Sunday, April 19, 2015

This past week found us on the road again....this time to the North Carolina Raleigh Mission.  They were having two days of Zone Conferences in addition to a Senior Missionary Conference.  Half of the mission this week, the other half of the mission next week.  The President and Mission President's wife call this the 'Fun Zone Conference'.  This week it was being held in Wilmington, N.C.  It was a 7 1/2 hour drive from Peachtree City for us.

Fortunately, we were able to do a free upgrade to a king suite for the 3 nights we would be at the Hampton Inn.  Makes it easier to get 'set up' and work from the hotel room in the evenings.

The first night we got there we went down to Wrightsville Beach to walk on the pier and see the view.  The last time we went we got there at dusk and we couldn't see anything at all!  It was perfect this time.....albeit very WINDY!  Normal for the ocean.

We got some very pretty fotos of the ocean, the Oceanic Restaurant where we had dinner with the Burnsides, who joined us and sunset over the ocean.

One little piece of training that took place was making sure the missionaries knew exactly what to do if they needed to evacuate in the event of a HURRICANE!  Complete with buckets for their 72-hour kits if they needed them.  Great directions and council for the missionaries if they will just do that.

After lunch, the missionaries got their Preparation Day clothes on to have some activities.  Wouldn't you know it....one elder ended up with a badly sprained ankle!!!  Good thing we brought a pair of crutches with us.  They were needed.  The Elder ended up being taken to the ER for an x-ray.  Fortunately he did not break it.....just really badly sprained.  That was the only injury of the day.

On Wednesday afternoon when the young missionaries finished their part of the meetings and activities, it was time to switch gears.  The Senior Missionaries had a meeting from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.  After that we went to the Pilot House for dinner.  It was very nice and overlooked the Fear River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean.  There were about 24 of us.

On Thursday, as a continuing part of the Senior Conference, we all went out the Ft. Fisher.....a strategic spot for the Civil War.  It was a bit rainy but not a downpour.  Because the Fort is located on the Ocean, Wayne and I walked over to the shore and walked a little bit to get a good view.  Hence, the selfie.

 A little collage of some fotos taken as we were out walking around Fort Fisher.

After the tour of Fort Fisher we went out the the N.C. Aquarium and looked around....it was fascinating to see the ALBINO ALLIGATOR which was the first one I have ever seen.

After the morning tours, we returned back to the church for lunch and to hear President Brue, of the Mission Presidency, speak about the history of the Wilmington area....both community and church.

We then drove around the old part of Wilmington with Elder and Sister Burnside to see some of the things President Brue spoke about.  Below is the original chapel in Wilmington.  Looks a lot like the Arlington and Chevy Chase Chapels built in the same era.....late 1950's.

Friday morning we headed out and back to Peachtree City.  But we stopped at the USS North Carolina Battleship to take a quick tour.  It was drizzling a bit, hence the umbrella.  And, of course, we are still on call.....24/7.  Wayne got a phone call just as we got on the ship deck.

 Another collage of fotos from our time to Wilmington.

Saturday found us attending a luncheon at the historic restaurant in downtown Atlanta.....Mary Macs Tea Room Restaurant.  It was very nice.  This was attended by some of the Senior Missionary Couples from the Georgia Atlanta Mission.  Wayne took the foto and therefore not in it.

Chatting outside the restaurant before departing to our homes.

I was able to finish the baby blanket to send to baby girl Pavel and Elenna in Finland!  Their little girl is due in May.

We needed to get a few groceries on the way home.  Yup....it IS spring in the south as evidenced by all of the GOLF CARTS in the parking lot at Kroger's!!!

I made my CARROT MUFFINS with a recipe given me by Mary that I met in the milk aisle of Kroger's.  It is good and I think I will be making it again!!  Kiitos Paljon Mary!

We are giving a medical presentation next week at the NASE Area Mission President's Seminar.  The Area Presidency, Elders Soares, Elder Zwick and Elder Kopischke, has asked that we, along with Elder/Dr. Bean (NASE South Area) and Elder and Sister Hardgrave, Area Mental Health Directors, attend this training.  We feel honored to be invited.  We were gathering little 'gifts' to hand out with our presentation.  Don't worry.....we have more than these couple of Atlanta Georgia pens.....we have enough for ALL those attending.

And thus we end yet another very active week.  We are gearing up for another active week!  The End!