Week 21 & 22   Sep 20,  Oct 2 2016    

"PDAY" WITH THE HANSENS

 We spent our PDay with the Hansens who served a mission in North Carilona and were back to visit their daughter. We spent time at our favorite place - the Cape Fear Waterfront.

THE ELDERS TAKING PHOTOS OF THE SISTERS!!

We had to laugh as the Elders lined up to take a photo of us sitting at the table. We just had to take a photo of them taking a photo of us.

SENIOR SISTERS

Nancy Madeo, Peggy Hyde, Maureen Martin and Sylvia Hansen

SMOKE HOUSE

We had lunch at the Smoke House in Southport. They serve the most delicious brisket and pulled pork! Their banana pudding is also scrumptious.

GUNNER'S KIDS AND PINK HEALS 

This week firetrucks drove through our complex with sirens blaring. Everyone ran out to see what was going on. Evidently there are two wheelchair bound children in our community and they were getting an exciting visit from the local fire department as part of the PINK HEALS CAPE FEAR chapter.

PINK HEALS

The firemen and assistants were all decked out in pink outfits. 

IT IS THE MISSION OF PINK HEALS CAPE FEAR, TO SUPPORT WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING EMOTIONAL STRENGTH AND SUPPORT TO CONQUER THEIR DEBILITATING DISEASE.

GIANT TEDDIES!

The children were each presented with a giant teddybear and then hoisted aboard the firetrucks to enjoy the view!!

SEEKING LOST MEMBERS

We were nervous to approach the door of this dilapidated trailer. There were three dogs tied to stakes in the ground barking furiously as we stepped out of the car. Lane lagged behind as I climbed up the stairs and knocked on the worn, faded, wooden door. A young man opened and I asked for the lady we were seeking at this address. He appeared to know who we were looking for but told us she had moved to Florida 3 years ago. This did not surprise us. So many members have moved and no one knows where they are!!

SUNSET OVER LELAND

This gorgeous sunset met our view as we exited from Walmart one evening this past week. How glorious is the handiwork of our God! It was breathtaking and reminded us of the goodness of the Lord and his blessings to man.

186TH CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS

Saturday, 1 October 2016 our two missionaries, Elder Rawlins and Elder Arveseth, joined us to watch the afternoon session of Conference. They kicked off their shoes and made themselves at home. We were happy to have them in our home.

SATURDAY DINNER - BEEF STEW

After Conference we served a lunch of beef stew, rice, peas, torta rolls, salad and watermelon. We had key lime pie for dessert. Yum!! The Elders and Lane each had a second helping, so the meal was enjoyed by all.

MISSIONARY WORK

It was an interesting week. We were to have an interview with President James on Tuesday 20 September. It had to be cancelled because there had been a rupture in an oil pipeline in Alabama and there was no gas for some eastern states including North Carolina. All our plans were changed and we had to spend a day sitting at home. Luckily, Leland received gas the next day and we were able to go to District Meeting. We did not have a very successful afternoon. We made 7 visits and were only able to see two contacts. We did meet Sharon Peterson who lives in a little wooden house in the woods. She was very pleasant but has some health challenges. She has lost half of one foot and has an ulcer on the other which is not healing. She lives alone but does have children and grandchildren who visit her. She loves reading so we left her with a "Gospel Principles" book and a restoration pamphlet with our telephone #. This week we attended a Senior Conference in Raleigh. I had to give a 3 minute presentation on "Effective Study". On Friday 23 September we had a list of visits planned for an area called "Rocky Point" which was 35 minutes away. We were hardly on our way when the heavens opened and the rain poured down. After waiting in a truck stop for the storm to pass we finally abandoned our plans and drove through the deluge to our home. We visited a member tracted out by the missionaries - Terry Mansfield. The husband came to the door and called over his shoulder to his wife that it was the missionaries and he would "handle" it. He stepped outside and proceeded to tell us that his wife was not interested in coming to church. She had been very active but felt that the church was expecting too much of her and so she no longer wanted to be part of it. He was not a member but a "Unitarian".  They basically believe in a God but not the Bible or the Savior - he was just a prophet - or the creation? Lane and I went back a day or two later and dropped of an article called, "Science Increasingly Makes the Case for God" explaining how even scientists, with the latest discoveries of universes and space, are admitting that there must be a higher intelligence controlling the universe. We spent over an hour with our new RS President, Sister Lesley Lincoln, who gave us a list of sisters she wanted us to look up. She wanted to send Visiting Teachers to them but had no idea who they were. We are busy working through that list. So far, out of 14 visits we have ONE sister who will receive visits. It is amazing how many people have lost the spirit and don't feel the need for the gospel in their lives. We know this gospel is true and such a blessing to those willing to live its principles. People feel they can do without the help of a God. It saddens us because we know that this life is our one shot at mortality and our choices here will determine our eternities.

My Mom would have had her 99th birthday on 21 September 2016. I love her and still miss her and think of her often. I am grateful for the way she taught me good values and her example of valiance and dedication to Heavenly Father and the Savior.

This week end was the 186th Semi Annual Conference of the Church. We are so grateful for religious freedom to be able to worship how and as we may. Wonderful to be able to be uplifted by inspired talks and be taught by the leaders of the church. The gospel is truly a Pearl of Great Price to be treasured above all else.

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK:
Ether 12:4
"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glory God."