Mormon Ad and 70+

Our Young Women made a 'Mormon Ad' for Youth Conference. It was a fun experience helping them set up their idea then doing a little editing for the final poster.  Always we are grateful for our talented children (Travis) to help us get through the technical stuff.

Note: After posting, Tianna, my personal editor, noticed that I spelled wisdom wrong. As it turned out, the person who was to recieve these posters did not get ours - so it never made it to Youth Conference. I guess that's good?



Brother Brayboy and Sister Jackson

Sister Beck realizing it was her pictures on the
screen and Sister Woodard trying to play innocent.

For Sister Woodard's  YW project, she wanted to highlight every member of the branch who were 70 years young plus.  We came up with 18. It was a challenge getting pictures of them when they were younger without them knowing about it.  It was also a greater challenge getting the pictures scanned (and some had to have cracks, relfections, etc. edited).  Then again, huge thanks to BJ for giving up some late night hours helping me put the slideshow together with music. It turned out great and they loved it!  Now, whose project was this?  We love helping the members with their activities - they have great ideas - just need a "little" extra help to pull them off.  Being needed is what we call "job security". 







. 

View from the top

 



View from the 10th floor of the McLeod Medical Center
from Elder Lovell's room

  

We've had a great view for the past week, not by choice, but if you have to be in the hospital, the 10th floor is the place to be. Elder Lovell has not felt top notch many days, but on Monday, July 4, he celebrated with a continual, big bang in his abdomen. We finally went to emergency in Dillon where they did a CT scan and found all kinds of yucky things - later to find out not such a big deal as the PA made it sound. He did, however, have a very large gallbladder. They stressed seeing his family doctor immediately! We saw him on Tuesday, the surgeon on Wednesday who scheduled his surgery for the next Tuesday. Thursday he had another major attack so we went to emergency in Florence where Dr. Lee works. They admitted him and surgery was performed on Friday.

Pres. & Sister Holm (our new Mission President)
sent an "Edible Arrangement". Notice Sir Koff-a-Lot (bear)
loaned to us by a friend. He's a great help after surgery.

We have seen many of the Lord's tender mercies in this bump in the road. Because of past surgeries and some test results, Dr. Lee said he would have to do the surgery the old fashioned way and not lathrascopic which means longer hospital stay and recovery time. However, he said he felt there was divine intervention as he didn't need to do the other procedure he thought he would have to do and everything looked good and healthy (except the large gallbladder - indicated it was about the size of a grapefruit) and that he was sure Elder Lovell had been working out because his abs were so firm. ; ) We told him that we were sure of the divine intervention as family and friends not only prayed for Elder Lovell but they also prayed for him. He smiled and very appreciatively said, "Thanks, that's good to know."  He is a wonderful doctor!  On our first visit as he left the room, he said he wish we were the last patient as he would love to stay and just visit with us.  Just after midnight, Tuesday night, he came into the room after working since early that morning, and after telling him he could go home, he stopped at the door, hesitated, then said, "I have really enjoyed having you for a patient."  He took the time to be personable and has made us feel we're not just a patient, but a friend. The hospital staff were very friendly, helpful, and a lot of fun. They were concerned for my comfort as well as his - making sure I had snacks, juice, and towels and soap for the shower. We came home Wednesday morning, and in spite of a few down times, he is really doing quite well.  We realize the recovery will take time, but we have already seen many blessings as the members have been a strength and a support for us.  



A typical southern rain storm looking from a different view
than from the ground.



And the storm passes! Severe lightning storms were reported
in the evening and I hoped to get some pictures then but
They seem to come and go in a
 very short time - it just passed on.






Wedding, Baptism, Cake Auction

 <>

 

Baptism picture - Elder & Sister Lovell, LaSonya, Jimmy





Jimmy & LaSonya with their cake



 


May 21 was one of those days that we will never forget, when all the challenges, encouragements, discouragements, prayers, late night talks, discussions, etc., are worth every moment spent.  After spending several hours a few days before trying to get a marriage license for Jimmy and Lasonya, she found out that they could get one in Florence for $30 less and they didn't need birth certificates, etc., so we went to Florence and beat the adversary again.  On Saturday we started with a wedding for them (which I thoroughly enjoyed putting together), then Lasonya was baptized, followed by the Young Women having a potluck dinner and cake auction.  It was a wonderful day! We found Lasonya a dress for this important day that was perfect for her, a sister in the branch made (and donated) a beautiful wedding cake, then we decided the potluck was their celebration dinner as well. Elder Lovell had the privilege of baptizing her and when she came out of the water, she looked like an angel. We're looking forward to the day when Jimmy decides to get baptized as well.  Her countenance as well as her voice is softer since her baptism.  In fact, she glows! This step was not easy for her, she had many obstacles to trip her up, but she endured and she endured well. Watching her and Jimmy grow has been a wonderful experience. We love them and enjoy being a part of their lives.



