Week 92 - Dwight

JR at home watching General Conference

 We always look forward to General Conference weekend. Today we had a group of our Haitian members and fiends out at the Church to watch the 1st session of the day together.  Yesterday I hung out with my friend J R and watched one of the session at his house.  Today right after the morning session we had four baptisms.  Marc, a friend of a new member, Leila, the little sister of our friend Wolffencia, and Ernesley and Olgerry, little brothers of Brinette.  It was a beautiful service.  These kids are amazing!

Elders Nordgren, Bates & Reheis, Wolffencia, Leila, Marc, Elder Hafen, Ernesley, Olgerry, us and Brinette

This week was full of usual and unusual missionary activities.  Sister Thigpen in the Mt Olive ward lost her husband in February and we went by to see her and help her complete her tax returns for last year.  We ended up going to Smithfield to help two Haitian friends open bank accounts because they were off work that day and the more local branch of the bank had a pipe burst and was flooded. 

Friday we took a Haitian couple to Goldsboro to help them get their marriage license.  The worker at the county registrar's office offered me a job!  Apparently they have a lot of Haitians coming in for various services and they struggle to know what they want or how to communicate with them.

Wednesday I took a p-day with my friend JR to go fishing.  We enjoyed the day, but caught no fish!

JR at Topsail Island

The young missionaries call us several times a day to help with lessons, if we're not already with them.  We spent a couple of nights in Mt. Olive and Goldsboro with them this week.  It seems to me that nearly everyone we talk to loves Jesus Christ and is so interested in hearing about His restored gospel.  It's so easy to strike up a conversation. We met one guy and I thought, based on outward appearance, that he would not really be interested in learning more.  He surprised me.  Not only was he interested, but he already know so much about the teachings in the Bible.  We had a great discussion and will be going back.  It seems that these people were prepared for these times and we feel blessed to be here with them.

We have our official release date.  It's June 16, 2025.  We'll be leaving North Carolina in 10 weeks.  We're grateful for the time we have left and will make the most of it.  We're not sure how we'll manage the emotions of leaving so many people that we love, but we'll try to not worry about that until the time comes.

We love you all.

Elder and Sister Potter

Week 91

Two or three days this week were so busy that by the end of the day we had a hard time remembering what we did that morning. When we finally did remember, it seemed like our morning activity had happened at least three days ago. 

The first few days of the week was filled with service... mostly from our resident "social service" representative, Elder Potter. He had to take three people to job interviews at Butterball. He had to help one of those people get into an eye doctor and get glasses so he could start a new job. He talked to some of our friends who are concerned about their status as US residents, and helped them go through their papers, and he talked to people about taxes. He taught our weekly "Prepare-for-your-driver's-license Class" on Saturday. He also got to help the Albertson Ward with their youth fundraiser on Friday--Making and selling pulled pork dinners. He was in hog heaven... hahaha! But really, he loves cooking and feeding people.

Christmonor going through papers

Fritzler with his new glasses

Here are a few pictures from the Albertson Ward youth fundraiser. They cooked six pigs and made 750 plates with coleslaw, potato salad, pulled pork, hushpuppies and cake. We helped them last year, and I think they "only" made 400 plates. They have got this down to a science--everyone doing a job. Dwight helped with hushpuppies and washing dishes. He said he volunteered for dishes since he does them at home and is really good at it. :)

One of the six pigs

The plate assembly line

Pulling the pork

Making hushpuppies in a donut machine :)

Dwight washing dishes

When I couldn't go with Dwight--like to Butterball, etc. I stayed home and practiced the piano and put together a program for our very first Haitian Group Sacrament Meeting. We usually meet with the English-speaking ward. Why did I practice the piano? Because I had to play for our sacrament meeting. I had flashbacks to when Dwight was the Bishop of the Mt. Olive Ward in the early 90s. He had me play the piano for sacrament meeting in the summers when the regular piano player had to work at the pickle plant. Each week I would practice the 3 or 4 hymns that had been picked for Sunday. I practiced at least an hour a day because I'm not a great pianist. Each week, I felt like Heavenly Father blessed me to play the hymns so they could help bring the Spirit to the meeting. It's always been a testimony to me that God blesses our efforts.

One of the highlights of our week was teaching Brinette's two little brothers. They are sweet, smart, polite, and they soak up the Gospel. They love Jesus and love learning. I got to teach them from the Children's Book of Mormon (they speak English) and felt totally in my comfort zone.

