11 September 2018 - Tuesday

11 September 2018 - Tuesday

I could not help but reflect on that Tuesday September 11th, in 2001, when our country was attacked.  I remember getting ready for work, that morning, and hearing about the attack on the radio.  My employees and I were in shock as I got to the Longs Drug Store in Warm springs.  The news coverage was relentless, and the discussions were all centered on national unity.  

My focus was to immediately look for sources for the American Flag.  On a good year I would sell perhaps $500 in American flags.  I ordered, next day delivery, $10,000 in flags, and sold out in one day.  The feelings of the American people were so unified, and, to my pleasant surprise, there was such a rush to fly an American flag.  I think I could have sold 10 or 20 times as many flags.  They were just not available.  Wouldn't it be nice to somehow bring those feelings of national unity back to the United States?

Our day was spent on the work crew today.  Our first two assignments involved another couple and we completed that assignment in about 45 minutes.  When we went to get some additional assignments, the FM coordinator gave us another project that took about 30 minutes.  He had to be a little unnerved when we asked for more work the third time!  

Placing the new signs on the restrooms

Some glue is bleeding through the sign!

We tried to help paint benches but that was covered too!

It seemed to mom and me that all the work had been assigned!  The painting crew was busy painting the benches so we took the signs and began hanging them.  The only problem we had was the glue they had us use was too strong for some of the signs.  We found the glue was somehow discoloring the front of the sign.  I have never seen that before.  So the FM missionary was going to look at what we had already hung and make a determination on how to proceed.  I'm thinking we will need to drill some holes in the signs and screw them on the doors.

There are several hurricanes developing over the East Coast.  Hurricane Isaac, Helene and Florence seem to be the most dangerous storms that are heading for PopPop's area in Virginia.  Mom was able to talk to him on the phone this morning.  The only reason she got him on the phone is because his maid service heard the phone and told him the phone was ringing!

He went out yesterday to purchase groceries and water for some back-up during the storm period.  Unfortunately he bought two or three days worth of food for a storm that could knock out power for up to two weeks.  We hope and pray he will be OK.  Mom asked him where he would go if there was a forced evacuation.  He had no idea where he would go.  Perhaps we can all say some additional prayers for PopPop and his community.  

Bob and Josie, thank you for your prayers and putting PopPop on the prayer rolls before we got these updates!  "In the coming days, we will not be able to survive, Spiritually, without the influence of the Holy Ghost". (President Russell M. Nelson)

I think that we can all agree that the time is fast approaching where we will need to listen to every word, and then respond in every way, to the Prophet's counsel!  We are so excited to listen to General Conference in a few weeks, but President Nelson is so active now in teaching us what we need to do and how we need to prepare for the coming events.  Each time I look into the Church News, there is more information for us to digest.

Tonight there was another celebration barbecue for those leaving this week and next week.  There  were about 30 senior missionaries who gathered for hamburgers and hot dogs.  Everyone brought a side dish and there was plenty of food!  And I got to man the barbecue!  It reminded me, just a little, of the time we catered the July 24th barbecue with those two four foot grills.  Tom and Jared and I must have cooked up 1500 hamburgers and hot dogs!  Even with the smoke swirling around our heads!  We have had some fun times together working as a family!