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