Winter has come to Tennessee

We have had snow and rain and then some colder temperatures this past week. But it is very mild compared to what we have in Idaho. It does make things difficult for people here. Every road is a hill up or a hill down. There is so much wooded areas that many people look like they live in the forest and even with the leaves off the trees it is very shady so the roads and drives do not get sun. Thus we had only 1 hour church and 3 wards met together today. It was the strangest things because every road e drove on was clear and there was not ice anywhere in fact most of the snow was gone.  But I guess last year they had such a bad time with snow and ice that they just don't want to take any chances. I think winter is over because we are to have 50 degrees this week. We have had some interesting things this week mainly with ward missionary work. We scheduled to visit some new converts. We found one family home.  Chuck and Cheire Murphy he as homew but not his wife. The place was smokey and so cluttered and junky you could hardly get in. So much different than we live. But he was gracious and apologetic for the condition of the place.  His wife did not tell him we were coming. He lives with this mother who has Alzheimer's and his wife's daughter who seems to have some health issues. We talked and found out how he joined the church.  We told him we would look for him this Sunday at church. He said great he would be there. With three wards meeting together I wasn't sure he would come or get the word that the time had changed. As we went to get our coats he was standing in the hall.  I was really glad to see him and he looked so much better than the night we came. White shirt tie suit oat and a smile. We talked some more and I felt better about this man. He is trying to keep a positive outlook but he lives in such strange circumstances. We talked about meeting his wife. The more I think about it I think she ducked out so she didn't have to see us.  I suggested to Chuck that we go get dessert sometime. It would give them an out from taking care of his mother and the his wife can meet us not in the circumstances that exist right now. He seemed to really like that idea. We hope we can encourage and lift burdens that he carries.  Today we invited a Brother Feliciano to have dinner at our house. He lives with his parents he is about 50 and does not have a job right now so he had to go live with his parents. His parents hate Mormons   He is divorced and had son living with him and when he had to live his parents the parents must not liked having the grandson there I think is about 13. So his son had to go live with his mother in Norht Carolina. It was very hard for Brother Feliciano because his son was a baptized member and his mother is not. But I think the sister missionaries are visiting them and keeping track of his son. Such hard things members of the church deal with because of the past situations they have been in. Yet you see and feel that they will not give up on what they know. They don't live as committed at times but they do know the truth. My feeling is that they are building the foundation for me there in there family. We are so lucky and blessed because we have had foundations already set in place and we just continue to add strength to the already foundations n. However if we step away from that strong foundation we can see that we will slip and be on sandy foundation. Hey that reminds me of a primary song. The wise man and foolish man. 

  Speaking of songs. Dad and I decided we were going to memorize hymns. So this week we have been working on Where can I Turn for Peace.   Just when we think we have it down we get mixed up. Start when you are younger then it might be easier. At the mission office we cleaned the storage room that has all of the office supplies and church literature. It was in disarray. And dad did a great job. I have been working on travel. This week we have transfers, new missionaries coming, and the releases of 13 going home. It is a busy week.  We are trying to help Sister Simes who has to make sure there are places for new missionaries to live. Then she found out that one apartment needed to move because the apartment was invested with bugs and it takes 5 weeks to spray and arradicat the place. So she had to find a new place for those sisters.  We are doing well. We sometimes have a lot to do and then at others times we need to find things to do. Thus dad is going to build a zip line in the president 's backyard. They have a 10 year old girl that will love it. We love you all and hope you are happy and doing well.  Please continue to remember grandma and Uncle Gregg in your prayers. I have heard he is doing well with such a strength of spirit that it is visible to see in his countance. We appreciate your prayers. This is a good thing to do but it is still hard not to miss home and family. Love you all and continue to pray for you. Love SisterChristensen mom grandma