On Sunday 23 August we enjoyed attending the Raleigh 2nd Ward.

This blog entry is without pictures which I will add later.

Gospel Doctrine was lesson #31, "And So Were the Churches Established in the Faith” using Acts 15:36–18:22, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians.  We had this lesson last week in Ellijay.

The hymn in priesthood was #5 "High on the Mountain Top" text by Joel H. Johnson (1802-1882) and music by Ebenezer Beesley (1840-1906).

It was announced that beginning in two weeks the ward will meet at 11 am with sacrament meeting first.

The priesthood lesson was "Teachings For Our Time" with the talks "Filling Our Homes with Light and Truth" by Sister Cheryl A. Esplin and "The Family Is of God" by Sister Carole M. Stephens from the women's session of April general conference.  Eileen enjoyed the same lesson in Relief Society.  Unlike our branch the brothers and sisters here are in sync.

In Sister Stephens' talk she quoted Elder Richard G. Scott who said, “We were taught in the premortal world that our purpose in coming here is to be tested, tried, and stretched.”  She then stated, "That stretching comes in as many forms as there are individuals experiencing it."

Opening hymn was #270 "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" text by Mary Brown (1856-1918) and music by Carrie E. Rounsefell (1851-1930).

Sacrament hymn was #188 "Thy Will, O Lord, Be Done" text by Frank I. Kooyman (1880-1963) and music by Robert P. Manookin (1918-1997).

We left after partaking of the sacrament to be with Heather and Liam as Tom was at work.

I helped Heather with the epoxy liquid coating that she put on her pebbly walkway in her backyard.  I probably will need new sandals and jeans!  (But I didn't.)

After Eileen went to sleep I finished the text of my blog entries for 5/31, 6/7, and 6/14.

On Monday 24 August Tom cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast in lieu of eggs Benedict which would not be part of our current diet.

I loaded up the car and Eileen took care of the coolers.  I finished the text of my blog entry for 6/21.

We left Heather's at 10:05.  We filled up at Costco for $2.129. At 12:40 we stopped at the Catawba County Rest Area for a short break.

We reached Dillsboro and the Chocolate Factory at 2:50.  We arrived at the Comfort Inn in Franklin about 3:25 pm.

About 5:30 Laurene Mathis called us and we met her for supper at The Boiler Room Steak House in Franklin. Laurene just had some vanilla ice cream as dessert as she had eaten at a reception for the funeral she attended.  We have eaten there several times and we ate inside the train car for the first time.  Laurene was part of our missionary group on our mission.  We get together with her every once in a while when returning from visiting the Dowd's.

Back at the hotel Eileen enjoyed watching "Treehouse Masters" with Pete Nelson on the Animal Planet Channel.

I finished the text of my blog entry for 6/28.

I began and finished "A Pot of Tea A Tommy & Tuppence Short Story" and "The Crackler A Tommy & Tuppence Short Story" both by Agatha Christie.

On Tuesday 25 August we had our meager breakfast at the hotel, ignoring the sausage gravy and biscuits :(  We checked out at 10 am and reached Bless My Stitches in Murphy at 11 am.  Our odometer passed 114000 between Franklin and Hayesville.

We shopped at Ingles in Blue Ridge for supper.  At Walmart we used my Walmart gift card for about 10.683 gallons at $2.079 and the last 3.723 gallons to fill the tank at $2.109.  Then we got home and all was well at 1:15 pm.

We were then busy as I unloaded the car, starting with the groceries and the two coolers.  After the trunk was emptied, I brought in all the clothes hanging up on the bar across the back seat.  I brought in the floor lamp that we had gotten at Jo-Ann Fabrics for the front bedroom.  Then I unloaded the Mountain Dew, the Fruit-2-O, the sugar-free chocolates, and a few other odds and ends.

Both of us had to hang up all of our clothes with some going into the clothes hamper.

I had brought in the week's mail that had been delivered today.  It had all fit in the mailbox.  So later I had to go through the mail with the great majority going straight into the recyclables.

