Week 20 September 18, 2016

EARLY MORNING SEMINARY

The Early Morning Seminary teacher, Sister Tammy Skipper (right), asked Lane to teach the Plan of Salvation  lesson to her class on Tuesday morning at 6:30 am.  He has a special chart that we made for teaching this lesson. He did an excellent job and I think the teens enjoyed it.  (You can never tell with teenagers!) Tammy made pigs in a blanket with orange juice and we took granola bars, so that cheered everyone up!!

THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG WITH CARE

I know it is early for Christmas but I just had to post some of these photos taken on our recent PDay. There is the cutest store in Southport called "The Christmas House" which is a two storey house with rooms filled with Christmas goodies and it is open year round. They sell decorations, candy. puzzles, stuffed toys, jewelry and all kinds of interesting knick knacks. Peggy and I went shopping while the men went to sit on the waterfront to chat with passers by. 

SANTA'S ELVES

These were soooo cute. I had a hard time not photographing every nook and cranny.

CANY STORE

Of course one of my favorites was the candy store. Wow, let me loose!!!

MORE CANDY STORE!

I know the grandkids would have a ball in this part of the store.

SOUTHPORT WATERFRONT

After shopping we went to join the gents on the waterfront. The Cape Fear River is behind us and Bald Head Island is in the distance behind Lane.

CHAD AND JENNY MARTIN

We were so privileged to have Lane's son Chad and wife Jenny from Arizona visit with us for three nights! Sunday after Stake Conference we took a walk on this broad walk along the Brunswick River.

SUNGLASSES RESCUE

Chad dropped his sunglasses over the edge of the walkway into the gross swamp. He was determined to rescue them from the mire by lowering himself down so he was able to retrieve them. Rescue successful.

BRUNSWICK RIVER

You can see the river off to your left.

VIEW OF PART OF THE TRAIL

Part of the trail is through thick trees. Here the trees are not as thick as other areas but it was all beautiful.

LUNCH AT FISHY FISHY

On our Monday PDay we went with the Hydes and Madeos to have lunch at Fishy Fishy along the Southport waterfront.

SCRUMPTIOUS SEAFOOD

Jenny had chicken with sweet potato fries and Chad had the Fish Basket.

WE LOVE FISHY FISHY

Although we love Fishy Fishy, Lane usually settles for a hamburger of Philly Cheesesteak! I had the blackened tuna sandwich with sweet potato fries. In my opinion, sweet potato fries are much tastier than regular fries.

MARTINS AND HYDES

Just before lunch we went to feed the birds on the Cape Fear River Waterfront.

FEEDING THE BIRDS

Peggy brought a loaf of bread and Chad had fun feeding the gulls and starlings. Chad would put pieces of bread on his head and the birds would fly over his head and grab the food off his hat.

GATHER AROUND EVERYONE, LUNCH IS UP!!!

As soon as the birds saw the packet with bread they started to follow us. I love this photo of the waterfront.

BURNEY'S BAKERY

No PDay is complete without a visit to our favorite bakery in Southport. From the back - Madeos, Chad and Jenny (left),  Peggy and Lane (right), and Vaughn Hyde (left).

CROISSANTS

Last blog I showed the tarts at Burneys these are the croissants. Yum!!


ANDERSON FORT ALLIGATOR POND

Not sure what the stripes are on this photo but after Burney's we took Chad and Jenny to see the large alligator near the Anderson Fort. He usually lies in the water at this spot hoping for someone to feed him.

MISSIONARY WORK

This week we had our second visit with our lady from Jamaica and her son. Sancha is very spiritual and is searching diligently for the truth. She won't commit herself yet but is reading the BOM and praying about it. She is not one to just accept what others say, but wants to research it herself which is good. On Tuesday Lane taught the early morning seminary class the "Plan of Salvation". He enjoyed it and I hope the kids did too. Hard to tell with teens! We visited Dora and Itch. Sadly, Itch's cancer is back and he has to have treatment for it. Dora quit her job and is looking for work that will allow her to attend church on Sundays. Also one that will not require her to do so much standing as she has problems with her one knee. We also visited the Pritchard family. Charles is doing a lot better. Denise broke her wrist and has a brace on her arm. She met two snakes on her front stairs and turned to run back inside, tripped and fell causing the accident! She does not know what happened to the snakes. We met two inactive young men. Both are married but drifted away from the gospel. We left pamphlets, our telephone numbers and a promise to call again. Most folks are polite but it is very difficult to return to activity after being away for some time. We also met a single young man who said he needed to come back to church and needed "a little Jesus" in his life. He was a happy pleasant guy. He does not have his BOM (lives with his brother) so we will drop one off for him. We had several visits with the missionaries. One lady works at Burney's Bakery and we had a lesson with her and her husband. They are Messianic Jews and her main interest is in food storage. We ran into active members as well. We met with Sister Brewer and her daughter Sheila Blanchard. It was so nice to be welcomed in and to have a good chat with them. 

