On Sunday 19 July we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and checked 

out about 8:15.  We attended the Yankee Hill Ward in Lincoln, one 

of three wards in the building on Old Cheney Road.


Opening hymn was #76 "God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee" 

text by Charles W. Penrose (1832-1925) and music by Ebenezer 

Beesley (1840-1906).


Sacrament hymn was #189 "O Thou, Before the World Began" text 

by William H. Turton (1856-1938) and music by Frank W. Asper 

(1892-1973).


The first speaker was a young man Brighton Doney.  He spoke very quietly on "if you love me keep my commandments" (I think).

The second speaker was Laban Trover.  Sealed in Denver Colorado Temple.  Introduced himself and his family.  He is from western Nebraska and she from Pocatello, Idaho.  Went to high school together in North Platte.  Wed 11 months after returning from his mission in Tampico, Mexico.  He spoke on the gift of grace using much from President Uchtdorf's recent conference talk.  He told of experiences on his mission.  Quoted from the Bible Dictionary about grace.  Grace opens the gates and windows of heaven.  The path of discipleship leads upwards.  His grace helps us become our best selves.  Told the story of Jesus at Simon's and the parable of the two sinners.  Any sin, no matter how small, disqualifies us from entering God's presence.  Are we like Simon and think we're doing pretty good?  2 Nephi 25:23.  Grace is available to all of us.  

Intermediate hymn was #305 "The Light Divine" text by Matilda Watts Cahoon (1881-1973) and music by Mildred T. Pettit (1895-1973).

The concluding speaker was Dana Stefanidis.  He spoke on "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and quoted from it.  Spoke of Abraham commanded to offer Isaac yet he had been promised a great posterity.  Sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. D&C 97:8.  Mosiah 3:17.  The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Spoke of President Hinckley's announcement of the proclamation.  The plan of happiness is exercised in the family.  He and his wife have seven children.  Experience adversity in the family.  Quoted Elder Neal A. Maxwell.  Apostle Paul in Romans.  Son wouldn't eat his cookie at the football game because he wanted to share it with his siblings when he got home.  Prophet Joseph Smith that the principles of eternal life tastes good.  They are sweet and bring happiness.

Closing hymn was #218 "We Give Thee But Thine Own" text by William Walsham How (1823-1897) and music by Anon., arr. by Lowell Mason (1792-1872) and George J. Webb (1803-1887).

After sacrament we headed for Branson.  We crossed the Missouri River into Iowa and got on I-29 for a short distance, then into Missouri.  Our odometer read 109000.  We stopped at a welcome center and got a packet about Missouri and Branson.  We drove through Kansas City again crossing the Missouri River on a modern snazzy-looking bridge.

Eileen had a nice nap from 12:55 to 2:35 as she was pretty tired.  We filled up at a Pilot gas station in Collins for $2.459 and later saw gas for $2.399!

We discussed things to do in Branson as Eileen looked at some of the brochures.  We reached the Carriage Place resort about 5:30 pm and got all checked in. The unit is a one bedroom with a queen bed, a living room/full kitchen, and two bathrooms.  It is pretty nice.

Entrance to the resort

Check in and check out

Our building with our car on the right

We reviewed some of the things to do here in Branson and have a plan of sorts for tomorrow.

After Eileen fell asleep I began and finished reading "The Mystery of the Spanish Shawl A Short Story" by Agatha Christie.

Agatha Christie (1890-1976)

On Monday 20 July we went to the Towne Center and got discount tickets for "Jersey Nights" which is at 2pm on Wednesday.  Then we enjoyed visiting the Shepherd on the Hills Fish Hatchery.

Eileen at the Conservation Center

Eileen looks at the displays

Fish in the hatchery

Hatchery Facts

After that we went to the Dewey Short Corps of Engineers Visitors Center by Table Rock Dam.  It made Lake Taneycomo which is an acronym for Taney County Missouri.  The volunteer who told us this kidded about a county nearby named Perry which yielded Lake Perrycomo!  We enjoyed videos at the hatchery and visitors center.  

The Table Rock Dam

We saw that there are identical Titanic and Hollywood Wax Museums to the ones in Pigeon Forge.

We drove to Historic Downtown Branson and walked to the Branson Scenic Railway getting tickets for the 2 pm train.

It was about 12:15 so we had lunch at the Texas Land & Cattle restaurant.  We could watch those enjoying the zip lines.

Eileen in front of the Texas Land & Cattle restaurant

We boarded the train at 1:45 and headed out at 2 pm.

