May 23rd - May 29th

Monday, May 23rd: we went to the Strawberry patch! Met Melissa, Kaitlyn & Hailey there. We had such fun picking strawberries & they are delicious! Gave a pass along card to the lady at the strawberry patch.  Then we went to Melissa's to babysit Kaitlyn & Hailey so Melissa could help with Nathan's class party.

Tuesday, May 24th: We had our district meeting. We delivered a birthday candy bar to James Patterson. Read scriptures & studied.

Wednesday, May 25th: I had  another appointment with the massage therapist. The muscle spasms are gone now. Never knew how painful they were; I could not sleep because they hurt so much. My back is so much better. We had supper with Rebecca Guyton & her son John & the Elders. It's her birthday so we took her a birthday candy bar.

Thursday, May 26th: We fed the missionaries breakfast. We went to Rachel Carrin's home & Elder Sadler taught her how to do family history on the computer. We had supper with the Knights. He is really progressing so well! We gave Shundra & her daughter a ride to & from the Book of Mormon class. The class went well & we had a very good attendance. Picked up a large food order after class.

Friday, May 27th: Took food to the Cockram's. We visited with Brother Elmer at the door for a few minutes. He was not encouraging about Sister Elmer taking the discussions although she indicated to us that she was interested.  We went by to visit Brother Tapua but he wasn't home. Visited with Sister Deeter & encouraged her to come to church.

Saturday, May 28th: Took lazy boy back because it was defective; they will get another one. We visited with Sister Cox, Dorothy Hosea & Geraldine at the nursing home. We always take them a bag of Werthers & they are always glad to see us! Cooked a meatloaf for tomorrow.

Sunday, May 29th: We went to church. Fed the Elders lunch. We rested & ate supper with Sister Kirkland, Jim & Pam Stansell & Ann Owens. We had a very good visit. We are glad to have help fellowshipping Ann Owens❤️.

From President Deiter F. Uchdorf: "Exaltation is our goal, discipleship is our journey".

May 16th - May 22nd

Monday, May 16th: we cleaned & went to the Chriopractor. He was unable to adjust my back b/c my muscles are so tight. He wants me to go to the massage therapist & said that I could have his appointment tomorrow. Rested the rest of the day & used heating pad & cold packs on my back.

Tuesday, May 17th: we had a district meeting today in Jackson & fed the missionaries at Subway afterward. I had a 2:00 appointment with the massage therapist. Wow, she has been doing this for 21 years & she is really good. My back feels so much better.
We delivered a birthday candy bar to Bill Wicklund. We visited with Ann Owens, our investigator & Brother Winer. His wife recently died & he has been really upset about it. He was baptized about a year ago & his wife didn't want him coming to church so he has been inactive. We have really tried to encourage him.

Wednesday, May 18th: we had an appointment with Brother Winer but he wasn't home. We found out later that he had to work late.  We went to see Amy Renfroe but she wasn't there. We have been by there so many times. We went to see Johnny Lee Carsen & he told us that his family was going to come to church!

Thursday, May 19th: went to the chiropractor & he was able to adjust my back. It feels so much better. E. Sadler went home teaching with Brother Huddleston & visited several families. We had the Book of Mormon class. Went to the Wicklund's after that & got a bunch of food. We took the Cockrum's food to church & put it in the refrigerator b/c we had no room in ours. The Stansell's also brought us some co-op food!

Friday, May 20th: went to the dentist at 8:00 am & found out that I have an abscessed tooth & it will need to be pulled. We took food to the Cockram's. We called Tammy Flowers, Rachel Carrin, Kay Middlebrooks, Katie Hall, Holly Elmer & Brother Knight. We went to visit Lisa Chambers. Went to visit Michael Williams but he wasn't there.

Saturday, May 21st: we bought a lazy boy! Delivered more food to the Cockram's. Visited with the Knight's. Visited the France family but they weren't home. Cooked country fried steaks for tomorrow.
Sunday: went to church. Our investigator, Ann Owens was there! Fed the missionaries after church. E. Sadler took Brother Simmons the sacrament.

Sharing a quote from Dallin H. Oaks:  "So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and ministering of angels."

