September 12th - 14th

Monday, September 12th:  We had the Elders, Hanson & Brannon, and Tristen and his Aunt Debbie over for breakfast. We all enjoyed the food and fellowship. Afterward we gave Tristen and Debbie some towels and things, including some extra food that we won't have room for in the car. We went to the bank to close our account, and took the AT&T equipment (for internet) to the UPS store in McDonough. We packed and went over to have supper with the Knight's and it was a surprise party for us. Most of the ward was there. It was so sweet of the Knight's to do that for us.

Tuesday, September 13th: We packed and the missionaries helped Elder Sadler take some extra food we had over to the Watkins. Elder Sadler said that Sister Watkins really appreciated it. We packed and cleaned.  We went over and visited with Kim and the Wicklund's. I am really going to miss them and their sweet pets. Their pets have been my "pet therapy" especially Virtue & Maggie, the little chihuahuas.

Wednesday, September 14th: We loaded both cars, packed to the gills and headed to Conyers for our last zone meeting. President Foote had already asked us in advance to bear our testimonies and we did. I talked about how wonderful it was to work with the young missionaries, how much we loved them, and what a great experience it was to work with Ann, Brother Knight, and Tristen and see the progress that they have made. Elder Sadler talked about how powerful the young missionaries are and how great it was to work with them, how President Foote is inspired in his calling and how wonderful Sister Foote is. He also bore his testimony of the church and the Book of Mormon being true, of President Monson being a prophet, and the love the Father and Son have for us. The Foote's gave us an illustrated copy of the book by Tad R. Callister entitled The Infinite Atonement. After leaving Conyers we drove to Nathan's school and had lunch with him on Grandparent's Day, which was a lot of fun and we got pictures made. Then we drove to Melissa's and visited with her, Kaitlyn, and Hailey. We left there and drove home. Shirley was at the house waiting for us and we had a good visit. She helped us get some things out of the car but we had to leave to go to Troy to meet President Salmon to be released. After releasing us he told us we could take off our badges and I got emotional. It was an honor to wear them for a year. On the way home the GPS had us going a way we were not familiar with and the bridge was out.  So we went way, way out of our way and finally got back home. It was good to be home.

"The Savior empowers us with His grace, not because we've earned it, but because He loves us perfectly." Sheri Dew

September 5th - 11th

Monday, September 5th:  Since it is Labor Day we didn't have p-day today, but we did feed Elders Hanson & Brannon and Tristen breakfast, and we enjoyed being together. We are going to miss these guys! We had our last district meeting in Stockbridge. Afterward we took all the Elders to the Hibachi Grill. We found out that we can't invite the sisters with the Elders, so we have made a special effort to take them out at a different time. We had supper with the Knight's and the missionaries.

Tuesday, September 6th: So today is our p-day and Elder Sadler took Tristen & the Elders bowling. I took the blue honda in for service. Elder Sadler worked with Tristen more on family history and stayed up again past 1:00 a.m. getting names ready to take to the Temple tomorrow. Sister Foote called about getting us a book and again thanked us for our service.

Wednesday, September 7th:  We took Tristen to the Temple and had another wonderful day. I bought Tristen a cover for his quad. After leaving the Temple, Tristen's dad met us on the grounds. He seems very nice. On the way home we visited with Steve Dotson in the hospital in Covington and Elder Sadler gave him a blessing. Later he assisted Elder Brannon in giving Tristen's Aunt Debbie a blessing. I went the grocery store and got some boxes so I could start packing.

Thursday, September 8th: We got special permission to go to Barry & Toni's so we could go to Dylan's reception, which was well attended. We were so grateful to be able to go.

Friday, September 9th: We had some free time so we decided to go house hunting! We had fun looking at houses in McCalla and Million Dollar Lakes areas. We ate supper with the family, then went the football game and saw Danielle & Dallas in the band.

Saturday, September 10th: We drove to the chapel for Dylan to be set apart by President Johnson.  President Johnson gave Dylan a very spiritual blessing. Danielle, Dallas, and Bobby were very emotional. Elder Sadler drove Barry, Toni, and Dylan to the airport and later drove back to Jackson. There was a traffic jam in Atlanta.

Sunday, September 11th: We took Tristen to Stake Conference at the building on Lake Jodeco Road. It was a great meeting. Sister Tamara Jones was called to be the new stake Relief Society President! We came home, ate, rested, and planned the next few days.

"Though you may feel that no one can understand the depth of your despair, our Savior Jesus Christ, understands." Dieter F. Uchtdorf

August 29th - September 4th

Monday, August 29th:  We cleaned the apartment and took the Honda (2006) to get new tires and a front end alignment. Later Elder Sadler helped Tristen with his family history. We took him home and went to the Knight's to feed CatCat. I visited with our neighbor, Sarah, and gave her a pass along card.

