TRANSFER DAY IN THE NORTH CAROLINA RALEIGH MISSION
We left Leland at 5:30 am and drove with Elders Hutchings and Chiu to Raleigh. Elder Hutchings was transferring to a new area called Clary, near Raleigh and Elder Chiu was going for training as a trainer of a greenie missionary. His brand new companion from San Diego is Elder Rawlins. He has completed one year at BYU and is now going to serve his 2 years in North Carolina.
HELLO AND GOODBYE
When we arrived at the Raleigh Stake Center there seemed to be organized chaos in the parking lot as missionaries arrived with all their luggage. Missionaries were just finishing unloading the belongings of newly arrived missionaries from this trailer. They had flown in the day before from the MTC in Utah and had spent the night at the mission home.
BICYCLES
The gym was filled with bicycles and luggage from the trailer. When the training was over, the missionaries were fed a sack lunch and then came to collect their belongings from the hall. Cars were loaded, bicycles strapped to trunks and off they drove to their new areas. Elders and Sisters who were going home spent that night at the mission home, ready to fly out the next morning to be reunited with their families and friends at home.
FUN VISIT
Lane and I had a few hours to kill while the missionaries were busy training so we drove to Chapel Hill and visited Rachel and the children who were on vacation at Rachel's Mom and Dad, Anne and Kerri Lee. The grandchildren were happy to see their Papa Lane again. Here they are with Anne in front of the house where Rachel was raised.
NOTHING BEATS FAMILY
Anne took a photo with me in it, as well.
ELDER RAWLINS' FIRST MISSIONARY VISIT
That evening Lane and I met the missionaries to visit with the Evanco family. This was Elder Rawlins first taste of missionary work.
ZONE TRAINING
This is what Zone Training looks like. It is run by the younger missionaries. We have Zone Leaders and District Leaders who hand out assignments and preside over the training. The Senior Missionaries usually sit and listen but do participate if they feel so inspired. We usually provide cookies for the 10 minute break we have during the meeting. We are amazed at how professional and smart these kids are.
LINGER LONGER
It was our Leland Ward Conference today so all the Stake Leaders were present. It is customary out here in NC for the members to have a pot luck lunch after church. They call it Linger Longer. Here the members are waiting for everyone to get the food set out on tables.
SOUTHERN FAVORITES
Southern fried chicken and hushpuppies are very popular in the south. The hushpuppies taste like fried cornbread. Yummy!!
CROCKPOTS OF CHILI /MAC & CHEESE
There was enough food to feed an army. I could't help myself posting some of the food provided.
DELICIOUS!
It was our Leland Ward Conference today so all the Stake Leaders were present. It is customary out here in NC for the members to have a pot luck lunch after church. They call it Linger Longer. Here the members are waiting for everyone to get the food set out on tables.
SOUTHERN FAVORITES
Southern fried chicken and hushpuppies are very popular in the south. The hushpuppies taste like fried cornbread. Yummy!!
CROCKPOTS OF CHILI /MAC & CHEESE
There was enough food to feed an army. I could't help myself posting some of the food provided.
DELICIOUS!
DESERTS
My favorite table!
WATER MELON
The water melons this year are to die for! They are so sweet and crisp.
MISSIONARY WORK
It was a busy week. Two days were taken up with transfers and training. Lane and I continue to visit ward members - active, less active, inactive and investigators. Sometimes you have to call folks 4 and 5 times before getting a response. We have found that it is often more beneficial to just "drop in" to introduce ourselves. This missionary experience has certainly opened our eyes to life and we have come to realize that the gospel is the only way to a happiness. Those families who have faith in the Savior and live the gospel seem to have the strength to continue on and have peace and happiness despite their burdens. The folks who have let their faith fail them and have lapsed into inactivity don't have the same strength and optimism to handle the trials and challenges of life. We have also experienced first hand that EVERYONE goes through hard things, some seem to have harder times than others. One old gentleman who has not been to church for years has many health issues. has two nephews who have committed suicide, a daughter in law who shot herself, a son who was murdered and another who died of a heart condition. That is certainly more tragedy than one person should have to deal with. We will continue to visit and try to uplift if we can.
My favorite table!
WATER MELON
The water melons this year are to die for! They are so sweet and crisp.
MISSIONARY WORK
It was a busy week. Two days were taken up with transfers and training. Lane and I continue to visit ward members - active, less active, inactive and investigators. Sometimes you have to call folks 4 and 5 times before getting a response. We have found that it is often more beneficial to just "drop in" to introduce ourselves. This missionary experience has certainly opened our eyes to life and we have come to realize that the gospel is the only way to a happiness. Those families who have faith in the Savior and live the gospel seem to have the strength to continue on and have peace and happiness despite their burdens. The folks who have let their faith fail them and have lapsed into inactivity don't have the same strength and optimism to handle the trials and challenges of life. We have also experienced first hand that EVERYONE goes through hard things, some seem to have harder times than others. One old gentleman who has not been to church for years has many health issues. has two nephews who have committed suicide, a daughter in law who shot herself, a son who was murdered and another who died of a heart condition. That is certainly more tragedy than one person should have to deal with. We will continue to visit and try to uplift if we can.
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