April 10, 2016

 We awoke early this morning to loud claps of thunder and lots of rain.  A few hours later, looking out our front door, everything appeared clean and bright and smelled so fresh!

We had a fun week with Lynda and Susan.  They left on Thursday to go home.  We were able to see the sights, watch conference together, attend Scripture Study, become acquainted with the missionaries, visit Hamilton (Missouri Star Quilts), had lots of fun visits, etc. etc.  We were glad they were able to come!

On the way back from Hamilton we stopped and took a picture of a field with Purple Fetch.  It is a noxious weed that the farmers don’t like but is so beautiful.  There was also an outhouse in the middle of a field.  You don’t see many of those anymore. (Thank goodness!)

Field of Purple Fetch

Out House on road to Hamilton

 Friday we had a Bar-b-que with the farmers and friends of Adam-ondi-Ahman.  We had about forty-five attend.  It was fun to see everyone and to have the new missionaries meet the farmers and some of the people who live in Jameson.

AOA Fisherman on the left.  AOA Farmers on the right

 The sisters that were in charge of the lunch decorated the picnic tables in the mechanic shop and had the buffet on  both sides of the car lift.  They were

very creative!

Never have used a car lift for a buffet table....
 One of the most touching pictures I took was a picture of Sis. Cox(missionary) and Sue Cox (Farmer’s mother).

Sister Cox with Sue Cox (DelRay Cox,  farmer in background)

When Elder Christensen was here last month he asked it we would choose a couple of missionaries for a special assignment.  With the farmers permission he wanted the missionary couples assigned to help research their family name.  None of the farmers are members of the church.  Sis Cox was assigned to the Cox family and she was telling Sue what she was doing.  Sue and her family are thrilled to see who their relatives are, are the other farmers.

Yesterday Elder and Sister Thompson called and wanted us to take them to an estate auction for Steve Atkinson’s mother (Fisherman of AOA) that had passed away a few weeks ago.  It included her items, her parents’ possessions and those of a sister that are now gone.  There were so many people, including antique dealers and two auctioneers.

Estate Auction

 Many hand made items, quilts, afghans, doilies, household items, various collections, furniture, farm equipment, etc.  etc.  A whole life of “things”.  Things that would have been of great value to the families, but not as much to the buyers, except for the bucks they could collect.   I talked to one of the daughters and she said what a sad day it was for her, with so many years of memories. It really made me realize how these were all “things” and we can’t take any of them with us. All we have is the knowledge we gain here in this life and the ability, if we live worthy, to be with our families together forever.  How grateful I am for this knowledge.

 Hope you all have a great week and know how much we love and appreciate you!