May 9th - 15th

Monday, May 9th: we were going to meet Melissa at the strawberry patch but it was closed. We visited a bunch of people today. We visited with Thelma. Went by to visit Ann Owens but she was sick so we didn't go in but talked to her at the door for a little bit. We visited with Brother Saylers. He is almost blind & almost deaf. He can't hear my voice so Elder Sadler has to talk to him (loudly!). He is an interesting man & lonely so he always enjoys our visits. We also went to see Brother Hawkins, Sister McLachlan, Andrew Groberg, Bryce Bateman & Brother Bagwell but none of them were home so we left a note on their doors. I called Jara Barringer & left a message.

Tuesday, May 10th: today was our pday so we ate lunch with Brother Numa at the senior center (lol) and he & Elder Sadler played pool. They had fun! Then we went to Noah's Ark which is located outside of Locust Grove. There were peacocks walking around in the parking lot! I tried to get a picture of them but they kept walking faster & making a noise that really did sound like they were saying "help!" It was really funny! This is a great place to visit! They had one exhibit with a lion, tiger & bear together--they call them the blt! They bonded when they were young & love each other. It is something to see. They have exotic birds that will "talk" to you, monkeys, an ostrich followed along us for a while on the other side of the fence! I think he was hungry! And lots of other animals.

Wednesday, May 11th: I went to the chiropractor. We visited Sister Elmer & had a great visit with her. She is not a member & her husband is inactive. We asked her about taking the discussions & she said that she would talk to her husband about it. We went by & visited with Sister Wilcox for a little while.
Later we had a branch missionary meeting. We have a great branch mission leader, Brother Jones.

Thursday, May 12th: we got up really early, took the missionaries & went to the Temple & then had zone training. It was awesome! We got co-op food from Pam & Ann & took the Cockram's food to the church refrigerator b/c we didn't have room for it all. We went to the Book of Mormon class.

Friday, May 13th: went back to the chiropractor. Delivered a ton of food to the Cockram's. We delivered bdcb to Sister Carver, Sister Johnson, and Sister Kirby. We took a Book of Mormon to Sister Tillman that she had requested. She wasn't there so we left it on the patio (it was a clear day!) later we got a call for Elder Sadler to give Thelma a blessing. She was very upset but felt much better after the blessing. Brother Niles & the Stansells were there also. She is much loved in the branch.

Saturday, May 14th: we had Shundra & her two children's baptisms this morning. It was a great baptismal service! We went & got Elder Walker & his companion, Elder Fia Fia & took them to the baptism b/c Elder Walker helped teach them. On the way Elder Fia Fia told us about his grandfather joining the church & his great grandfather disowned him so his grandfather chose a new name & he picked "Fia Fia" b/c it means happy in Tongan! We thought that was a great story! After we took them home we had a senior missionary couple's get together at the Jimmy Carter museum & had supper. Some were going to the Nashville Tribute Band concert after supper but we were worn out so we went home. We heard that the concert was awesome.

Sunday, May 15th: we went to church. We took Thelma to the Stansell's and had supper with them and Ann Owens. We had a wonderful dinner & visit.

Oh carpenter of Nazareth, this heart that's broken past repair, this life that's shattered nigh to death, oh can you mend them carpenter? And by His kind & ready hand, His own sweet life is woven through, over broken lives until they stand, a new creation "all things new". (George Blair)

May 2nd - May 8th

Monday, May 2nd: we fed our Elders & the Stockbridge Elders breakfast & visited with them for a little bit. We cleaned the apartment, cooked lunch & studied.

Tuesday, May 3rd: we had a district meeting in Stockbridge. Zone leaders attended. Took Elder Waite & Elder Dixon to the Hibachi Grill on the way home. Elder Dixon can put the food away! We had an appointment with Tammy later in the afternoon but she cancelled on us. Called Kay Middlebrooks this afternoon & talked with her for a while.

Wednesday, May 4th: we went to the Sister Training Meeting in Fayetteville. We took the Stockbridge sisters. It was a great meeting. President & Sister Foote are always inspiring.

 Sister Lydia Jones, Sister Sadler, and Sister Kiana Creech

Sister Sadler with Sister Lydia Jones

Thursday, May 5th: Our new elder who has only been out for three months when he came here (Elder Dixon) is really sick. Elder Waite & Elder Sadler gave him a blessing. I have really tried to make him feel at home here--he is very shy. Elder Sadler helped Sister Ann Knight with the scouts tonight b/c Brother Knight was sick. Pam brought us a bunch of co op groceries & we got a bunch of co-op groceries from the Wicklund's & we took a bunch to the Cockram's.