Chad and Jenny Martin visited us for three nights. We had a lot of fun with them and were sad to see them leave again. We wish all our kids could come out and experience the beautiful southern culture and people. We feel so blessed to be able to be part of their lives for one year. We miss our kids and grandkids so very much but keep in touch via email, texting and calling! Family are our treasures.

Thought for the week:

WHEN YOU ARE AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE, TIE A KNOT AND SWING!!!

Have a great week!

Week 19/Sept 12, 2016
           

COMMEMORATING 15 YEARS SINCE THE 9/11 ATTACK (9/11/2001)

Today marks 15 years since the twin towers came down and the Pentagon was hit in what has become known as the 9/11 Attack on the USA. The TV has been running programs remembering the victims, the first responders and all those who were affected by this devastating attack by Islamic Terrorists. May we always remember and never forget the bravery and sacrifice exhibited that awful day.

ELDER AND SISTER MARTIN WITH PRESIDENT AND SISTER JAMES

This photo was taken on transfer day. We drove up to Raleigh to take Elder Chiu who was going to serve in Beaver Creek and to pick up Elder Arveseth, Elder Rawlin's new companion.

JUNKERS

Elder and Sister Junker were also in Raleigh to bring missionaries for transfer. They are serving in Camp Le Jeune, a military base in Jacksonville. We had lunch together at Chick-fil-a.

MISSIONARIES TO DINNER

On Friday, 9 September 2016 we had Elder Rawlins (left) and Elder Arveseth (right) to dinner. I made beef pot roast with rice, carrots, roast potatoes, zucinni, yellow squash, watermelon and key lime pie. They each had two helpings of everything and also took leftovers home. So good to see them enjoy their food!!

PDAY, LOCALS FOR LUNCH

This little diner serves really good food. This was our second visit.

BURNEY'S BAKERY

After lunch we always stop by Burney's Bakery for croissants.  Lane likes apple and I love the chocolate. I also bought a cream horn. Haven't had one of those since I was a teenager.

BURNEY'S BAKERY

Peggy and I standing in front of the Bakery.

WHAT SHALL I HAVE?

There are so many pastries to choose from that it takes a while for us to make up our minds which delicacy we want.

TARTS

Besides croissants there are several varieties of tarts.

DELICIOUS!!!!!

I love the painting on the wall behind us depicting the ocean and pier. I am showing the croissants and my cream horn!

CASWELL BEACH

After the Bakery we spent some time sitting on our chairs and wading in the ocean at Caswell Beach.

LELAND FAIR

Our City of Leland had a fair today. We met our Young Women's President, Sister Skipper and her daughter there. Her daughter was Miss Leland!! She is a beautiful young lady.

DORA HOSHIYAMA

This is Dora who has been a member for about a year. She is married to Itch who is Japanese. He was one of the first babies born in a Japanese concentration camp in the US during world war two. She was selling jewelry at the fair. I bought a pair of earrings from her booth.

CICADA

North Carolina has millions of cicadas in the millions of trees growing in the state. They make a deafening sound, especially at the end of the day. They are all over and can be a nuisance. Peggy found this one on her front door rug. Usually you cannot see them hidden up in the trees.

PUMPING GAS

I do not know how old this gas station is but it is VERY OLD. I just had to take a photo of Lane pumping gas from this old pump.

MISSIONARY WORK

We accompanied the Elders on a few visits this week. One lady was a single mom with a ten year old son. They were originally from Jamaica. She grew up in New York but now lives in Leland. She was very receptive and we have another appointment in a weeks time. We also visited a middle aged guy who is very interested in the church. He is impressed with the missionaries and is reading the BOM.  He is married and appears to be raising a grandson. He said his main desire is to raise a righteous, good grandson. On Saturday we went to see an older couple whom the missionaries have visited before. They attend the Assemblies of God Church. We had an interesting discussion about the BOM and she told Lane, "You almost persuadeth me to believe in the Mormon Church." They are also very impressed with the young Elders. I think folks can feel a special spirit attending these young men who are clean and upstanding. We managed to see a gentleman we have been tracking and spoke for about an hour. He is totally inactive and has word of wisdom problems. We wish we could help folks like that but addictions are a huge stumbling block in some people's lives. We had a third visit with the single mom we have been teaching. We have great hope that we may be able to make a difference in her life. We had our usual "not home" and "not interested" visits as well. 

