orr's & after talking with her until 10 A.M. we then left Charlotte & started for Cabarrus Co.  After we had walked about 4 miles we got to ride 7 miles with a negro.  After walking about a mile farther we stoped with a friend by the name of John M. Wilson & spent the night with him.  We also had some grapes & pears.

  

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 

THE MIRACLE

We love our travels and the beautiful mountains

Tuesday was a very good day.  We started out at 7:30 A.M. to clean the church.  We love doing that.  Brother Miller and Sister Mickey Tuell help us.  We then headed to Hiwassee to visit with Donna.  She is doing so well.  She wants so much to know more.  Her daughter came while we were there.  We visit her at her work.  Her daughter is very steeped in her baptist church and will graduate from high school Saturday. While we were visiting, her daughter drove up.  Donna decided that was the Lord telling her to let her daughter know how things were.  What faith.
We left there to go to the food bank to give out food to those in need.  We love doing that too.  We love to see the happy faces when they get food.  On the way we stopped at a market to get tomatoes and the man said his land lady was a Mormon.  She is not on the branch list or anything.  She is married to a Mormon.  The things you learn by wearing the badge and asking questions.  We will find her.
We had a good family home evening with our friends.
District meeting was good as usual.  It was Elder Gosselin's last one.  The senior couples took the elders to a lunch at Rib Country.  We gave him a bag of treats and a North Carolnia T-shirt.We will really miss Elder Gosselin.  He is a great man.

Elders Bayles, Gosselin, Parkinson, Silker
Sister Bayles, Sister Silker

Scott's birthday was today and I couldn't help but remember how I had to leave him in the hospital and go home without him.  I cried all the way to Blanding. He was yellow with jaundice.  He had to have casts on his legs because his feet were turned wrong.  I worked so hard to keep the casts clean.  Can't remember if it was one or both legs.  The doctor couldn't believe it when I took him to get them off because they were so clean.  I guess Scott was destined to be a cleaner-upper.  I am so glad he wasn't Heidi (I was sure he was a girl)  He was a fun boy and is a great man.  We are so blessed to have him and his family ours for eternity.  We're thrilled they are in their new home and hope we recognize ours when we return.  We sure have loved having them in our home while we were away.

the outside wall---who does that?

Ashley has graduated from South Summit.  Congratulations!  We are so proud of her.  We didn't even know she was Valedictorian until we wormed it out of her.  She got a 30 on her ACT.  Hum????? Is that from her dad?  We love the young lady she is and how she stands as a witness of Christ in all things.  We love you Ash.

We went to the dam to visit our investigator there.  She is already in Mosiah and loves every bit of it.  She is amazing.  Her husband even defended her when talking to their daughter about her lessons. We invited her to live the Word of Wisdom.  She accepted.
We helped a sister deliver pop cans to a school because she just can't do things anymore yet is always helping others.  She is in such pain but goes to church every Sunday.  She says she hurts no matter where she is so why not go anyway.  Love her. (six large black bags of cans)
We had a viewing in Robbinsville for a member's, husband's grandfather.
We hurried back to Murphy (Robbinsville is an hour away but still in our branch) to go to the Frady's,  Dinner there is always a treat.  He serves something Southern every time.  This time it was Poke Salet.

Don't Eat Poke Salad  In the mountains it's salet.
Most people boil the shoots and leaves for 20-30 minutes, first in salt water and again in clean water, then eat the plant much like spinach.

"The boiling process removes some of the toxins but certainly not all of them," says Weese. I suggest that people avoid this plant no matter how many times your mother or grandmother may have prepared it in the past and no matter how good it tasted. Why would you want to eat something that we know is toxic when there are so many other non-toxic plants out there we can eat?"
It was so good.  You had to eat it while it was still hot or it wasn't as good.  After we finished it he informed us it was nature's body cleanser.  I can testify that this is true.  We also had corn bread with hot peppers in it, ham and yummy macaroni and cheese made by Cori.
After dinner we walked down to their garden to take a peek.  It is huge and right by the river,  Beautiful.

The best part of the evening was that after our walk we went inside for a lesson.  Elder Bayles told him the questions he would have to answer for baptism and he said he could do that.  He is a heavy coffee and sweet tea drinker and he said he would quit.  What a great blessing he will receive by following the example of our Savior.  The Spirit was so strong in their home.  The MIRACLE is that he said he would be baptized June 8th,

Happy Birthday Camden!  Camden John Bayles finally turned 8 and got his Disney trip.  You'll have to go to their sites to see what they did.  We love Camden.  He tries so hard to make everyone happy.  He is very creative at making things out of just about anything and loves helping out.  We loved having him here and seeing how much he has grown.  We hope he got his CTR ring.  He is a boy who always tries to choose the right.
While serving at the food bank, Kristin came an helped out.
We took Baylie to Tennessee because she hadn't been there.