Friday, May 6th: we made a bunch of visits today! We went by Amy Renfroe's (for the umpteenth time) but she was not there. We went to Sister Philips & talked with her husband (she was sick). We visited with Brother Winer--he is still grieving (his wife passed away). We visited the ladies in the nursing home, Sister Cox, Dorothy & Geraldine & took them some Werthers candy. They are always so glad to see us!
We went by to visit Jack & Vickie & Brother Numa but neither of them were home so we left them both a note on their door.

Saturday, May 7th: I made banana bread. Sister Shundra & her children's baptisms were cancelled b/c of a death in the family. We & the missionaries ate supper with the Knight's. The Elders & Elder Sadler gave Brother Knight a blessing & it was a special blessing. We could tell he really felt the spirit. Natalie & the kids came tonight to visit us!!!

Sunday, May 8th: Natalie & the kids came to church with us! We invited the missionaries over for lunch & Philip came right after church so we had lunch together and had a wonderful time visiting. Nat & the kids left about 7 & the missionaries came back over & visited some more. After they left Philip said, "what's next?" We had a good laugh! Busy but fun day!

I love this quote from President Monson: there are hearts to gladden, there are kind words to say, there are gifts to be given, there are deeds to be done.

April 25th - May 1st

Monday, April 25th: Mondays are our p day’s & we fed the missionaries breakfast—Elder Waite, Elder Walker, Elder Erickson & Elder Mende. The last 2 are in the Stockbridge & they were in Jackson to hang out with our elders on p day so we fed them too. E. Sadler cleaned the car inside & washed the outside. I cleaned the apartment some & rested my back—used the heating pad & it helped.

Tuesday, April 26th: We had a district meeting today & fed the missionaries afterward. Took Brother Knight’s heating pad back to him & bought one. Sister Wicklund called & had some co op food for us & the Cockram’s so we got it & delivered food to the Cockram’s. We also visited the Huddleston’s and E. Sadler worked on notes for the Book of Mormon class while I studied the scriptures.

Our last district meeting with Elder Walker who will be transferred tomorrow. Transfers are hard!

Wednesday, April 27th: Well, today is transfer day & Elder Walker is being transferred so we took him to the transfer meeting. I will miss him so much! He has been here for about five months. Our new missionary is Elder Dixon. I went with E. Sadler to do home teaching afterward. We visited with Brother Stafford, went by Tiffany Brooks’ home but she wasn’t there so we talked with her husband for a little bit & left the h.t. message for her. We went to see Fay Peder but she wasn’t home either so we left the h.t. message with her grandfather. Later we taught Tammy the second lesson. Her mom, Sister Cockram & her sister, Debbie who are both members sat in on the lesson. it went well.

Thursday, April 28th:  Today Brendan is a year old! I send him a birthday card. He is such a cute little boy! I made banana bread today. Gave some to the missionaries and took the rest to the Book of Mormon class. We had seven people there including us which is a pretty good attendance! Afterward we went to pick up co op food & it was a lot of food. We stored the Cockram’s at the church & in the refrigerator there b/c it was too late to take it after class.

Friday, April 29th: We took a ton of food to the Cockram’s (that was from the Wicklund’s). E. Sadler had a bad headache so we rested the rest of the day.

Saturday, April 30th:  The missionaries went with E. Sadler to a service project through the Red Cross. They gave away & installed smoke detectors.

Sunday, May 1st:  Melissa, Kevin, Nathan, Kaitlyn & Hailey came to church with us & spent the day. We really enjoyed their visit!  E. Sadler gave Brother Price and Saundra & family rides to church—he had to make two trips to get them all there.  The missionaries ate lunch with all of us afterward. After they went home we visited with the Huddleston's & saw their new baby goat!

I wanted to share with y'all part of Elder Eyring's talk from conference: ...the first thing you must commit to is to go & serve, knowing that you do not go alone. ...The second thing you must do is remember the Lord as you go in service for Him. The Lord not only goes before our faces and sends angels to serve with us , but He also FEELS THE COMFORT we give others AS IF WE HAD GIVEN IT TO HIM.

I would like to close with a quote from President David O. McKay:  “Every member…a missionary! True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow man. This is the spirit of missionary work."