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