This blog entry is without pictures which I will add later.
Opening hymn was #6 "Redeemer of Israel" text by William W. Phelps (1792-1872) adapted from Joseph Swain (1761-1796) and music by Freeman Lewis (1780-1859). It was included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835.
Brother Stender blessed their new baby.
Sacrament hymn was #170 "God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray" text by Annie Pinnock Malin (1863-1935) and music by Louis M. Gottschalk (1829-1869) adapted by Edwin P. Parker (1836-1925).
Today was Fast Sunday and many branch members bore their testimonies.
Craig Chester was conducting the meeting today and bore his testimony.
Eileen bore her testimony of the love that Heavenly Father has for us, for the Prophet Joseph Smith, for President Monson and his health, and for our Savior Jesus Christ.
Don Bivens knows that our Heavenly Father lives. He knows that the priesthood power is real and he has seen it work. He spoke of the joy of the temple and that men are called of God. They serve and care for us.
A visitor from Payson, Utah, bore his testimony. He spoke of temples and how blessed we are. Served as a young missionary 50 years ago in Rome, Dalton, and other towns in Georgia. His wife is related to the Mizell's in Mineral Bluff. They will be CSM's when they get back home. He bore his testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.
Sister Rumsey is so grateful to be here and for her Savior Jesus Christ. The joy and happiness of this great gospel.
Elder Rumsey spoke of Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He has enjoyed visiting so many folks in the branch. He spoke of his wonderful companion. Of the joy of being able to spend the whole day in the temple as one sister did.
Olga Knight loves the Church with all her heart. The plan of salvation is the plan of happiness. We serve and help the Church to grow. She enjoys being in Primary and is grateful for the Primary children. We have a living prophet and she is thankful for our branch leaders.
Diana Stephens bore her testimony of her love for the Savior. She spoke of her son Eli, his wife, and their three boys. Of another son and his sweet wife who is not a member. Diana feels so blessed.
Deb Fisher is so grateful to Heavenly Father. Grateful for this branch and their many blessings from the gospel.
Elder Twitchell spoke of the edifying of the Spirit. He spoke of the truthfulness of the Church and read from Moroni 6.
Closing hymn was #72 "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" text by Joachim Neander (1650-1680) translated by Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878) and music from Stralsund Gesangbuch, 1665, arranged by William S. Bennett (1816-1875) and Otto Goldschmidt (1829-1907).
Gospel Doctrine with Darlene Burgess was lesson #40, "I Can Do All Things through Christ" using Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. However Eileen and I attended the Gospel Principles class as the Rumsey's asked me to speak about family history today. The lesson was also #40 "Temple Work and Family History."
The hymn in priesthood was #30 "Come, Come Ye Saints" text by William Clayton (1814-1879) and music an English folk song.
The priesthood lesson was from a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks entitled "Loving Others and Living with Differences" from October 2014 General Conference. I read the following:
"The gospel has many teachings about keeping the commandments while living among people with different beliefs and practices. The teachings about contention are central. When the resurrected Christ found the Nephites disputing over the manner of baptism, He gave clear directions on how this ordinance should be performed. Then He taught this great principle:
"'There shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.
"'For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
"'Behold, this is … my doctrine, that such things should be done away' (3 Nephi 11:28–30).
"The Savior did not limit His warning against contention to those who were not keeping the commandment about baptism. He forbade contention by anyone. Even those who keep the commandments must not stir up the hearts of men to contend with anger. The 'father of contention' is the devil; the Savior is the Prince of Peace.
"Similarly, the Bible teaches that 'wise men turn away wrath' (Proverbs 29:8). The early Apostles taught that we should 'follow after the things [that] make for peace' (Romans 14:19) and '[speak] the truth in love' (Ephesians 4:15), 'for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God' (James 1:20). In modern revelation the Lord commanded that the glad tidings of the restored gospel should be declared 'every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness' (D&C 38:41), 'with all humility, … reviling not against revilers' (D&C 19:30)."
It was taught by Brother Jay Hanks. Eileen said that Julie Cribb did a good job teaching the lesson in Relief Society which was from Bishop Gerald Causse's talk in April General Conference entitled "Is It Still Wonderful to You?"
We visited the Dorsey's from about 4 until 6:30 pm as Eileen helped Judy and I helped Terry with their family history.
We called my sister Lib for her birthday and chatted for over a half hour. I filled her in on our diet since 2 March. She said that would be impossible for her as she is a carb addict!
I emailed Roger Hall and Jay Hanks about my home teaching for October and Eileen called Lynn Edwards to report on her visiting teaching.
I emailed Carol Messina to report on our family history efforts for October with copies to Jay Hanks and President Stanley.
