On Sunday 16 November we watched "Music and the Spoken Word" on BYU-TV.  Eileen enjoyed the Book of Mormon panel discussion that followed.

Visiting with us was President Jared Marcom, first counselor in the stake presidency.

Opening hymn was #93, "Prayer of Thanksgiving," which most of us will recognize from the first verse, i.e., "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing, Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own."  Text by anonymous from the Netherlands, ca. 1626; translated by Theodore Baker (1851-1934).

Sacrament hymn was #184, "Upon the Cross of Calvary," by Vilate Raile (1890-1954) and Leroy J. Robertson (1896-1971).  In our hymnal there is one hymn with words by Robertson and eight hymns for which he wrote the music.

Cody Johnson was our first speaker.  He has been back from his Chile Osorno Mission, southernmost mission in Chile, about a month.  Moses 1:39.  He quoted from "Preach My Gospel," chapter 3 about obedience to God's commandments. We'll never have regret and remorse when we obey the commandments.  We have to overcome the natural man.  He quoted from a talk by Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge of the Seventy, "The Fourth Missionary," on types of missionaries.  We must become more like Jesus Christ.  He described his early morning routine of scripture study on his mission.  What would Jesus do?  There is nothing more important in life than having the Spirit of God.  He bore his testimony.

Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge

Intermediate hymn was #304, "Teach Me to Walk in the Light," text and music by Clara W. McMaster.

Clara W. McMaster (1904-1997)

Jamie Haruch (Haroosh) of the stake high council spoke to us.  It is a wonderful drive up here to Ellijay which we hear so often (he said).  He quoted the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob in Jacob 4:10.  He spoke of the meaning of the word "counsel" as a noun and a verb.  2 Nephi 28:29-31 about the word of God.  He quoted President Marion G. Romney.  Our mission in life is to come into Christ and be perfected in Him.

President Marion G. Romney (1897-1988)

Talked about his patient dog, 10-year-old Samantha.  Like the Spirit she nudges Brother Haruch sometimes.  D&C 8:2-3.  Sit quietly and listen for the Spirit.  He quoted President Henry B. Eyring.  We must reduce our inner noise, especially that that comes from sin.

President Henry B. Eyring

He quoted President Boyd K. Packer.  Reverence invites revelation.

President Boyd K. Packer

Not a user of television.  16-year-old daughter a very good reader.  To each his own (my comment).  Let the solemnities of eternity rest upon our minds.  Turn to the Lord in righteousness.  Bore his testimony that we can receive revelation.

President Marcom made a few remarks about following rules.  Obedience through fear changed to obedience out of love.  Seeks the protective power of the Holy Ghost.  Quoted President George Albert Smith.  Stay on the Lord's side of the line.  Strive to be obedient and keep the covenants and commandments.  The Lord will bless you.

President George Albert Smith (1870-1951)

We as a stake presidency love you.  This is His church and He stands at its head.

Closing hymn was #303, "Keep the Commandments," text and music by Barbara A. McConochie.  It includes the words "In this there is safety and peace."

Gospel Doctrine with Claire Bowen was lesson #42, “I Will Write It in Their Hearts” using Jeremiah 16; 23; 29; 31.

The purpose of the lesson is to encourage class members to participate in God’s great latter-day work and to have his law written in their hearts.

I gave the opening prayer.

1. Jeremiah foresees the latter-day gathering of Israel

Many generations after Moses, Jeremiah saw visions of a latter-day event that the Lord said would be as great as the Exodus (Jeremiah 16:14–16; 23:3–8). What event is described in Jeremiah 16:15 and 23:3? (The gathering of Israel and the growth of the Church.) Who are the shepherds spoken of in Jeremiah 23:4? (Priesthood leaders and other Church leaders.) Who is the King spoken of in Jeremiah 23:5–6? (Jesus Christ.) 

Elder LeGrand Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that the fishers and hunters described in Jeremiah 16:16 are missionaries of the Church (in General Conference, Apr. 1971).

Elder LeGrand Richards (1886-1983)

2. God will write his law in the hearts of his people.

Joseph Smith was once asked how he successfully governed so many people. He said, “I teach the people correct principles and they govern themselves” (quoted by John Taylor, in Journal of Discourses).

The Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.

