Spring is in West Virginia

   Last week end we drove 3 hours northeast to a little town called Weston for the Young Single Adult conference hosted by the Clarksburg Stake. It was held at a wonderful venue called Jackson's Mill. It was originally the home of Stonewall Jackson then later a large gristmill and housing for soldiers. It is now owned by the State of West Virginia and is the headquarters for the 4-H group. They hold camps here in the summer and rent it out throughout the year for corporate conferences and reunions etc,  their dining hall can seat 370 and there are dorms that's can sleep 42-46 people. All this is surrounded by huge rolling grassy hills.
   The conference was great with a smaller turnout than they had hoped for. But as always those that came had a great time. An interesting tidbit is the Ckarksburk Stake President is Kim Haws, one of Viola's boys in Mesa 28 the ward. He went to school with Peg or Chet. Small world isn't it?
    We had a "real" West Virginia experience today. We went with the sister missionaries for two appointments today. The first one was our appointment to work with a couple to help them with literacy reading helps and self reliance. The sisters helped us find the place. After driving about 45 minutes thru the "hollers" and up and down narrow windy hills we got to the folks place. This is where Jed Clampet could have lived before he struck oil, Texas Gold you know what I'm saying.
    Well as we went in we soon discovered that they have lots of dogs in the house and a pet prairie dog in a cage, too. It was good to get outside again for good fresh air.
   Then we drove another 45 minutes to the sisters appointment to teach a lesson. We entered this lady's trailer and realized why they are hoping she can stop smoking so she can be baptized. The sisters gave a nice lesson on the Doctrine of Christ. The gal is very nice and loves our Savior but at about an hour away from the church and doesn't drive she has some real challenges to overcome.
   A highlight of the week was our visit from Emily, Erik and children that drove here from Virginia on their spring break. That was a huge sacrifice for them to come see Grandma and Grandpa and we appreciate it so much. We went to some parks and had picnics and one of the days went to see Beauty and the Beast the song -a-long and yes we did, sing-a-long. It was very fun. When it was time for them to go home Henry said, we are going home to the real Virginia"!
   As I said in the title, spring is here and the trees, flowers and shrubbery are all blooming and there is beautiful color all over.
    We love doing the Lord's work here. I will fire up the oven tonight and make cookies for the baptism of a fellow tomorrow. The ward is excited.
We love all of you.
Almost Heaven, Traynors