On Sunday 16 February we began our Sabbath day as we do every Sunday by putting "Music & the Spoken Word" from BYU-TV on my laptop at 8:30.
Then we attended our Ellijay Branch. Our speakers were Sister Olga Knight and Brother Marvin Knight. I was sustained as a branch family history consultant. It was good to see Sister Betty Lou Byers with her adult daughter Lisa in church as Brother Jay Hanks and I had administered to Betty in the Ellijay hospital the previous Sunday.
Then we attended our Ellijay Branch. Our speakers were Sister Olga Knight and Brother Marvin Knight. I was sustained as a branch family history consultant. It was good to see Sister Betty Lou Byers with her adult daughter Lisa in church as Brother Jay Hanks and I had administered to Betty in the Ellijay hospital the previous Sunday.
The Knight's spoke about "hastening the work." Olga told us as had Elder Jensen the previous Sunday of “A Vision of the South,” a prophecy from President Spencer W. Kimball. He stated, "I believe that one day the South will baptize more people into the church than all other English speaking missions in the world together." She shared her own Bible Belt story when they moved from Detroit to Chattanooga.
She quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith: “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
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| Prophet Joseph Smith |
She told us to get to know the missionaries by name and pray for them that they will give 20 missionary discussions per week.
She quoted from the First Presidency message by President Monson in the February Ensign: “We need to be given a chance to serve. For those members who have slipped from activity or who hold back and remain noncommittal, we can prayerfully seek for some way to reach them. Asking them to serve in some capacity may just be the incentive they need to return to full activity. But those leaders who could help in this regard are sometimes reluctant to do so. We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. They can bear the priesthood worthily. And they can serve the Lord diligently.”
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| President Thomas S. Monson |
“The world is in need of our help. Are we doing all we should? Do we remember the words of President John Taylor: ‘If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty’? There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. The blessings of eternity await you. Yours is the privilege to be not spectators but participants on the stage of … service.”
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| President John Taylor |
She spoke of the importance of home teaching and visiting teaching.
She shared with us about moving back home to Detroit in 1985 to a big ward. After being there three weeks she went to the bishop and said she didn't have a calling. She was called as Primary nursery leader with 20 little ones! She encouraged everyone to go to our branch president if they don't have a calling.
She spoke of her personal growth through serving in the Church. She used to be a quiet shy person!
"This is not your grandma's genealogy anymore!" She spoke on family history and doing temple work for our ancestors.
She alluded to recent prophets from Presidents Kimball to Monson in hastening the work.
She quoted from Elder Gay and Elder Nelson from our recent stake conference broadcast.
She talked about the use of the social media to proselytize and share the gospel.
She quoted Elder L. Tom Perry: “This is the most remarkable era in the history of the Church. This is something that ranks with the great events that have happened in past history, like the First Vision, like the gift of the Book of Mormon, like the Restoration of the gospel, like all of the things that build that foundation for us to go forward and teach in our Father in Heaven’s kingdom."
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| Elder L. Tom Perry |
Brother Marvin Knight grew up in Utah and did not meet a nonmember until the age of 12, a Lutheran kid from Chicago.
He spoke of a stake where the stake president was not happy with the stake. He called upon all the members of the stake to read scriptures for 15 seconds every day. The difference in the stake was amazing!
He quoted the Savior, "Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again." (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 17:3)
"Let the gospel shine in our lives." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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| President Dieter F. Uchtdorf |
How many of us have even mentioned the Church this week? It's not easy to share the gospel. New converts said they had heard about the gospel seven times before they wanted to know more. The member who brings up the gospel will not get a positive reaction until the 5th time it is done.
Branch President Ryan Boland thanked Sister Childs and Elder Jensen for their missionary service as they will probably be transferred this week.
Right after sacrament meeting Sister Nell Huston asked me to help her with her family history. And I know that Sister Jan Pardee wants help, too. While waiting to be set apart, I chatted with Brother George Van Gelder and he indicated that he would like to get together, too.
Brother Echard loaned me his "To Turn the Hearts" manual. He is the branch high priests group leader and family history consultants would be under his supervision.
After our meetings President Boland, with Brother Don Bivens' assistance, set me apart as family history consultant and gave me a blessing.
We drove home, changed clothes, finished packing the car, and headed north. We enjoyed the snowy scenery along U.S. 64 between Hayesville and Franklin, NC.
Here is the rest stop we often visit along the way to Raleigh.
We got to the Comfort Inn in Statesville, NC, about 7:20 pm. We enjoyed two of Eileen's old Nutrisystem meals in our hotel room for a late supper.
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| Comfort Inn in Statesville, NC |
I got on my laptop and ordered the materials associated with being a family history consultant on www.lds.org. Then I watched a video at mormon.org/family-history. To my surprise, there were several people in the video whom we know! Our former stake president Gary Futral and his wife Nancy, one of the family history consultants from the British floor of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City Raymon Naisbitt, and one of the church service missionaries also from the British floor, Joan Page.
