Week 99

I was looking at this week's pictures and had to double check my calendar to make sure all these events were actually this week. We started out by leaving the house early on Monday morning and heading to Wilmington and the Battleship USS North Carolina. We had another senior missionary trip to this location. All the missionaries (except us) weren't here for the trip last year. It was easy to plan because Dwight had done it all last year. After the Battleship we went to Fort Fisher to eat lunch at the beach. We had a great time getting to know some amazing couples.

Elder and Sister Berglund and Us on the ship

Susan sitting in the Captain's chair

All the senior missionaries and one young service
missionary who came to serve with his parents

Elder and Sister Berglund (Eagle's Nest Camp
missionaries) and us. They attend the Mount Olive
Ward with us and have been very helpful with
the Haitains--driving members, piano playing, etc.

When we were done at the beach, we headed to Raleigh (2 1/2 hour drive) to celebrate our granddaughter, Elayna's, birthday. She had a "Wicked" themed party. She loves singing along with Elphaba and Glinda. It was fun watching Elayna and her Potter cousins play together.

Elayna with her fancy "Wicked" cake

Tuesday we had several lessons during the day with Provilene, Geremene, Maria, Wolffencia, Desca, and Brinette. I love all of these girls! That night we went to dinner with Doug and Paulette Jones. They are an awesome couple. It is evident how much they love each other. We had a fun evening with these wonderful friends.

Doug, Paulette, Susan, Dwight

After dinner we attended our last Ruritan Club meeting. We've enjoyed getting to know the people of the community of Albertson better. We will miss this group.

On Wednesday we left early to pick up friends in Mount Olive and Goldsboro and then headed to the temple. One of the ladies that came with us is not a member of the Church. She came with Jean Claude. She walked around the temple and then sat in the waiting room. When we went to get her, there were three temple workers (one was the Temple President) trying to communicate with her. She was given VIP treatment. The Temple President gave her a magazine all about the temple with lots of pictures. She felt very loved. Later that afternoon we took two people to the doctor and went on visits.

Wilinka, Dwight, Susan,
Jean Claude's friend and Jean Claude

Thursday we took Geremene to Goodwill to help her buy some clothes. She seemed to really enjoy our shopping trip. Everything she tried on she wanted to buy. That day we also had several visits in Mount Olive. We had to hurry back to Albertson for our last fish fry at Sandra and Melvin Dixon's home. We didn't know it was going to be a "say good-bye to Dwight and Susan" dinner. They gave us awesome Albertson tee shirts. They also made a fun gift. It's a piece of wall art made out of boards from the old church for which Dwight's grandfather donated the wood. The plaque on the board says "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Established 1907, In memory of Needham Tyndall Potter." What a thoughtful gift that will be treasured.

Melvin, Dwight, Susan, Sandra

Dwight and Susan

On Friday morning we went to say good-bye to a dear friend who passed away. Noreen was a talented pianist who was ALWAYS willing to help anyone with special musical numbers for church and other things. We worked on many songs together. I remember helping her move into her new house 35 years ago. She was kind to everyone and had a quiet grace. She taught a few of my kids piano lessons. She and her husband Paul had chicken houses when we lived here so many years ago. One day Paul went to help Dwight and his Brother Parley with our greenhouses, so I helped Noreen pick up eggs. We first went to the chicken house that she normally worked in. It was amazing how calm the chickens were. I'd stick my hand in a nest and the hen would scoot over and let us take the eggs. Next, we went to the chicken house that Paul normally worked in. That house was noticeably noisier. Those chickens tried pecking at me every time I stuck my hand in a nest. I asked Noreen why her chickens were so calm and Paul's chickens were so mean. Her answer was something like this, "Chickens learn from their caregivers." The chickens in Noreen's house learned that she was kind and gentle and responded in kind. I bet if you asked anyone that knew Noreen, they would say she was a kind and gentle person who loved to share her talents. We love you Noreen and will miss you! Paul is also very kind--just maybe not to chickens. :)

Noreen Fredriksen

Later that morning Dwight took his friend fishing. Sadly he didn't take any pictures. I stayed home and caught up on laundry and other things that went undone this week.

Saturday morning was Wolffencia's baptism. I love that girl so much. At one of her lessons this week, we were finishing up, and she said, "Wait, I have a question." Then she proceeded to ask how missionaries are called, and other questions about being a missionary. She said, "I can do that. I want to do that." Who knows, in a year, she may be getting a mission call.

Elders Bates and Nordgren, Dwight, Susan,
Leila, Wolffencia, Marie, Alandjina,
 Elders Hafen and Reheis

Saturday afternoon and evening we had a Haitian Group celebration at Eagle's Nest. We were celebrating one year since the Group was formed. There were lots of Soccer (Futbol) games played, friendships strengthened, paddle boats ridden, marshmallows roasted, and good food eaten. (Unfortunately, not many pictures were taken.) One of our friends even tried out the golf cart. We decided that was a safe way to learn how to drive.

Eagle's Nest driving lesson

Paddle boat fun

Today Dwight and I spoke in church. When we got home from the activity on Saturday night, I finished writing my talk. I was done at 9:00. When I reread it, it just wasn't right. I needed to start over. I deleted the talk before I could talk myself out of it. I can't remember ever doing that before. I've changed parts of a talk, but I have never started completely over. When I finished writing last night, I felt so much better about what I was going to share. I'm glad I listened to the prompting I received.

After church today, we had the privilege of taking our friend Alex to get his Patriarchal Blessing. What a wonderful experience.

I am worn out all over again writing about all the things we did this week, but I wouldn't change a thing. I loved spending so much time with so many of our friends. I love the people in this area more than I can say. They are part of my heart. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father gives us opportunities to serve and love His children. He could take care of everything on His own, but he allows us, His imperfect children, to help and grow.

Thank you all for your support! We love you!

Sister and Elder Potter