Week 61

This was a rather unremarkable week--we just did all our usual things.  One exception was that we went to visit the seminary in Leesville, and because of a theft at the church, the class has moved to the teacher's house.  She and her family live on post at Fort Polk, so we had to go early (read, arrive at the post at 5:40 am--we got up at 3:45 to get ready and make the hour drive) so we could get cleared for entrance.  Once you hand over your driver's license, an electronic background check is performed.  We were pleased that the checks cleared us to enter the post.  The teacher is another of the new folks we trained earlier this fall, and she was fantastic. With six students, hers is one of the largest classes, and the students were attentive and highly engaged in the lesson.  Thinking of this early-morning seminary scene being played out all over the globe is amazing, humbling, and gives hope for the future.

Since there isn't anything too exciting to report this week, we'll just mention a couple of things seen around town.

1.  Coming from a state with strict laws on the sale of alcohol, it still amazes us the amount of space devoted to alcohol in virtually every store from Albertsons to Sam's Club and Walgreens.  But even more interesting is the popularity of daiquiris.  There are little drive through daiquiri shops all over the place. In fact, one of the Subway shops shares its little building with a daiquiri shop.  In addition, these drive through liquor stores stay very busy. 

2.  We see great white egrets almost every day, and never tire of seeing them.  We see fewer great blue herons, but last week we hit the jackpot by seeing lots of these fabulous big birds.

3.  Don't think we've mentioned the armadillos; every state bordering Texas must have them.  We never see live ones, but smashed ones on the road are fairly common.  Not as many as we had in Oklahoma, but more than the none we ever saw in Utah. Lots of possums and a few racoons end up as road kill, too.

4.  Yesterday was the Alexandria Ward Thanksgiving Dinner.  The Marksville Branch was invited to come, and many folks did.  It was very fun with very good food.

Wish we had more interesting things to report, but life is good and the mission is good.

Week 60

This has been a wonderful week.  At the prison we had another inmate join our group.  He had been working in foodservice and couldn't get off during our meeting time, but he changed jobs last week and so can come from now on.  That will make five regular attenders.  We are still surprised that going to the prison is one of the highlights of our mission.  Going to the other prison has been a bit more frustrating--we really enjoy meeting with the inmate when we do, but that prison has a lot more lockdowns that prevent us seeing him.  This week, however, the chaplain thinks he forgot to sign up for "call out" so when it was time to come he couldn't leave wherever he was.  Prison is called prison for a reason.  Freedom is so restricted, and frankly, it's a dreary life behind prison bars (and razor wire and gates, and guards, etc, etc).

After Oakdale prison this week we drove south and west instead of home to visit the Rosepine seminary.  The new teacher (who we trained several weeks ago) is very enthusiastic and does a wonderful job.

Thursday was the first of the seven-week Temple Preparation class for some couples in Marksville who are getting ready to go to the temple.  They are so excited and anxious to learn, and we had a wonderful discussion.  Before class, one of the brothers brought another some squirrel snares he had made.  They are great friends and love to hunt (just about anything).  The snares may not show very well in the picture, but it was very educational to learn how you trap squirrels!

Chris, Ryne, and the squirrel snares

On Friday we took four elders to Gonzalez, just outside Baton Rouge, to do exchanges with the elders there.  All the missionaries were to come to Baton Rouge or close by in preparation for the mission conference on Saturday.  The conference was in conjunction with the re-dedication of the Baton Rouge Temple on Sunday.

After we dropped them off, we drove on to New Orleans to see my old friend Lynn.  She and her husband have been mostly living in New Orleans for the last six years for his work as director of photography for the television show NCIS New Orleans.  He was working, but Lynn, Kerby, and I had fun visiting, riding an old streetcar, eating beignets and hot chocolate, and exploring the French Quarter.

By and on the streetcar and at Jackson Square

Beignets and hot chocolate at Cafe du Monde

Fabulous carnival masks at shop in the French Quarter (most are made out of leather--not your children's party masks)

Joan of Arc (the Saint of Orleans) and a lovely balcony

 To make the day even better, Kerby's son, Kirk, just happened to be in New Orleans for a meeting.  After leaving Lynn, we met him at one of my favorite restaurants in NO--Mr. B's Bistro--and had a lovely dinner and lovely visit.  After that we drove back to Baton Rouge (just over an hour away) for the night.

Saturday the whole mission gathered at the Baton Rouge stake center at 9 am to get into place for the picture with Elder Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elders Duncan and Martino of the Seventy and their wives.  This is only the second time since we've been here that the whole mission has been together, and it's quite a sight to have all these dedicated missionaries, young and old, in one place.