I did the 31 C's in Hampshire. Carisbrooke, Carisbrooke St John, Carisbrooke St Nicholas, and Catherington had no infoboxes, and Crown Farm had no PLU.
With daylight savings time ended I adjusted the three timers on lights in the house, that is, our bedroom, the front bedroom, and the living room.
After Eileen fell asleep I "watched" the World Series on my iPhone as the Kansas City Royals tied the New York Mets in the top of the 9th inning and won with five runs in the top of the 12th inning.
On Monday 2 November I finished the 23 August Church News. I enjoyed numerous articles such as "Women leaders to serve on Church's general councils," "Greatest joy found in the gospel" with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Spiritual power for the righteous" with Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Church breaks ground for first-of-its-kind Family History Center," "Indianapolis Indiana Temple," "A handcart trek across the Pampas," "The Martin Harris Pageant," "Reasonable leap into light," "Icelandic Latter-day Saints," and "Practices of 'gifted teachers'" with Brother Devin Durrant.
We went to the dump then I got one gallon of gas for $2.059 so we could reach Blue Ridge. At Ingles in Blue Ridge gas was $1.479 with the 40 cent discount for our 400 points!
We enjoyed lunch with Ralph and Holly at the Mesquite Grill in Blue Ridge. We visited their home afterwards until 2:30.
Back in Ellijay we worked out at Bryant Physical Therapy for an hour. Then we stopped at Lowe's for some tiny brass escutcheon pins that Eileen later used on the antique desk which is now in our office.
FamilySearch called back about Terry Dorsey's Aunt Carla. The assumption is that her ordinances had been reserved over two years ago by someone (it was not Terry) and the current status of being reserved by FamilySearch is a step toward the ordinances being unreserved (the sister missionary used the term "released"). I explained that Terry is Carla's nephew and there do not appear to be any closer relatives. I gave her Terry's name, user name, and helper number and they knew his email address. Higher-ups would look at moving Carla into Terry's temple ordinance list.
I prepared the letter and check for Timeshare Trade-ins.
I submitted the Gilmer Kids Ferst newsletter materials to Ferst Foundation.
I did the nine D's in Hampshire.
On Tuesday 3 November we sang "happy birthday" to Heather's voice mail. I dropped off Eileen at Barbara's Hair Designers for her appointment. She enjoyed a fun phone call from her buddy in Fremont, California, Lynda White, and Heather called her back. I went by the bank and returned to pick her up as her visit was a short one today. Then I took her to Judy Harvey's to work on her painting while I then went to Dr. Raisig's for my missionary physical.
While waiting for the doctor I finished chapter 10 entitled "Joseph Smith" of Elder John Widtsoe's book "Evidences and Reconciliations" on my iPhone.
My visit with Dr. Raisig went well. My blood pressure was 120/74.
I picked Eileen up and we went to the Gilmer County Health Department to get our TB tests for our mission. We must return on Thursday to have them read.
In the evening Eileen did the 24 D's and 45 E's in Devon.
I sent the article from the Deseret News about Ted Koppel's book "Lights Out" to all the branch members and folks from the food pantry. I had also sent it to family members.
I worked on labeling all of the screenshots in the first Dorsey folder on my laptop.
I finished chapter 24 entitled "Eternal Life and Salvation" of President Joseph F. Smith's book "Gospel Doctrine" on my iPhone.
On Wednesday 4 November we volunteered at the food pantry. Eileen was asked to offer the prayer to start our day there and a lovely prayer it was. We had a busy day as it was the first Wednesday of the month. We helped about 122 patrons.
We stopped at R&A Orchards to pick up the Times-Courier.
Eileen and I napped. She enjoyed watching "The Kitchen," Pioneer Woman," Giada de Laurentiis, and "Barefoot Contessa."
I added more photos to my 17 May blog entry and worked on labeling all of the screenshots in the second Dorsey folder on my laptop.
We heard a loud crash by our front door and I assumed a bird had flown into the glass door. It had and was laying on the front step. We hoped it was just stunned but sadly it was still unmoved later. I disposed of the little fellow the next day.
We covered the family history center at church from 6 - 8:30 pm. Brother Gailand Green was with us most of the evening. We researched his Marks ancestors.
I indexed New York - Ogdensburg Passenger and Crew Lists, 1948-1972.
I worked on labeling all of the screenshots in the Green folder on my laptop.