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| Gary and Susan Futral |
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| Gary Futral |
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| Raymon Naisbitt |
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| Joan Page at the Family History Library |
On Monday 17 February we were excited by our blood sugar readings of 116 (Ben) and 125 (Eileen). We enjoyed the hot breakfast at the Comfort Inn and headed for Raleigh.
I read the Book of John chapter 15.
We arrived at Heather's at noon. She and Liam were waiting for us on their front porch. Throughout the afternoon we enjoyed Liam and I read a lot.
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| The Dowd residence in Raleigh |
We ordered supper from the Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant at its new second location near Heather's. I stopped by the Harris-Teeter supermarket and then to Taj Mahal (www.raleighindianrestaurant.com).
Eileen and Heather stayed up late to watch the Olympics ice dancing. Eileen knew that the Americans won the gold medal but Heather did not. I did not stay up but went to bed, the first time we have not done our bedtime ritual of reading scriptures and Mitford in a very long time!
On Tuesday 18 February while reading "The Virginian" by Owen Wister, I came across references to Captain John Stark and his wife Molly of Revolutionary War fame. Being unfamiliar with the name along with the fact that Wister stated that he “battled so bravely as to send his name thrilling down through the blood of generations of schoolboys," I had to google him. It was exciting to read about Stark and the hero that he was! One of his quotes late in life was "Live Free or Die," which became the New Hampshire state motto.
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| John Stark (1728-1822) |
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| Statue at Stark Park in Manchester, New Hampshire |
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| General Stark's statue at the Bennington Battle Monument |
We all went out and did some shopping, and Heather got an office chair and table to work at in the living room to replace working at the dining room table.
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| Heather's work space |
We went by Jerry's Artarama which Tom manages so that Liam could visit him.
I researched a vacation in Missouri in May within a couple hour drive of the LDS temples in Nauvoo and St. Louis. I e-mailed the White's in California to see how that might suit them, as they wanted to visit with us again.
I read the Book of John chapter 16.
We enjoyed leftover Taj Mahal specialties with shrimp and salad for supper. Eileen cut up several kinds of cheese for the salad.
On Wednesday 19 February we celebrated Liam's first birthday! At 11 am the FedEx truck brought the Fisher-Price barn that Eileen ordered on eBay for Liam. Fisher-Price no longer makes the barn like they used to. The current model is just the front facade of a barn :(
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| Liam and Eileen with the farm |
Eileen worked on Primary materials for next Sunday and I published my blog for last week.
I watched the Bible video "Jesus Declares He Is The Messiah." You may watch it at the following link:
We went to Costco to help Heather get things that she'll need for the official birthday party for Liam on Saturday. We went by Jerry's Artarama briefly so Tom could come out and say "hi" to Liam.
Eileen and I went to Kohl's as I needed new sandals and we had a 30% off coupon. I got new sandals, which were 1/3 off, and Eileen got some clothing for Liam.
We then went to the Salt & Lime Cabo Grill nearby. Heather's best friend Susan Thompson met us there. It was all quite good. Susan brought Liam a little cupcake and card for his birthday.
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| Eileen, Heather, Tom, and Liam |
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| Liam and Heather |
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| Liam and cupcake |
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| Tom and Liam |
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| Susan and Heather |
I don't know if I have mentioned this before but whenever we eat out or stay at a hotel, I leave a Book of Mormon pass-along card with the tip for the server or housekeeper.
I finished reading "Life on the Mississippi" by Mark Twain which I had begun on 27 March 2013. It "is a memoir of his days as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War, and also a travel book, recounting his trip along the Mississippi from St. Louis to New Orleans many years after the War." Wikipedia
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| Mark Twain (1835-1910) |
Then I finished reading "Moby Dick, or, The Whale" by Herman Melville which I had also begun on 27 March 2013. It was "the sixth book by American writer Herman Melville. The work is an epic sea-story of Captain Ahab's voyage in pursuit of Moby Dick, a great white whale. It initially received mixed reviews and at Melville's death in 1891 was remembered, if at all, as a children's sea adventure, but now is considered one of the Great American Novels and a leading work of American Romanticism.
The opening line, "Call me Ishmael," is one of the most recognizable opening lines in Western literature. Ishmael then narrates the voyage of the whaleship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. Ahab has one purpose: revenge on Moby Dick, a ferocious, enigmatic white whale which on a previous voyage destroyed Ahab's ship and severed his leg at the knee. The detailed and realistic descriptions of whale hunting and the process of extracting whale oil, as well as life aboard ship among a culturally diverse crew, are mixed with exploration of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God." Wikipedia
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| Herman Melville (1819-1891) |
Near the very end of "Moby Dick," I recognized the following quote by Khan Noonien Singh (played by Ricardo Montalban) in the Star Trek movie "The Wrath of Khan." He communicates to Captain James T. Kirk as he, Khan, is about to die, "…To the last, I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart, I stab at thee; for hate’s sake, I spit my last breath at thee." This, of course, is what Captain Ahab declares to Moby Dick as he is about to die.
