Week 69

I was sick all week and only left the house to go to the doctor--once for me and later for Dwight (we'll talk about Dwight later). I am taking an antibiotic to treat pneumonia and am feeling a lot better. However, I missed out on so much.

Yesterday, was our senior missionary field trip to Tryon Palace in New Bern. Tryon Palace was the first permanent capitol of North Carolina. It was the home to Governor Tryon and his family. It was built in 1770. Dwight and I had visited the Palace years ago, but it was a new experience for the rest of the seniors. I wish I had been able to go. It sounds like they all had a great time. Dwight came home not feeling very well. :(

This morning Dwight woke up feeling awful. He thought he had strep throat, so he made an appointment at Urgent Care. It turns out he has bronchitis. So now we're both taking an antibiotic and will, hopefully, both be back to normal soon. 

Before we went to the doctor, we watched the Primary Program on Zoom. That is something else I wish I could have attended. The kids were so cute. I got this screenshot of one of our sweet Haitian Primary children with her teacher.

We also, unfortunately, missed the baptism of our friend Paulimis today. He has the biggest smile. He asks great questions, and is really kind. I'm looking forward to congratulating him in person.

Elders Hafen and Bates, Paulimis, 
Elders Smithson and Hasen

These next pictures may seem a little random. I'm going to try to explain what my thought process has been. Just remember I've been sick, so I might not make sense and I may ramble. :)

Because I've been sick, I haven't felt too bad about watching-as Dwight calls them-my Dodgers in the playoffs and World Series. Watching the Dodgers play baseball always takes me back to my childhood. I remember hearing the voice of Vin Scully on the radio and my dad cheering. I loved the sounds of baseball even before I was old enough to know what was happening. We'd watch the Dodgers on TV, and sometimes my dad would take us to the cheap seats, which back then were only $5, at Dodger Stadium. So this was a long way around to say, Dodger blue is part of my family and brings me great feelings and memories.

Same thing for BYU. My mom was a BYU Cougarette. Dwight and I are both BYU alumni and love BYU. When we go to games, we tailgate with family and friends. We've been watching BYU football this season win game after game. They are now 8-0, but even in losing seasons, I love my BYU cougars. BYU blue is a part of our family and gives me sweet feelings and memories.

The American Flag--I love my country. When I see the flag, I remember saying the pledge everyday in school as a child. I remember voting for the first time. I remember learning about our founding fathers. I am so grateful for our freedoms. As I've been watching ballgames, I keep seeing election commercials that make me sad. I don't like contention. However, no matter what happens, I'm grateful for this wonderful country. The red, white, and blue runs deep in my blood and brings me deep feelings and memories.

The Dodgers, BYU, the American Flag are some of my favorite things, but they are not the most important things; and they may not mean anything to other people. There is One that can bring peace, love, and hope to everyone. That one is Jesus Christ. When I was a child, I remember singing songs about Jesus during family night and in Primary. I remembering feeling the Holy Ghost, which I now know was a testimony that I was singing truth. I remember my dad teaching my Book of Mormon seminary class and feeling the Spirit. I remember my mom telling me, "Remember who you are," each day as I left to go to school. I know she meant, "Remember you are a child of God." All of these memories are a part of me and strengthen my testimony that Jesus is my Savior and that families can be together forever!

We love you all!

Sister and Elder Potter

Week 68 - Dwight

 This week, the Albertson Ward lost one of its long-time faithful members.  My earliest memories of church include Brother James and Sister Betty Joe Jones.  He was a constant, a fixture in the ward that was just always there doing good.  His funeral was on Friday.  He will be missed.  The ward will not be the same without him.

We had a number of things planned for this week, like going to the temple to do baptisms and lots of visits and a birthday celebration!  Most everything got postponed because we were sick most of the week, especially Susan.  She's still got a lingering something and hopefully she'll get well very soon, because she's needed so very much here.  Too bad it was her BIRTHDAY this week and she was not feeling well at all.