The general authorities arrived at 9:30, and after the pictures were taken, they went to the back of the chapel, where all the missionaries walked by and shook their hands. What followed was two hours of absolutely marvelous instruction and spiritual uplift.  My notes here won't convey the majesty of the meeting.

First Sister then Elder Duncan spoke.  He referred to 2 Nephi 33:10 in relation to a recent poll that showed Mississippi and Louisiana (the two states in our mission) as being the number 2 and number 4 states in religiosity in the country.  "And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words. . . ."   They were followed by Sister then Elder Martino, who spoke mostly about becoming disciples of Christ not just through what we do, but the attitude and motivation with which we follow Christ.  Do vs Become.

Sister Cook led us in a fun and uplifting musical break with a variation of the hymn Hark all ye Nations.  She then spoke about the Christlike attributes discussed in Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel and how we can find hymns to support and enhance our use of each attribute.  She said that even though no one is perfect, we can all do perfect things each day.  Elder Cook gave powerful instruction about and testimony of the Savior. It truly was a spiritual feast.

After time to visit old companions/friends, we packed up our elders and headed back to Alexandria (by way of Canes--the best chicken fingers anywhere).  There's really not much room in the far back of the car, but they were good sports about the cramped conditions.

Elders Rowe, Stacey, Glade, and Alvey

This morning the re-dedication of the Baton Rouge Temple was broadcast to several church buildings throughout the temple district.  When this happens, the building becomes an extension of the temple, and only those with a regular or special use temple recommend can attend the meeting.  It was a treat to hear from the temple president and matron as well as the six who had addressed us on Saturday.  But today the focus was all on the temple and the part it plays in Heavenly Father's plan of salvation for all His children.  After the talks, Elder Cook gave the dedicatory prayer.  Another spiritual feast.

Now a dedicated temple

Some of our Marksville Branch members who attended the re-dedication

Week 59

Not that we're marking time, but four months from today we head back to Utah.  I'd say "head home" but we're homeless since we sold ours before coming on the mission.  Seemed like a good idea at the time, but now it's a little scary.

We finally started seeing fall color this week.  There are so many pine trees and live oaks, which don't turn color or lose their leaves, that we can drive long stretches between colorful hardwoods.  Always fun to see a little burst of red or spot of orange as we drive.

Proof that fall comes to Louisiana--eventually

While coming back from the prison in Oakdale, we took a little side trip to see Camp Claiborne.  This is the site of the birth of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions during WWII.  They had prominent roles in the war--82nd was involved in the invasions of North Africa and Sicily, and the 101st was in the Battle of the Bulge.  Not a lot to see now, but always good to remember the many who gave so much as we commemorate Veterans' Day tomorrow.

On Friday we went to the state fair in Shreveport.  It was rather disappointing as most of the livestock had been removed, and there were very few other interesting displays.  However, Kerby was transported to his teens when he saw the white tractor. It was just like the one he used to drive when spending summers on his uncle's ranch in Laketown, UT.

A blast from the past tractor bottom left--modern version on the right

When we first saw the "we buy pecans" signs last fall, we were quite confused--shouldn't they be selling pecans?  Then a sister in the branch cleared our confusion.  Many people have pecan trees in their yards that produce more pecans than they can eat.  Many places will buy those home-grown pecans and shell, clean, and sell them to distributors.  As this sister said, her trees produce "enough for the squirrels, enough for me, and enough to sell for a little Christmas money."  The variety of pecan tree that yields the thin shelled nuts we eat today was developed on a sugar cane plantation down near Baton Rouge.

Signs like this pop up all over

Yesterday there was a stake youth activity.  The first game was devised by the on-line seminary teacher, and we went to be judges/coaches.  It was based loosely on the game Cranium, and we had fun working-playing with the youth for about an hour.  They went on to have some carnival type games after we went home.

Doctrinal Mastery game

Week 58

From October 24-31 we were in Denver with the Marsh family--featuring new baby Doug. We were so happy that we could go and help out (as well as snuggle grandchildren).  There really isn't a lot to say, so here are the week's pictures.

Brand new Doug with mom and dad

Being grandma

Being grandma some more

Big sisters

Being papa (or horsey)

The weather (and altitude) were quite a change from Louisiana.  It snowed off and on for a couple of days, and when we woke up on Wednesday morning, it was 4 degrees.  Papa walked Wendy down the hill to school and picked her up each day.  School was cancelled on Wednesday, however, because it was so cold.

A cold walk

 On Tuesday the ward had a trunk or treat, but had to move it all inside because of the cold and snow.

Dad and the trick or treaters

Saturday my great niece Rachel got married to Jamas in the Salt Lake Temple .  A happy event we were sorry to miss.

Happy couple

We have no insights into why the chicken crossed the road, but we had to wait for these four to cross on our way home from church today.

And finally, one more picture of our new little grandbaby and his adoring sisters.