On Sunday 24 August we were up early as I attended the branch priesthood executive committee meeting (PEC) at 9 am to brief everyone on the upcoming stake food drive.  Eileen said that this would have been a good time to have two cars!

We were glad to see Bobby and Brenda Malone in all our meetings today after we met them with the sister missionaries yesterday.

President Ryan Boland spoke to the branch about the stake food drive, emphasizing reaching out to local friends, neighbors, stores, and churches.

Brother Mark Usry, who was baptized last Sunday, was confirmed a member of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Brother Craig Chester introduced Sister Rebecca Sullivan, full-time missionary, and Brother Robert L. Millet, the speakers on our program today.

Robert L. Millet

Sister Sullivan spoke about humility, referencing that Christlike attribute in "Preach My Gospel" and "True to the Faith."  The Lord will strengthen us as we humble ourselves before Him. She quoted James 4:6 and 2 Nephi 9:28-29.  Her patriarchal blessing tells her to be humble.

Brother Millet is a professor of ancient scripture and emeritus Dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  He is a Latter-day Saint author and speaker with more than 60 published works on virtually all aspects of Mormonism. 

He quoted from D&C 14:7.  Wilford Woodruff and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  He spoke of Christ's prayer in John 17:3.  Bodies of flesh and bones.  Holy Ghost reveals the Father and Son to us.  Personage of spirit.  Mormon 18.  Pour out His spirit more abundantly about you.  Presbyterian clergyman who joined the Church.  Power and constancy of the Holy Ghost once confirmed.  First, he is a revelator of the Father and Son.  Ask ourselves regularly "What Would Jesus Do?"  Minister putting together a sermon on charity.  Invites his congregation by covenant to ask themselves "What Would Jesus Do?"  Questions to the minister from the congregation.  Book "In His Steps."  Seek to know what Christ would do by seeking the spirit.  2 Nephi 31:13-17.  Speak with the tongues of angels.  The spirit empowers you.  D&C 8:2-3.  Second, the spirit also cleanses us, sanctifies us. Complete remission of sins comes with baptism AND the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Washed our garments in the blood of Christ.  D&C 39:6.  Third, the spirit is a sealer.  Paul.  "The earnest of our inheritance."  The Lord is serious about saving us.  Joseph Smith appeared to Brigham Young after his martyrdom.  "Tell the people to keep the spirit of the Lord with them!"  Fourth, the Holy Ghost is an organizer.  Getting our life together.  Prayed that the Holy Ghost should be with us.  

Our closing hymn was #31, "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," text by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) and music by William Croft (1677-1727).  This hymn was included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835.

I chatted with Sister Nell Huston about getting together to do more family history.

Gospel Doctrine was in the chapel with Brother Millet teaching!  The lesson was #32 “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” using Job 1–2; 13; 19; 27; 42.

The purpose of the lesson was to encourage class members to  develop strength to face adversity by trusting the Lord, building their testimonies of him, and maintaining personal integrity.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once told of farmers in the hot desert of northwest Mexico who “grow varieties of corn and beans that are unusually hardy and drought resistant. These varieties survive and flourish in a harsh climate where other plants would wither and die. One of these plants is the white tepary bean. Its seed will sprout and the plant will grow even when very little rain falls. It sends its roots as deep as six feet into the rocky, sandy earth to find the moisture it needs. It can flower and fruit in the 115-degree desert temperatures with only one yearly rainfall. Its foliage remains remarkably green, with little irrigation, even in the heat of mid-July.”

Elder Wirthlin suggested: “Perhaps members of the Church could emulate the example of these hardy, sturdy plants. We should send our roots deep into the soil of the gospel. We should grow, flourish, flower, and bear good fruit in abundance despite the evil, temptation, or criticism we might encounter. We should learn to thrive in the heat of adversity” (in General Conference April 1989).

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008)

Job’s integrity was another source of spiritual strength during his afflictions (Job 27:2–6). What is integrity? How did personal integrity strengthen Job during his trials? How can personal integrity help us during times of trial? (As we maintain our integrity, we can gain strength from knowing that the course of our lives is pleasing to the Lord.)

Elder Wirthlin defined integrity as “always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences. It means being righteous from the very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but, more important, in our thoughts and in our hearts. Personal integrity implies such trustworthiness and incorruptibility that we are incapable of being false to a trust or covenant” (in General Conference, April 1990).

Elder Orson F. Whitney said: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven” (quoted in Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 98).

Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931)

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, … knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976]).

The Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. (1805-1844)

Questions to ask during adversity.

Elder Richard G. Scott said: “When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial?” (in General Conference, October 1995).

Elder Richard G. Scott

Keeping perspective during adversity.

President Spencer W. Kimball said: “If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure, and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective.

“… Are we not exposed to temptations to test our strength, sickness that we might learn patience, death that we might be immortalized and glorified?

“If all the sick for whom we pray were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. No man would have to live by faith” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1975]).

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985)

Unfortunately my receiver was very staticky, so I couldn't use it with Eileen's transmitter and got little out of the lesson.

Our opening hymn in priesthood was #3, "Now Let Us Rejoice," text by William W. Phelps (1792-1872) and music by Henry Tucker, ca. 1863.  This hymn was included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835.

The priesthood lesson today was from the Sunday morning session of April 2014 General Conference.  President Uchtdorf spoke on being "Grateful in Any Circumstances."

"...those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding."

"Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness."

"How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues."

As we were not supposed to have this lesson until next Sunday (it was supposed to be lesson 16 from the "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith" on "Bringing Up Children in Light and Truth", which, I learned from Eileen later, was the lesson in Relief Society), I read President Uchtdorf's talk during priesthood.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I visited with Sister Peggy Espersen and made a home teaching appointment for tomorrow.

We had forgotten the birthday cake and other items at home this morning for Sister Rueckert, so we returned home from church and got it all together.  Then we drove to the sister missionaries' apartment and delivered the birthday items to her.

On the way home from church Eileen told me that Brother Stanley had called her.  I was a bit disgruntled as he extended a calling to her as the branch public relations person.  It was done without conferring with me which is not proper Church procedure.  I e-mailed President Boland about it and Brother Stanley called on Monday to apologize.

We returned home for lunch and headed out at 4:45 for the stake fireside with Brother Millet in Woodstock, arriving at 6 pm.

Woodstock meetinghouse

Early Ellijay arrivals, i.e., Jay Hanks, Eileen, Ron Fisher, and Jan Pardee

While waiting for the fireside to begin, I finished reading "Beau Geste" by Percival Christopher Wren which I had begun on 23 April.

P. C. Wren (1875-1941)

I finished chapter 18, "Forgive to be Forgiven," in "The

Miracle of Forgiveness" by President Spencer W. Kimball at 6:55 pm.

Brother Rafael Van Dyke of our stake high council conducted the fireside.  He thanked the Bowen's of our branch for Brother Millet being here.  He and his wife are actually on vacation!  We didn't know that this morning.

Our opening hymn was #78, "God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand," which is so enjoyable with all of the organ fanfare throughout the hymn.

Brother and Sister Markham sang a special musical number.  Then Brother Brent Hatch introduced Brother Millet.

Brother Millet spoke why we build temples, doctrinally.  Last 17 years he worked in interfaith relations, especially with evangelicals.  Reasoned with a friend, a Baptist minister, about eternal families.  We seek to put families together.  The new and everlasting covenant.  "New" when it is restored.  Key to salvation is Jesus Christ.  Prophets from the beginning testified of Him.  Quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith that the Gospel has been the same from the Fall.  Abrahamic Covenant. He was a dispensation head.  Seven major dispensations.  God spoke to some in visions and dreams.  But He spoke to Moses face to face.  There are prophets and there are PROPHETS!  To bear testimony of Joseph Smith is to bear testimony of Jesus Christ who sent him.  Genesis 13:14-16.  15:1-6.  17:1-7.  Extended to Isaac and Jacob in chapters 25 and 28.  Abraham 2:8-11.  Promises made to the Fathers. Gentiles received the covenant but then fell away.  Restoration of the Abrahamic Covenant through Joseph Smith.  Gathering of my elect in D&C 29.  In 27 March 1836 dedicatory sessions begin.  After a week of great Pentecostal outpourings.  On 3 April Joseph and Oliver, after rising from prayer, the eyes of their understanding were opened!  D&C 110.  What took place in that temple would spread to every land.  Moses and the keys to gather Israel.  Gather to Jesus Christ and His kingdom.  Elias.  Family units eternally.  Forerunner of Elijah.  Prophecy of Malachi.  Sealing power for those families.  Fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood.  Moroni in 1823 quoted Malachi, a bit different than in book of Malachi.  Quoting Elder Bruce R. McConkie: Joseph Smith became a modern Abraham.  Quoted Elder John A. Widtsoe about our preexistent covenants.  Elder Russell M. Nelson.  3 Nephi 20:26.  We are children of the covenant.  We are of Israel.  We become a strain of sin-resistant souls.  President Harold B. Lee told of a court jester.  "Be loyal to the royal within you."  

