Called To Serve Charlotte North Carolina: 2 December 2017 Tender mercies at the temple

Saturday 2 December 2017, we were asked to officiate the last session of our shift (4:30). Earlier at the preparation meeting President Swift asked us if we were going to the Deaf Branch Christmas party, we said we had to officiate the 4:30 session. He said we could have asked to change the schedule to enable us to go, but we thought no we'll do the session. Now you know we are the only missionaries who use sign language, and is one reason we are here. Also we know that the 3rd Friday is the ASL day. However a deaf patron can come in anytime, as was the case tonight. While we were waiting for the patrons to come in the session, the shift coordinator came to us and said a deaf patron was coming in and wanted to attend the 4:30 session. I was at the door and a man came in, I asked him if his wife was with him, thinking about them being the witness couple, he said yes she was. I went to speak with her and found out she was the deaf patron. I asked her in sign if she would like to act as the witness, she was surprised that I knew ASL and agreed to act as the witness couple. I proceeded to run the session as a ASL session. We had closed caption with ASL interpreting. The prayer circle was done like an ASL session and the veil also. It was really a great blessing to be available for her. The coordinators mentioned as we all did that the details are in the Lords hands, He knows where we need to be and why. It's our responsibility to do it. I know it doesn't sound like much but when you are the only ASL missionaries there working any shift and time, and the one session we are working on that day she picks to attend. I feel blessed to be involved. I will say it's not the first time or only time we had deaf patrons while we have been there. It just works out that way.

Sunday 3 December 2017. Brookside Apts. break-the-fast. It is our floor's turn to host the break-the-fast for our building (#20). We decided on Mexican food, I made tostadas, and cheese crips. We also had enchiladas, chips and salsa, and beans. Once again to much food, good food though! 1 picture to show, very simple. This is our apt. what you can't see is that to the left is the apt the sisters ate in and to the right is where the food was set up and of course straight ahead (our apt.) is where the brethren ate. Again you can see the closeness of the apartments, and so the closeness of the people.

Monday 4 December 2017, Pemberley on Pond. This is a bi-annual event with the temple district workers and missionaries. Brother and Sister Jenkins invite all the missionaries and full time district workers to their home for a luncheon. Since it's December it is a Christmas luncheon. The Rock Creek Ward ( missionaries ward) asked us to head this activity up. Brother and Sister Jenkins provide all the meat, plates, flatware and drinks. We bring a side or dessert, again to much food, but what a fun time. They have a piano and an old pump organ, which someone starts playing Christmas carols. They have no children nor of course grandchildren, so they share with neighbors and missionaries. Here are some pictures of the place, which is called Pemberly on Pond, I know there is a reason, I just don't know what it is.

I thought this was cute, a silver tea set with hot apple cider

gathered around the tree

Some shots of the house and surrounding area

Pond below

Continuation of the day; on the way home we stopped at the Battlefield of Bull Run. I'm telling you history is everywhere. Bull Run or the Battle of Manassas as the confederates called it, was the first real battle of the Civil War. Neither side was really prepared for the battle, new green recruits, neither thinking the battle or the war would last. Both hoping to end it in one battle. Sadly 4 years later and 600,000 American lives later it ends. Anyway about seven hundred forty- seven men died and about 4,000 wounded between both sides at Bull Run ending in a Confederate victory. Another thing about this battle is, this is where Brigadier General Thomas J. Jackson stood his ground earning his famous nick name Stonewall Jackson. I love the history here.