On Thursday 20 February I got my blog for this week done through yesterday. Then I went to Lady Jane's Haircuts for Men which is where Tom goes for his haircuts, right across from Jerry's Artarama.
I downloaded "Verse by Verse, The Old Testament Volume 1" by D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner from Deseret Book. It covers from Genesis through 2 Samuel and Psalms. Eileen had done so last month and said how good it is. The Old Testament is our Sunday School (Gospel Doctrine) curriculum this year.
"Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve has given us an inkling of the power that could come to each of us if we make the study of the Old Testament a serious undertaking in our lives. He said: 'Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. . . . Do you use all of the standard works, including the Old Testament? I have found precious truths in the pages of the Old Testament that are key ingredients to the platform of truth that guides my life and acts as a resource when I try to share a gospel message with others. For that reason, I love the Old Testament. I find precious jewels of truth spread throughout its pages'(Ensign, Nov. 2011, 6–7)."
I look forward to using this book in conjunction with the lesson materials for our Gospel Doctrine class.
On the way we stopped in Dillsboro to visit the Chocolate Factory. Across the street was the cute Rabbit Creek Pottery store.
We checked into the Comfort Inn in Franklin at 4:30 and then went to Shoney's for supper. It was seafood night, so that was nice!
We went shopping at Home Depot and Sam's Club. Here are some pictures of Liam at Home Depot.
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| Add caption |
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And then at Sam's Club.
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I downloaded "Verse by Verse, The Old Testament Volume 1" by D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner from Deseret Book. It covers from Genesis through 2 Samuel and Psalms. Eileen had done so last month and said how good it is. The Old Testament is our Sunday School (Gospel Doctrine) curriculum this year.
It states, "At the beginning of our study of the Old Testament, we might appropriately ask why we should spend time with something so lengthy and, at times, difficult to understand or appreciate, especially since Latter-day Saints are blessed to have both living prophets and volumes of modern scripture that might make the Old Testament seem outdated or superfluous in our day.
"Reasons for studying, appreciating, embracing, pondering, and cherishing the Old Testament are profound. We will mention a few.
"First, the Old Testament is the human family’s first testament of Jesus Christ.
"A second reason for studying the Old Testament is that Jesus quoted from it extensively, and if we want to understand Jesus, really understand him and what he taught, we must know what he studied.
"A third reason for studying the Old Testament follows from the first two. The Old Testament contains a description of the doctrines, ordinances, principles, and history of the plan of salvation.
"A fourth reason for studying the Old Testament is that the Old Testament testifies of Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, and his unmatched power.
"Fifth, the Old Testament is the foundation of all other scripture that has followed.
"Probably obvious, but important to state, is the fact that the Old Testament is the foundation of the New Testament.
"The Old Testament is the foundation for both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.
"A sixth reason to immerse ourselves in the study of the Old Testament is to understand and appreciate the influence it has had on language and culture.
"Perhaps the best reason for studying the Old Testament is that we have been commanded to do so.
"Years ago, President Marion G. Romney confirmed this truth: 'People who walk in darkness may not be able to discern the fundamental meaning and the basic principles contained in the Old Testament. But as Latter-day Saints, we have no excuse. Therefore, it is very important that we do not hide the true teachings in the Old Testament from our children or from those we are called to teach by getting lost in things of lesser importance. . . . The Old Testament provides many examples of the importance of heeding and following the Lord’s warnings concerning impending distress or disaster. . . . We today have been given the responsibility to warn the inhabitants of the earth. We must remember this solemn responsibility and ponder it in our minds and hearts' (Ensign, Sept. 1980, 6–7).
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| President Marion G. Romney (1897-1988) |
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| Elder Richard G. Scott |
Late in the afternoon Tom's parents, Tom and Donna Dowd, arrived from New York. Later Heather went to a friend's home across the street for a girls' night out.
On Friday 21 February we were up and out by 10:30 after Tom and Donna Dowd arrived from their hotel. Here is a last picture of Liam.
We made our usual stop at New York Bagels & Deli for our bagel sandwiches. They are so good!
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| Eileen at the Bagel Deli |
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| Inside the Bagel Deli |
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| Inside the Bagel Deli |
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| Dillsboro Chocolate Factory |
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| Rabbit Creek Pottery store |
On Saturday 22 February we had breakfast at the Comfort Inn and headed for home about 9 am. We reached Ellijay and stopped at the post office to have our mail held while we are in Florida next week.
All was well at home and I went through the mail delivered that had been on hold while we were in Raleigh.
We learned in the evening that the birthday party that Heather and Tom had for Liam in Raleigh went very well.
We learned in the evening that the birthday party that Heather and Tom had for Liam in Raleigh went very well.
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| Liam's birthday cake |
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| Tom, Liam, and Heather |
I worked on filing a lot of paperwork in our office while Eileen prepared for Primary in church tomorrow. She enjoyed watching the Olympics. Ah, home sweet home!
