The Amite Sisters and Pastor Dixon

Just a note today from the office meeting this morning. President Hansen asked if any of us listened to the radio broadcast yesterday. Did any of us remember that there was a radio broadcast? I didn't, but it was just briefly mentioned about 2 weeks ago.

Here's what I know of the story. Our Amite Sisters have been teaching a woman, Pastor Dixon, who also has a radio talk show. She invited the Sisters to be on her program yesterday, Sunday, and share a little about the Church! So they joined her yesterday. During the program, Pastor Dixon invited them to sing a song about Jesus, so Sister F immediately began singing one of the Sacrament Hymns, a capella! Then the Pastor said she'd sing a song. The Sisters were also invited to bear a witness of Christ. Both of them were able to bear their testimonies and invited listeners to go to mormon.org if they would like more information. One of the Sisters also suggested that if they saw missionaries on the street to invite them in and visit with them. Pastor Dixon also mentioned that maybe she'd have some missionaries back to her program again.

I'm just sorry that I didn't get to hear the whole broadcast.

Break the Fast

Here are just a few candid shots at our "Break the Fast" dinner after church today.

Our Elders-- Elder Stewart and Elder Baker

Brother and Sister Trent--These people are truly the salt of the earth. They are so dedicated to the gospel and to helping others even though they're both in poor health. They never use their health as an excuse for not attending church. In fact, Sister Trent had back surgery less than 3 weeks ago!

The Plaquettes--Sister Call and Sister Morris

Elder L and Brother Stabler--Maybe he doesn't like having his picture taken, but he's super faithful and  a counselor in the Branch Presidency. He's also Sister Newchurch's cousin. (The one who took us on the cane field tour) He lives about an hour from Plaquemine, but it's still in our branch boundaries!

Brother Marchand--the other counselor in the Branch Presidency. He actually lives in Gonzales, which is on the other side of the Mississippi River and quite a ways south of Baton Rouge.

Sister Shantall Hidalgo, Gavin's mom, is another one of our rock solid members.

Sister Lou or Sister Williams is the organist, Primary President and Temple Worker, and she's always happy:)

Marcelle and Me

After shopping for a huge commissary order, Marc and I met Marcelle Stay and a friend of hers for lunch at Texas Roadhouse. I got to know Marcelle when her family moved into Hacienda Heights. We became fast friends and took care of her little Maggie when Marcelle went to doctor appointments. Maggie was pure delight and what an animated and brilliant little girl she is. At 3 1/2 she'd pick up books and read them with great accuracy and expression.

Then we moved away to Cedar City, and they moved last year to Alabama. She and her friend had come to the temple in Baton Rouge, because it's the closest one to their home in Saraland, just north of Mobile. It was so good to see her again and catch up on the past almost 2 years.

Sister McClendon and Sister Bailey

President Hansen had a special Zone Meeting for the 2 New Orleans Zones a day or two ago and made some big changes. It is now New Orleans Zone and New Orleans Spanish Zone. This should give our Spanish missionaries more opportunities to use the language training and improve their skills.

With that change came the need for new rosters to be printed. But I'm not complaining, because I found a major error in the one I did last week. Somehow I managed to get the Baton Rouge Spanish Sisters and the Baton Rouge Zone Leaders living at the same address! Big Oops! So now everyone in where they should be and the new rosters are distributed.

Sister McClendon and Sister Bailey were in Baton Rouge for an appointment this afternoon, so we were lucky to have them stop by before their drive back to Houma. Sister Bailey was transferred out of Baton Rouge in February, so we haven't been able to see much of her. And Sister McClendon has never served in BR so it was really nice to visit with her and get to know her a little better.

The Blocker's Last Day

There was a bit of work to be done in the office before leaving for New Orleans today. Among other things that needed to be accomplished were the letters, et al, for the next group of home bound missionaries--all 18 of them. All 72 envelopes are now ready and waiting for President Hansen to sign the Release Certificates on Monday.

On days like today it's nice to have a large, empty desk to spread out all the paperwork.

Danielle and Paige enjoying muffalettas near the French Market

We couldn't resist trying a new beignet place in New Orleans.  Cafe Beignet was featured on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate--New Orleans" and recommended by Alton Brown. I'm not sure it's the best one I ever ate, but at least there wasn't a line halfway down the street waiting to be seated!

One last pic of our cute granddaughters, Paige and Karina, before dropping them off at the airport.

Houmas House

Nathan and Tanner had to leave today so Nathan could get back to work, but we made time to visit one more plantation before they did. We love Houmas House, and it's on the way to New Orleans, so that's where we went. It's beautifully maintained and has great guides. Today we had a man who was very knowledgeable and interesting. Houmas House was built in 1828 and was known as the Crown Jewel of River Road. It once included 300,000 acres and produced  20 million pounds of sugar a year.

Houmas House used to have the typical oak lined alley that lead out to the Mississippi River, but when the levee was built, 24 of the trees were removed, leaving just a few. Very Sad:(  One of the oaks still standing is 500 years old!

This clock once belonged to Marie Antoinette

Tanner was about to help Karina take a dip in the pond.

Tanner, the eternal tease

4 1/2 Missionaries

I'm beginning to feel like I'll never catch up with this blog, but I haven't completely given up hope.

With transfers a few days ago we knew there'd be changes, because Sister Lucherini went home, and Elder Ryan leaves in 2 weeks. So our new missionaries in Plaquemine are Sister Call and Elder Stewart. Sister Call actually came into the mission at the same time as Sister Morris and has been serving in Many since she arrived. Elder Stewart was "born" here and might just "die" here. Odd words, but that's what missionaries say about their first and last areas. He served here for his first 4 months and will be released in June.

Sister Morris, Sister Call, Elder Stewart, Gavin Hidalgo (he's 14 today) and Elder Baker

Danielle and Tanner on the 27th floor lookout tower

Paige and her mom

Karina and Danielle

The Blocker Family minus 1

It was a peaceful Sunday. After church we took our usual tour to show the Blocker's who haven't already been here Nottoway Plantation, the Smallest Church in the World, LSU campus, Mike the Tiger and the Baton Rouge Temple