Everything You May or May Not Wanted To Know About Soybeans...

When we first arrived in Tennessee we noticed field after field of a beautiful lush green plant.  These fields went on for miles.  We had no clue what it was but wondered why it wasn't being harvested.  As green as it was we were sure it must be ready.  After about a week the leaves were turning yellow.  How sad that these fields were all going to waste.  There must be a reason they were not being taken care of we decided.  After a couple of more weeks the leaves were falling off and turning brown.  How sad, and such a waste of time planting and watering and of course the seeds.  People in Tennessee were certainly foolish!  Then I asked someone about it and we were told that they are soybeans and the brown was just what the farmers were waiting for so they could harvest.  Here are a few of our photos and then a little information about the Soybeans of Tennessee.


Soybeans are the No. 1 cash crop in Tennessee, with more than 1.2 million acres planted and more than 48 million bushels harvested last year.
But what do we do with all these soybeans? The primary use of whole soybeans and protein from soybean meal is to provide a low-cost, high-protein feed ingredient for fish, poultry, swine, cattle and other animals. We humans enjoy the beans in tofu and soy sauce, as soy flour, and pressed into soybean oil, the leading vegetable oil in the world. Margarines, salad dressings and mayonnaise all use soybean oil.
But there are lots of industrial uses as well:
• One acre of soybeans can produce 82,368 crayons.
• One-half of all daily U.S. newspapers are printed with soybean oil-based ink.
• Soybean is used in plastics, wood adhesives and textiles.
• Soybean oil provides an environmentally friendly fuel for diesel engines.
• Soybeans also find their way into candles, cleaning products and hair-care products.

Ya Gotta Love Tennessee

   Tennessee is sooooo very different from Oregon.  But ya gotta love it here.  Let me share just a few things we have learned.  First of all a shopping cart is called a"buggy".  If you buy a 6 pack of soda that are hooked together by the plastic ring things, you balance them on the edge of your buggy.  Three in and three out.  Leaves more room in the cart.  Speaking of soda, in Tennessee when ordering a soda you simply ask for a Coke, then you tell them what kind such as diet Dr. Pepper which just might be the most popular soda around, or diet Pepsi or whatever.  Ya gotta love the Coke drinkers here in Tennessee.

   Ya gotta love the folks with the sweet tooth here in Tennessee.  Everyone here seems to have a sweet tooth!  I love that.   I still make and  share between 3-5 dozen cupcakes every week.  It might seem strange but the cupcakes if they don't get us into the house, people will at least come out and talk to us.  For example,  we have been trying to catch this one lady at home for some time but with success.  Last Sunday her visiting teacher told me she is ALWAYS home she just won't answer the door.  I was told that she won't answer the phone or return phone calls either!  This was a red flag and a challenge to me.  I was going to get her to talk to me one way or another!  I made some chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate cream cheese frosting and topped them with mini chocolate bars.  I told you chocolate is one of the main food groups here.  I then called her on the phone, explained who we were and said we would be in her neighborhood in a little while and we would love to stop by, drop off a plate of cupcakes and introduce ourselves.  I told Calvin we would do this every week if necessary but I would win.  She WOULD talk to me!  We were also warned that she had 2 VERY BIG dogs.  Be careful we were told.  But with a lot of courage and Calvin in front we went to the front door!  GUESS WHAT?  She answered the door.  What a very nice lady.  She put the dogs in another room too.  She said she did not answer the phone when we called because it was an out of state number and the caller ID said "Nana Higgins" and she did not know anyone with that name or number.  Like I said the cupcakes really really work.  This sweet lady even invited us back!  Ya gotta love the people in Tennessee and their cupcakes!

  Ya gotta love driving in the small towns in Tennessee.   There are NO house numbers on the houses in Tennessee.  Most mailboxes don't have numbers on them either.  And the numbers can jump 20-30 at a time.  I mean you are looking for a 303 Johnson St.  The mailboxes will go from 103-105-125-137-215-267-285-303!  I mean where are all the other numbers between 103 and 303?  There are people all over Tennessee too.  You can be driving down a country road and turn a corner and find a beautiful new subdivision of big brick homes, complete with big porches, white columns and rocking chairs.  It you have a porch and most homes do then you have a pair of rocking chairs on them.  This is one practice I want to take back with me!  But this isn't all good news.  There are very few sidewalks in Tennessee.  I am trying to think of where there is one and we have not seen one since we have been here.  There are turning lanes all over but no sidewalks.  Since they don't have sidewalks they don't feel there is a need for street lights either and except for the main roads in town there are no street lights.  All these things put together, no house numbers, no regular mail box addresses, no sidewalks and no street lights are not good for a couple of senior missionaries from Oregon/Colorado!  Even with Matilta, our GPS, we still have no idea where we are once it starts getting dark.  Ya gotta love those men who plan and develop the towns in Tennessee.

