Merry Christmas! December 26, 2013

 Our Christmas season has been filled with good dinners, enjoyable parties, and several good service opportunities.   

We had the privilege of helping a large number of people in need of food through the local Food Pantry.  The numbers have increased significantly since the cutback in food stamps.  
Later we wrapped gifts in Wal-Mart for a donation to the Food Pantry.   Our young Elders stood out front of us and called out to people.  They sometimes sang and did tricks to draw attention.  We brought in a lot of money in just a few hours, thanks to them. 

Laurel made a comment to a recently activated man in the Branch about his bushy beard making him look like a real mountain man.  The next time we saw him, he was clean shaven!  Then Elder Ogden offered him a haircut by Sister Ogden, and he accepted.  He asked for a haircut that was 1/4" all over.  Quite a change from 4" long!  Lynn gave him two white shirts and a nice tie, then taught him how to tie the tie and wear it so he wouldn't have to redo it.  On Sunday several people told him how sharp he looked, and he just beamed!  He is also reading in some old Ensigns we gave him and participates in the Gospel Principles lessons.  It's really encouraging to see him making progress personally and in his gospel study.

Sunday evening a couple from the Branch came caroling with the four young Elders and us. We went to each house on our street, singing and leaving caramel corn and cranberry bread.  Each one was so surprised and delighted that we came.  It was very heartwarming.
It's been really nice getting to know all our neighbors, most of whom are widows or widowers.    

Unexpectedly, our Monday before Christmas we spent the day taking an elderly lady in our Branch to the doctor and hospital for tests.  She lives far out from town and is currently unable to drive.  Then the young Elders from Blairsville, GA came over.  Elder Hunt had been suffering with pain in his abdomen for a couple of weeks.  We called a doctor in our Branch for some help.  He is a radiologist.  After many tests and intervening on Elder Hunt's behalf, he was able to determine the problem and get Elder Hunt scheduled for surgery.  So the day after Christmas bright and early, we made the trek to the hospital.  Now he is minus one of his parts (gall bladder) and feels much better.  He is recuperating on our couch for a few days with his companion hanging out, too.

Christmas Eve we put on a dinner for a large group of people who would be alone for Christmas.  We listened to Christmas music, played games, sang songs, ate a lot, and exchanged some gifts.  It was a very nice Christmas Eve.

We are so grateful for the amazing gift of our Savior to mankind.  We honor and praise Him in this season of remembrance of His birth.  We pray each of you will enjoy a wonderful new year.  We love you!!!

Building gingerbread houses.
See our clothesline of Christmas cards
and thoughts of wisdom.

Enjoying Grandpa's gumdrop bread.

Gift wrap booth for the Food Pantry.

"Gift wrapping!  Come right here!"

Elder Austin Watson.

Mixed flock of ducks led by a stray domestic white.  :)

Elder Kyle Hunt ready for surgery.

Elder Hunt recuperating at our house. 

Hurray!  Christmas game of Aggravation!

Beautiful Christmas dinner table.

Christmas sing along.

Elder Ogden's Nativity scriptures.

Elder Crestani's drinking straw glasses.  :/

Elders Watson and Hunt sporting duck tape
gift ties from Elders Bacon and Crestani.

Give it the old Elder Ogden high five
for killing my man!

Remember the reason for the season.

Happy Anniversary!! December 18, 2013

Our days have been so ultra busy  that we haven't been able to write the blog on time.  Today, Wednesday, is the latest we have been in posting.  It is a good day!  This marks 46 years that Lynn and Laurel have been married!  Wonderful years, eventful years, happy years!  We have been very blessed!  We are very grateful for the Lord's goodness to us, grateful to know we will be together FOREVER, that we have an eternal family, and that we 
have eternal relationships with dear friends and extended family. 

We have enjoyed several dinners with members of the Branch this past week.  We are really fighting the battle of the bulge with all the delicious Southern cooking!  Everyone is very generous and caring.  We are told that all the couples go home about 20 lbs. heavier.  NOOOOOO!!!  We will not squeeeeze into a mumu!