Our conductor 

Eileen boarding the train

Ben on board the train

It was so boring that I got out my iPhone and finished reading "The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra" by Shakespeare that I began on 17 June.  All there was to see was green landscape and rocks along the way.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

In the evening I downloaded the pictures from both our cameras onto both our iPhoto external drives, creating the appropriate folders and albums, and deleting them from the cameras.  I charged the batteries for both cameras.

On Tuesday 21 July we went to a presentation at 9 am by Capital Resorts about spending thousands more dollars and increasing our points with them.  The fellow explained things so poorly that we hardly knew what he was talking about.  We declined and got our check of $150 for listening.

We drove downtown and got tickets with "Ride the Ducks" for 1 pm.  We walked around the pedestrian area between all the stores at Branson Landing, getting sugar-free chocolates, gummy worms and bears, and taffy at Northwoods Candy Emporium;

two pickle pickers at Kitchens (they turned out to be very poor compared to what looked like identical ones we got in Helen); nothing at Dress Barn and the Branson Quilt store; and two cold bottles of water at Auntie Anne's.

We cut through the Bass Pro Shop a couple of times.  Those are always impressive!

We enjoyed "Ride the Ducks" very much as the driver/guide was very interesting and humorous.  

The bridge over Lake Taneycomo

We drove to the College of the Ozarks, Hollister, and part of Branson, before driving down a ramp into Lake Taneycomo (formerly the White River).

Lots of lovely flowers on campus

Youngman Agricultural Center at the college

College of the Ozarks silo

Edwards Mill on campus

Lots of lovely flowers on campus

Lots of lovely flowers on campus

Mule Barn

The architecture in Hollister is very Tudor.

Down into the lake (river)

Sights along the lake

Sights along the lake

Paddle wheeler

Paddle wheeler

Sights along the lake

Sights along the lake

Sights along the lake

The ramp to enter and exit the lake

Up the ramp!

Afterwards we drove to Hollister to have an early supper at Ye Olde English Inn.   But the inn did not have an English menu except for fish and chips, so we excused ourselves and returned to Branson.  We did take some nice pictures there though.

We cashed our $150 check at the bank that it was written on, and then shopped at a small Walmart and virtually next door to the Rhodes Family Price Chopper which was awesome!!  They had three flavors of Fruit-2-O and an amazing variety of Walden Farms products, more than we had ever seen before! 

I checked an email about the change of a "friend's" status on Facebook and found why the flags were flying at half staff.  Of course, since most of my "friends" are LDS and most are therefore Republicans, I had to groan about idiotic comments by two of them about President Obama.  One can readily see how they have been brainwashed by the likes of the conservative media.

We had a nice salad for supper.  I had three brats and Eileen had fully cooked lemon pepper shrimp.  We then enjoyed some of our sugar-free chocolates and taffy for dessert, all before 5:30.  However we did nibble some after that time :(

In the evening I downloaded the pictures from my camera onto both our iPhoto external drives and deleted them from the camera.  I went through my pictures from yesterday and today on my external drive and cropped where needed.  I charged the battery for my camera.

I went on the Ride the Ducks website and wrote an excellent review.  Then I went on Trip Advisor and wrote excellent reviews for Ride the Ducks, Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, Dewey Short Visitors Center, and the Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse followed by a poor review for the Branson Scenic Railway.

As I read to Eileen at bedtime I finished reading the June Ensign.  I especially enjoyed "Families Can Be Together Forever," the First Presidency message from President Henry B. Eyring.

President Henry B. Eyring

Also "Helping Others in the Lord's Way" by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008)

"No Transfer," "The Glorious Day of Priesthood Restoration" by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,

Elder L. Tom Perry (1922-2015)

"An Exquisite Visit,"

Scene from a visitors center

"Fishers of Men" by Elder Scott D. Whiting of the Seventy,

Elder Scott D. Whiting

"The Savior's Teachings on Discipleship,"

"The Unexpected Answer,"

"Seeking Rescue," "Faith to Leave the Harbor" by Elder Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy,

Elder Claudio R. M. Costa

the Latter-day Saint Voices section, and "Leave It Alone" by President Boyd K. Packer.  Many other articles were also very good.

President Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015)

On Wednesday 22 July we saw some sights around town.

Pasghetti's

Pasghetti's

We visited the Auto and Farm Museum in the morning which we enjoyed very much.  

The following pictures were taken by Eileen:

Ben relaxing

Ben relaxing again

Ben and one of the museum men

Ben out front

The following are some of the pictures that Ben took.

Eileen and Ben enjoyed the museum very much!

We had a couple of our pictures taken with the Times-Courier.

We filled up at a Conoco station for $2.529.

