Thursday, January 20, 2011

A Blessing

It’s taken some time to be able to discuss this, but a few months ago we came out of church Sunday afternoon, loaded books, etc. into the car, said goodbye to some sailors; and headed home.  About a half mile from the church, about by the Piggly Wiggly there was the sound of a “clunk” on the top of the car roof – “What? Did we hit a bird?  Did a bird hit us?  Did I imagine I heard something?”  No, Mom heard it too and looked back and saw nothing of note.  So about a mile later, Mom says, “I think we should call Matt to remind him about the meeting tonight….”  I immediately hit the brakes and made a quick U-turn – headed back to the Piggly – to SEARCH FOR OUR PHONE!!  Now that “clunk” made sense.  I had left the iphone on top of the car at the church while taking off my jacket and waving and speaking to the sailors.

Our mission “lives” were on that phone…!  Worst fears were confirmed as we saw a flat black object right in the middle of the road across from the Pig.  I pulled over and hurried to retrieve the remains.  Luckily, traffic was light.  But imagine our relief as I held up “the remains” to show Mom – an old black sock!  OK, back to the car to continue the search…, BUT “what!?” the search was over?!  As I approached the car I saw it, there just at the top of the back window – where it had first “clunked” from the roof, but where it had “stuck” thanks to the sticky grip texture of the cover Darin had picked up for us when we first got the phone – and where the air flow had not been enough to “clunk” it again, and where we were granted a tender mercy.  We laughed – and laughed – and gave many thanks – and smiled at the thought of it ever since.

                                                                                                                                  

Friday, January 14, 2011

Changes from Summer to Winter

  Walks:


Graduations:


The best part of winter - NO ALLIGATORS at the lake, just Egrets in the trees and railings and lake, Heron, Pelicans, Geese and so many kinds of ducks:

Monday, January 10, 2011

Joy to the World

We know our Savior lives - He is God's own Son.
Thankful for His gift to all - with Him each battle's won.
As we ponder the Atonement at this season of the year;
In him there is all peace - with Him there is no fear!
 A missionary Christmas is very special.  President McConkie told the Elders to not wish they were home for Christmas as they had opportunity to serve Him and feel the blessings.

D & C 100:1...Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Elder and Sister Gibson, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power.

Sister Gibson find comfort - she knows it is right to leave family in His hands - in Him is all might.
Elder Gibson is blessed with the perfect companion.  With her inspiration he could hike the Grand Canyon:  So, we on the evening of 24th December watched the DVD "Joy to the World" and went to bed grateful for the Babe born in Bethlehem and for our precious children and theirs. Then Christmas Day we opened our gifts and then headed to the Grand Canyon - i.e....the Ravenel Bridge.  We left the Crowfield Plantation area and headed to Mt. Pleasant were we enjoyed a couple of hours walking "the bridge".  It was a beautiful, fun day. 








Looking north from the Charleston side off of East Bay.



Our view of Patriots Point and Fort Sumter in the distance.



And on Sunday, December 26th, we had SNOW!



Friday, January 7, 2011

Zone Conference

On Friday, December 17, 2010, the first counselor in the Mission Presidency, Brother Evans and his wife, Evelyn, invited us all to their home for a Southern lunch of barbequed pig, hash (ground pork, onions, potatoes and barbeque sauce), sweet potatoes, rice and all the trimmins.  It was wonderful!  They gave the Elders a chance to relax with flag football and a talent show in their Great Room of the Whitehall Plantation.  Their daughter, Debbie & son came and worked hard as well to make it a wonderful day.  We ate in their large carriage house (garage).








President Evans, Evelyn and daughter Debbie are to the left of President McConkie


The Young Elders are so valiant - they testify with power.
They are on the Lord's errand in this, the eleventh hour.

Monday, January 3, 2011

December 2010

On 13 December the Institute and the YSA Branch combined for a super FHE at James Island County Park for the Holiday Festival of Lights.  It was a cold but fun night.