Along the way I replaced the corncob in the front yard with a new one for the squirrels.  I put what little birdseed remained in the bird feeders which hadn't been disturbed by any critters while we were gone.  While in the basement taking care of the two backyard bird feeders, I emptied the dehumidifier.  Back upstairs I lowered the thermostat back down from 78 to 74 degrees and plugged the four air fresheners back in.  I turned off the front porch and garage lights and put out the flag.

We had finished our medications and supplements yesterday, so I filled up the week's compartments for both of us and we took today's pills.  

I got on the iMac on the office and went through my emails for the last few days.  I made the reservation for the Comfort Inn in Kennesaw for Saturday evening for stake conference.  I sent the two photos of Eileen with Sister Mathis to Allen and Lynda White.  I sent another photo from our travels to the Times-Courier.

Eileen and I watched the two episodes of "Who Do You Think You Are?" that I had recorded while away. The "best of" episode was touching and the newest episode with Bryan Cranston was very good.

After supper, which was chicken breasts and salad, I printed the FOR for individuals in my temple ordinance list who have been on the list for over two years and I don't know the whereabouts of the family file cards.  I  also printed an FOR for four individuals in my list who have been on the list for less than two years and I don't know the whereabouts of their family file cards.

While I was in the office, Eileen put on the Colorado Rockies - Braves baseball game.  I sent several Jacquie Lawson e-cards to several people whose birthdays are approaching.  The Braves lost, 5-1.

On Wednesday 26 August we enjoyed volunteering at the food pantry.  I talked to Elder Rumsey about "The Power of Everyday Missionaries" by Clayton M. Christensen.  While we were there I invited Paul Compton to learn more about the LDS Church but he declined the offer.  He is a happy Methodist.  There were about 82 families there for food which I think is a bit high for the fourth Wednesday.

We stopped at R&A Orchards for the newspaper.  Several people at the pantry said that we were in the paper last week.  We need to pick up a copy.  

Eileen enjoyed some programs on the Food Network.  I assembled her new floor lamp that she got at Jo-Ann Fabrics.  Elder and Sister Rumsey came by for a short visit to discuss Elder M. Russell Ballard's 21-Day Challenge with us.  I already had a list of people to share the Gospel with.  We finished supper, chatted with Judy Pearce as we passed her house, and then covered the Family History Center at church.  No one came for assistance and we left at 7:30.  I brought four of our flattened boxes and our strapping tape back home with me to use at Walmart and Ingles.

Later at home President Boland called and filled me in on what was happening in the branch concerning the stake food drive.  I will try to clear with Walmart for the youth to be out front on the 9th and 16th of September.  I will attend branch council on 6 September to brief them on the food drive.

I finished the text of my blog entry for 7/5.

On Thursday 27 August we went to Dr. Raisig's for our quarterly bloodwork.  We dropped off our bag of garbage at the dump but the recyclables container was full.  Our odometer read 114114.

We got a call from Holly Hughes that Ralph wasn't feeling well, so we postponed our lunch date until next Tuesday.

We went by the Times-Courier office to get last week's edition that our picture should be in.  We dropped off my suit at the dry cleaners and mailed more family file cards to the Farr's.

We went by Walmart but Jordan wasn't at work yet.  We shopped and found some toys for Liam for when they come down in October.  

We then went to Ingles where I chatted with store manager Richard Hudgins.  He okayed the two boxes for the stake food drive.  Back out to our car I stapled the posters on the boxes and assembled them with strapping tape, placing them by the two store doors.  Then I found Eileen and we did some shopping.

Back at the dump we were earlier than we had planned and the recyclables dumpster was still full.

At home I had to get a lot of ice buildup out of our chest freezer in the garage before we could put away the groceries.  I checked last week's Times-Courier and saw our photo at The Gila Valley Temple in Thatcher, Arizona.