We were at the King's Castle Theater for the 2 pm show "New Jersey Nights The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons."  They played the military anthems first and asked the veterans to stand who were associated with each branch.  It was an excellent show of two 45 minute halves with 20 minute intermission.  Great show!!  The gal who exchanged our paperwork for real tickets said "yes" to my two Book of Mormon questions!

Irish sayings in the gift shop!

The theater lobby

The entrance doors

We bought their CD and have played it in the car frequently.

I began and finished reading "Three Blind Mice A Short Story" by Agatha Christie.

I finished reading "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell which I began on 17 June.

Anna Sewell (1820-1878)

On Thursday 23 July we checked out and headed south at 9:30 am. The gal at the checkout said "yes" to my two Book of Mormon questions!

We filled up at Walmart (Murphy) in Ash Flat, Arkansas, for $2.309.

We reached the Comfort Inn in Memphis about 3:20 pm.

We went to dinner at The Half Shell Restaurant in Memphis.  It was quite good!

We returned to the Comfort Inn and changed clothes to go to the temple. We got to the Memphis Temple about 7 pm and did multiple sealings, couples, and sons and daughters to parents.  Prior to entering the temple, we had our pictures taken in front of the temple holding the Times-Courier.  We got back to the hotel about 9:15 pm.

Eileen enjoyed HGTV while I caught up on the news on my iPhone.  I read a cute article about "Why Is It So Hard to Get a Great Bagel in California?" in the N. Y. Times.

The link is at

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/magazine/why-is-it-so-hard-to-get-a-great-bagel-in-california.html?_r=0

I finished reading Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk, "Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet" to Eileen again from the Sunday morning session of general conference.  It is the "Teachings for Our Time" lesson this Sunday in priesthood and Relief Society at home.  I had read it to her for the first time on 24 May.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

On Friday 24 July we were up early and had breakfast at the hotel.  We left about 8:50 am.  I filled up the car in Corinth, MS, for $2.239.

Davidson Center for Space Exploration 

Our odometer reached the palindrome 109901 at 12 noon in Decatur, Alabama.  Then our next palindrome was 110011 near Chattanooga.

In the afternoon I filled up the car again in Wildwood, GA, for $2.299.  Traffic crawled along bumper to bumper on I-24 in Chattanooga but it was fine once we got on I-75.

We got home a few minutes after 6 pm (losing an hour going from CDT to EDT).  All was well here at home.  Power had gone off at least once while we were gone as the clocks on the microwave and stove were blinking.  The outer storm door that had been dashed by a stone while we were at Heather's in May had been repaired while we were away!

Our mileage on 1 June was 103372 and when we got home today it was about 110091.  So we traveled about 6719 miles.

After unpacking the car we had a little salad with some cheese for supper.  I had eaten all day in the car.  All was put away but my stuff when I read a cute story to Eileen from the N. Y. Times entitled "Uniting a Mysterious Ring With Its Rightful Owner."  The link is http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/style/modern-love-uniting-a-mysterious-diamond-ring-with-its-rightful-owner.html?_r=0

Later I unpacked all of my stuff.

Eileen did some sewing of the potholders she is making the women that we home/visit teach while I watched the last inning of the Cardinals - Braves game won by the Cardinals 4-2.

On Saturday 25 July we went to the post office to pick up our mail that has been on hold since 1 June.  Then we dropped off some stuff at Faith Hope & Charity, my suit at the dry cleaners, and mailed Sean's soaps to David at UPS.

We drove to Murphy, N. C., to the Bless My Stitches quilt store.  We ordered and paid for the new sewing machines that Eileen would like.  The description is Janome sewing machine. 3160 QDC.  6600.  

Bless My Stitches quilt store

Back in Blue Ridge we shopped at Ingles and filled up for $2.319.  We then shopped at the Taste of Amish store and back in Ellijay we shopped at Tractor Supply and R&A Orchards.

Peggy and Bill Rush at Taste of Amish store

Eileen entering the new Taste of Amish location 

With more bird seed from Tractor Supply I finished putting out the three bird feeders.  We're sure the birds and squirrels are glad we're home!

Lots of apples in the fall!

I spent a goodly amount of time going through the plastic box of mail that I got from the post office, getting about half of it done before supper.  We enjoyed having David and Caroline Echard come visit as our home teachers.  They are moving to Sugar Hill, Georgia, in a week or two and we'll miss them.

After the Echard's visit I finished going through the mail.  Now I have some mail to look at, bills to pay, and lots of magazines and Church Newses to read. 

Eileen had on the Cardinals - Braves game won by the Cardinals 1-0.

After Eileen went to sleep I began and finished "Blindman's Buff A Tommy & Tuppence Short Story" by Agatha Christie.