We live in a time that Jeremiah and many other prophets have looked forward to with rejoicing.  Class members are encouraged to participate in the gathering of Israel and to have the law of God written in their hearts.

We began priesthood with hymn #86, "How Great Thou Art," a Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody and poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg in Sweden in 1885. It was translated into English by British missionary Stuart K. Hine, who also added two original verses of his own composition.  "How Great Thou Art" was ranked second (after "Amazing Grace") on a list of the favorite hymns of all time in a survey by Today's Christian magazine in 2001. Wikipedia

Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940)

Stuart K. Hine (1899-1989)

The lesson today was from chapter 22 in "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith" entitled "Prayer—a Commandment and a Blessing."

“Few things in life are as important as communing with Deity in prayer.” 

1. We are commanded to draw near to Heavenly Father in prayer.

2. The season for prayer is always. 

3. All we do should be in harmony with the expressions of our prayers. 

4. In our prayers we should pour out our souls in thanksgiving. 

5. We should plead with Heavenly Father for all our righteous desires. 

After our meetings I gave Diana Stephens the family history materials she had left at our home.  I also gave her family group sheets to organize the families I had found when I researched the James Martin Brown family.

At home as we enjoyed supper we watched a documentary "The Home of the Terracotta Warriors."

Later we enjoyed a bit of Eileen's fruit cake and some of the mango and pumpkin pie ice cream from d'Lites Emporium.

I worked on and published my 19 October blog entry.

At bedtime I reviewed with Eileen "The Sustaining of Church Officers" by President Henry B. Eyring from the Saturday afternoon session of general conference.

The Sustaining of Church Officers

On Monday 17 November we slept in which was so nice and so rare.  I made an appointment with Dr. Raisig for Thursday afternoon to see if he can remove the excessive ear wax in my right ear now that the Debrox has been softening it.  It would be nice to hear out of that ear before visiting Raleigh.

Today was Sean's MRI and we are praying for good news about the mass on his kidneys.

I watched "A Company of Heroes" that I had recorded months ago.  It was about Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.  They were the company of soldiers that has come to be known as the original Band of Brothers.  It was interesting that their training began at Camp Toccoa in Georgia.

During the show Holly Hughes called.  We quickly dressed and met them at Walmart to drive to Jasper for lunch.  We ate at Fatz Cafe which we had been to once before and enjoyed it.

Back in Ellijay we stopped at North Georgia Diamond for Eileen to pay on a layaway and I bought her a new watch for Christmas.  We mailed a box to Weston with a blanket Eileen had made and an afghan that her mom had made.  We shopped at Ingles and headed home.  A cold and dreary day although we drove through an awesome patch of sunlight on Big Creek Road.

Back home we watched the rest of "A Company of Heroes."

While Eileen napped, I finished reading "The Shadow of Dr. Syn" by Russell Thorndyke begun on 16 October.  I am saddened as that is the last of all the Doctor Syn stories.  I shall miss him and the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.

I made two phone calls to FamilySearch about problems with Family Tree.

We watched "Rick Steves' Europe" although he was in Palestine.  It was very interesting.  He does seem to be pro-Palestinian which was disturbing.

Travel guide Rick Steves poses with Palestinian women in a West Bank cafe. 

Then we watched a documentary about Kinross House in Scotland.

Kinross House

I worked on the blog entry for the Marietta History Museum and Eileen made a new fruit cake.

At bedtime I finished reading "Loving Others and Living with Differences" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to Eileen.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

On Tuesday 18 November we went to our doctor's appointment for our quarterly fasting bloodwork.  Ashley drew our blood.  My blood pressure was 120/68.  Eileen's was 122/78.  Our odometer was 87178 on the way from home.

Then we drove south to Canton to shop at Kohl's for new brown shoes for me.  Eileen also found a little cup and straw for Liam like the two cups that she has.  The gal at the checkout was Cyraea and we discussed her name.

We then went to Hallmark and got three more Christmas ornaments.  The gal Jennifer whom we have often dealt with said "yes" to my two Book of Mormon questions!

At home we relaxed and I worked on my blog entries for the Marietta History Museum pictures and the week of 26 October.

We met the sister missionaries at Ingles after doing a bit of shopping there.  We took them to dinner at the El Rey Mexican Restaurant.

