Christmas activity and program

The Primary did a panorama of the nativity while we
sang “Silent Night”.

Getting ready for the Christmas activity on the 18^th and the program for Sacrament meeting on the 19^th kept us very busy that week.  The Primary met at 2:00 on Saturday for a service activity where they visited homes of hospice patients. Not only did we have primary children, but we also had our special needs adults and those who could drive.  We went to 3 homes and it was a wonderful experience.  The children were very well behaved. At each home they played a Christmas song on the chimes, and sang a few more.  We had enough children and with the special needs we took turns on the chimes and I was amazed at how flexible they were at playing a new chime and being willing to take turns. We returned to the church where we had a wonderful dinner and then had a program.  

There was a lot of singing and then Santa came. 



We had 75 in attendance. It was a great evening.



The branch was very good to us.

We came home with a bag of oranges, a stocking each filled with candy, tangerines, oranges, pencils, a planner, pen, and highlighter, and instructions that the huge poinsettia decorating the chapel was ours to take home after church.

Sunday, the Christmas story was told accompanied with music. The primary played “Away in a Manger” on the chimes, the congregation sang, and we had special musical numbers. For the closing song, the story of the American & German soldiers during World War I joined in singing “Silent Night”. Sister Weatherford’s granddaughter and Pres. Harvey sang the first verse, she in English, he in German. The 2^nd verse was sung by the Priesthood as they stood up wherever they were sitting.  Then the congregation and piano joined in on the 3^rd verse.  We were told that the branch couldn’t sing without accompaniment but the brethren proved them wrong. It was powerful! 

Relief Society Christmas Activity



Elder Lovell helping our special needs members, Keith ......

Our November Relief Society activity was a light supper and then we learned how to be creative with very little cost. With the generosity of Bro. Weatherford and the help of Elder Lovell, we had plenty of grapevines for everyone to learn how to make a grapevine wreath.  It was a lot of fun and even Elder Lovell got into the act by helping make them.  It has been an ongoing project in our spare time.  We sent one to Alease (DelRoy’s wife) for the funeral, and then made one for each of our kids for Christmas. By the time we made some for a few of the branch members and for ourselves, we made about 15.  It was a lot of fun, but I think Jim was glad when we finally quit. He was a good sport and a lot of help.





..... and Robin making their grapevine wreaths.



One of the finished wreaths





Thanksgiving (a little late)

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We invited some non-members, a new convert and Angelina over for dinner. Bro. Moody (the new convert) is the only one who was able to come. We had a great time as we were able to get to know him better. He has a sweet spirit.  He just received the Priesthood and wants to “do it right.”  We have the opportunity to pick him up for church each Sunday, and the more we get to know him, the more we appreciate his testimony and his attitude about life. He never complains.The day after Thanksgiving we took leftovers to the investigators and had a good visit with Lasonya.  We talked about how important it was for her and Jimmy to come to church.  We picked them up along with Bro. Moody and Cynthia, a friend, and brought them to church.  I had a class of 5 today (Elder Bethers joined us).  It was a good class as they participated well and the spirit was strong.  Cynthia knows her scriptures and commented often. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she said she would like to come again. We know that we have many praying for us while we are here, please add Jimmy & Lasonya, Crystal and her family, and those who are now being introduced to the church that they will have the desire to make the necessary changes in their lives that will allow them to be baptized. There are so many things that we take for granted that so many others have to do without. We are so blessed.



Bro. Moody at our 1st Thanksgiving in South Carolina.  We had a great time.



Sample of my learning to cook again. We were "thankful" for the ones on the left.





Missionaries singing for the cooks - it was a great dinner!