Ernesley, Susan, and Olgerry

Olgerry and Ernesley

Our Haitian Home Evening was fun as always. Mostly just youth showed up this week. It's fun to see them forming friendships with each other. We played Pictionary and had a great time. I wish I had taken pictures of some of the Pictionary drawings!

The youth all sitting together in the back. This
is during scripture reading, so they look a little
serious. Most of the night they were giggling.

Yesterday we had another baptism. Even though we have baptisms often, each one is special. Yesterday Bernarde Marie was baptized, and she was confirmed today. She looked so happy.

Elders Hafen and Reheis, Bernarde, S & D

Today was an historic day. The Mount Olive Ward Haitian Group held its first solo sacrament meeting. We had 82 Haitians in attendance. That's a record. It was so good for them not to have to wear headphones to hear the talks. They conducted, took care of the blessing and passing of the Sacrament, bore testimonies, and gave talks. The only thing that wasn't done by a Haitian was playing the piano. As I said earlier, that took a lot of practice on my part because I really haven't played much since I played for sacrament meeting in the same building in the 90s. It was fun watching Elder Bates (of the young missionaries, he has been here the longest). He was watching everything--making sure our friends that came late knew where to go, gave direction to the those helping with the Sacrament, basically just making sure everything went smoothly.

I didn't understand more than a few words, but it was wonderful. When I was playing the piano, it was hard not to tear up listening to that room full of beautiful Haitian Saints and their friends singing--and they really sang!

To make this day happen, the whole Mount Olive Ward leadership had to help. The Haitian's new chapel is where the Primary was meeting. The Primary is now meeting where the Young Women used to meet. The Young Women moved to the nursery, and the nursery moved to a classroom. Several people in the ward came out to help move things around and clean all the rooms. It was a two-week project. We are so grateful to everyone that made it happen.

Program for first Haitian group 
Sacrament Meeting

After church--my view from the piano

After church--view from the front. This room was
actually the first chapel for the Mount Olive Ward
before the new chapel was built many years ago.

After church--view from the back

Doctrine and Covenants 6:32, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you."

We love you all!

Sister and Elder Potter

Week 90

It's hard to know where to start this week.  It has been pretty full with both of us feeling like we're getting back close to 100% after being sick.  Seems like every day brings a new miracle and more wonderful people that we meet.  We had 69 of our Haitian members and friends at church today and I don't see anything slowing down.  

The Haitian people that we meet are humble believers in and lovers of Jesus Christ.  Because of that, they are so easy to talk to about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  They naturally believe the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet.  We were visiting Youseline with the young missionaries in Goldsboro a few nights ago and talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, including faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.  Before we could ask her, she was asking what she needed to do to be baptized.  Among this humble people, that happens in one sense or another a lot.  We were visiting with the Lafortune family on Saturday night and their cousin was there visiting.  As we taught, he said, "I want to be a part of this Church."  Early in the week we were visiting Provilene's (a new member) mom .  She was asked if she would like to prepare to be baptized and she immediately said "yes." That's the normal response.  The younger brothers and sisters of Brinette and Desca (2 recently baptized members) are attending church and asking what they need to do to be baptized.  Something like that is happening every day!

Kit Kat treats

Monday I took my buddy JR to a doctor's appointment.  While he was with the doctor, I ran some errands, including picking up some of Kit Kat's favorite treats (JR's cat).  Monday night we went with our daughter Caroline to our son Jacob's house for family night with all our family members here in NC.  She took a lot of pictures with her old-fashioned-like camara.  I've included several here.  We had a great evening hanging out with family.

Caroline and niece Clara

Caroline and sister Alyssa

Caroline and nephews Von and Sully

Caroline and niece Elayna

Jacob, Clara, Caroline, Von, Susan, Dwight, Elayna, Alyssa, Daniel, Anna, and Sully

This week we helped Brinette and Desca get online Church accounts and downloaded the Church directory app (Member Tools), the family tree app and the Gospel Library app.  We started with those two on a project to make sure our online directory of Church members has their photos included.

Brinette

Desca

Wednesday nights we've started having HHE (Haitian Home Evening).  Of course it's at the church.  We have a little lesson, then a fun activity and then some treats.  It's been a slow start, but beginning to have a few more attend.