   Ya gotta love the directions given to strangers here in Tennessee.  We asked a Brother Tolman where a Brother Johnson lived and if he could tell us how to get there.  He said of course.  This is what he said, " you go down this road pointing to the left, for probably 4 blocks, maybe 5.  Turn left and then go another couple blocks and turn left again.  Then go down 3 or 4 houses and it is on your right.  You will see his car in the driveway!  Not only did we not know who Brother Johnson was we had no idea what kind of car he drove!  Ya gotta love the directions given here in Tennessee.

   Ya gotta love the warmth and friendship given to strangers here in Tennessee.  People may not know or agree with this but Calvin is the social butterfly of the two of us.  I will talk to people if they come up and talk to me but I don't start the conversations.  The goodness of probably 99% of the people we have met is remarkable.  They put us at ease right away, make us feel welcomed and it is great meeting so many really nice people.  They treat you like a friend from the moment you meet!  They are excepting of who we are and what we are doing in Tennessee so far from home and family.  I have been accepted into the group of ladies at the pool.  I know because I get hugs from several of them in the morning and I have been invited to go to Hardee's, (Carl's Jr.) on Friday morning for coffee!  Hardee's is the local hang out for Seniors each morning.  One of the nice thing about the ladies, anyway in our group is that I am one of the younger ones.  I do like that.  Ya gotta love the folks here in Tennessee.

   Ya gotta love the way people speak here in Tennessee.  The older the person is the thicker the accent.  I love listening.  Poor Calvin, everyone we met for the first time today talked fast and with a thick accent.  He was lost from the minute they started talking.  We would get back to the car and he would say, "did you understand anything he said?"  I would then explain the conversation we had just had.  It appears I am developing the talent of, "the gift of tongues".   The fun thing is little kids will tell us we talk funny!  Ya gotta love the beautiful language spoken here in Tennessee.

   Ya gotta love the great food in Tennessee.  We have tried several new dishes here so far.  Calvin's favorite so far seems to be the Hush Puppies.  My favorite dish is definitely the Chess Pie.  I have made them both and we will have these again.  We are attending 2 early Thanksgiving dinners next week and are looking to try some new Southern Dishes.  We even picked up a free Holiday Cookbook the city of Tullahoma puts out each year and we are looking forward to trying some recipes from it.  It is a good thing we go to the gym to exercise 5 days a week.  Ya gotta love the great food here in Tennessee.

   Ya gotta love the children in Tennessee.  What can I say.  Children are children, but the children from a very early age are taught respect and reverence for faith and family.  Their manners are unbelievable.  Not just to parents either but to all adults.  Don't get me wrong, they are not perfect and a 3 year old little hell-yun is a hell-yun wherever they live and Tennessee is no different.  But I love listening to them speak.  Their sweet little accent is so cool.  Ya gotta love the children in Tennessee.

   I could go on longer, but what it comes down to is if you spend a little time here in Manchester, Tullahoma, McMinnville, or Hillsboro Tennessee you are going to love it, and we do, so that is why we say, "Ya gotta love Tennessee"!

   I of course changed the names used in the blog today.

 

"...She Just Seems To Brighten My Day..."

   When I was in a "regular" ward and I would get a new calling I always wondered. "why me, why now, and what am I suppose to learn from having this calling?"  "What is it that I am suppose to do or just what is my purpose?"  Those same questions and thoughts have been on my mind a lot the last few weeks since we have arrived in Tennessee.  I think I might have at least part of my answer.  
   A week or so ago I received a text from a lady at church.  Yes I text a little.  She was home that day from church and when her family returned home, she asked her daughter how church was.  Mattie, age 9 told her mom, "it is the weirdest thing, every time I see Sister Higgins she just seems to brighten my day."  What a sweet thing to say.
   I have thought of that simple little statement often since I was told what Mattie had to say.  I think that maybe that might be in part our purpose for being here.  We are here to brighten the day for others. We can brighten days by doing service for others, by visiting those in nursing homes and reading to them, by visiting those who are feeling along or forgotten, and of course by sharing a gospel message with everyone we meet during the day.  Sadly it is also a fact that some people have their day brightened just by having us get off their property but even with that we have brightened their day. 
   The Gospel is love in action and the one thing we have learned here is that no matter who you are, you can ALWAYS use a hug, a smile or a friendly word.   Some of the people we meet during the day may not even admit they need anything and then just a listening ear works.  We have learned that people are more than willing to tell you all about their personal health issues and I do mean personal.  We just listen and ask what we can do for them.  The answer is always the same, "just keep me in your prayers" which we do and "thanks for listening". 
   I never knew how easy it was to, brighten someone's day and what an impact that has on others.  It took a 9 year old little girl to point it out and I am most grateful for her.  Please go out now and brighten someone's day and find out how good it makes you feel.  And as we say here in the south, "have a blessed day."

