Edmund Pettus Bridge

This weekend was the 50^th Anniversary of the Martin Luther King March from Selma to Montgomery.  The issue at this time was the Right to Vote.  The Blacks had the right to vote, but here in the South, they were kept from registering to vote by Militant Police and other leaders by making unusual requirements such as being able to answer questions like “How many bubbles in a bar of Soap”  or making them stand in line outside the Registration place, only letting whites go in and then telling them the office was closed and they would have to come back another day.  The black people were prohibited from having any public meetings, so they met within their churches.  Browns Chapel in Selma was where the March originated.  The first March ended at the east end of the Edmund Pettus Bridge when the State Trooper where waiting for them to drive them back across the bridge.  That day is called, “Bloody Sunday”.  President Lyndon Johnson stepped in a prepared the way for the march to take place.  Only 300 people were allowed to cross the bridge and march to Montgomery, about 45 miles.  It took several days and they were fed by the people as they passed by their houses.  When they arrived in Montgomery, the march quickly became ten thousand marchers. Changes were made

Our District Leader asked that all 10 of the missionaries in our District meet in Selma at the parade route and give out pass -along cards and Books of Mormon.   We heard that they expected 10,000 people to come into Selma.  The number was much greater.  President Obama and President Bush and their families came to town. They were in the parade, but the safety precautions they have to take now days, we could only see the big black SUV’s that looked so formidable.  You could not see in the windows and they did not drive slowly...like in a parade.   We left after the parade and had our District meeting and then we thought we would try to see the Presidents.  NO WAY!  There were cars parked everywhere you could think to park a car.  People walking and walking.  We later learned that President Obama spoke at the base of the bridge on the west side of the Alabama River.  About 2:30 the dignitaries started their march across the bridge.  President Obama, his wife and two daughters, President Bush and his wife and many other government officials made the march. 

Today, Sunday, the official reenactment of the Bridge Crossing took place.  The people were lined up from onside of the street to the other...shoulder to shoulder; standing in line more than a block long.  It was estimated that there were 50,000 people making the crossing.    Because we were just young adults (22 years old) when this all took place, it was a special opportunity to be here at this anniversary. 

We just wanted to share this experience with y’all.  We are so grateful to live in the part of the world we live in and to have grown up with such freedom and to have been taught that we are all God’s children and to treat them as such.  We love each of you and pray for you happiness and obedience.  Love Grandma and Grandpa

Transfers, transfers!!

In the Mission, each 6 week period is called a “Transfer”  The Saturday night before the Transfer Date, the missionaries wait for the phone call that will tell them if they are stay where they are or whether they will be transferred.  Saturday night was Transfer Call Night and we waited and waited....usually calls come before 9:00.  At 10:00 the Sisters got the call....they are BOTH being transferred.  All our hearts were broken by the news.  President McIntosh and the members were sad too about the missionaries where they are most needed and effective and the Sisters are needed elsewhere.  We have a shortage of Sister Missionaries in our mission. We will be getting Elders and for that we are very grateful.   We news but they also know that the Mission President has to place know that they will love and serve the Branch and the people of Camden, just as the Sisters have done. 

The weather here has been so cold and rainy.  Coats and Thermals and Gloves.  Then, yesterday, it we 34 when we left the house to go watch the 10-12 year olds play baseball and softball.  About 11:00 the sun came out, the wind stopped and it was so pleasant.  We watched two games and came home about 1:30; AND we are so SUN BURNED.   Today, we are back to grey and colder temps.  I guess it still is winter....we are just anxious for warm and sunny.

President Hanks’ secretary called us last week and asked if we would stay a few days longer, so we could be part of the Transfer Meeting on April 15^th.  It means that we won’t be home on the weekend of the April 18^th, but more like Wednesday April 22^nd.  We thought about it for a bit and decided that we will stay and be part of the “Transfer”.  We will leave Camden on Tuesday the 14^th and be in Birmingham Tuesday night and Wednesday night and then leave early on Thursday.  At this point, we are planning on driving north to Carthage Jail and then on to Nauvoo.  We will visit all the sights and attend the Temple and then we will head HOME to Utah.    We have a very busy March with several trips to the temple, two different dates with the Elders and Sisters and at least one with our Branch.  We also have a Family History class this Wednesday taught by the Stake Family History Couple and know that they will be a big help to us and to the Branch.  Our Branch goal was to have every member have their 4 family history on the computer.  Also, to help them prepare names to take to the temple.  We have a lot to accomplish in the next 6 weeks.

We are trying very hard to not get “trunky”.  But it slips in every once in a while, like: “ This is the last toilet paper we will have to buy”  or “ Get the smallest peanut butter jar”.   Again, we are so very grateful that we chose to come on a mission.  We have been so blessed and have grown so much in our love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our testimonies have been so strengthened. 

Thanks to each of you for love and support.  We could not have done it with out you cheering us on in the background.  We love you and look forward (with mixed feelings) to next month.  Love, Grandma and Grandpa

We are Missionaries

Monday, we attended the last Zone Conference of our mission.  Zone Conferences are held once each quarter and they are a huge spiritual boost for missionaries.  The Elders and Sisters are so diligent and work so hard and it is hard to find those that have been prepared to receive the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are lots of doors, lots of lessons, lots of promises and you just need a spiritual boost to remind you why you are here and for WHOM you are here.   President and Sister Hanks give so much of themselves in word and deed to help us be the best we can be in our service to the Lord.  We love them dearly.

