25 May 2015 (Memorial Day) Couple of stories and some fiddling around

In a weekly staff meeting/conference call with the Atlanta group, it was mentioned that we should keep track and record, some of the success stories we have seen on our mission. We have been very blessed in meeting many wonderful people, and in reality knowing them and their trials and struggles and then when they find employment the change, confidence and joy they receive is both priceless and a blessing. So using the visa commercial, traveling East to our mission = $xxx, buying two Macbook Airs to get set up = $xxx, seeing someone find employment and change their life = Priceless! One of the first experiences was shortly after we arrived and we held a career days in Gastonia NC. We met a sister who wanted to improve her status at work or move on. I would call her or email her different leads as we got them. One day I called her and she was actually at work, someone over heard her end of the conversation, told the boss she was looking for another job. The boss called her and said we don't want you to leave, what can we do to keep you, as a result she got a promotion and a rise. She said if you hadn't called I would have never got the promotion. She called it a blessing, I guess it was. Just the other day I got a call from a member who said his brother was in need of some very temporary help with a work project. He needed a labor/carpenter worker. I checked my resources and called a ward employment specialist in the area where the work was. The WES was the ex bishop of the ward and whom I had spoke with several times. I asked if he had a member in his ward who could fill this position, he said he did, gave his name and number. I called him told him about the job, and the pay $12 hr, he said that would be great. He was a handyman type worker and was not currently working so it was great timing.  I got the two together and a couple days later I get a call from the employer thanking me for sending the handyman to him, he said he was perfect for what he needed and he planned on using him again for another job, and he said he was so good he paid him $15 hr. instead. The next day the handyman calls and says thanks for setting up the two, it worked out perfectly. Really this was not a ldsjobs success, as neither were signed up on the website, but it was a success for both of them. I will write other stories later as we move forward.

Saturday 23 May 2015 a workshop we had planned in Lancaster, SC was cancelled, which freed up the day to go on a field trip. Sister Slade and I, along with Elder and Sister Hunt, took off for Union Grove, NC for a fiddle festival. I was a fun time. We went to an Amish store near by and to the festival. We realized that it was bring your own chairs, as it was outside in an open arena. So we bought a couple of camp chairs at the local Dollar Store (they are everywhere) and set down. As we walked up to the sitting area we came across a group of people sitting under a canopy playing mountain music, some knew each other but others didn't, they just shared the love of music. Later we walked by a group of kids (3 sisters and a friend) practicing some songs. We watched and filmed some of it. We talked with the parents and found out that they were entered in the jr. band group competition and were waiting to see if they were going to advance to the finalist competition. We kinda got to know them so of course we rooted for them. To make a long story short they won. I wish I could post a video but I don' know how, so I will post pictures instead. The name of the group is Dan River Girls. You can google them if you want.

First, I saw this little horse colt across the street at the Amish store, probably not more than a moth old.

Not exactly Woodstock, 

but it did have a "hippy flare"

This is the group playing mountain music, they were good.

For those who may know about banjos, the banjo being played was an old (1830's) style banjo. It doesn't have any frets. The man playing it was quite knowledgeable about the banjo history.

One of the banjo players in the jr group competition. If you look at the neck of his banjo you can see the lines on the neck, those are frets

I just liked this picture with the sun through the trees.

They had cloggers too.

This is the Dan River Girls with a friend playing guitar.

The fiddler is 11 yrs old. In my opinion, and I said as much, it was her that carried them to the finalist, however the one playing the mandolin was pretty good also. Ah heck the bass and guitar weren't bad either.You have to see the video. The song they are playing is "Goodnight Irene" That's what they were practing when we walked up on them. I really like the tune. It has really grown on me.

It was a fun time all the way around.

I tried again but I don't think it worked!!

 So until the next time Keep the faith...