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.

The Joy of a Late May Rain

We are so grateful to be here in the Ozarks this Spring. Last year wasn't as robust, as there was a drought going on. That was all changed this year, as we had snow, ice and more snow, plus thunder storms and heavy rain throughout March, April, and May. The result is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL Spring of flowers, trees, shrubs, and ground cover that is just simply mesmerizing! These are a few of those captured on DSLR.

 This is the waterfall near the Cherokee Town Center. It is called Papoose Park. Quite a water feature for the community.

Thousands of these flowers in the backyard.

 I took this zoomed-in shot from the deck, so it was just slightly out of focus, but you get the point.

Another zoomed-in photo of a flower hiding inside these beautiful plants.

 Not sure what kind of flower, or plants these are, but there are very effective!

 Another zoomed-in shot of the flower up close.

 Purple-Crownflower, or Echinacea wild flowers across the street.

 Close-up of the Purple Crownflower (echinacea).

 Beautiful purple flowers growing on a vine/shrub on a picket fence in the front yard.

Redish-purple bushes on the south side of the house.

A busy weekend

We had a busy weekend. First went to North Little Rock Friday evening for a meeting with a couple of general authorities. Then Saturday, we helped several in the branch can some products for storage.

 These are the Sisters from Mountain View Branch, Sister Clement, Sister Campbell, and Sister Cunningham. They rode with us to the meeting Friday evening. Of course Sister Clement is NOT from Mountain View. She is with me!

 Brother Child working hard moving things in and out of the assembly line.

 Joe Brown, Scott Child and Billie Child out front.

 A few cans to be used in the assembly line.

 Sister Heath as the manager in charge of the work.

 Two lowly workers lending a hand with this work. What a joy!

 And who do we represent? Ahh yes, the Arkansas Little Rock Mission! That's who!

 Sister Christman working to fill the cans so that I (Elder Clement), can seal it shut with the lids.

 Getting ready for tomorrow. What is tomorrow? Why, we have our Pot Luck, and Rescue activity after the Block on Sunday. 

 Sister Child making sure the carpet is spotless. And I mean SPOTLESS!

 When I came home from the canning activity, I noticed the yellow Iris' and had to get a picture of them. Made all that work worthwhile.

 There will be more! They are coming out in large numbers now! It has been such a rainy spring, and it is still raining every few days. April Showers bring May flowers, and more rain!

Yellow is for friendship!

Flowers

Flower pictures in the front yard. Love it!

A Sunday Baptism

We had a very nice Sunday last with a sweet baptism for Alexis. Here are some pictures:

 Alexis with her mother.

 It was a HAPPY day for Alexis, as you can see!

I was asked to do the baptism. Grateful for that opportunity.

Rosebud Arkansas Relative found

Kathy's grandfather's resting place was found in Rosebud, Arkansas. She had only met him once before he passed away. So far as we know, none of the family were able to attend his funeral, including Kathy's mother. This gave Kathy much joy to visit his final resting place. She said he was a very gentle, slim and tall man.

Proof positive that Kathy was here!

Kathy standing under the arch at the entrance of the Rosebud Cemetery. It was very nicely maintained, and a beautiful edifice.

This is the entrance to the cemetery.

Tornado!

Pictures of a devastating tornado that came through Horseshoe Bend, AR Friday. It missed our branch members the Suttons by just a few hundred feet, but these homes were not spared.

 

This is Crown Lake looking south. The tornado first touched down on the lake, and then skipped up to the houses at the top of the hill about 1/4 mile from the lake. Debris scatter across the road shows the direction of the wind.

Looking north at the south face of the homes that took the brunt of the storm.

The deck was completely torn off this home. Notice the support pillars and where it was attached to the home.

The deck ended up in the neighbor's front yard. The deck from the neighbor's house probably was what blew out the picture window which provided a picturesque view of Crown Lake.

Tree uprooted in the front of this house.

A close up of the tree uprooted.

Debris in the tree . Many of the trees to the right of the debris were broken in half.

The roof was almost completely torn off this house.

A boat turned up on its side.

Another of many uprooted trees in the neighborhood.

Trash everywhere.

A travel trailer turned up on the side. The trees stopped it from going any further. Behind it was a boat that was undamaged.

A close up of the scattered debris across the street from most of the damage. Much of the debris was spread over a half a mile from the homes. Several trees had to be removed from the streets, and were cut up into firewood. The end result was a good one in that no one was hurt.

 The red line shows the direction and location of the tornado. It started at the lake, and then jumped up 1/4 mile to South Little Rock Rd to the left.