We finally got a picture with Pres. & Sis. McConkie



We had our first zone conference on December 8.  It was very interesting.  The first gathering was mostly on car maintenance and safety.  We especially enjoyed the video on the proper way to back up.  I was reminded of the time when we picked Jalin up from her mission. We stopped in Indepenence, MO at the visitor’s center.  When we came out, the Elders were  backing out of their parking space but the companion forgot to get out and direct the backup.  Jalin, still in her missionary dress and badge, immediately ran over and directed the driver.  They looked so embarrassed!  We think our two young sisters would’ve enjoyed a video of that! The dinner was fantastic and each table was decorated with Christmas candy and chocolates with a nice poinsettia in the middle.  The one sitting on the chair with a sticker on the back that said “I am special” got to take the poinsettia home.  Elder Lovell was “special” that day.  After the dinner and some play time, they had a talent show – some with home video’s and others with a song that they wrote.  It was fun to watch them.  It ended with the Christmas Story by President McConkie.

New Elders

We have two new Elders in the Marion Branch.  It’s interesting to see the differences in these young men and to see their individual strengths and personalities. We spent the day with them today (Dec. 15) visiting less actives and meeting with a new investigator for the first time.  It’s one of those days that make missionary work very rewarding.  This new investigator was a member referral.  These are the best kind as the friendship and fellowship are already there. She also gave us the names of her son and her daughter and asked us to contact them as well.  She showed us her Bible that a very nice young man sold her.  She was surprised that these two nice young men would give her the Book of Mormon for free.  They’ll start teaching her again after the holidays.

By small and simple things...

It’s amazing how little things have the potential of becoming big things – if we listen to the promptings of the spirit. We had received our water bill and debated whether we should go to Dillon to pay it, or just mail it in.  The thought to go to Dillon just to pay the bill wasn’t feasible so decided to get groceries as well.  Then we wondered which to do first, but Elder Lovell just drove to the water office.  When we entered, there was a black man paying his bill.  He turned, and when he saw us he said, “I know all about those badges.” Elder Lovell replied, “I hope it’s good.”  He said it was all very good.  He introduced himself as Brayboy (his last name) and for the next 15 minutes we had a very enjoyable visit.  He hasn’t been to church for a few years but still has a very strong testimony and invited us to come visit him anytime.  He then left, but came right back and said, “I knew I was inspired to come pay my bill right now.”  We did go visit him (for over an hour) and he was a joy.  We met his wife and youngest son, Charles.  He knows he needs to come back to church and bring his 3 children.  He says he’s coming.  We hope he does.  The first time back after a long absence from church is hard, but we feel he will come.  (Just a little note, the day we first met Bro. Brayboy was the day and time we would’ve flown home to DelRoy’s funeral.  Had we gone, we would’ve missed this opportunity.  Another testimony that there are blessings in listening to the spirit – even if part of that listening is not exactly what we want at the time.)  We went back another day (with a loaf of fresh bread) and was able to meet his two girls as well as other family members and some friends.  What a great time!  I visited with the girls, the mom and the friends while Elder Lovell visited with Bro. Brayboy.  He has mentioned several times that he knows that it is for him that we were sent here.  We always leave him feeling so uplifted. We are still confident that he will come back. We will be setting up an appointment to teach his family.  Keep the Brayboy's in your prayers.

Temple Trip

President Harvey has a goal of having a temple trip once a month.  We had our first one in November.  A group went over early to do baptisms and then a few of us went over later to do endowments.  Elder Lovell has been encouraging the members to find family names to take or to send each time we go.  We helped one sister get her aunt’s name temple ready.  We sent her aunt’s name to be baptized but for some reason the temple couldn’t print it.  By the time we got there the girls were already done so we didn’t think her name could be done. Pres. Harvey wouldn’t let it rest that easy so after we got the name printed, they found a girl who hadn’t changed her clothes yet and came back in to do this baptism.  The baptismal font is behind glass doors that face the foyer of the temple. Sister Stanford was able to witness this baptism. There was a very special feeling there witnessing this ordinance. She was then able to do the initiatory and endowment for her. It was an amazing day!

A funny little thing happened that made the day more memorable in a different way. We went next door to Nephi Book and we purchased a couple things – which I tried to pay for with my temple recommend. We all have our days, right?



 

Standing outside the Columbia South Carolina Temple.
Sorry about the partial picture, it truncated!

Sister Stanford who was very excited about doing  her aunt's work