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!