Tennessee History Part 1



The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's Home




Jackson's original house (top half.  The original was two-storied)


Tennessee is rich in history and we have been privileged to wander in and near some of it.  Andrew Jackson is prominent here and has left a lasting legacy.  He experienced the revolutionary war at a young age.  His father was killed in the war and I am sure this set his direction for the rest of his life.

"On his journey from a Revolutionary battlefield at age 13 to two terms in the White House as America's seventh president, his unconventional, often controversial-and always fiercely held-principles and vision shook things up politically, culturally, and on the field of battle." from the tour brochure.

Back side of the Hemitage

The Hermitage was a cotton plantation of about 1000 acres.  It employed up to 80 slaves and was very prosperous.  For a lot of years, Jackson and his beloved wife Rachel Donelson, lived in a two story house that was very well decorated.  When they build and moved into the Hermitage, they converted their old house into slave quarters.  They stripped everything to the log walls, removed the 1st story, and converted it to "proper" slave housing. 




Slave quarters




Family grave site.  Some more important slaves also burried here.




Garden flowers



Monument built for Jackson's beloved Rachel.
Jackson buried here later.



Garden flowers

  The home has an extensive garden with all that would be expected to sustain a household that did much intertaining including friends and many visiting important people.  While president, Jackson only returned to the Hermitage three times as it took ten days to travel from Washington.



Near Jackson's grave

 The Hermitage today is fully restored with many original features.  Guided tours are provided with headsets for adults and a special tour for children.  If you are near here it is well worth the time to visit.
From the brochure---"In the perception-altering experience that is The Hermitage, you'll find not only the man, but also the seeds--and spirit--of the nation he helped shape."

                            Ya'all come

QUESTION??

Which inspires and has the most influence?

Mission Miracle

Miracles happen in the mission field.  (For example, I made it here.)  Two of our missionaries survived a horrific accident a couple of weeks ago where their car was totally destroyed and they survived with relatively little injury.  So being the "Car Czar", I am a little sensitive to something happening to "my" cars.  But that accident is not what I want to talk about. I am going to tell you about the Miracle Van.

The Assistants

First let me say a quick word about these wonderful young men.  They are about the most obedient people I know.  They do nothing wrong (except maybe eating too often at Sonic).  If I had a granddaughter of marring age, these three would be on top of the list of my choices.  You may hear more about them in future blogs.

On with the story.  Last Monday, we picked up a new Dodge Caravan for use by the Assistants and the President and his family.  When I got back to the office they were waiting and salivating at the thoughts of driving this wonder car.  (See Jeff.  Some young people appreciate fine cars).  I knew we had something special as it said Miracle on the back of the car.  (It's from Miracle Dodge).  They wanted to take it for their evening appointments, so I let them with my empty threat, "You get a scratch on it you are dead meat". 

The next day they told their tale.  While stopped at a light, an old green car came down the hill directly towards them out of control.  No way was it going to avoid them. All they could think of was "Elder P. is going to kill us".  Just as impact was about to happen, another car came through the intersection on the green light and was t-boned by the out of control car, saving our van. A miracle.  The guy ran off, a hit and run.  The elders stayed and helped the lady who was hit and even got a teaching appointment out of the incident.

Why were our Elders saved?  Pure and simple.  Obedience.  It pays.

The Salt of the Earth

Elder and Sister "C"

In historic times and before, salt was of extreme importance. It is an essential compound to maintain life. Without it food does not taste as well. But most of all we take it for granted. It's always there when we need it. But this has not always been so. At times, wars have been fought for salt and salt was used as a valuable medium of exchange. Like many things in life we don.t know the true value until we don't have it anymore.

Now let me tell you about some "salt of the earth" that we have found here in the Tennessee Nashville Mission. I hope if they read this, now they are no longer with us in the mission office, they will forgive me for the spotlight. Elder and Sister "C" are those rare people most of us meet a few times in our life that we instantly bond with and become fast friends. I hope that now they are home they will not forget us. But in the short time we had together, they taught us much about giving to others, testimony, hard work, and loving the Lord and his children. They were always at the office before us and we couldn't stay long enough to leave before they did. If something needed to be done for the mission or missionaries they did it in spite of any inconvenience to what they had planned. We are finding it hard to fill their shoes but are trying.

We often judge others by their appearance. From the above photo would you believe this man has been a bishop and stake president, raises and trains Belgium draft horses, has owned and flown his own airplane, and been mayor of a central Utah town? Sister C is a mother of six and filled many Church callings along the way. In the mission office she keeps the missionaries supplied with referrals and did all the mission correspondence.  She was always helping in the mission home when mission events took place.

This salt has not lost it's savior and I doubt it ever will.  I hope we will all look at the things of true value in our life and hold on dearly.

Great and Spacious Buildings

"...a great and spacious building; and it stood as if it were in the air"

These "great and specious" buildings are what we see when we go to the office every morning, and these are just a few of the total.  The forests in Brentwood and parts of the Nashville area are full of them.  We are hoping they have a parade of homes sometime so we can see inside some of them.

What about the contents; the people?  Are they mocking?  Many times I have looked at similar homes in the foothills in Utah and asked why people thought they needed such a big house and all the good they could do with all that money.  Of course my house is just a little small for our needs, and could use some fixing up.

Then one Sunday night we were invited to a members house (yes, one of those houses).  It was an evening of music by LDS people, some professional, some not.  It was extraordinary and one of the most uplifting evenings I have spent in a long time.  The member that hosted the evening is a gifted pianist who played, with another member, hymns of our choosing and they arranged them as they played.  The point is, she could not have hosted this event in my home.  We don't have two pianos, not even one.  (She has four).  Should I judge others?  Not if I follow the example of the Savior.  I don't walk in their shoes.  I don't know what they do with their money, what good they do that would be impossible with out their income.

Then, how many look at my five bedroom house in Utah and wonder what good I could do with all that money.

Lawrenceburg Lions

Here are some more lions for Charlotte.

Some lions guard driveways.  Some guard museums.  Some just sit there and don't move.   

These guard the memory of someone we have all heard of including many legends of dubious historical accuracy.

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee is the one time home of David or Davy Crockett.

David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was a celebrated 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician. He is referred to in popular culture as Davy Crockett and after the 1950s by the epithet “King of the Wild Frontier.” He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the Battle of the Alamo.
Crockett grew up in East Tennessee, where he gained a reputation for hunting and storytelling. After being elected to the rank of colonel in the militia of Lawrence County, Tennessee, he was elected to the Tennessee state legislature in 1821. In 1826, Crockett was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Crockett vehemently opposed many of the policies of President Andrew Jackson, most notably the Indian Removal Act. Crockett's opposition to Jackson's policies led to his defeat in the 1834 elections, prompting his angry departure to Texas shortly thereafter. In early 1836, Crockett took part in the Texas Revolution and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo in March.
Crockett became famous in his own lifetime for larger-than-life exploits popularized by stage plays and almanacs. After his death, he continued to be credited with brazen acts of mythical proportion. These led in the 20th century to television and movie portrayals, and he became one of the best-known American folk heroes.<sup>[1][2]

Thank you Wikipedia.</sup>

LDS Music on The Nashville and National Scene

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

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. 

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.

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.  





How many men does it take to stop a mule?



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.

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.

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.