Cars, churches, and BS'rs...(can sister Casper really say that?)

It's Saturday again and time to remember all that has happened this week.  Weather wise it has been glorious!!!!  Between 75 & 80 something and not too bad on humidity and the sun has been shinning and of course everything is sosooooooooooooooo green. Last Saturday it was about 90 & 90% humidity and for the first time I was sticky and uncomfortable.  Elder Casper has been uncomfortable before, but last week was a first for me.

 

Saturday we did spend some time at the office – Elder Casper had an accident he was dealing with and I always have LOTS to get done.  We only meant to go in for an hour and 4 hours later we wrapped it up and came home.

Elder Casper, the senior & Elder Casper, the Younger ; Elder Mills (1^st Assistant) & President Irion are dealing with a tricky situation.  The Tennessee Knoxville mission has to give 5 cars to the Tennessee Nashville Mission.  That means several of our companionships will be losing cars and will be bike or walking—no none wants to do it, but we are obedient and so they are working things out to figure who loses what and who goes where.  In addition we have transfers on the 28^th with 18 new missionaries coming in on the 27^th – 8 missionaries going home on the 29^th – and some of our visa waiters are starting to go to their assigned missions.  There is excitement and joy and consternation and frustration and every other emotion you can imagine.   The priesthood is working hard to make it happen and make it fair – glad I am not responsible.  I only have to listen to some of the weeping & wailing & gnashing of teeth at the outcome. (again sister Casper has had 5 teenagers... I'm sure she is use to all of this)

Sunday, President & Sister Irion spoke in our ward.  Great meeting – they are so good.  It was fun to watch the investigators watch and listen.  The investigators really pay attention!    Our girls, Sister Preston & Sister Malloy had 3 investigators there – Elder Christensen & Davis had 3 investigators there & Elder Lutu and Hunter had one and then a less active member they are trying to help.  Great meeting for them to be at.

A week ago Friday – Elder Casper got the Tennessee Knoxville mission blog, http://tkmcars.blogspot.com up and running. (Wow, Papa is growing up in this tech savvy world)  He also sent a blast email out to the Mission Stake Presidents and Bishop’s letting them know the cars were now ready to be sold.   On Monday he received a call from a counselor in the Rocky Face Spanish branch (we are in Tennessee remember) wanting to come see a car.  He came on Wednesday – liked what he saw – his wife liked the car too – went to his credit union and got a check and bought the first car.    He wasn’t able to get it until yesterday – check had to be sent to Salt Lake & salt Lake had to send the title to Tennessee, but yesterday he came and got the car.  They put a temporary tag on it to get it to Rocky Face so Elder Casper has the Tennessee plate off the car – I think he is going to frame it.     On Thursday he sold another car – returned missionary getting a car for school and work.  This car has repairs being taken care of and then the elder will get it.    In theory – the remaining 5 he needs to sell have been sold to one guy who is going to bring in a check this Monday.  I think the guy is a BS’er but what do I know.  By this time next week all the cars could be sold and gone and Elder Casper will feel as if he had died and gone to Heaven.   Both Elder Casper’s maybe in Nashville on Friday as the take the cars we need to give to that mission down to them.  As hard as the giving the cars up is – I think  they will both be glad when it has been done.

I spent the week getting materials ready for new missionaries and transfer day.

I need to tell you about the churches here.  There are not only churches on every corner – but all down the blocks.  I have never seen so many or seen so many different names.  My favorite are the civil war area churches – still active – really interesting small buildings and the all have a cemetery with them.  It is really special.    We go from that to great, huge, majestic and absolutely incredibly beautiful facilities!!!  The different denominations are side by side or across the street from each other and they  are breathtaking.  Then every once in a while you will see an LDS building and it is so comforting – it is coming home.  There is a church we pass everyday on our way to the Mission office or church or the store or wherever we are going.  It is the Fuse Church – and sports complex.  It has a sign saying come worship physically and spiritually and it is huge.  The signs are also orange – don’t know if that has meaning or not.     So lots of churches with lots of attendance.     When you go to a restaurant, you see families & individuals bow their heads for a blessing on the food.  Sometimes they pray silently and sometimes verbally and everyone is very respectful.   Then you go outside and see the sign for the South’s largest adult store – anything you want you can get.

We also have just a fun time with the squirrels – real animals.  As we lay in bed at night we can hear them drop on to the roof and run across. It is kind of fun.