Our closing hymn was #84, "Faith of Our Fathers," a favorite English Catholic hymn written in 1849 by Frederick William Faber in memory of the Catholic martyrs from the time of the establishment of the Church of England by Henry VIII.

After the fireside President Boland gave us copies of our Church Service Missionary paperwork that he and President Nichols had filled out and sent to Salt Lake.

On the way home our odometer displayed 81118 as we went through Jasper.  We got home at 9:30 pm.

On Monday 25 August we were up early and visited Dr. Raisig for our quarterly bloodwork.  Ashley took our blood.  My blood pressure was 128/72.  Eileen's was 124/72.

We stopped for breakfast at the Back Porch Bistro. We enjoyed seeing Janie who cooks there (and works at the food pantry) and the German fellow Michael behind the counter who is originally from Schweinfurt.  

Michael and Eileen

Eileen and Janie

We relaxed at home for a few hours (I continued working on my 3 August blog) and then drove into Ellijay to the Gilmer County Health Center where we registered children ages 0-5 for the Kids Ferst literacy program from 1-3 pm.  One child was signed up while we were there.  Several others that came in with their mothers were already getting books. Rena Ashworth came at 3 pm to relieve us.

Gilmer County Health Center 

Ben and the Kids Ferst display

We did some shopping to kill some time as we had a 4 pm appointment to visit Peggy Espersen.  We stopped by North Georgia Diamond to make the last payment on our layaway for Eileen's anniversary gift.

As we pulled into Peggy's apartment parking area, she called to say she was still tied up.  We rescheduled our visit for Wednesday evening.

Peggy's apartment building 

At home on my iPhone I made a list of some books that I was interested in for Eileen for my upcoming birthday.  I also downloaded "Evidences and Reconciliations" by Elder John A. Widtsoe onto my Deseret Bookshelf app.

Elder John A. Widtsoe (1872-1952)

We enjoyed supper as I had chicken thighs and Eileen created little bite-sized bruschetta with bread, mozzarella, and tomato with basil (Eileen doesn't like dark meat).

tomato bruschetta

I worked some more on my 3 August blog and Eileen enjoyed cooking programs, i.e., America's Test Kitchen, Cook's Country, Martha Stewart, and Sara Moulton.  Then we watched the New York Yankees defeat the Kansas City Royals, 8-1.

Martha Stewart

Sara Moulton

On Tuesday 26 August we were up early as Eileen had her appointment at Barbara's at 9:30.  Barbara accepted one of our food drive bags and card to have for her place of business.

Barbara's Hair Designers

Then it was on to Ingles for some supper items as the sister missionaries are coming this evening for goulash.  Our odometer reached 81218 as we neared home.

At 12:30 Jan Pardee came by and we worked on her family history all afternoon.  Eileen worked on her laptop doing family history and also worked hard preparing supper for Jan and the sister missionaries.  They arrived about 5:30 and it was Sister Rueckert and her companion on exchange Sister Buhler.  We enjoyed Eileen's Hungarian goulash on rotini, salad with lots from our garden, artisan bread from Ingles, and for dessert we had mango pie from Ingles and iced brownies that Eileen made.

I did all the cleaning up which is my responsibility as the sister missionaries departed with lots of leftovers.  Jan and Eileen chatted and then Jan left.

Later I worked on my family history, focusing on my great-great-great grandfather George Baily's son George and his family, getting the names ready for the temple on Family Tree.

We watched the Atlanta Braves lose to the New York Mets, 3-2.

On Wednesday 27 August we were up early and picked up the sister missionaries at Ingles as we all volunteered at the food pantry.

Sisters Rueckert and Sullivan
at the food pantry

We had a good morning at the pantry as about 85 families were helped.  We then took the sister missionaries to the Back Porch Bistro for lunch.  We ran into Emil and Judy Harvey there.

At home we enjoyed "Agatha Christie: Being Poirot" with David Suchet on PBS.  It was delightful and I downloaded a bunch of Christie stories on my iPhone.

