I think you will see more of this on this blog in the future. We have had a little taste of the LDS music scene and it is unbelievable as to the amount of talent among the LDS faithful here. We have been to firesides, small gatherings homes (where the living room could hold our house), and other performances that are beyond professional. Some of the folks here are writing songs that have "topped the charts".
One such family is the Lowes. They have performed in Branson, MO for the past 10 years and have now moved to Nashville to do more music writing. Check them out on the following U-Tube video and I think you will see what I am talking about. I think they will be moving up and they are faithfull Latter-day-Saints.
http://youtu.be/MaQ0UxGWjeQ
More when I am not so tired.
Elder, Grandpa P
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
A Day in the Life of.....
It's raining out side. I'm tired. Why?? Let me tell why with a description of a typical day.
We arise about six (Sis. P is usually up before that). We rush through scripture reading and other study, getting ready, fixing our sack lunch, and cold cereal. We leave for the office about 7:30 AM arriving about 10 to eight. (Elder and Sis. C are always there before we arrive. I think they sleep at the office.) I turn on my computer and check for messages. I have three new oil changes that are needed which will need letters to the missionaries, payment over the phone with my credit card when done, and all the paperwork put back in the computer. I now prepare a report on vehicles for the Monday morning staff meeting at which the President casually mentions that six new vehicles are waiting to be picked at the ford dealership. I round up people to help, sign my life away, bring them back to the office, and prepare glove box packets with insurance, credit card and log book. I then have to prepare 5-way files for each to track miles, repairs, service, accidents, and new car info., and its only noon. I then work with the President as to where the new cars will be assigned. He will take them out this next two weeks to zone conf. and trade them for the old (those with about 55,000+ miles) vehicles which I will then turn into a used car salesman.
Yes folks, go on a mission and sell cars. Now there is a good advertising line to attract new sr. missionaries. I have to prep them, contact potential buyers, advertise (they are great deals. You want one? They are well maintained and in excellent shape).
Then my cell phone rings. "Elder P. This is Sis. Goodlife. Someone ran into us. What do we do?" Or, "This is Elder Hansom. My car stopped in the middle of the road and won't start. What do I do?" By the way these phone calls go on at all hours that missionaries are awake. They didn't tell me that I need to get my cell phone surgically implanted on my hip. (See earlier blog post).
The next day Sis. P, the financial and housing specialist take a load of furniture to a new Elders apt. about 150 miles north in Kentucky. That kills the whole day. The cell phone keeps ringing.
This week is new missionary week where I give training and collect driver information in preparation to giving permission to drive a mission car. The next day we go to the temple with departing missionaries. The next few days are zone conferences where we usually inspect the cars. We don't have to this time as the President is departing in a week and is just saying good by.
That was Monday. Now for the rest of the week. (Maybe more duties later). Now you can catch a hint as to why you should not wait until you are 70 to go on a mission.
Elder and Sister P.
We arise about six (Sis. P is usually up before that). We rush through scripture reading and other study, getting ready, fixing our sack lunch, and cold cereal. We leave for the office about 7:30 AM arriving about 10 to eight. (Elder and Sis. C are always there before we arrive. I think they sleep at the office.) I turn on my computer and check for messages. I have three new oil changes that are needed which will need letters to the missionaries, payment over the phone with my credit card when done, and all the paperwork put back in the computer. I now prepare a report on vehicles for the Monday morning staff meeting at which the President casually mentions that six new vehicles are waiting to be picked at the ford dealership. I round up people to help, sign my life away, bring them back to the office, and prepare glove box packets with insurance, credit card and log book. I then have to prepare 5-way files for each to track miles, repairs, service, accidents, and new car info., and its only noon. I then work with the President as to where the new cars will be assigned. He will take them out this next two weeks to zone conf. and trade them for the old (those with about 55,000+ miles) vehicles which I will then turn into a used car salesman.
Yes folks, go on a mission and sell cars. Now there is a good advertising line to attract new sr. missionaries. I have to prep them, contact potential buyers, advertise (they are great deals. You want one? They are well maintained and in excellent shape).