I called Abbott Diabetic Care for the new less expensive test strips and a free meter again (see the 28 July blog entry).  I held on long enough to get a real person and she found no record of the 28 July order.  So we took care of everything this time for both of us.

I published my blog entries for 26 April to 5 July.  They are without pictures which I will rectify when I have my laptop.  Then I can hopefully use iPhoto on my laptop which is far far easier to use than Photos on the iMac with the Yosemite operating system.

Eileen enjoyed cooking shows this afternoon.  I finished reading the July issue of the Ensign magazine to her.  Some of articles are mentioned in my 5 July blog as I had read the July issue when we were at the White's.  I also enjoyed "Reaping the Rewards of Righteousness" by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Pioneers An Anchor for Today" by Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy, and the poem "One Holy Moment" by Don L. Searle.

After supper I called Jordan at Walmart.  She is the LDS assistant manager from Dawsonville and attends the Dahlonega Ward.  I had dealt with her last year for the stake food drive.  I made arrangements for similar help this year and she okayed everything.

I emailed the mission executive secretary Elder Carlson and he quickly replied.

We watched several food shows that we had recorded and an episode of "Georgia Outdoors."

I finished the text of my blog entry for 7/12.

Eileen enjoyed working in Sue's Sudoku book. 

On Friday 28 August we enjoyed watching the hummingbirds out front.  They like the feeders as well as the flowers.  I mailed the sympathy card to George Darrell in Florida.  We went to Bryant Physical Therapy for an hour and then to Walmart to shop and try to set up our boxes for the stake food drive.  Mary at Walmart was a big help as I got the boxes set up on tables that they provided.  We also did some shopping and discovered Lay's Southern Biscuits and Gravy Potato Chips!  We were looking for them for Eileen's brother in Florida.  We got two bags, one for Russell and one for our son-in-law David.

On the way home we stopped at the dump and got rid of all the recyclables and another bag of garbage.

We enjoyed very much being at home.  I filled the front bird feeder.  Geoff sent me a picture of the oil leakage and the page from his warranty on how to contest their not paying for the repairs.

I finished reading the 14 June issue of the Church News.  I enjoyed reading about the funeral service for Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, several articles about the new Payson Utah Temple, 'Paths of the gospel in Eastern Europe,' and 'Apostle at UK Parliament.'

I got a lengthy e-mail reply from my cousin Tom Johnston (2nd cousin to our kids) and he said that my first cousin Artie Manuel's wife Julia had passed away.  I googled her and found her obituary in the Trenton NJ newspaper.

I finished the text of my blog entry for 7/19.

I filled the bird feeders in the backyard and emailed my sister Lib about George Darrell's wife Florene and Artie's wife Julia.

I boxed up the potato chips so we can mail them tomorrow morning to Russell and David.

We had on the Yankees - Braves game, won by the Yankees 15-4.

I began and finished reading "Ingots of Gold A Miss Marple Short Story" by Agatha Christie.

On Saturday 29 August we were up and packed for stake conference, leaving about 10 am.  We mailed the two boxes of potato chips to Florida and got eight cans of Spam on sale at Piggly Wiggly before heading south.  We also mailed the cards that Eileen had prepared for the sisters whom she visit teaches.

We stopped in Canton as we checked Publix for Walden Farms products (none there) and bought a number of greeting cards and a Jim Shorr lighthouse at Hallmark.  We learned that the assistant manager Jennifer now has her own Hallmark store in Woodstock 

We reached the temple about 1:15 pm.  We enjoyed doing lots of sealings of sons and daughters to their parents.  Then we did a sheet of five couples.  We were able to chat for a bit with Brother Rodham.

Then we went to the Clock Repair Service in an antique mall but he wasn't open.  We hoped to get our grandfather clock handle repaired.

We drove in the usual heavy traffic to the Comfort Suites in Kennesaw.  We had a nice suite on the first floor.

We left at 4 pm and had dinner at Marlow's Tavern on Chastain Rd NW in Kennesaw.  It was quite good! Then we drove to the stake center for this evening's session of stake conference, arriving at 5:45 before the priesthood leadership session was quite over.