David Suchet as Hercule Poirot

David Suchet

We visited Peggy Espersen at 7:30 pm as her home teachers.  Her health is not good but she continues acting as a taxi for all of her Guatemalan neighbors for the sake of their children who are being raised so poorly.  If Social Services knew as much as Peggy does, most or all of the children could be removed from their homes.

Then we went to church and I met with President Boland about the stake food drive and about the ladies that Darlene Burgess called about during dinner yesterday.  They are not members but would like priesthood blessings and they live in Blue Ridge.

We got home in time to see the Atlanta Braves defeat the New York Mets, 3-2.

On Thursday 28 August we were up early and headed for the Atlanta Temple.  We went through the 11 am endowment session, which was attended by four brothers and 11 sisters.  We left about 1 pm and visited the d'Lites Emporium in Marietta which is about 13 minutes northwest of the temple. Then we stopped at Clock Repair Service in Marietta.

Eileen entering d'Lites Emporium

Eileen in d'Lites Emporium

Inside d'Lites Emporium

We headed for Ellijay and visited Sabrina Bayless in Ellijay as her home/visiting teachers.  We enjoyed our visit and she had followed up on our previous visit by contacting several relatives, including some that she hadn't talked to in years, for family history information.  On the way home our odometer registered 81418.

After supper I worked on putting the sources for Henry Day and my cousin Elizabeth Baily in my PAF database.  I also worked on the families of Henry Day's three daughters by his first wife.  Eileen researched the information from Sabrina.

We watched the Atlanta Braves defeat the New York Mets, 6-1.

On Friday 29 August we were NOT up early!  We went by the post office to mail five Book of Mormons and the DVDs and program from Sue's memorial service to Lib and Geoff.  We also mailed Colleen and Sean's anniversary card.

Then it was on to the Black Sheep Restaurant in Blue Ridge to have lunch with Ralph and Holly Hughes. We joined them at their home for the afternoon.

Ralph, Holly, and Eileen at Black Sheep restaurant

Ralph and Holly in their home

Cute pictures in their bathroom

Cute picture in their bathroom 

In the evening we worked on family history and I finished reading "Star Trek the Next Generation #34 Blaze of Glory" by Simon Hawke.

We watched the Atlanta Braves defeat the Miami Marlins, 5-2.

I read the general conference talk "Grateful in Any Circumstances" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, to Eileen.  It is the lesson on Sunday in Relief Society.

I finished reading "Tom Swift Among the Fire Fighters, or, Battling with Flames from the Air" by Victor Appleton.

On Saturday 30 August we went to Walmart and asked for the manager. To our surprise the assistant manager Jordan came and we learned that she is LDS!  She lives in Dahlonega and attends the Dahlonega Ward in Dawsonville.  I gave her two posters and the small card about the stake food drive and we discussed putting boxes for the food drive inside both doors.  She said that she would check with the manager.  Soon after she called and said it was all arranged.  They would provide large containers on palates and affix our posters to them.  They would put one by the grocery entrance right away and one by the general merchandise door as soon as one became available.

After some shopping we got gas for $3.159 and went to Ingles.  The manager Richard Hudgins readily agreed to put boxes with our posters by both doors for the food drive!  After shopping we headed home as we now had perishable items.  In the next day or two we will visit Food Lion and Piggly Wiggly.

At home Eileen made homemade salsa with our own tomatoes, our own green bell peppers, and our own banana peppers as well as onions, cilantro, parsley, serrano peppers, and jalapeño peppers.

She then enjoyed watching Sara Moulton and Martha Stewart while I finally finished and published my 3 August blog!

We had Eileen's delicious homemade salsa with tortilla rounds (which were yummy by themselves). I had found two unlabeled Rubbermaid containers in our chest freezer.  After defrosting Eileen told me that one was her Dad's tomato sauce which he would usually serve on holidays with sausages from the grill onto fairly substantial rolls, stronger than the average hot dog bun.  She didn't tell me what the other container was.  We had it for supper tonight and it was her wonderful homemade chili!  She put Boar's Head horseradish cheddar cheese on top and we ate it with little bread rounds called Crostini's White at Ingles.

While eating we watched "America's Test Kitchen" and "Cook's Country." Then we remembered to watch "Who Do You Think You Are?" with actress (I will not be politically correct and call actresses "actors") Minnie Driver whom we had not heard of before.  I had recorded it Wednesday evening.

We watched the Atlanta Braves lose to the Miami Marlins, 4-0.