19 January 2015 Good times good things

The past couple of weekends and during last week stayed pretty busy.  On Friday the  9th and Saturday the 10th we held a career workshop in Rock Hill SC. It was a good class with about 6 attendees. We had good participation and as (I think) normal it was capped off with the mock interviews. I think everyone loves the mock interviews because they can 1st, see themselves on TV and 2nd, also see how they react to interview questions. It's always fun.  We followed with a senior couples retreat with and at President and Sister Craven's home. We meet for dinner on Wednesday and then returned to the mission home, where we had a discussion on effective grand-parenting. This also sparks discussion on family traditions.I learned a couple of things I would like to do. On Thursday we returned to the home and had a discussion on best practices for finding and teaching. Which also included working with our wonderful young missionaries, we had lunch then continued the discussion. The event was capped off with a visit to the Billy Graham Library. Interesting? But it was very interesting. I didn't know he was born and raised in Charlotte. His wife is buried on the property, along with some very close friends. We spent a couple of hours there and was given a private tour by the historian, when he found out we were there. I have a couple of pictures, but Elder Hunt took more and I want to add his later when he sends them to me. Here are mine:
The first four are us during the discussions,

 Sister Craven explaining a family portrait during lunch. The couple to the left are Elder and Sister Reidhead ( Ariz.) and Sister Slade

President and Sister Craven preparing lunch

  Sister Craven explaining a family portrait during lunch. The couple to the left are Elder and Sister Reidhead ( Ariz.) and Sister Slade

 Front of the Billy Graham Library

Elder Hunt, trying to steal the truck.

 Of course me needing someone to talk, I spoke with the only one who would listen to me. Bessie the cow.

 The group walking to the grave site of Ruth Bell Graham

17 January 2015 Just something from back home

Ok I have several things to post but first I have to share this from back home. Tennasyn one of our granddaughters sent some pictures she took from new years.

Inside from rear left to right Sadie (Maggie) then Kenny (Lil Farmer)

Front left to right Kelsey and Tyleigh (Blondie). The nicknames come from me, each with a story.

Kelsey our Gymnast 

The next group of pictures were written for us.

Youngest to oldest (here)

Sadie (Maggie) 

Kelsey

Kenny (Lil Farmer)

Ty (Blondie)

Tennasyn ( Tenny)

I Loved this one. This makes everything worth it.

Add one thing

We do get some, don't laugh, snow. This is one of our horses (Teton) not used to snow at all. Also I would like to give a shout out to Karen Lundburg, my neighbor and friend, formerly Chief Lundberg of the Rincon Valley Fire District. We served together as EMTS and firefighters. Anyway she has been taking care of, feeding and riding my horses since we have been on our mission. Thank you.

Happy New Year! 01 January 2015 Wow!

Well, can you believe it's 2015 already and about 6 months into the mission, I can't. So let's talk about  employment. We have about 75 (give or take) candidates that we call, email or contact someway at least every week, maybe 10 days. We help, and I use this loosely, because sometimes it's not help but do, with job searches. I think we have been fairly successful in doing this, however I can't help but think we need to get better in getting the wards/stakes more involved. This is where the work really needs to be. I look to the day when the employment missionary is truly a resource to assist the wards and stakes, and the ward employment specialist works closely with the Bishop, HPGL, RS president and EQ president. And the member/candidate knows this. Now with all this said please know that in doing this I have been blessed to know and learned to love all those we serve. I know most by name and a lot about their lives, even though I haven't really met most of them. It's a great work and I am thankful to be able to serve here. OK that said lets move on. We have had two zone conferences prior to Christmas, (pictures below).

^ Elder Herr (from Tucson Saguaro Ward) and Elder Lebman (?)

 Sister Z and Sister Carter (our 2 sisters in our complex) simply sweet.

 Sister Dunn stopped for a pose, seriously she is always smiling like this, she is adorable.

 Senior couples, left to right Sister and Elder Reidhead (from Heber,Arizona) Elder and Sister Andrus, Sister and Elder Urban, Elder and Sister Hunt, me and Sister Slade.

 Everybody loves the camera

Every zone conference entails doing car inspections

President Santa showed up at the zone conference

Sister Z and Sister Carter  ( but I'm not partial)

Christmas happenings, 1st Our Christmas party at the Lancaster Branch

Yes this is our primary, few but cute

I think more people came to the party than attend the meetings, hmmm.

 Christmas dinner was at our home

 dessert, wow it was good

Sister Slade passing out little gifts she made.

I shot this in Clover, SC on Christmas Eve.

It is a recently cut field. It was a bit overcast

After Christmas was transfers 

 To the <- left is Elder Lyman and to the right -> is Elder Jorgensen. Elder Jorgensen is leaving to go home. Both are in our complex, so as you would think we are very close to them. Elder Jorgensen has grown very special to us. He was really sad to leave, I told him that's because he served faithfully and gave everything on his mission  

 This is Elder Jorgensen and Elder Laudee ( both leaving to go home). Elder Laudee served here in our complex also, then was transferred. Just as a side note Elder Laudee's sister served in Boston, Mass. (Spanish speaking), which is the area Elder (McKay) Slade is serving. They knew each other. It's a small world. Just like when we had a return missionary speak in the Lancaster Branch, he said he served in the Bacolod, Philippines. The same mission Sister and Elder Mower ( Vail Ward) are now serving, they also knew each other. 

 Missionary reading the departing board

 While I was snapping pictures these 3 sisters walked up and stood there, just like that, think they wanted their pictures taken? It's so much fun at transfers.

 A sneak shot in the chapel (shhhh)

   And of course one of our favorite sisters, ^ Sister Phillips with Sister Jacot. ^ . They are serving in Welcome, NC. High Point Stake.

So until and throughout the new year, keep the faith.