Yesterday was our big day..finally...to get out of town and go to Augusta to the Costco.  We are so spoiled at home to have a Costco just two miles down the road.  After the one in East Wenatchee was built several years ago, we bought tons of business supplies there and got used to buying our food supplies in larger quantities as well.  Here all the grocery stores are different than we are used to and there is a Sam's Club only.  It simply cannot compare to Costco.  I'm sure we'll go to Augusta every month or two just for that purpose.  It's about 70 miles from where we are living.  For me it was the first time ever in Georgia.

Augusta, Georgia Costco.  We're glad to see you!

 

It may sound silly, but we were excited to be in a Costco again.  They have great brands, clean stores and efficient employees.  We are definitely fans of Costco.


Doyle standing by our $400 worth of treasures!

Last week I had my first real missionary experience of my mission.  We have another senior couple coming on Tuesday and I have been putting together the furniture list for their apartment.  As a result, I have been out looking for a few things.  I went to the Big Lots about 5-6 miles from the office and then next door to the KMart.  Standing at the front door of the KMart was a man ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.  I walked up to him smiling and he commented that I had a great smile and that I should always have a smile on my face.  I thanked him and went inside to look for lamps.  I didn't find anything appropriate so I left.  When I exited the store the man introduced himself as Little Alvin and asked me if I was in real estate.  He was looking at my name tag.  I told him I wasn't in real estate but I was a missionary and that's what the name tag was for.  He told me how much he loved the Lord and that he had his own ministry.  We talked about Christmas and our Savior Jesus Christ.  He talked about his children and told me a few stories about them.  We said goodbye and I walked to the car.  I was prompted to give him a Book of Mormon and a pass along card, so I checked in the car and found one that Doyle had written his testimony in.  I dug a pass along out of my purse and proceeded to walk back to Little Alvin.  I told him I would like to give him a book that would give him another testimony of Jesus Christ.  He thanked me with a big smile on his face.  As I pulled out of the parking lot, I drove by him and saw him reading Doyle's testimony on the inside front cover.  It was the first time I have ever had a missionary experience and given out a Book of Mormon.  What a great feeling that was.  Doyle and I together have talked with people and given them the Book of Mormon, but I've never done it without him.  I was smiling for the rest of the afternoon! 

 

Last night we went to our branch Christmas party.  Somebody had put forth a lot of work and time.  The entry doors guided us to Bethlehem with quart canning jars half filled with salt and a votive inside to guide our path.  Inside the door was the tax collector who demanded payment of taxes (non-perishable food items for the food bank) and then gave us special coins in a pouch to purchase our meal inside the city (the gym).  The city was dimly lit with clear light strands and tents had been placed around a center area where low tables and pillows were placed.  We were then able to go from booth to booth, or tent to tent to pay the special coins for our meal of grapes, cheese, pita bread, hummus and chicken.

 

I'm having trouble adding pictures tonight...so I'll work on that later.

 

Love y'all!!!

 

 

 These are our two branch Elders.  On the left is Elder Ward, Sister Willie in the middle, and Elder Olsen on the right. 

 

 This is our dinner tent.  Doyle has his pouch with his dinner coins in his hands.