The weather is cooling down a few degrees on most days, which is great. We have not seen our little alligator this week as we have been so busy,  but hope he is still lurking in our pond.

Scripture for the week: (This is one of my favorites.)

Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church. (D&C 100)

Week 18 September 5, 2016    

        FOUR MONTHS OUT

Lane and I have been on our mission for 4 months already!! Can't believe that is 1/3 of our mission completed. It is going by so fast.

TRANSFER DAY IN RALEIGH

Elder Chiu has been transferred to Beaver Creek and Elder Rawlins will become a trainer of our new Elder.

OUR NEW "GREENIE"

Our new elder is Elder Arveseth freshly out from South Jordan, Utah.

GOODBYE SISTER SALLY

We said goodbye to Sister Sally who heads home to Oahu, Hawaii. She was a ball of fire and had a wonderful happy disposition. We wish her well as she transitions into"normal" life again.

UNLOADING AND LOADING

This is what the Raleigh Stake Center parking lot looks like on transfer day. Much loading, unloading, coming and going, hellos and goodbyes!!

OUR NEW DISTRICT SISTERS

Left to right: Sister Smoot (not new), Sister Hunt from Mesa, Arizona, Sister Beard from Nephi, Utah, and Sister Petersen from West Point.

ONE NEW ELDER

Left to right: Elder Arveseth from South Jordan, Utah, Elder Rawlins, Elder Jones (our new District Leader), and Elder Peseta.

"PDAY"

This Monday the three senior couples went for lunch to the DEAD END SALOON at the Southport Yacht Basin. It was such a cute restaurant all painted in skye blue and salmon paint.

SOUTHPORT YACHT BASIN

A gorgeous sight to see all the yachts lined up in the basin. 

LUNCH

I am taking the photo of the Hydes, Madeos, and Lane.

NEW LOOK FISH AND CHIPS

I ordered fish and sweet potato fries. This is what arrived! That is coleslaw on the white plate with two pieces of white fish and delicious sweet potato fries! It was very expensive but very delicious. 

FUZZY PEACH

Our favorite place to go for dessert is the Fuzzy Peach which serves frozen yogurt. While there this man's shirt logo caught our eye and I asked for a photo! He runs a fishing day camp for kids. It is a non denominational camp. He has kids from Baptist to Methodist and other churches who come to enjoy a day at the river fishing. They start with a devotional and prayer before going to hook the "Big One"!

GOPEL DISCUSSION

The three Elders started a hot gospel discussion with Lane enjoying every minute of it!! I am constantly amazed at how this man studies for hours every day. He wakes up any time from 2:30 am to 4:00 am to study and has such a great knowledge of the gospel. We often have good gospel discussions which is helping me learn as well.

DISCUSSION CONTINUES

The ladies went shopping at Catos a really nice clothing store. The men followed and continued their discussion on the sidewalk.

MISSIONARY WORK

This week was a bit upside down and we did not do a ton of visiting. Monday was PDay. Tuesday we took our two Elders to Raleigh for Transfer Day. This is a whole day affair as it is about a 3 hour drive one way. We left at 5:00am to get there by 8:00am. The Elders had training while we went to get our tires rotated and then me another senior couple, the Junckers, for lunch at Chick-fil-a. We picked up Elder Rawlins and our new Elder and arrived home at 5:00pm. Wednesday was District Meeting in Wilmington where we met the three new sisters. We made five visits in the evening and only got a response from two. One, the non member wife was home so we left a message and another pamphlet (this was our second visit to catch the husband home) and another was a lady we have been visiting on and off for a long time. We just popped in to see how she was doing before going to church for the Elders' Book of Mormon class at 7:00pm. Thursday we made several "no one home" visits but did get in to see a couple who live near the chapel. He is a Baptist and she said she was not a member, but she was on the ward list so we are confused. Anyway, they believe that as long as you accept Christ you are saved and going to heaven. This is what most of the churches teach. I wish it was tat easy!! Friday we spent the whole day at home because Hurricane Hermine was barreling up the coast from Florida and we were expecting high winds and drenching rains. We had a storm watch here in Leland. Well the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm. We did not get the high winds but it poured with rain for 24 hours!!! 

Hope you all enjoyed your Labor Day week end. We are loving our mission and the people of North Carolina! We think of you and pray for each one of you every day.

Scripture: Inspirational verses when going through difficult times:

D&C 78: 17 - 18

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.