We went to the Frady's.

That night Baylie put on a dance show for us.  It was very good.  We loved it.  She's a great little dancer.

The next day we visited the Billtmore.  As everyone else, they loved it.  Baylie was a very good little girl.  It was a full day.  We stopped at a flea market on the way.  Kristin loved the sign. We got home at 8:30.

We love to take our family to church.  There were 8 children in primary and 6 of them were visitors.  It is good for the branch to see that we have families of our own.  They add so much.
After church Brother Crubaugh invited us to a cook out where some investigators and less active members would be.  We felt this would be a great missionary experience.  Baylie loved it in that Brother Crubaugh has a pond.  She fished until dark.  We hesitated because of the Sabbath but we got so much visiting about the church in and the people fell in love with Baylie and her knowledge.

Baylie and her fishing buddies

                                                          Granddad and Skylar

                                                 no idea what happened to the sound
Monday Kristin headed home.  We went to Hiwassee dam first to feed the ducks but there were none.  We introduced our friend to Kristin and Baylie.
We are having a hard time getting things ready for the next couple.  We have grown to love these people and each other so much.

June 8th 2005  We stayed in Goldsboro all day.  We went in the ice factory.  We also tried to get to go thru the cotton factory but they wouldn't let us .  We stayed at Bro. Mooring's most of the day reading etc.  At night we went to a Negro meeting.  
June 9th  We stayed at Bro. Mooring's again today.  In the afternoon we went to the "Little River" and had a swim.
Mon. June 25th We stayed at Smith's all day helping them chop corn and cane.
Thurs. June 28th We left Sister Smith's in good time this morning & started for Osgood to get our mail.  After traveling all day we got to Bro. Sherm Rosser's at seven P.M. feeling quite tired having walked about twenty-two miles.

LUCY'S RETURN

Blue Ridge Mountains

The movies are for the grandchildren.
This week has been a great one.  We got Lucy back with a new fuse harness.  She runs like she should.  We had a Chevy Impala for a loner. It was O.K., but Nothing like Lucy.
We had a Zone Conference in Asheville.  We have that road memorized and just let Lucy go.  President Craven and his sweet wife and the assistants train us so well.  We love what we learn.  Dad had a horacious headache so he had a rough time but still learned.  We love our training times.

driving to Asheville

                                      

Elder Frampton, asst to Pres. He is from Orem  Won't see him because of the change

Elder Fullmer, asst to Pres released this month Lives in Dr. McKell's ward.

On the way home we went through the gorge (the only way to get home) and saw this sign.

Now who do you know who gives a lube job and has a thrift store all in the same place?

 We got up at 5 to make it to this meeting in Asheville, went to a RS activity on the way home and got home at 9:30.  Makes for a long day.
We had a few extra minutes today and decided to go to the Methodist Cemetery we had heard about where the supposed real father of Abraham Lincoln is buried.  It was very interesting and a beautiful setting but no one takes care of it and the church hasn't been used for years.  It's sad.

1869

Confederate Soldier (the headstone, not Granddad!)

We love going to the Frady's.  He cooks the most wonderful meals and loves to cook.  We have never had the same thing twice and we eat there every week.  He is really coming along with the lessons.  He's is such a good man.  We really love them.

Snap thinks he's a dog.  Loves this table. His mother's name is  Ginger.

This is how Cori calls them to go in their coop for the night.

practice

The couple missionaries from the mission home came today to see our apartment.  They don't know if there will be a replacement or not and they wanted to know what belonged to the mission and what was the branches.  We had a good visit.
We love this country and the beauty that surrounds us.  The people are so friendly and nice.

Great tree for a saddle

Storm the cat is waiting

Bird Waiting

Goldfinch

The Smokey Mts.

home still used

Thurs. Apr. 12th We started out again this morning in good time & canvassed toward Princeton.  We found the people to be quite friendly. We arrived at Princeton about eleven o'clock and got our mail  I received four letters, one from Estella, one from Elder Montgomery, one from Bro. Head and one fro Sister Gales.  After getting us some hose supporters and stamps we went down to West's and stayed the remainder of the day  I also wrote a letter to Aunt Ann.
Tues. May 29th  At ten AM we left Mr. Herriet's and went to Bro. Sullivan's.  We planted tobacco 'till noon.
Wed. May 30th  We left Bro. Radford's in good time and walked four and a half miles to Kenly.  From there we canvassed six miles west of Kenly and at night we stayed with a friend by the name of Thomas Stancil and were treated very friendly.