On Thursday 5 November I read the last article in the September Ensign to Eileen, finishing that issue. The First Presidency message "Families and Prayer," from President Eyring, was my home teaching message in September. Of special note was "The Lord Needs You Now!" by Elder M. Russell Ballard, "The Temple and the Natural Order of Marriage" by Elder Bruce C. Hafen, "Never Alone in Sierra Leone," "Joseph Smith in Harmony" by Elder Steven E. Snow, Church Historian and Recorder, "Church Handbooks The Written Order of Things" by Elder Per G. Malm, "The Apostle Paul as Master Teacher," "The Hymnbook Turns 30" which brought out my lack in that area even though I enjoy singing on Sunday, and "A Visit From the Savior" from President Lorenzo Snow (1814-1901).
We went to the Gilmer Health Department to have our TB test read and they were both negative. We mailed birthday cards to Gail and Weston at the post office. Then we visited Dr. Raisig for Eileen's physical for our mission and to drop off the TB test results.
Her visit with Dr. Raisig went well. Her blood pressure was 120/80. She had her height checked and she has shrunk two inches since high school! 5'5" to 5'3". Eileen asked him about my hyperglycemic episodes when my blood sugar drops in the afternoon. So I'll keep a note about it.
We dropped off our request at Ingles to carry more Walden Farms products, especially Bleu Cheese, Caesar, Honey Dijon, French, Cole Slaw, Asian, Russian, and Sesame Ginger salad dressings, and Mezzetta Vermont Sharp White Cheddar Style Cheese Stuffed Olives. We ran into Diane Keener, an inactive member of our branch.
We enjoyed our second supper of chuck roast with turnips, carrots, and onions in Eileen's new 4-quart crock pot.
Sabrina Bayless called and I made a home teaching appointment with her for Monday at 3 pm.
I called Bonnie Helton about her family history and made a home teaching appointment with her for Wednesday at 1:30 pm.
I worked on Bonnie's family history, specifically her great-grandfather Hamilton Wade Douglas and his family and his father Eldred R. Douglas and his family. I had to call FamilySearch as I could not request ordinances in the normal manner on a person's ordinance page. I was told to click on the light green temple between the husband and wife on the tree in landscape mode which did work.
Marvin Knight called and asked us to speak in sacrament meeting on 15 November.
I did the 24 E's in Hampshire while Eileen enjoyed "Househunters International" on HGTV. She did the 6 F's and 7 G's in Devon.
On Friday 6 November while Eileen slept I finished chapter 11 entitled "Delusions" of Elder John Widtsoe's book "Evidences and Reconciliations" on my iPhone. I then finished chapter 25 entitled "Joseph Smith the Prophet" of President Joseph F. Smith's book "Gospel Doctrine" on my iPhone.
We went to the Kids Ferst PR Committee meeting at Tony's Country Corner Kitchen followed by our workout at Bryant Physical Therapy.
We shopped at Food Lion for Diet Mountain Dew at 79 cents for a two liter bottle, limit of four. Then we visited Ingles and saw Bunny who used to volunteer at the food pantry and Gailand Green from our branch.
On the way home we stopped at Walker's Barbecue for some pulled pork for supper tomorrow.
After supper I finished reading "A Nice Little Place on the North Side" by George F. Will which I had begun on 24 October. The subtitle is "A History of Triumph, Mostly Defeat, and Incurable Hope at Wrigley Field." It was a birthday present from Eileen.
I worked some more on Bonnie's family history, specifically her great-great-grandfather Eldred R. Douglas and his family.
Later I finished reading "My Ancestor Settled In ... The British West Indies" by John Titford which I had begun on 7 August. I had purchased it from the Society of Genealogists in England.
After Eileen fell asleep I finished reading "Three Doors to Death" by Rex Stout (A Nero Wolfe novel) which I had begun on 24 October. I bought four paperbacks in the gift shop at the Broward Health Medical Center where Suzie had spent a fair amount of time last year.
On Saturday 7 November I finished the 30 August issue of the Church News. I enjoyed the articles about the new Indianapolis Indiana Temple (President Eyring's dedicatory prayer was very special), "The printer's manuscript, new stakes from districts in Vanuatu and the Philippines, "Defending the Faith," and "2 Talmage parables."
I did the 10 F's beginning with "Fa" in Hampshire while Eileen enjoyed "The Kitchen" on the Food Network and worked on her laptop.
I printed more family history results for the Bond's and began to research Lyman Bond's daughter Emma.
Eileen and I were both working on our sacrament meeting talks on our laptops.
We met Janie Alley at church and I worked with her from 2 - 4:10 pm on her family history. Then we went by Ingles for a couple of things.
During supper we enjoyed "Antique Roadshow" from the U. K.
I printed numerous results of my research of Emma Bond and her family along with research for Claude Miller about primarily his grandmother Emma, her parents and siblings.
I finished reading "Evidences and Reconciliations" by John A Widtsoe arranged by G. Homer Durham which I had begun on 7 December 2014. It is in the Deseret Bookshelf on my iPhone.
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