Every day is so full and busy that it's becoming difficult to clean our apartment and do our laundry!  Many days we are not even arriving home until 10:00 pm or later.  Because we are so busy, time goes by rather quickly...thank goodness!  We haven't had time to get too lonely this Christmas due to that fact.  Service to individuals, Food Pantry, teaching, providing rides to the Elders, doctor appointments, etc., etc. eats up our hours.  We are thankful to be quite healthy and able to serve the Lord here in Murphy, N.C.

One remarkable story we are involved in is as follows.  The Elders were biking one evening, feeling disappointed because all their appointments were falling through.  They saw one of their investigators sitting outside a Mexican restaurant.  They stopped to say hello.  They had already eaten supper but asked if she had.  She had very limited money.  Although the rule is that they do not buy food for others, they took her into the restaurant and bought her dinner.  When the waitress came to their table, she saw their name tags and said, "Mormon?  I Mormon!"  She had come from Mexico seven years earlier and never found the Church in all that time.  Sad!  She and her husband had even driven by the Church before and wondered if it was a Mormon church, but he decided it couldn't be.  :)  

We went with the Elders to meet the family.  Alva's husband, Reuben, was very receptive!
The Elders taught them about the apostasy, the Restoration, Joseph Smith's vision, and the Book of Mormon.  Reuben believed everything, nothing doubting!  He told us how they had been seeking, wanting to take their family back to church.  His brother also joined us.  John thinks deeply and is more cautious.  However, they are both reading the Book of Mormon and have promised to pray about it.  Reuben told us that he knew all of this is no coincidence.  Amazing!  Soon after the Elders met Alva in the restaurant, she was laid off.
It's like she needed to be there specifically to meet them and find the Church again.  She isn't upset about losing her job, either, for she can now stay home and raise her children.
We feel such a lift, a glowing spirit, each time we meet with them.  Wonderful!  Awesome!
The Lord is gracious and good!

Throughout the week Laurel baked every day preparing for the Branch Christmas party on Saturday.  She made 20+ dozen cinnamon rolls.  They were yummy at the party along with hot spiced cider and hot chocolate.  The party was a big success with 12 non-members and 8 less-active members attending, with a total of 60+.  Activities for the children included tea light snowmen craft, cookie frosting/decorating/eating, candy sled construction and races, and of course, Santa. (wink, wink)  Some of the adults enjoyed being "children" for a time.
While the kids participated in their activities, the adults wrapped piles of presents for the Angel Tree and sang Christmas carols.  The Primary children performed the Nativity story.
We were exhausted as we left the church after cleanup for our next teaching appointment, but we were overjoyed at the response of people, most especially that of our Robbinsville less-active member and his Baptist wife.  They gave us payday!

We attended Zone Meeting in Asheville on Thursday.  It was great to learn lessons in a fun creative way and practice our teaching skills.  We love our Zone leaders, the Assistants to the President, and our awesome President and Sister Irion!

Monday we were invited to address the Coalition for a Drug-Free Graham County for a few minutes.  It was held in Robbinsville, a 40-minute drive away, and we were able to speak for 10 minutes about the Addiction Recovery Program.  We find SO MANY people who need this program but don't have the courage to try it.  We hold it faithfully, hoping and praying that more will come and feel the change in their lives.  

As we served in the Food Pantry over the last month, we have been amazed at the increasing numbers of people who are in rough circumstances, both self-inflicted and 
from other circumstances.  There are several outlets where they can receive food help and a free meal.  People here are quite giving and kind.  It's just so sad to see many who live very meagerly.

We wish you the happiest of Christmases!  Our Savior lives and loves us!  His gospel is restored in its fulness!  We love you all and are very grateful for you!  <3

Terry Crawford made a beautiful
floral pedestal for the church.

Pres. & Sis. Irion directing Zone
tie and scarf exchange.

"And putting a finger aside of his nose..."

Pam Voyles wrapping gifts
for the Angel tree.

Darion Aguilar with "Santa".

Simple yet lovely Nativity.

Ready for the crowd!

Christmas Party chiefs.

Five wild turkeys by
the roadside.

Wicked poison ivy vines cling
to the trees, hairy and mean!

Elder Bacon's "Lehi's Dream"
upside down.

Early morning winterscape. 

Christmas Season Fun - December 8, 2013

Oooowwww!!  Our tummies ache!  People have been toooo good to us today!  We were scheduled for dinners twice today!  Even though we ate very little at the second home, it was still too much.  We have two more invitations this coming week.  Our members are very generous!

