Sunday, June 22, 2014

As we left chilly Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday morning and flew home, we were able to stop in Frederick at the Olive Garden to meet Tina, Kristyn and Elinn, Emma and Matthew for some quality family time and dinner.  The other kids were all gone doing other things.....i.e. campouts and beach trips and trips to Utah.

Saturday morning the TASK became a 'reality' as we began to pack our little Honda CR-V!!!  Miracles DO happen......and my MIXER!!!

THIS is what we were hoping to get in the car.....plus the stacks of clothes folded and ready to load.

 And here is PROOF that we made it!!!!

And.....

And.....

After a very, VERY rainy drive down through Virginia, we finally made it to the outer limits of our mission boundaries~~~ NORTH CAROLINA,  sweet HOME~

First stop was to Gene's for a GROUND STEAK SANDWICH.....

 ABSOLUTELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT, the very best there is to be had!!!

Did I mention was a MISERABLE rainy drive it was to get to North Carolina.  Would NOT have wanted to be these guys on motorcycles.

Sunday morning brought us to the Mt. Airy Ward where my parents attended church.  Still a LOT of familiar faces there and great to see them.  Sharon (my 1st cousin) and her husband Lester were at church so we got to visit with them.  SO good to see them.

John Bradley was there in the ward.  Good to catch up with him too.  We got to see his mother.  His father was on a High Council speaking assignment.  Great friends.

As we headed down the road to Kernersville Ward, we drove past our beloved PILOT MOUNTAIN!  Love that Mountain!!!

While visiting the Kernersville Ward we got to see another 1st cousin, Aleta, and her husband.  How fun to catch up with them as well.

Polly and Wayne McNeill were there as well.  This is the chapel (at least the new chapel) where I was baptized at age 8...and we were in the Colfax Ward.

The church cemetery is out back of the chapel.  We visited there so we could see Annie Gay and Herman's grave site.  I haven't been here in a LONG time either!!

Such wonderful memories as we began our mission today!!!  I have a feeling I (or WE) are going to LOVE this mission.  We feel sooooo blessed.