Wednesday Night HHE

This past Friday night we had a great time hanging our with our friends Elder and Sister Johnson.  They are in the newly created South Carolina Charleston Mission now and we miss seeing them.  We met them in New Bern for dinner at a Japanese steakhouse and went for ice cream at McDonalds afterwards.  We had a wonderful reunion and look forward to hanging out with them after the mission.

The Johnsons and Potters at McDonalds

We're doing a drivers license class every Saturday, helping people prepare to take the drivers license written exam.  They only have it in English or Spanish, so we're trying to help them recognize the questions and understand the answers.  It's a little discouraging for them since they are very new to English, but little by little it's coming. 

Thursday we had our district council meeting in the morning.  We have a lot of fantastic missionaries in our district.  Elder Hafen, our new district leader, did a great job for his first time.  We love attending the Ruritan meeting on Thursday nights.  We've got some service coming up, which includes cooking.  I've often wondered why I love to cook so much.  I think it may be the same reason my grandaddy loved to squirrel hunt so much - in these very woods near where we now live.  It's because we love to eat!  I've never had squirrel, but I'm sure if I was hungry it would be very tasty!

District Meeting

This has been a busy but fun week. We love the people we get to work with and hang out with.  I'll close this week with this story.  Our friend, for over a year now, Alin Pierre Louis, had his wife and young son in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  That's the capital city and the hot bed for gang activity in Haiti.  It's been very dangerous.  The government is unsuccessfully sending armed forces into the city to try to take back control.  He's been trying to get them out of Port-au-Prince for several months, but it's been too perilous.  Recently the gangs started taking and killing young boys.  He decided he had to take action.  She left with her young son, leaving everything they owned behind, except what they could fit into a small sack.  She was able to make it to a town many miles away from Port-au-Prince.  Alin was worried because they were in a town where they knew no one and they had nothing and no place to live.  She was able to procure lodging for a few nights, but they didn't have a good plan.  We were able to determine that there was no branch of the Church in that city.  We found out where the nearest branch was and called the branch president.  He and Alin knew of each other.  The branch president suggested that she go to that city, Port de Paix, and he and the Church members would help her find a place and take care of her and their son.  I saw Alin visible relax. He's been so worried but he now felt like she would not be alone.  We got her moved to Port de Paix, she's found a house to rent and they feel so much safer.  Finding this brother and getting Anseleine and Strausse moved to a place where there will be friends to help them just feels like a little miracle.  God is so aware of us and while life is not always easy, He's always there to help us and give us hope.

We love you all!

Elder and Sister Potter

Week 89

Monday and Tuesday we taught a lot of lessons... some that we've been working with and others that we went to with the young missionaries. We took Elder Bates and Elder Nordgren to Goldsboro, and I can't even remember how many lessons we taught between 5:30 and 9 p.m., but they kept us hopping--one right after another. It was amazing. We met so many new friends and saw some of them at church today! 

On Wednesday Caroline flew in from Utah to visit us for a week. She's done some missionary stuff with us, and we've done some touristy things with her.

At a lesson with Desca and Brinette.
These two young women have stolen 
my heart. They love their families and
they love Jesus.

At the movies

We saw Captain America: Brave New World.

At Sandpiper Seafood with our friends, the Pates.
Caroline is taking the picture. We always love
spending time with Mark and Patricia! We'll miss
them when it's time to go home.

Caroline in front of a mural in Mt. Olive. We
love Mt. Olive pickles!

Dwight helping the missionaries with a lesson
in our front yard. He gets several calls every day.

Friday was Zone Council. Caroline has met several of the missionaries before--last summer and during Christmas break. We were sitting at the table waiting for the meeting to start. Hermana Jones walked in and saw Caroline and jumped up and down several times about three feet off the ground and came over and grabbed her and hugged her. I don't know if I've ever had anyone that excited to see me. It was precious.

Hermana Jones, Caroline, Hermana Kent

Elder Asay, Elder Hunter, Caroline

Zone Role Plays

Zone Role Plays

"Senior" Role Play

Sister Potter really getting into the role play

Friday night Dwight went with the young missionaries to the Fils Aime brother's home. They are both new members who introduced their friend, Marc, to the Church. We have been teaching him for about a month. On Friday he accepted the invitation to be baptized. I'm so happy for him. He's such a sweet young man.

