Week 13, 1 August 2016

LAKE WACCAMAW, GOD'S GIFT TO NORTH CAROLINA

The three senior couples paid a visit to Lake Waccamaw for our P-Day outing this week. It was such a beautiful little area with the huge lake, swamps, a canal, gorgeous homes and plenty of magnificent trees with the graceful Spanish Moss swaying from the branches. This photo was taken on the wooden dock that stretches out into the rust colored water of the lake.

LAKE WACCAMAW

You can see the wooden dock and the lake in the background. We had a seafood lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lake.

                                                                  SPANISH MOSS

Spanish Moss is a plant that grows on the branches of trees and lives off the moisture and minerals in the air.

WACCAMAW CANAL

This is the canal which runs along the edge of a huge swamp. The road follows the same path as the canal. We stopped to look at the turtles, alligators and birds which call this area "home".

BALD HEAD ISLAND

We were very fortunate to be invited on a second P-Day this week. Bishop Oliviera and his wife Kathy invited the senior missionaries to sail on their yacht to Bald Head Island. This was a wonderful opportunity to visit this famous island. This is Bishop tying the yacht to the dock. 

A SAILING WE SHALL GO!!!!

Here we are leaving the port to sail across the Cape Fear River. The journey took a little over one hour. The day was extremely hot but the sea breeze was refreshing and kept us comfortable. The only way to get to the island is by sea. There is a ferry that travels back and forth. It costs $25 for the trip.

 PORT

This was the port from which we sailed out into the river. There were some beautiful boats tied up to the docks. This is how the rich and famous live!!

LANE AT THE WHEEL

Each of the Elders took a turn to steer the yacht. Lane at the wheel enjoying the feeling of being in control. The boat has a sail as well as a motor. The motor is used when exiting and entering a port. If the need arises you could use it out at sea as well.

BISHOP OLIVIERA AND KATHY

Proud owners of the yacht. They absolutely love sailing and you can see the enthusiasm bubbling out of them as they skipper their baby!

SIX SEATER GOLF CART - MODE OF TRANSPORT

The only way to get around the island is to hire a golf cart or a bicycle. We obviously chose the golf cart so that we could all pile in together for the jaunt. Part of the island is thick with trees and one drives through tunnels of green with thick forest on each side. Homes are tucked at intervals between the trees. Part of the island has some sparse shrubs, a golf course and many million dollar homes, especially along the water's edge.

BALD ISLAND LIGHT HOUSE

This is Carolina's oldest lighthouse. Built in 1818, after the banks under the foundations of the original  lighthouse (1797) eroded, Old Baldy is still in use.

THE PROVISION COMPANY

This was our second visit to the Provision Company on the Southport waterfront. After our return trip we were hungry for seafood from our favorite restaurant. 

SHRIMP AND CRAB CAKES

This is what I had for lunch. It was delicious but, as most of my friends know, I don't do "spicy" or "peppery" and the prawns were steamed in a peppery sauce. 

DISTRICT MEETING

We have two new sisters and two new elders in our district. Sister Smoot is in the turquoise top and hales from Las Vegas, Nevada.

DISTRICT MEETING

Our second new sister is Sister Streetman from Highland, Utah (far left). Elder Peseta (close right) is from Hawaii. The second new elder is Elder Brazinsky (not shown) who is from Montana and is our district leader's companion and they were not at this meeting.

MISSIONARY WORK

We had our usual "not home" visits this week but did, however, find Rebecca home and had a good conversation with her. Lane was able to clear up a few questions she had and we will visit her again. We had the name of a young mom to visit. We contacted her on our 6th try. She stepped neatly outside, closed the door behind her and told us she was not interested in the church, this before we had chance to say anything to her. So sad to see some folks who don't realize the enormity of their choices. We gave her our card with our phone number on it and told her to call if she ever needed anything. I don't think we will be hearing from her any time soon. We drove the Elders to an address 45 minutes away to deliver a Book of Mormon that had been requested on the internet. Eletha was a black Baptist lady and she kept us there for over an hour. We did, however, not get many words in edgeways as she happily dominated the conversation. The Elders will turn her name over to the Shalotte elders for further contact as she is out of our area. We visited Babs who was busy moving but had tooth surgery and was not feeling very well. We also went to see Sister Honeyman who had a toe removed from diabetes complications. She is doing as well as can be expected. Tuesday night was RS Craft night and I attempted to make a red, white and blue wreath. It is not finished but I will post a photo when I eventually get time to complete the project.

On Saturday evening we were invited, with the Elders, to eat with Brother and Sister Ellenberg. Brother Ellenberg is the second councillor in the Bishopric. Sister Ellenberg served delicious stroganoff with cheesecake for dessert. After dinner we accompanied the Elders to an appointment with Ruth Diaz who lives in our apartment complex. She is from Guatemala  and speaks Spanish. Her English is very good too. She taught Spanish in the elementary schools in North Carolina for many years and is now retired. She is somewhat familiar with "Mormons" as she has had work associates who belonged to the church. She had only praise for them. She told us she had been wondering about "Hell" lately. As she was swimming in the pool she wondered what the Mormons taught about "Hell". As she looked up, lo and behold,  she saw our two missionaries talking to a young man they have been teaching. She went home and soon there was a knock on the door. The missionaries had traced her out! She made an appointment for them to come back to teach her and hence our visit on Saturday night. We were there for 2 hours and will visit again next week. She seems to be a "golden" contact.

Scripture

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God: yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." (Alma 34:32)

Years ago we had to memorize this scripture in Mutual and used to recite it at every meeting. Truly this life is our final test, our graduating exam and we must not procrastinate the day of our repentance.

Press forward with faith and a perfect hope in God.