Ogden Mission Blog: Good-bye Summer; Hello Fall

We are beginning to enjoy a bit cooler temperatures once in awhile--at least we are no longer in the 90s. Whew! However, we usually have 100% humidity, so daily thunderstorms are common. The colors have barely started to show, so their peak will probably come in October. We plan a train ride to Blue Ridge with some friends at that time.

In late August Laurel had a nuclear stress test after experiencing a couple of weird things with her heart. Gratefully, everything looked good and she passed with flying colors. She feels that shedding extra pounds will make a big difference, too.

We had a great time with the Boyds on their pontoon boat a couple of times. We stopped at a restaurant for dinner, went to a movie once, and rode all over Lake Chatuge. They are wonderful friends whom we will greatly miss, along with so many others.

The FHA (Family Home Afternoon) groups are alive and well. We are having some success in reactivation efforts through the FHAs. Everyone needs to feel wanted, needed, and loved. This has provided a non-threatening environment to help some less-actives begin their road to activity again. Besides, we have a lot of fun! Another great benefit has been inviting non-members to these meetings, which has resulted in being able to teach some of them. We even have one progressing investigator from this! His name is Charlie, and he
is doing very well. He accepts everything we have taught him so far. He can feel the Spirit in the messages. We hope he can be baptized before our mission ends.

Laurel has finally reached the age to apply for Social Security benefits! Guess that's a two-edged sword, but then every age is. The Lord has richly blessed us so that we have always been able to provide for our family, and hopefully, for ourselves in our aging years.

At transfers last week Elder Gerig left us for Chat Valley near Chattanooga, TN. We brought home with us Elder Milstead, who is from Alaska. He and Elder Bean seem to be doing great together. Elder Bean is from Fruit Heights, UT, the same ward Laurel's sister lived in for many years.

On Labor Day the senior couples of the mission gathered for an overnighter in Knoxville. We all enjoyed dinner on Sunday evening and staying overnight at the mission home, breakfast the next morning, and lots of visiting. Sunday evening we had a Tennessee mountain native speak to us on the true nature of Appalachians, their language, customs, and history. It was fascinating and informative. One of our favorite words we learned is
sigogglin. It means out of line, not quite square, or such.

Asheville Stake Women's Conference was a genuine treat! The theme was puzzles. It addressed how our lives are like a puzzle with pieces gradually fitting together, sometimes one getting lost, but ultimately being guided, blessed, and finished by our Father in Heaven.
Original music, a modest fashion show, lunch, and wonderful sisters in the gospel combined to make a spiritual feast and awesome event. We felt like our hearts had been massaged with love by the Spirit.

Saturday, Sept. 13, was not only Lynn's birthday but the Fall Branch Bonfire and picnic, so we combined the two! It was great fun! Laurel surprised Lynn with a BYU corn hole set that she had ordered for him. Corn hole is a favorite game here. We'll be bringing it home so everyone can play!

Friday, Sept. 12, we had Robbinsville FHA, Saturday was the Bonfire/Birthday, Sunday was a large group dinner at Boyd's, Monday (today) is dinner at Buzz Blazek's, Tuesday is Murphy FHA, Wednesday is Robbinsville lunch and teach Charlie, Thursday is District Meeting and take them all to lunch, Friday is home teach with Boyds and have fun----guess our theme is "A Party a Day Keeps the Devil Away!" Uh, well, as long as we're doing the Lord's work. ;)

Love all of you! Remember, obedience is freedom!!

Elder & Sister Ogden