We enjoyed the First Presidency Christmas Devotional with a great group of friends:  some active, some less-active, the Elders, and an investigator.  A casual meal, warm hearts, beautiful music and the spoken word made for a wonderful Sabbath evening together.

Over the past week we served a holiday dinner at the Soup Kitchen.  Rather than soup this time, we made layered turkey casseroles.  Quite a few people came.  We used every last serving of food we had prepared!  It was a bit nerve-wracking, but it all worked out.

Lynn is still working with the doctor to get his heartbeat regulated.  It's either way too slow or running a race.  He had a full nuclear stress test this past week, so now the doc knows what he's working with.  That's good.

The leaders of our Food Pantry team, Tom and Emma Flinn, hosted a Jingle and Mingle party.  The Elders went with us.  We enjoyed a lovely dinner along with a tour of Tom's train yard.  He is an avid train hobbyist.  It's easy to see why it's so fun!

The usual calls for help in moving furniture, rides to the store, rescue someone that was stranded, etc. filled in the odd minutes here and there.

Murphy Branch had a temple excursion to the Atlanta Temple on Saturday.  We were able to take a couple of sisters with us for this special day.  While there, we ran into a man we had

not seen for 35 years!  Brad Seaton joined the Church in Illinois when we lived in Decatur.  He was one of Lynn's young men.  We knew he served a mission after we moved to California, but that was about all.  He has remained active, has a family, and serves in the Atlanta Temple.  Like Lynn said, "That was payday!"

Tonight we also were invited by Pastor Tim to the children's Christmas program at his church.  That is where we hold the Soup Kitchen.  Pastor Tim and his wife, Lois, are really good people and good friends.  The program was really sweet and fun.

Christmas in downtown Murphy

Children's choir downtown

Awaiting the arrival of Santa

Singing "Star Bright" for
Murphy Relief Society

Can you believe it?!
Actually, it's a brand--but the real stuff
can be had, if you know the right people.

Train fun

Tom's train set-up

Emma & Paula
Food Pantry friends

Vic & Tom
Food Pantry friends

"Next stop, Murphy.
Everybody off!"

Children's Christmas Program
at Free Methodist Church

Beautiful frieze at
Atlanta Temple

Lynn on early morning walk
on a rainy day

Week of Thanks -- thru December 2, 2013

Lynn in full caramel corn mode.

Our week, like many of you, was filled with preparations for Thanksgiving.  We had visits with many less-active people, sharing our cranberry bread and love with them.  They are always happy for the bread, and it helps us make friends.  

We enjoyed our regular FHE group in Murphy.  Whenever possible, we catch some of the BYU games on BYU-TV.  (Many people out here like the programming on BYU-TV, so it's well known.)

Laurel remembered her Dad on his birthday Nov. 25.  He would have been 93.  She also remembered her sister, Carma Joy, on her birthday Nov. 30.  She would have been 57.  Sometimes it's hard to believe our loved ones are not in the other room.  Oh wait!  They are!
Guess that's why our hearts don't ache like they might otherwise.  What a blessing!

We have been visiting someone who is incarcerated.  We mailed him a couple of Ensigns and a Book of Mormon.  At our last visit, he said he gave it away since he already had one, and that we could send some more.  Imagine that!  Doing missionary work in jail!  Reminds us once again that there is good in everyone and in unlikely places.

On Thanksgiving Day we hosted several who would have been alone.  There were nine of us:  Murphy Elders, Blairsville Elders, Buzz Blazek, Gwen Fink, Pam Voyles, and us.  We enjoyed good food, games, and fellowship.  We all felt very thankful for each other.  Sister Fink kindly brought us gifts she had made--a basket for Lynn to keep his etc. stuff in and a pair of seed bead earrings for me.  She sells many things at the Farmer's Market.

It is distressing to find too many people who have left activity in the Church because of hurt feelings, sometimes even perceived offenses.  Laziness is also a common excuse.  Often people say, "I'm just too lazy to get up and come."  We pray each of us will remember the joy and testimony of the gospel we once felt and allow it to restore and direct our lives.

