May 27, 2014 - Happy Days!

We have now been out on our mission for 11 months on June 1.  Can't believe it!  The days are very full and often don't slow down until 9 or 10 p.m.  The weeks are flying by!  As much as we miss our family and friends, our time here is rewarding, fun, and testimony building.

Lynn is feeling well since his heart ablation.  Everything seems to be healed and functioning as it should.  We are grateful for this wonderful blessing.  He has done quite a lot of physical work since the surgery.  He worked hard helping build a 40-foot ramp for a sister in the Branch, also moving people a lot.

Laurel was able to drive our dear Sister Donna Orstrom to the Atlanta Temple one day.  They enjoyed their time together in the temple, as well as the several hours driving to talk, share, and build their friendship even deeper.  Sister Orstrom broke her leg a couple of months ago and has sorely missed attending the temple.  It was a big and taxing day for her, but wonderful!  Lynn was occupied with obligations to the county that day.

Mother's Day was a great time for Laurel to hear from and talk to the family.  In church a visiting family had a darling baby with big blue eyes.  That set Laurel off!  :)  Tears flowed freely as she missed the grandbabies.  Most of the time the love and joy of missionary work keeps homesickness at bay, but there are those occasional moments.

We had the pleasure of hosting a couple overnight recently.  Howard and Sarah Stosich passed through Murphy enroute to an appointment in Franklin.  Howard has the contract to tune the pianos in the Asheville Stake.  He is the brother of our friend and neighbor in Provo.

We traveled only 3700 miles in a month!  Going to Atlanta, Asheville, Knoxville, and many, many trips throughout our area racked up the miles quickly.  It would be so helpful if the price of gas would STOP rising!  Ah well, we will go anyway.

As some of our less-active members begin to return to activity, our hearts rejoice for and with them.  We know that following the path of the gospel is the only true way to joy and happiness, for that is the way back to our Heavenly Father.  Thus, when new members or any member falls into inactivity, our hearts grieve and ache for the loss of them from our midst.

We experienced overflowing joy last week as two wonderful sisters were baptized.  Rachel Colvin was baptized on Thursday evening, and Carolyn Barmes was baptized on Saturday.  They were both confirmed on Sunday.  It is remarkable the change that takes place in a person's life and heart as they come to understand and embrace the Lord's plan.  Daniel Register has set his baptism date for June 7.  The scripture is so true in D&C 18:15, "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"  We feel as Alma when he said, "I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.  I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."

Life is hard for everyone sometimes.  Life can seem unfair.  It is our rock to know that the Lord is our foundation, our Savior, our friend, and in Him we can find peace and joy.

We love you, every one!!

Elder & Sister Ogden

At the park by the river.

Giant yummy strawberries!

Sister Irion teaching our zone
about the whole armor of God.

Elder Ogden teaching the zone
about working with the ward council.

Remember, remember.

Sweet Rachel Colvin and Elder Ogden.

Sister Cottle's cat reigns from above.

Elder Gerig, Elder Froelich, Brother & Sister Barmes,
Sister & Elder Ogden.

Japanese Dogwood

May 4, 2014 - May the Fourth Be With You!

Our hearts were overflowing today as we welcomed several less-active members and investigators to Church.  It is so joyful to see the change in people's lives as they return and embrace the fulness of the gospel.  One man bore his testimony for the first time in many years.  Laurel thought her heart would burst!  We love these people so much!  Those who have borne trouble and heartache find relief and solace through the plan of happiness and the love of the Lord.  We are blessed to have the opportunity to teach them.

We spent the greater part of four days over the last week+ moving two families.  Thankfully, no one put their back out or dropped anything heavy on their foot.  :)  Only one bit of damage occurred, which is being repaired, so that's pretty good.  

On Service Day about 20 of us in the Murphy Branch spent half a day working on the Murphy River Trail, planting, trimming, spreading mulch.  We accomplished a lot and spread some good will around, as well.  Everyone enjoyed a sandwich lunch afterwards, joined by the chiefs of the project from the city.

We have lunch monthly with some friends from the Food Pantry.  Last week at the luncheon these friends brought up many questions about our religion.  (We never have to introduce the subject, they always do.)  It gave us the opportunity to basically teach about the restoration, prophets, the apostasy, and answer other questions.  Love it!

As a senior couple, we have few hard and fast rules.  So for our Friday night date, we went to the movie, "Heaven Is For Real".  It was interesting and well done.  However, all the way through it, we kept noting to each other how grateful we are for the knowledge we have through the gospel.  We are not casting about for answers to basic questions and know where and how to find answers to any question.  We left the theater with peace and security in our testimonies of the gospel and Jesus Christ.  

We enjoyed the CES Devotional with Elder Ballard tonight.  His instruction, though intended for young adults, is good for all of us.  We are blessed and grateful to have inspired leaders called by God to help us make life corrections and follow the proper path.  

The gospel is TRUE!  This IS the Lord's true Church on the earth!  We love Him!  We pray for people everywhere to find and live the gospel principles.  

Love and prayers for all ya'll--

Elder and Sister Ogden

Out for a spring walk

Working on Murphy River Walk

Feeding the hungry workers

"De Soto Trail - Near this spot in 1540
Fernando De Soto and his men crossed
this stream which flows into the waters
of the Mississippi River."
This plaque is in Franklin, N.C

This sign reminds us of the loss of
our former neighbor in Provo and
dear friend, Dave Henson

Beautiful wild azalea in
the N.C. mountains

Clematis is amazing!

So true, so true.