Tuesday, August 30th: We had our District meeting in Jackson. Later Elder Sadler helped Tristen with his family history. Elder Sadler & the Elders help Brother Stansell move a dresser and they took it to Brother & Sister Jones. We fed CatCat. We got to talk to Griffin on his birthday! Elder Dickson took us out to eat at Denny's. We felt bad about him talking us out to eat but he insisted because he said we had done so much for him he wanted to do that for us. We enjoyed it and the food was really good. 

Wednesday, August 31st: Today is transfer day. We took Elder Dickson, as he is being transferred. On the way we took him by the Atlanta Motor Speedway and got some pictures.  We will really miss Elder Dickson.  We got to see Elder Preston Carroll! I got a picture of him & his new companion, Elder Eyre! I sent it to his Mom & she was so glad to see it & know that he is doing well. Our new missionary is Elder Brannon. Elder Brannon is the exact opposite of Elder Dickson! Elder Dickson is very shy and Elder Brannon talks a lot! When we got home Elder Sadler helped Tristen with family history. They have found several names that need their work done. When we took Tristen home we went by and fed CatCat. She is getting very weak. I am afraid that she might pass away before the Knight's get back.

Thursday, September 1st:  This morning we went walking with Tristen & the Elders. I went to check on CatCat three times today. She is really sick. The Knight's called and they are on their way home. Elder Sadler helped me water their plants while we were there. Elder Sadler did more family history with Tristen. Later we took Brian Huddleston a birthday candy bar. We gave them a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to our Book of Mormon class as they were not able to attend the class party where we gave them out. We also took Eddie Philips a birthday candy bar. His wife Amanda had just had surgery for a cyst on her back. She is doing ok. Elder Sadler stayed up until after 1:00 a.m. getting Tristen's cards ready to take to the Temple tomorrow.

Friday, September 2nd: We picked up Elders Hansen & Brannon, and Tristen and headed to the Temple. With three people in the back seat it was really crowded. It was Tristen's first time to go to the Temple. He did baptisms and confirmations for seven members of his family. I was baptized for five of his relatives. I think that was the first time I've done baptisms in the Temple because usually the kids would do them and then the grandkids would. It was a great experience. We had a few more that needed to be done but our computer didn't print them out correctly so we couldn't. Tristen wants to come back next week! He loved the Temple. I bought Tristen a quad and he was very proud of it. On the way home we ate at the Hibachi Grill in McDonough. We really like that place! We had a Book of Mormon class tonight. Ann Owens was having plumbing problems so she was not able to come. The Knights didn't get back from Kentucky until 5:00 this morning so they were too tired to come. CatCat is still alive but very sick. Thelma Kirkland came to the class and it went well. After class we took the Knights their mail and took Tristen home.

Saturday, September 3rd: We planned to walk with Tristen & the Elders this morning, but Tristen texted and said he couldn't come because his father was coming earlier than he had thought. After walking, we took Brian Carrin (the branch president) a birthday candy bar. They weren't home so we left it on his door and he later texted us to thank us. Took a birthday candy bar to Bev but they were getting ready for a wedding, so we didn't stay. Then we took Sammy Mulling a birthday candy bar. He wasn't home so we left it with his son. We went to the nursing home to visit with Dorothy Hosea, Geraldine Watson, and Mildred Cox. We always take each one a bag of Werther's candy. We enjoyed visiting with them, except Mildred was asleep and we didn't wake her up. She seems to keep getting weaker. I put her candy in her top drawer. We ate supper with the Wicklund's. They had a feast! The Elders came too but had to leave after supper. We stayed and played skipbo. Elder Sadler checked his phone a couple of times to keep up with the Bama SC game! Tonight we had our mission fast call. We love these calls! We start our fast as a mission by listening to Sister Foote read names of people that the missionaries text in to put on the roll for us to fast for. Then President Foote will pray on our behalf and those names. It is a wonderful way to start our fast.

Sunday, September 4th:  We had a small crowd at church again today. Elder Sadler & I both bore our testimonies. Elder Sadler asked for the members to do more to serve each other. Brother Knight & Tristen bore their testimonies too and both did a really good job. We had dinner with the Stansell's. We always enjoy visiting with them so much and she is a great cook! Later I called Rebecca and talked with her for a while. Then called Kay Middlebrows, but she was asleep. I asked her husband to tell her to call but she didn't. She told us later that she has trouble dialing now because of the MS. I always think of Becky on her birthday which is today and miss her so much.

"Amidst the confusion of the times, the conflicts of conscience and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives." President Thomas S. Monson