Following the Trials Come the Blessings

     Our calling here in Tennessee it to work with the less active and encourage them to return to church.  We were given a ward list and told who came regularly, but nothing more.  We then decided that we would just visit every member of the ward and talk to them and see for our self.  There are about 450 members with it split pretty much in half with half living in Tullahoma and half in Manchester.  We soon realized just what a big job this would be and try to break the task up by spending a day in Tullahoma, a day in Hillsboro and a couple of days in Manchester.  Saturdays we decide where to go by the week's progress or lack of.  Monday because it is P-Day, preparation day which includes laundry, errands and grocery shopping so we just get a few hours in and Tuesday because we do service projects here in town and we have twig meetings we spend in Manchester.  Every Wednesday either in McMinnville or in Tullahoma we have a district meeting which seems to take up the morning so we have decided that on the day we meet in Tullahoma that is the day we just
pack a lunch and spend the day there.  It may sound confusing and at first it was, but now makes sense to us. We are finally getting into somewhat of a routine. If you add in that Monday, Wednesday and Fridays we are at the pool from 7-8AM and Tuesday and Thursdays from 8-9AM and Friday mornings we are at a nursing home between 9-9:30 AM  our days are getting organized, which is something I like.  Calvin is liking it too although he wouldn't admit it.
   We had a zone meeting this past Wednesday, the 9th.  When we got back home that afternoon we decided we would go visit more families in the ward.  We still did not have an area map and we were doing lots of back tracking and zig zagging around the area.  After several hours and finding no one home or receptive we headed back to town.  We were feeling a little discouraged because we were wasting time with the extra driving.  We decided on the spur of the moment to track down our own area map. Our first stop was the Walgreen's.  No map.  When we got to the parking lot a man came up to Calvin and asked if he could help.  Calvin explained who we were and what we were doing and the man said he has been looking for a church that is family oriented.  Calvin told him some about the Church, gave him a Book of Mormon and asked if he would read it.  The man whose name is Duane said he would read it and gave Calvin his number and we will call him Saturday to set up a time to meet with him and invite him to church Sunday.  We ended the day with the blessing of meeting  Duane and introducing him to the church.
Friday we spent the day in Tullahoma which like the rest of Tennessee has lots of trees, hills country areas and very few street lights, house numbers or even street name markers.  We get lots of directions like, "go down here a couple blocks, turn left then go down a few more blocks then turn left again and it is the second, no the third house on the right".  And everyone in the country seems to have several barking dogs inside or tied up in the yard.  After about an hour of driving around in the country and seemed to be driving around in circles we finally located the house we were looking for, and the man who was not home from work was the member of the ward but less active.  His wife came out to meet us as soon as we drove up, never a good sign.  She told us, not to politely that her and the children were members of another church and that although her husband "used" to be a member of the church had not been for at least 10 years making him no longer a member in her view.  Calvin explained that he would be a member as long as his name was on the records of the church and as long as he was there would be times like today that people would come by to talk to him about the gospel.  He said he had his agency of course and that the only one who could remove his name from the records was him and he would have to write a letter to the Bishop!  She then dismissed us and we left.  As we were leaving and feeling bad for the husband knowing that there were going to be some serious "discussing" about religion going on over the dinner table, we passed a new house under construction we noticed a man heading to his car.  I thought to myself  "I want to find someone who will accept and read the Book of Mormon.  I know there was someone out there, we should just stop the car and give that man one."  What I did not realize is that I was not thinking to myself I had said it out loud and as soon as I finished, Calvin backed the car up. Before I knew what was happening I was out of the car, introducing ourselves and telling him about this wonderful book and message I would like to share with him.  He said he was on his way to pick up his little girl from day care, but would love to read the Book of Mormon and we could come back Monday to talk to him more about it.  What???  I NEVER do this.  Calvin does all the talking, he introduces us, explains what we are doing, and gives the message or whatever is needed.  Needless to say next Monday, P-Day or not we are going to make that long trip to talk to Purnell.  Yes, he said if we remember the old Bonanza show we would remember his name.  He was named after Purnell Roberts who played Adam Cartright on the show.  Again after another day of small trials we received the blessing of meeting Purnell.

Wk3: Up and down and all around town

Monday was P-Day so Papa fixed the two faucets while I put more things away. After the busy week last week spent at the fair we were feeling somewhat lost. Still didn't know who, what, when, where, how, about our calling. We were told we would be working with the less active but had no idea who the active members were, much less the less active… feeling a little down.