BYU Birthday Surprises!

Friday was Susan's birthday.  Since she wasn't feeling well, we stayed home most of the day.  She (we) is a huge BYU fan and since her birthday was also gameday, her gifts included a BYU rug, umbrella and blanket.  Luckily, the Cougars were able to pull off a late come-from-behind win to cap off her birthday with something, besides a cough and a fever, to remember.

Even with the sickness, we were able to accomplish a few things this week.  We delivered a mattress to a needy family, helped the missionaries over the phone as much as we could with lessons, arranged a few meetings, helped with some work applications and rental agreements and helped get several new people to church today.  I also helped my friend JR medicate his cat several times, until she decided to scratch us both and we had to regroup a bit.  Every day we felt like we accomplished something, but just not our usual selves.

Haitian Adult Sunday School Class

It's amazing watching the Haitian new members teach each other during Sunday School and other classes at church.  We had close to 40 of our Haitian members and friends at church today.  Usually about half are not members of the Church.  The young missionaries are working hard to invite as many people as possible and we're loving getting to know and love them all!

As I consider our sickness this week and my friend, that's going through a lot of health challenges with his feet to the point that he may lose one or both, I realize that we often take our lives for granted.  When we get injured or lose function of a body part or get sick, we realize how blessed we normally are when everything is working well.  We are so thankful for every blessing we have, for our lives and our family and our friends.  This week we're not taking as much for granted and realize that every blessing comes from a loving Heavenly Father who knows us perfectly.  As we face and overcome challenges we grow.  We're growing this week!  Love you all!

Elder and Sister Potter

Week 67

When I looked at the pictures from this week, I couldn't believe that they were all from the same week. This week has been full of lots of unusual activities. Monday started off with having Joseph and Becca here. They came for a night and spent part of the day with us. We went to the famous Mount Olive Pickle plant store and had tons of fun! :) We went to the Cliffs of the Nuese--a state park that's down the road from us. Joseph remembers going camping there when he was a kid. And we ran by Joseph's old elementary school (Spring Creek) and our old house that was close by.

At the Cliffs of the Neuse

At our old house--we're glad no one came out 
and asked what we were doing. :)

Tuesday we went to dinner and the temple with Gregory, Hugh, and Susan Harper. It was a wonderful night. We enjoyed spending time with friends and spending time in the temple.

This week was also Zone Conference with three zones. I love seeing so many young missionaries that have come and gone out of our zone. It's also always nice to see the mission leaders.

Goldsboro Zone and Mission Leaders (Stevens)

All the missionaries that have a birthday 
this transfer--yep, that me. :)

Elder and Sister Potter at ZC

Friday we went to dinner with Paula and Frankie Jones. We had a great time visiting and eating really good Peruvian food. I had no idea a place like that existed in our area. While we were waiting for them to arrive, I said to Dwight while pointing at a vase of flowers, "I want those on my casket." *giggle giggle* He took a picture so he could show the kids, so they will get it right in about 25 years. :) Sadly, this was the only picture we took that night.

Aren't those pretty--yellow with red--
got that kids? :)

Sometime recently I got my haircut for the first time in over a year. I hope my Utah hairdresser doesn't read this. I forgot how good it feels to get that little bit of pampering.

Right after the haircut

Dwight was really "needing" to do a tailgate for a BYU game. At home he used to do one for most home games and invite our family and friends. He loves cooking for people and loves BYU football, so it's a win/win for him. Yesterday, he finally got to do a "tailgate." He cooked hotdogs, chili, meatballs, etc. for our Haitian friends. The young missionaries tried to explain American football to our friends. The result: The young missionaries got to watch a BYU game, Dwight had to drive people home that got bored, and some of the Haitians fell asleep. At least BYU won. They are now 6-0. The young missionaries decided they'll need to start playing futbol (soccer) with the Haitians again. They get a lot more excited about that. Here is the only picture that was taken.

At least no one is asleep in this picture.

