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. |
It is always so good to read about the wonderful things you are doing. We miss you, neighbors, but so glad you are where you are!
ReplyDelete