Thursday, November 26, 2015

Here are some more pictures from yesterday and Monday.

Scale Model

Williamsburg

Williamsburg

Williamsburg

Lindsay & Irene finally got caught!

Williamsburg, but a typical Kyle Barney Wreath.

Williamsburg

Bob's favorite shop

Elder and Sister McCabe

Just some pictures to remember.

Past due--Nov. 25

We have been enjoying Lindsay stay with us. She arrived on Saturday and we took her around the area, to Wegman and to a seafood grill. We enjoyed church and we taught her a lesson on self reliance. Monday we were able to set up a visit to the Navel base with elder and sister Macabe. They were the very best and treated us to a wonderful lunch on the base. After that we took the light rail to downtown Baltimore and inner harbor for some fun. Tuesday we helped prepare lunch for zone conference in Baltimore and then took Lindsay to the DC temple and did a session.  We enjoyed the Christmas trees in the visitor center.

Today we drove to Williamsburg Va. with permission from our mission president and truly enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in old colonial town of Williamsburg. Tomorrow we will visit Jamestown  and Yorktown.  Then enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant. I Do Not Have To Cook. 

This year I am grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission and invite others unto Christ who makes all things possible. We love Maryland and the people we call friends and family.  Below are. Few pictures of these past few days.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Last week we helped Sister Christiansen with the Zone Conference Luncheons, which is always alot of fun.  We served BBQ chicken sandwiches on Tuesday to the Winchester WV Zone; Wednesday clam chowder and taco soup to the Martinsburg, VA Zone; Thursday stuffed baked potatoes to the Frederick, MD Zone; and Friday BBQ chicken sandwiches to the Annapolis, MD Zone.  Yesterday we served clam chowder and taco soup to the Baltimore Zone and today we drove to Williamsburg, Virginia for Thanksgiving.

On Saturday, Lindsay flew in to have Thanksgiving with us, but first we had some things to do.  Sunday she went to Church with us to the Brooklyn Park Branch.  She met most of the people we have included in previous blogs.  On Monday, we went to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and Elder and Sister McCabe took us on a tour of the facility.  Below are some pictures.  I was impressed with the scale models of sea vessels in the museum.  There were at least 100 of them.  Tuesday, she helped us with the Baltimore Zone luncheon.

We left about 1315 hrs for Baltimore's Inner Harbor.  We took the light rail from the North Linthicum station to Camden Point and walked to the visitor center.  The guide told us about the free bus system in the inner city, so we took advantage of it and did some sightseeing.  We concluded our sightseeing at Vaccaro's Bakery in Baltimore's Little Italy section.  The place came highly recommended from one of Lindsay's friends, who said the eclairs was to die for.  Well, it was pretty good and huge, but cost $7.00.  Irene bought an little Italian Pie and a cannoli for $7.00.  I bought some cookies and the cost was $22.50.  OH MY GOODNESS!  For Monday night's dinner, we had a pastry party.

I'll include pictures in the blog tomorrow, because the internet here is really slow and no pictures are uploading right now.  As I said earlier, we are in Williamsburg, VA, and this is a pretty cool place.  I'll include pics of this place as well.

Tuesday, November 17th

Trip to Winchester, West Virginia.

Today we left early to drive to zone conference in West Virginia. The mission home wood floors were being redone so I cooked bbq chicken for about 45 minutes.  I could smell it all night as it cooked. I got up 3 times to check the meat. One time to shred the 48 chicken breasts. I don't know how Sister Christiansen does this all the time. I am so glad I could do this for her. They are in a hotel for 3 days. All during 6 zone conferences. 

On the way there this morning-- I must say it is beautiful even those the trees are just about bare we passed the Shenandoah River. Below is pictures of what I saw. 

This river is a tributary of the Potomac river. It is 56 miles long and has 2 forks that are 100 miles long each state of Virginia and West Virginia. The picture just doesn't do it justice. 

This was a beautiful day.

Saturday, Nov. 14th 2015

 A view of our week.

Great plans sometimes just don't turn out the way you hope. We had hoped to teach 6 lessons during the week and had it all scheduled but one by one they all dropped their day for one reason or another. I am learning being a missionary requires patience and prayer for those whose timing isn't the same as yours.  We did manage to teach 2 lessons on self reliance and gave service so all was not lost. 