The most important thing that happened this week was the baptism of Marie Similien. She was so happy. She smiled all day. After she was confirmed today, she walked back to her seat with a beautiful smile on her face. She doesn't speak much English, but she knows enough to let me know how she feels. Today she hugged me after church and said, "I love you." I love you, too, Marie. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple. Love Him. Love each other. When we do these two things everything else follows. When we love God, we want to keep His commandments. When we love each other, we take care of each other. I don't think you can find someone truly living those two great commandments that isn't happily being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Elders Hansen, Smithson, Bates, Hafen, and
Marie, James, Elder and Sister Potter

We love you all!

Sister and Elder Potter

Week 66 - Dwight

Kari, Linda, Dwight, Sheila

My brother Parley was three years older than me.  He was one of my heroes.  He was excited when UPS gave him an early retirement option when he was only 55 years old, because he and Sheila could now do something they very much wanted to do.  Parley did not serve a full-time mission as a young man and he always looked forward to the time he could serve a mission with Sheila.  They got the call to go to Russia and were having amazing experiences!  They had been out about 18 months and had three months left.  I was excited that they would soon be home because I was working on a major project, that was literally over my head and I needed my big brother's help.  In the middle of the night we got a call from Sheila, and Parley had died of a heart attack while serving in Russia.  I miss Parley.  Sheila came to see us this weekend, and we've done a lot of reminiscing while we've watch General Conference. 

My sister Linda's family, Sheila in the mirror

My sister Linda and husband Donald are still here in NC.  I took a somewhat candid picture of the family.  Sheila tried to avoid the photo, but I caught her in the mirror!  Kari, Linda's daughter has been making apple jacks at the Wayne County Fair all week and Linda's been helping.  We headed over to the fair this week, because Kari's apple jack's are free to missionaries!!

Wayne County Fair

Susan loves the animals!

 Today we had a group of our Haitian friends at church to watch the 1st Sunday session of General Conference together.  It was all in Creole and I'll have to watch it again to get the full meaning as I'm still learning Creole.  Haitian's tend to love music and I love hearing them hum along to the hymns the Tabernacle Choir was singing, even though they didn't know the tunes or the words.

General Conference with our Haitian friends

Everybody enjoying Conference

This week found us helping some of our friends, rent a new house, get to work because of car problems, hook up utilities, and a few other things.  My buddy JR got out of the hospital with both feet still attached.  The doctors wanted to amputate one, but they're going to try antibiotics for a month to see if it can be saved.  I sure hope so!  Took him breakfast today (including my favorite - grits!) and met his daughter and her family.  What an amazing person!

The highlight for the week had to be the baptism of Monica, a 13 year old Haitian girl that we totally love.  She was so excited and so ready.  It was a little sad because none of her family was able to attend the baptism, with the exception of her 5 year old nephew.  He was excited to be there!  In any case, the baptism was great and we celebrated at Wendy's (Frosty) afterwards and helped her buy a few needed school supplies - which was fun.

Elders Smithson, Hafen, Bates, and Hansen; Monica, Jason, Susan, Dwight

Celebrating at Wendy's

We've had a lot of questions about the floods in Western NC that happened last weekend.  It's just devastating, all that has happened.  Here in the eastern part of the state it was just a lot of rain with no real damage.  We're ok, but our hearts go out to all those that have and are suffering with loss of homes, businesses, and family members.  We thought we were going to help with the clean up this weekend, but it's been postponed until next weekend because they just weren't ready for us.  Not sure how much we can do, but if we can relieve the suffering just a little bit and provide some hope, it will be worth it. We don't always know why some things happen, but God has a plan.  If we follow in faith all things will turn out for our good, because He has designed everything for our eventual happiness.

We love serving here on this mission.  We are the ones receiving the most benefit and learning and growing so much.  We love the people here.  We love the experiences we're having.  We feel so blessed and have to pinch ourselves occasionally to confirm that all this is real!  We thank Heavenly Father that He sent us here.  We thank you for your love and support.  We love you!