I have to share an experience with Theresa.  She has been a member of the church 16 months.  One of our members is in a nursing home and I asked Theresa if she would go with me to visit Barbara.  Theresa has recently been assigned to be a Visiting Teacher and Barbara is one of her Sisters.  When Theresa came to pick me up, she was all dressed in Sunday clothes.  I looked at her and she looked at me and said, “ I thought I should dress like a visiting teacher.”  She had in her hand, her brand new scriptures: a quad in maroon with case.  She said, “I thought we should have a scripture”.  I introduced Theresa to Barbara and then we chatted for a bit.    Theresa said, I think we should have a scripture and she pulled out her book.  We visited a bit more and then Theresa said, “Could we have a word of prayer?”  Theresa was not yet ready to give the scripture or the prayer, but she knew that those should be part of a good visit.  Theresa then offered her help with laundry or any shopping she might need and promised to be back for another visit.  I felt like I had been with a “seasoned” Visiting Teacher. 

Theresa would be the first one to tell you that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has brought more to her life that anything she has experienced before. The Senior Couple before us, found Theresa and her husband and taught them the gospel.  They were baptized just before their return home.  We have had the blessing to teach and help them grow to understand more fully what the gospel means in their life.  Theresa went to the Temple January 24, 2015.   What a wonderful blessing for her and for us to have helped her be prepared for those eternal commitments.

We who live so close to the temple, do not fully realize what a blessing we have just a few miles away.  I hope that as you plan your week and month, you put the Temple high on your list and DO NOT let anything worldly get in your way.

We love each of you and pray each day that you will be protected and that the Holy Ghost will be with you to prompt you through out your day.  Love you!!!   Love Grandma and Grandpa

Memories and Blessings

We’ve had a few memorable experiences this week here in Camden, Alabama.

Our little Branch has been selected to be a Family History Center. 

We received a new computer and printer, so we had to clean out the library and make room for this new equipment.  We spent about 5 hours three different days cleaning shelf by shelf and box by box.  An interesting thing about many of the people here in the South, especially here in Camden, they seem to keep EVERYTHING,  We had the container boxes from the old printer, and two television sets.  OLD lesson manuals, old Ensigns, Old, Old Old stuff.  Once we got all of that taken out, we had two big monster rolling carts, that once had the TV’s on them.  Those we took to the small storage building on the church property.  WOW ! We had some wonderful space.  We brought a long table into the library, placed the new computer and new printer on it.  Elder Hepworth did all the setting up and working with SLC Tech Support and lo and behold we have a wonderful Family History Center and a well organized library.

Our FIRST very bad Anti event.  The Sisters were in the Dollar General doing “Store Contacting”.  In Camden, they do this when it is later in the evening and its not safe to be just out tracting.  They were at the back of the store.  One of the Less Active’s came into shop.  He over heard the clerk talking with another customer about “The Sisters and Mormons”:  How they were evil and she was going to ask the manager to post a sign prohibiting them from coming into the store.  Phil, the less active, brought his items to the checkout.  He said he over heard them talking about the Mormon Missionaries and they said “oh yes.  They are so evil.  We are going to try to keep them from coming in.”  He said, “Do you think I am evil? They said, of course not,.  He said “I am a Mormon and take of those items you just put into the computer....I won’t be purchasing them and I will not return here to shop.”  The word of this has quickly spread through out the Branch and everyone is so very happy that Phil stood up for the Sisters and for all of the Members here in Camden. 

Yesterday, we got a package from Michelle.  She sent some little milk cartons, similar to the juice cartons with the straw attached.  They are from the Gossner Factory in Logan.  They are flavored milk cartons that do not have to be refrigerated until you are ready to drink them.  She made little Valentines that said “HAPPY VALENTINES FROM UTAH”.

At the end our meetings today, we had all the children and youth come into the kitchen and get their “Valentines”  They were so excited and they loved the flavors.   I think this little Branch will always remember their connection to UTAH and their friends out there. 

On Saturday we did help the Sister Missionaries with a Service Project of painting the trim on a house.  It was too Big a job for the Sisters, but they are so eager to be good missionaries and took on the project.  The Elder’s from Selma came down to help too.  The project turned out great and the woman was very appreciative.   Our mission has given us so many opportunities to serve.  So many great memories. 

We are glad to hear about all that’s going on at home.  We love the texts and photos.  Continue to do your best in everything you do.  Be good examples to all those around you.   Love and prayers, grandma and grandpa

Monthly Mileage Record

Where did January go?  We had a very busy January.  Our dear Theresa went to the temple for her first time. She came out just glowing.  Now she can’t wait to start doing her family names.  She gave me a list of ten she wants to take to the temple.   Sarah, who was baptized in December, went to the temple to perform baptisms yesterday and she came out glowing.

It was a wonderful month and we broke our record of monthly mileage: 3,307 miles.  What a blessing that we have the means AND the health to do it. 

The basketball season has ended and our Wilcox team didn’t do so well this year.  They did make it to the State Playoff, but only one game.  We hated to see the season end as we have made so many friends in the community and the school and now we won’t have quite the same opportunities that we had.  Although, like most school, grass does not grow under their feet, as the baseball and softball teams are already in serious practice. 

We had an interview with President Nolan of the Alabama Mission Presidency regarding our service here in Camden.  Our mission has a Mission Blog (albirminghammissionblog) and we will be spotlighted at some point about our service here in Camden.  I am sure that its purpose is to spark other parents and grandparents’ to turn in their papers to serve a Senior Mission.  We are certainly glad that we decided to serve.  The joy and the service and the friendships cannot be replaced in any other way.  Yes, you could live a very happy life without a mission, but OH WHAT JOY you would miss out on.  There is nothing else to compare.

WE SO APPRECIATE EACH OF YOU AND THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN US WHILE WE HAVE BEEN HERE.   We have missed you and many of the special moments in your life, but thank you for understanding and just keeping us posted with texts, blogs and pictures.    We love each of you and pray for you every day. Please stay STEADFAST  IN  CHRIST!   Love Grandma and Grandpa