Then my cell phone rings. "Elder P. This is Sis. Goodlife. Someone ran into us. What do we do?" Or, "This is Elder Hansom. My car stopped in the middle of the road and won't start. What do I do?" By the way these phone calls go on at all hours that missionaries are awake. They didn't tell me that I need to get my cell phone surgically implanted on my hip. (See earlier blog post).
The next day Sis. P, the financial and housing specialist take a load of furniture to a new Elders apt. about 150 miles north in Kentucky. That kills the whole day. The cell phone keeps ringing.
 |
| Zone Conf. inspections |
This week is new missionary week where I give training and collect driver information in preparation to giving permission to drive a mission car. The next day we go to the temple with departing missionaries. The next few days are zone conferences where we usually inspect the cars. We don't have to this time as the President is departing in a week and is just saying good by.
That was Monday. Now for the rest of the week. (Maybe more duties later). Now you can catch a hint as to why you should not wait until you are 70 to go on a mission.
Elder and Sister P.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Ever Been To a Mule & Horse Pull?
Being senior missionaries does allow for a little diversion once in a while. With our office companions we traveled to Bowling Green, KY to a horse pull-not your everyday event. Elder C is from Filmore and owns several of these animals (Belgium draft horses) that have hooves the size of a dinner plate. In this event mules or horses work in teams to pull a sled loaded with an increasing heavy load of blocks - up to over 5 tons.
Two horse mule power
Through a process of elimination the team that could pull the weight 30 feet or the farthest at the last won the event. It was interesting how determined the animals seemed to be to move the load.
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| How many men does it take to stop a mule? |
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| Some very big horses!! |
In late afternoon our friends took compassion on us non farm folks and suggested we head home even though I'm sure they would have liked to stay for the horse portion of the pull.
The lesson - get out of your comfort once in a while. You may like it.
Nuff said, Grandpa P.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Bet you have never done this!!
Our job with the Tennessee Nashville LDS Mission is to provide support to the missionaries so their job is easier. I am the "car czar" and Sister P is the "money moma". I take care of the vehicles and she fills the missionaries bank cards each month. This sounds rather straight forward but it does have its down side. After two weeks of training by the out-going missionaries, they gave me this little black thing called a cell phone and said "by the way, you have to keep it with you all the time". It seems young missionaries have a habit needing advice on what to when their car quits in the middle of the street or they back into something, and they do this at odd times of the day or night. I also have to pay for lube and oil changes, repairs and such and I never know when they will call. (I could get to hate cell phones).
Anyway, to the title of this post. One day I though I could get away from it all and go to the "library" for a few minutes. You you guessed it. The blessed phone rang and a vendor needed to be paid which I did over the phone. I bet none of you have ever paid for a lube and oil while on the "jon". I think I will forget the photos for this post, besides, I haven't figured out how to add photos yet.
Nuff said for now.
Anyway, to the title of this post. One day I though I could get away from it all and go to the "library" for a few minutes. You you guessed it. The blessed phone rang and a vendor needed to be paid which I did over the phone. I bet none of you have ever paid for a lube and oil while on the "jon". I think I will forget the photos for this post, besides, I haven't figured out how to add photos yet.
Nuff said for now.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A New Adventure
This is truly a new adventure -- into the world of missionary work and the bloggers world. Lets see which one does me in first. Stay tuned for what the future has to hold.
My objective with this endeavor is to record impressions of our mission activities and the world around the Tennessee Nashville Mission. This is not a journal (I don't do journals, my companion does that oh so better than me.) You will have to forgive the flaws of these posts. I have fat finger syndrom on this laptop and also have an inability to spell that I have brought with me from birth. (My wife does not agree with that).
Thats all for now. Look forward to irrigular posts to this location. You will also see this blog change in appearance as I learn new things.
My objective with this endeavor is to record impressions of our mission activities and the world around the Tennessee Nashville Mission. This is not a journal (I don't do journals, my companion does that oh so better than me.) You will have to forgive the flaws of these posts. I have fat finger syndrom on this laptop and also have an inability to spell that I have brought with me from birth. (My wife does not agree with that).
Thats all for now. Look forward to irrigular posts to this location. You will also see this blog change in appearance as I learn new things.
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