Twas the Week before Christmas

Last week, with all the activities and three Christmas program practices, made this week seem a little calmer: but like always in the mission field it was still busy. First a update on "Bob". He looked a little peaked on Sunday when the Elders and I visited him. Gramma and I got to see him later in the week and he was much improved. His daughter was there with him and she told us that one of the reasons he loves our songs so much is because when he was young he and his four brothers had a singing group that sang at various churches. He and she were so appreciative of our visits.

Gramma wanted to get the missionaries from our district and the Spanish district together for a little Christmas party. With four sets of missionaries schedules it was not easy, but we did find a time at lunch on Wednesday. We had pizza, pop, and cookies. Always a big hit with missionaries. We had bought some small gifts; ties for the Elders and some kind of lotion for the Sisters. It was fun and of course Gramma had them play a game. We had a great time and after a hour and a half it was back to work for them.

Gramma got to teach an investigator with the Sisters, and we had another investigator come to our Bible class on Wednesday. We review the weeks "Come Follow Me" lesson at that class. I went with the Elders a couple times and as usual did quite a bit of ferrying around missionaries. We got a wonderful surprise on Friday with the news of our first great granddaughter, Charlotte Sue Despain.  That name has a little southern ring to it. We are so excited and wish her and her parents well. What a great Christmas gift.

The singing at the nursing home went well except a lady in a wheelchair kept going from person to person telling them she had to go home, her mother was waiting. There could be several meanings to that. She is the lady in the wheelchair with her back to us.

The Spanish Elders had left, but the manager insisted on a group photo for their Facebook post. Apparently she has posted other pictures and a video of us performing. It is nice to be appreciated.

We went Caroling on Friday night. We found three of six houses with the people home. They all thanked us. One dear lady said it is the first time she had ever had carolers come to her house. The seventh stop was a member of the Ward and she invited us in for cake and ice cream. She was so glad to see and hear us.

I am going to post this blog on Saturday night instead of the usual Sunday. We have permission from President and Sister Clayton to travel to Conner and Samantha's open house.We are leaving after church on Sunday and driving to Virginia. We will stop in Huntersville, North Carolina Sunday night and then to Leesburg on Monday. Tuesday morning we will take Wayne, Joy and Zach and head back to Atlanta for short visit with us. It is a long drive and we are hoping the traffic won't be too bad coming back. It will be a long drive and there are no 80 mile per hour speed limits here to make good time. The next blog will be after the holidays. Again we wish you all a very merry Christmas. We love all of you and miss you, especially at this time of year. Be good, do what you know you should do, be kind to everyone, and remember that we love and pray for you each day. Thinking of y'all here in Georgia. Grandpa and Gramma Hammond