Edrice, Dwight, Elder Reheis, Marc, Elder Hafen

Today was wonderful. Our friends Desca, Brinette, and Yvrose were baptized and confirmed. The baptism room was packed and people were standing out in the hall. The happy faces warmed my heart. We've been working in Mt. Olive for just over a year. When we got here, there were no Haitian members. I don't know the exact number, but we have approximately 55 members now. The missionaries work really hard, and the members are amazing about sharing with their friends.

Susan, Brinette, Desca, Yvrose

Dwight, Elders Reheis and Bates, Susan, Brinette,
Desca, Yvrose, Elders Nordgren and Hafen

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."--1 Corinthians 2:9

We love you all!

Sister and Elder Potter

Week 88 - Dwight

Sarah Potter Nichols

I'll start this week with a little tribute to my second cousin, Sarah Nichols, whose grave side funeral service we attended today. She was 97.  Her nephew, Terry Potter, did a wonderful job with the grave dedicatory prayer.  Our grandfathers were brothers and she loved family history.  We've chatted with her several times overs the last couple of years as she's been living in assisted living near her son's home in Georgia.  Today, greeting the family, brought back so many memories.  Her brother Alvin was one of our best friends when we were young married (he was a widower in his 80's).  He loved Susan, until our 1st daughter Anna was born, and then he was smitten by her.  Sarah went with us to the Washington DC Temple to do Alvin's work many years ago after Alvin died.  I remember telling Alvin once, "we're gonna put you on a plane and take you to Washington DC so you can go to the temple."  He said, "If you get me on a plane you'll have to put me on, because I won't go on willingly!" He was serious! I loved hearing Alvin tell me stories about my grandfather, who I never knew.  His father and my grandfather joined the Church at the same time in North Caroline in 1901.  So many memories. Today, I miss Alvin.

Alvin

This was a pretty full week.  Luz, our Butterball plant connection called early in the week and we were able to help 4 people get jobs.  One of them, Judeline, tried last month but her hand strength wasn't strong enough for the position she wanted.  We got her in on Thursday for a new position.  We also helped Gertrune, who supposedly had a job six months ago with them and something went wrong and her name was not on the list.  We got two other names from our good friend Davidson, who met them while driving them (Uber).  He was doing a little missionary work.  Those three were hired on Wednesday.  They were asking me about the Church at the interviews and so, when we had a break I took them to lunch and met the missionaries there so they could tell them more.  It was great!

Judeline & Luz

Jose Love, Ismailove, Luz, Gertrune

Yummy Orient for lunch

Wednesday night we had a fun little break.  Our son Jacob bought us tickets to an NC State Basketball game.  We drove to Raleigh and spent the night with Jacob and his family at the game.  It was fun and State won!!

Sully, Jacob, Von, Anna, Dwight, Clara, Susan

We've been helping the Elders teach a couple of  young women that are actually cousins.  They've been taught separately until today.  The youth, as well as kids naturally gravitate to Susan, because they feel her love for them - even though there's a language barrier

Brinette, Susan, Desca

These kids acted like they'd know Susan their whole lives!

On Saturday, we did something we've been thinking about for a while.  We held a class to teach folks how to get a driver's license.  I think it went well and we plan to hold a few more.  I guess the proof will be in if anyone passed their test??  Pretty much every Haitian we know that has a car has wrecked it!

Driver's License School

Master teacher at work? - NOT!

Late in the week we took two beautiful sisters (literally they are sisters to each other) to lunch.  I don't remember not knowing them.  Both of them and their families have had a major impact on my life, especially as a young man.

Dwight, Mary Lou Heath, Susan, Betty Jo Jones

Last week on Sunday, we had 2 small children of a new member receive a name and blessing at church.  Another new member that recently moved here from Florida, was so impressed that she asked for her baby to be blessed this week.  So, it was done.

Jennifer and Aneessa

We started a temple preparation class today for three new Haitian members that are going on one year being baptized.  I told them that one of my wishes is that things get better in Haiti and that we can all meet at the temple in Port-au-Prince, Haiti with their families (which are still in Haiti).  That temple is current closed because of the unrest in that area.  

Sometimes life does contain unrest.  I'm convinced that God knows the details of our lives and is there to help us.  If we put our trust in Jesus Christ, I know that, even when there's unrest, difficulties, death, sickness and pain, He'll see us through it all and we can have an underlying joy and peace that, in the end, it will all be ok.  Love you all!

Elder and Sister Potter