Sisters Burge and Sullivan

Back at home we enjoyed watching "Finding Your Roots" with three celebrities whose ancestors were from Greece.  I had heard of two of them.

On Wednesday 19 November we did not pick up the sister missionaries as Sister Burge was not feeling well (it was not related to dinner last night). Eileen gave the prayer at the end of our morning meeting.  192 families were helped today, a record for one day!!

Gilmer Community Food Pantry

Two Eileens waiting for a cart from my perspective

When we got home Eileen got out all the Hallmark items we have gotten this year and decorated the TV stand.

She made a delicious apple pie.  David and Caroline Echard came over to visit as our home teachers and we all had ice cream and apple pie.

Later we began looking at the Herefordshire parishes and sent some e-mails to Jane.  I worked on my blogs and prepared the Book of Mormon to send to the gal from Hallmark.

On Thursday 20 November we went to the Gilmer County Public Library so that Eileen could help Judy Harvey decorate the Kids Ferst Christmas tree.  Galen Forbes also came to help.  There were many trees already in place including a cute one made out of books by the library staff.

Judy Harvey and Kids Ferst Tree

We mailed the Book of Mormon and dropped off the form to hold our mail while we're at Heather's.  

We enjoyed some of Eileen's apple pie and vanilla ice cream for lunch!

Later in the afternoon we visited Dr. Raisig to see if he could get most of the ear wax out of my right ear after using the Debrox for nine full days. My blood pressure was 128/76.  Audra looked at it and then so did Dr. Raisig.  He agreed it was ready to be flushed out and Audra did it.  Sandra checked it out after Audra was done.  It was wonderful to be able to hear again with my right ear!

Dr. Raisig's Office Building

Inside the Office Building

Case of old instruments

Device to wash out my ear

We dropped off my old brown shoes at Faith, Hope, and Charity.  Then on to Walmart for several items.

At home we watched "The Country House Revealed" about Easton Neston in Northamptonshire that I had recorded on PBS while we ate supper.  It was written and narrated by an elderly gentleman named Dan Cruikshank who is very difficult to understand.

Easton Neston

We began making preparations for our departure tomorrow morning.

At bedtime I finished reading "Joseph Smith" by Elder Niel L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to Eileen.

Elder Niel L. Andersen

On Friday 21 November we packed up and headed for North Carolina after filling the gas tank for $2.549.  As we left Ellijay our mileage was 87378.

As we approached Dillsboro, NC, we reached 87478.  We enjoyed lunch at Kosta's Family Restaurant where we had eaten over two years ago.  The food is very good and the place appears to be very popular.

Menu

Map of Greece

After Kosta's we went by the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory.  They are renovating and seem to be focusing more on the coffee drinking crowd, but less on us sugar-free chocolate lovers.  So we will not be stopping by there anymore.

As we approached Morganton, NC, we reached 87578.  At 87610 we had driven 59,000 miles since buying the car 23 months ago!  We checked into the Comfort Inn in Statesville about 4:30.

Comfort Inn

Eileen working on her sudoku

Our king bed suite

Breakfast area

I read a New York Times magazine article to Eileen entitled "The Secret Life of Passwords" by Ian Urbina, an investigative reporter for The New York Times.  It was fascinating, in-depth, and lengthy as the Times' magazine articles usually are (lengthy, that is).  The link was http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/magazine/the-secret-life-of-passwords.html?_r=0

I finished looking up all the names that I had shared with the temple in my temple ordinance list.  All the women had all their temple work done and all the men still needed their endowments.

Eileen researched her Aunt Eileen's second husband Edward R. Brown, finding him in the 1930 and 1940 U.S. Censuses.

At bedtime I read "Parents: The Prime Gospel Teachers of Their Children" by Brother Tad R. Callister, Sunday School General President, to Eileen.

Brother Tad R. Callister

On Saturday 22 November we enjoyed breakfast at the Comfort Inn as it was much better than usual!  In the Greensboro area off I-40 we got gas for $2.659, so the prices are a lot lower in N. C., too!  We reached Heather's about 11:30.  Liam was napping and Heather was catching up on schoolwork as the whole household had been sick!

We enjoyed Liam during the day.  I went to Wang's Chinese Kitchen and picked up the order Heather had called in.  I gave Tom the printouts of the family history research I had done for him last month.

I finished the blog entry of the Marietta History Museum and published it.