The adult session began at 7 pm.  Elder Edward Dube of the First Quorum of the Seventy is presiding. He and his wife are from Zimbabwe.

Opening hymn was #81 "Press Forward, Saints" text by Marvin K. Gardner (b. 1952) and music by Vanja Y. Watkins (b. 1938).

The Ellijay Branch choir sang "How Great Thou Art" which is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940) in Sweden in 1885.  See my 12 July blog entry for more information.

First speaker was President Jared Marcom, first counselor in the stake presidency.  He spoke of council and counsel.  Elder Ballard in October 1993 about councils and again in April 1994 on the same topic.  He held up an "eye" to illustrate seeing what other members of the council are saying.  He held up a "handshake" to illustrate giving counsel.  The Savior uses both council and counsel in His teachings. Pres. Marcom quoted from Isaiah and Handbooks 1 and 2.  He quoted President Packer and Elder Robert L. Simpson.  We were counseled to elevate our Sabbath day observance. They counseled with their two boys about this.  Sign between us and Heavenly Father.  Family councils can be formal or informal.  Council of King Limhi in the Book of Mormon.  Mosiah 22:1 ff.  Input from Gideon.  Marcom's 20-year-old daughter in Salt Lake City and calls sometimes to get counsel from her parents.  Lehi sharing his dream with his family and gave tender loving counsel.  Alma counseled his son Helaman relating his experience he had as a youth with the angel.  Stake presidency and councils.  Stake youth council.  Blessings of his family council with his wife.  Quoted Elder Quentin L. Cook.  Bore his testimony about councils.

Second speaker was Greg Dustin and is a seminary teacher.  He and his wife have six kids.  Finding safety as we follow the prophets.  Told of Gideon in the Book of Judges.  Wisdom of our prophet.  The iron rod is the word of God.  D&C 68:4.  Story by Elder Holland about markers in the snow.  Noah and the ark.  In the ark for 47 days before it started to float.  Hezekiah and tithing, temple worship, and the Sabbath day.  Assyrians and the Northern Kingdom, then confront the Southern Kingdom.  1 Nephi 17:41.  Simple habit of studying the scriptures.

Third speaker was Rachel Owens who spoke on keeping the Sabbath day holy in our homes.  D&C 58:13-14.  Call the Sabbath a delight.  Getting closer to the Savior.  Family council with four boys (2, 4, 6, and 9) and her husband.    Decide on your Sunday destination.  Moroni 6:4-6.  Who are our travel companions?  Quoted Elder L. Tom Perry.  Sacrifices to reach your destination.  Our Sunday best.  Blessings will always compensate for our sacrifices.  Quoted President Nelson (as we just read in the August Ensign).  Giving service to others.  Blessings, not a burden.  Bore her testimony.

Intermediate hymn was #226 "Improve the Shining Moments" text and music by Robert B. Baird (1855-1916).

Testimonies from Sister Bennion, wife of the mission president.  Among other things she spoke of being instruments in the hands of the Lord such as the sons of Mosiah.  And Sister Dube.  She is truly grateful for missionary work.  I found it difficult to understand her accent.  Elder Dube joined her at the pulpit.  Lots of the congregation laughed now and then, including Eileen, but I had no clue.

The closing speaker was Elder Dube. Asks the wives of the stake leaders when having dinner together how they met.  He was almost as hard to understand as his wife was.  I could get many words but there were too many that I could not, making the overall meaning obscure.  He did speak of ward councils.  The work of salvation.  He brought the love of President Monson to us.  It reminded me of our mission when those whom I understood 30% of the time I just gave up on.  It had to be 50% or better for me to listen carefully.

Closing hymn was #152 "God Be with You Till We Meet Again" text by Jeremiah E. Rankin (1828-1904) and music by William G. Tomer (1833-1896).

We returned to the Comfort Suites and asked for 6 am wake up call.