Pres. Harvey auctioning off a half coconut cake - It went for about $50  because Heather (in the blue) & Joyce (end of table) were always bidding against each other. Joyce always won. I made the bread on the table (1of 4) - they sold $21-$26. These two sisters made it so much fun!



Hats

Marion Branch Sisters in their spring hats

Florence Ward Relief Society quite often will invite the Marion Branch sisters to their activity.  To celebrate the anniversary of Relief Society, we were invited and one of the activities was to make a hat out of styrofoam plates and bowls they had painted.  We added a tie out of netting and then some flowers. It was fun to see the creativity of the sisters. We then went into the Relief Society room for a luncheon and program.  What a great time we had! These sisters each have such unique personalities and when we are together, we have a great time laughing and playing off each other's uniqueness.

Bro. Brayboy

Bro. Brayboy and President McConkie


We've been fellowshipping Bro.Brayboy and his family since the first of December.  We have become very close to this family.  Bro. Brayboy has a beautiful testimony and one of his favorite experiences is when he had the opportunity to meet Bruce R. McConkie.  He said when he started to talk, it was like a drum pounding into him. He said he didn't hear what he said, but he could feel the power that radiated from him. We told him that our mission president is Bruce R. McConkie's son. We made arrangements for them to meet at one of our zone conferences in Florence.  It is the first time he has been back inside a church for years. His comment was, "I finally broke the ice."  He has since been to our Stake Conference Saturday evening meeting.  He said that it felt good and right to be there.  We have yet to get him and his family to church on Sunday but we won't give up.  We've taught his wife and children two lessons, but their house is like grand central station so it's kind of hard. We had his two daughters (ages 13 & 11) over to make some cakes, read the Book of Mormon, and they made pull-apart pizza for dinner.  The Elders also came over for dinner, then taught them about having the spirit.  Just as they started to teach, a revival tent in the vacant lot across the street started up.  It's really hard to talk about the soft whisperings of the spirit when you can hear the "enthusiam" from the tent as if it were in our front yard.  The adversary is sure working hard to keep us from teaching them.

Elvis



Sister Weatherford and I putting name labels in their books

And here we meet Elvis

Sister Weatherford is a retired teacher and she loves going back to the school to help with special occasions.  When they had the RIF (Reading is fundamental) program, she asked if I'd like to go with her to help.  It was wa lot of fun.  The theme was Rock and Roll and the librarian found Elvis! She had a video of him playing while the children came in.   After they picked out a book which they got to keep, they came to us so we could put their name in the book, then they had a cupcake walk. This elementary was mostly black. They were so cute and I love their unique names.  I am so impressed at the manners the children here have.  They always answer with "Yes, Ma'am" or "Yes, Sir".  They were also very excited that three  of the children came directly from Africa.



Atlanta Temple open house

The Atlanta Georgia Temple had been renovated and the open house was in April. We thought it would be a great opportunity to take some inactives and investigators to the open house so that they would be able to feel the spirit in a temple and encourage them to set a goal to attend for themselves. In order to go out of our mission boundaries, we have to get permission from our mission president.  He told us he could not give us permission to do so but he would call the authority over him.  A couple of days later he called us and told us that he also could not give us permission so he called one of the apostles.  He was told that it was a great idea and so we went. It was a 6 hour trip one way and we had to do it in one day. That's 12 hours traveling time!  It was a beautiful day and well worth the time.  We had 22 in our group - which included 6 active members working towards going for themselves, 7 less active, and 4 non-members (9 of the 22 were youth).  The experience has had a great impact on everyone and we're so glad we were able to go. Time will tell the end result but it will never  be forgotten.

Elder Lovell leading Bro. Moody who is

 legally  blind. He's really making progress

preparing to go to the temple for himself.

Group picture in front of the temple. (2 missing)