Farewell to the Clement's!

We were pleasantly surprised when the Ash Flat Branch had a Farewell party for us 2 days before we left. We were shocked! They kept it a secret until we drove up to the Branch building at 6:00pm Wednesday evening. We were tricked. They told us that we were being taken to a fancy restaurant by Judi and Kenny Heath. Here are some pictures. Many were taken, this is just a small sample.

 Brother Christman the moderator.

 Kathy and I sitting on our new blanket (Red White and Blue Flag theme). They reserved the seat for us!

 Looking at the blanket that Sister Buchanan made for Kathy (she's the one in the white blouse standing in front of the blanket).

 Going through the refreshment line! 

 Billie Child, My sweetheart Kathy, Me, Pearl Johnson having our refreshments.

 Lee Roy Castor relaxing. 

 Very nice farewell cake. Not sure who made it, but it was well done. 

 Sister Buchanan was the pianist who played the piano for our singing.

 The men singing Elder Faust's "Here is the Christ". I love that song! It WASN'T perfect, but we did a good job regardless!

 The primary children sang several primary songs for us. They are SO good!

Kathy Bassham singing her song "Stinkin' Dog Blues" We love the song! What fun had by all!

 Sister Mona Worsencroft, my sweetheart Kathy, and I sitting on our blanket "throne"!

 Teresa Bailey playing her harp! She is so talented. She plays several instruments well!

The last picture includes the Farewellee's, and the Fareweller's who orchestrated the entire party. We love the Heath's. Judi worked really hard to make this party happen. Kenny helped her!

Miscellaneous Pictures.

As things begin to wind down here in Ash Flat (time is getting short), I wanted to post a few pictures of things that are again somewhat random. I love this place and wish I could stay longer, but I can only plan on returning in the future for a visit with my friends, and my family who live here.

 Papoose Falls in Cherokee Village. This is the MOST water I have seen flowing in these falls. It had been raining a bunch, and everything was filling up around here. All the lakes were meeting their quota, and Sequoia Lake really did look nice!

 Here is our entire district in one spot. We gained a few since, but now we are back to 8 members in our district. Several left, some were transferred, and some were just moved around. Too complicated to explain. In the front row from left to right are Elder and Sister Miller, Elder and Sister Me (Clement). In the back Sisters Cunningham, and Campbell, Elders Ferguson and Morgan. Ferguson is the only one who went home.

 This is the Calabama Restaurant in Franklin, AR, southwest from us. Directly south of Horseshoe Bend. Let me explain. One of the owners is from California. The other is from Alabama. Need I say more?

 Elders sometimes get a kick out of the Silliest things! 

 What would you expect from a town called "Evening Shade"?

 This is the SECOND Super Moon that I got to capture on my camera. I got one last year, (2012). and the second in 2013.

 This is the Stephens family in our branch. Five girls, and still hoping for boy(s)!

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 Fourth of July parade in Horseshoe Bend, AR. Several different antique tractors I had to get pictures of.

 We had a pioneer celebration at the branch building commemorating the 24th of July. We had a great turn out!

 Part of the 24th celebration. This was the "Trading Post". I cannot explain, so I won't try to.

 We had a slew of children at the 24th celebration. This is pretty much our primary. Great isn't it!

 This is a monument commemorating the Men and Women of the Armed Forces in Ash Flat. This is a great edifice that does just that. It was built by donations, and it is really something to be proud of. From left to right: Elders Morgan and Taylor, Sister Clement, and Ralph Sharp. 

 Elder Taylor wanted to show off his new "machine"! The next photo explains, so check it out.

 Don't mess with me y'all!

 105mm Howitzer on display. We had something like this when I was in Viet Nam, but I am not sure if this is the same Howitzer or not. I was a foot soldier, not an artillery soldier.

 Elder Taylor firing the thing off (fake, fake).

 Bea Sharp, and Sister Clement. Bea didn't want me to take this picture, but she finally relented because I told her if she didn't, we wouldn't have any pictures of them to remember them by.

 Fourth of July fireworks in Salem Arkansas 2013.

We went to watch the parade in Horseshoe Bend because Teresa was riding on the Garden Club float. Boy was she excited!

"Reflections"

Did I say I really like the weather this summer? Wow! It has been really great. While these Arkansasan's complain, I keep smilin' knowing what I have to return to. This morning the reflection on the lake was TOO good to pass up. It was like a mirror because there was literally no wind, so this is a collection of "Reflections".

Finally! New Elders in Ash Flat!

After 15 and a half months as the only missionaries in Ash Flat Branch, a new area opened up (due to the increased number of missionary applicants brought about by the lowering of age requirements), we received 2 new Elders into the branch one week ago. Great! They are working very hard to make things happen, and we are excited. We were the principle seekers for a place for them to stay, and as it turns out, it was mostly a disaster. The house had so many problems, and the realty had so much resistance from the owner that we almost started looking for a new place for them. Then on top of it all, last night, after we got back from Searcy, the cold side supply hose for the washing machine sprung a leak, and had to be replaced! Any way, here are some pictures of the new Elders: Elder Morgan (senior companion), and Elder Taylor. Elder Morgan is from Idaho, and Elder Taylor is from Mesa, Arizona (imagine that!).

 The Elders are just big kids, but they had fun working with the games.

Left to right: Elder Morgan, Elder Taylor, Bob Bassham, and Kathy Bassham.

 Sisters Kristie Ochoa, Sister Sandra Christman, and Sister York.

 The children were having a lot of fun playing the games provided by Brother Child.

 Just a random photo.

 This was some kind of obstacle course game, but the kids loved it!

 Who would have guessed that Sister Buchanan would be working on a quilt, showing the children the joy of quilting?

 Kathy talking with Sister Harrison.

 President Ochoa preparing food in the kitchen with Sister Knapp.

 Little Nicky Jensen coming through the front door.

 Finally the food was ready to be served. Everyone was hungry!

 The Elders roaming around to meet the members of the branch.

Boy Scout troop 439 from Houston, Texas came to our branch Sunday to participate in the Sunday service. They helped by blessing, and passing the Sacrament. So glad to have them here. There is a Scout Camp called Kia Kima near here in Cherokee Village, so we have these great scout troops during the summer coming and going.

 Elder Morgan dressed down for P-day. The Elders spent some of the day using our computers to write home to family, and report to President Petersen, our mission president.

 Elder Taylor trying to crochet a prayer rug! 

 Tuesday we traveled to Searcy for a Zone conference. The Elder in the middle is Elder Rushton. His mother had asked Kathy if she would get some pictures of him, because he is real lax in sending any home to family. We obliged by gathering several of the Elders together, and snapping a picture. 

Along with Elder Rushton (from Oregon) are Elders Bell (L), and Elder Jones (R). Elders Bell, and Jones are our Zone leaders.