We were able to borrow 2 twin mattresses from the mission so Lindsay will have a bed to sleep on this week when she comes for Thanksgiving. I can't wait. 

Thursday we were able to help at a missionary training in walkersville. Such a beautiful farm area and then that night we fed the Elders. Bob left after dinner to teach a recent convert how to look up his  genealogy. I stayed home because after dinner I slipped on the kitchen rug and took a nasty fall.  Grateful I didn't break anything or make a hole in the floor. I was sure the tenants below us thought the worst. My pride was hurt more than anything and I felt very sore that night and next day. 

Friday Bob helped fix a few things at the mission home and I shopped at the mall. I know I got a few good deals. No hurrying on my part.

We love our mission more everyday. The lord is so kind and loving to us. He helps and blesses us with thoughts to act upon and people to teach. I am more and more convinced that the gospel changes lives. Mine being one. It brings hope to those in dark places, fills everyone with light and truth who are willing to listen. Happiness comes with the love of the Savior. I love the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel.

Dinner with our new Elder Tharp-- in the sweater. Notice my bowls. A Goodwill find. I got them for $1.50 a bowl with lids. That night I made taco soup with rice and all the trimmings.

Below is the after math of my fall as I hit the cupboard door. And to top it off the next morning I asked Bob to hang up the TP on the side. He thought it was real funny so I took a picture. Remember ladies words mean everything.

Sunday, 8 November 2015

Last Sunday at 5:00 p.m., our Branch President and his wife had a little social at the church for their son, who entered the MTC this last Wednesday.  His name is Mark Dotimas and will serve in Des Moines, IA Spanish Speaking.  He will make a great missionary.  There was lots of food!

President and Sister Dotimas

 Tuesday, Irene and I spent most of the day at the Mission Home in Ellicott City, MD.  Irene helped Sister Christiansen with food preparation for the elders and sisters who were coming in that evening.  I was able to do some things for President Christiansen and all in all is was a great day, especially when the new elders and sisters arrived at the home from the MTC (mission training center).

There were five elders and three sisters being transferred from the Pasadena and Glen Burnie Districts, so we made them a little "being transferred gift" similar to the ones we made on the previous transfer.

Elder Carlson was transferred from Brooklyn Park to Baltimore Inner Harbor.  We hated to see him transferred, but were excited to have Elder Tharp from Magna, UT take his place. 

Sister Moore, Elder Carlson, & Elder Moore

Elders Skarda on the left and Carlson, both were transferred.

Six of the "Transfer Gifts"  Three Elders & Three Sisters.

 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

This past week Irene and I helped Sister Christiansen with the Sisters' Conference held in Walkersville, MD.  Irene helped with the conference and I was in charge of the luncheon.  They also provided breakfast for the sisters; french toast and a yummy sauce to pour over it (oh my goodness, that stuff was so good I could have drank it!), fruit, bacon, juice, and chocolate milk.  Delightful!

I recruited Elders Baker from Fort Meade and Jaccard from Hagerstown to help me with the lunch.  Sister Christiansen planned the meal, purchased the food and transported it to Walkersville; all we had to do is put it on the trays and try to make it look "pretty."  I don't think we did too badly for three old guys who could care less about how it looks as long as it tastes good.

On the way back from the conference my phone rang and since I was driving I gave the phone to Irene to answer.  It was a man who just moved to Brooklyn and wanted to know if we had a copy of the Book of Mormon to give him so he could read it and get baptized.  She took down his name and phone number and I called him when we got to the apartment.

He said that he had started reading the Book of Mormon but his son may have thrown it out by mistake.  He said that what he had read impressed him and he wanted to read the rest of it.  I told him that I have enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon because of its testimony of Jesus Christ.  I also told him that I enjoy reading the Bible too, and the two books testify that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer and the testimonies they give fill my heart with gratitude for the sacrifice Christ made for each of us.  We will see him this week.

Elders Jaccard, Baker, and I prepared these meat trays for the lunch.

Sisters renewing friendships.

Lots of fun.

Lunch time!

Entrance to the hiking trail

Waterfall along the hike.

Lake at the end of the hike.