We found a decorated Christmas tree and a couple of wreaths in the attic here.  The Elders helped us put everything up, so we are in the Christmas spirit!  :)  We even had a SLIGHT
dusting of snow a few days ago.  Laurel was hoping for enough to make snow angels, but there wasn't even enough to write our names in it.  :(

Lynn has begun his annual caramel corn blitz.  We'll see if he exceeds his record of 40 gallons from last year.  So far we've produced 67 loaves of cranberry orange bread to give away, but the supply keeps dwindling somehow.  Oh yes, it's because we give it away!  :)

We are pretty healthy, happy, and very blessed.  Thank you for your prayers.  We certainly feel their influence.

XOXOXO

Murphy house Christmas tree

Merry Christmas from us to you!

Perfect upside-down apple pie and fresh rolls
for Thanksgiving dinner

Elder Crestani bawling like a baby
while chopping onions.  

Old garden gate

We are sowing, daily sowing...

Busy, busy week!  

Monday:
                Laurel began the baking of cranberry/orange bread for holiday gifts.
                Lynn worked with the Elders to clean out the rain gutters for an elderly lady.
                FHE and dinner with investigator, Pam Voyles, the Elders, and the Crubaugh          
                family.  Of course, turtle races included.
Tuesday:    
                Food Pantry all day.
                FHE at 3:00-5:00.
                Give teaching and tour of Church to investigator, Amy, and son, A.J.
                Visit with new investigator, John Summerlin.
Wednesday: 
                Transfer day!  Take Blairsville Elders to Knoxville and bring back new ones.
                This took ALL day!  
                Dinner at Buzz Blazek's.  Buzz is kind to feed us frequently.  It's an adventure                            
                since he lives in a small trailer in a big hayfield.  He sets up a table outside, cooks
                outside, and we eat outside.  That's where there is room for everyone.  :)  It's 
                getting a little sketchy now with the cold weather and darkness.  However, he 
                always has outdoor lighting.
Thursday: 
                District Meeting in Blairsville, GA.  
                Help move the Blairsville Elders into their new apartment.
                Addiction Recovery Program - We lead this weekly.           
                Visits with the Elders till bedtime.
Friday:
                Food Pantry all day.
                Laurel made a mercy visit with the R.S. President.
                FHE in Tennessee.
                "Interesting" visit with struggling investigator, John.
                Visit with investigator, Destiny.
                Trip to Franklin, N.C. so Elder Bacon could interview an investigator for baptism.  
                We didn't get home till 11:20 p.m.  The ride was a strain through fog and rain on
                the curvy mountain roads for over an hour each way.  We were all glad to get 
                home.
Saturday:
                Emergency grocery shopping for Branch Sunday dinner.
                Robbinsville, N.C. day.
                Lunch with Pres. & Sister Caron before visits in Robbinsville.
                Great visit with Sis. Milsaps, a bluegrass singer.
                Fun home teaching visit with Pastor Rattler and his cute family.  His wife, Shelly, is 
                a member, and he is a Baptist preacher to the Cherokee Tribe.
                Return in evening and prepare food for Sunday.
Sunday:
                Pick up riders for Church.
                Enjoy Primary program!
                Branch Thanksgiving dinner and cleanup following meetings.
                Visit investigator, Connie, with Elders.
                Home at last!

Yes, we are busy, moreso all the time.  We are happy to be engaged in the Lord's work and are so thankful we have the health to do it.  The people of the Branch are very good to us!
One kind sister knew I have been quite cold, so she bought six pairs of fleece-lined tights for me!  They really help!  I thought how our daughter, Jana, would have loved them on her mission in coooold Scotland.

Our thoughts were much in St. George, Utah today as our granddaughter, Avonlea, gave her farewell address prior to leaving on her mission to the Phillipines.  Most of our family was gathered there.  We were happy to FaceTime with them on the computer.  We miss them, but we will miss the people here when we leave.  

We will be hosting Thanksgiving at our home.  We have invited some people who don't have family to be with.  It will be a mixed, fun gathering.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good-night!

XOXOXO

First batch of cranberry/orange bread.

Yummy cuddly blanket and cinnamon nuts
from our dear friends, the Gunnells.

Turtle races in FHE.

Hiwassee River in Murphy

Valley River in Murphy

Cluck, cluck!  Hello, girls!

Flaming sunset

Kailin, one of our Primary children

Hunter - another Primary child

Our chapel

Brrrrr!!  Cooold dinner outside at Buzz Blazek's.