2020 Begins

This has been a slower than normal week since the holidays. It is probably a good thing since we are still recovering from our Christmas travels and visitors. The weather has been rainy and much cooler. It got down to 33 degrees last night. This week we lost two missionaries that have been in Jonesboro since we arrived in September. Sister Strickland went home to Washington (only to head to BYU-I after a few days at home).  Elder Augir was transferred to a new area after being here for six months. We will miss both of them. Transfer's were on Wednesday. We drove the Sisters to White Water Chapel in Fayetteville. On the way we stopped at the Chik-fil-A Luau restaurant. We met the Elders there and we took them to lunch as they were leaving the area. Transfer day is always a exciting adventure. Most of the missionaries have no idea who their new companions will be and they are excited to see old friends from past areas.

We received a new Sister, Sister Schwartz from Mill Creek in Salt Lake, and Elder Jensen. Elder Jensen was our Zone Leader here in the Conyers Zone, but now is our District Leader and he and his companion have a pickup and are called  " Moving Elders." When Elder Kone (senior missionary over housing) needs help he will call  them and they and the truck will help with the moving. They still have to get their proselyting done in their spare time and they still have to share the truck with the Sisters, so they will be driving the pickup some days. They are excited to do that. Sister Nelson is from Arizona and loves trucks. Sister Nelson and Schwartz were companions in the MTC, so they were thrilled to be in a companionship again. 

These changes always mean changes with the singing at the Golden Crest. Besides our two new missionaries there was also a new Spanish Elder. Luckily Gramma is good at organizing the entertainment. They still appreciate the programs we do very much. Gramma even added a violin this week played by Sister Nelson.

Friday we went to Sharpsburg to Costco and it is about a fifty minute drive. Gramma was going to be tested for hearing aids, but the inner ear picture showed a blockage of wax in her right ear.  They won't test the patient unless they have a clear view of the ear drum,  so we had to go to a medical care clinic  in Peach Tree City. They removed some old wax plus a patch of dry skin from her inner ear and she found she could hear a little better immediately. She has decided to wait until we are home to do anything about hearing aids. She was close to a nicer shopping center so we checked a few post-Christmas sales as well.  We found a music store and purchased a few piano arrangements of the gospel songs that the elders and sisters sing.  We need anything to give it a little variety.

Gramma and I have been a great help to the missionaries that have to share a car. We help them  getting from place to place, but Gramma's music skills are appreciated by both the Ward and Spanish Branch. Each week she plays the organ at the branch, sometimes in the ward, and even in Primary occasionally. A priest (senior in high school) is also trying to take a few piano lessons.  They are originally from Togo, Africa, and that is where 1% of the Hall DNA originates.  Visiting with his mom, we now consider ourselves cousins.

We will be having an interesting week again. We have President and Sister Clayton's interviews at the Stockbridge Chapel, Bible study starts again, and of course Golden Crest. Gramma assisted the Sisters teaching another investigator this past week and we are never quite sure when they (Elders and Sisters) will call and need us to help. We will be ready for what comes and we are also looking for a better way to make contacts with people on our Ward list. We miss all of you and pray for you always. We hope that you are accomplishing the righteous desires of your hearts. We love y'all.

Gramma and Grandpa Hammond