Tuesday we were invited by the Mission President to come to Franklin to attend a "Transfer Meeting".  We thought as long as we were going we should try to find the Temple and attend a session.  We had been told that the Mission President will let the Missionaries know when their temple day was.  We were also told we would probably go 3 times while we are here!  We took our temple clothes anyway.  We learned a long time ago that it is sometimes better to ask forgiveness than ask permission.  We were looking forward to this meeting, because we would FINALLY get our box of supplies.  Supply Box = an Area Book (which contains maps of the area along with reports), ward information, planners, DVDs, Pass Along Cards, Book of Mormons, pamphlets, and everything we would need to get started!  Boy did we want that box!  Everyone said someone else had the box and we had to come home with no supply box.

We did discover that every transfer day, which are held every 6 weeks, a special temple session is held for those missionaries who are leaving and returning home.  Senior couples are always needed and encouraged to attend.  Hot dog!  We were going to be able to attend the meeting, have lunch, and get to attend the temple.  As it turns out, the temple is just across the parking lot from the stake center where the meeting is held.  After each transfer meeting, a different ward in the stake/area serves the departing missionaries and senior couples a nice lunch.  Even leaving Franklin with no supplies it was a beautiful day and we look forward to going again. Definitely an up day!

Wednesday was our weekly district meeting, we drove the 30 minutes to go, but once there, I was feeling sick to my stomach and we headed right back home.  By early evening I was feeling good enough to go meet with the Bishopric.  We left the meeting with a ward list and we were feeling good and encouraged, but we still didn't know who the “less active” were.  It was a bit of a strange day.  Not sure if it was an up or down day.

Thursday, I was still not feeling too good; we stayed in and went over the ward list trying to see who we could remember from church so we could figure out some “less actives” for us to visit.  We set up an appointment to meet with Brother Long who has been in the ward “forever” and knows about every name on the ward list.  We wanted to go over the ward list with him and get his insights and suggestions.  We also picked up a few handouts from the Elders and have started making our own "Area Book".  The only thing is we don't know what goes in it. 

By Friday, Papa had had enough of just sitting around so I made some mini muffins and we decided to strike out on our own.  We selected a few people from the ward list based on names:

• Sarah, because I have a sister named Sarah. 
• Another lady because she had a daughter named MaKenna.
• A gentleman named Steve.
• And to shake things up, a gentleman named Kent.  We don’t know a Kent and couldn't remember meeting a “Kent” at church.  

Turns out they were all very friendly and all but Steve invited us in. (Comment from Elizabeth:  based on names – that is probably right)

Definitely an UP day. 

The only thing was we don't have a ward map and don't know the area enough so we spent extra time driving around.  Even with a new, working GPS! While out driving, we saw a Walgreen's and decided to get our flu shots as had been suggested.  (I have not felt good since)

Saturday we went to lunch with Brother Long and had our first "Grilled Bacon Cheese Burger".  I loved it, but I didn't love me.  We then went back to Brother Long’s home and went over the over the ward list.  He gave us some very useful information (who would be open to a visit and who would wave a broom at us).  By the time we got back home I wasn't feeling to good so I put my nightgown on and watched the Relief Society Broadcast from my rocker.  What a great meeting, so another UP day.

Sunday was the Primary Children's Sacrament Program which was wonderful.  It made me miss my grandchildren, but another UP day.

3 words

Our first full week in Tennessee can be summed up in just three little words, "Coffee County Fair".

Our bodies can also be summed up in three little words, "Tired, Exhausted, Pooped".

Our feelings about serving a mission here in Tennessee – 3 words:  "We Love It!"

Now let me explain myself.  The Ward had a booth at the fair that was staffed and worked by the missionaries.  We were having a drawing for two prizes.  One was a big framed picture of Christ and the other was an assortment of "Thrive Food Storage" products.  To enter you simply needed to fill out a short 4 question survey!  The last questioned asked was if the person was interested in learning about the church.  Those that said “yes” to question 4 became our referrals for the missionaries to contact.  Ward members were also scheduled to share and work at the booth in shifts.  Of course our shift was easy to remember - we were there! 

So here is how our week went;

• Monday and Tuesday we were away from home from 3PM – 10PM
• Wednesday and Thursday we were there from 8AM – Noon, then back at 3PM – 9:30PM
• Friday and Saturday we were there from 8AM – 9PM.

Needless to say, we did nothing to get our home set up and put into order.  The frustrating part was that we, (all 8 missionaries) were there by 8 as instructed, but couldn't get inside until about 9-9:30AM. 

The fair was lots of fun!  We ended the week with 444 referrals and a one day record of 171!

This is a pilot program in Tennessee, and it is fabulous.  I can't imagine so many people stopping by a church booth at a fair in Oregon.  We talked to lots and lots of little children, of course we gave out free cookies and balloons with CTR on them which gave us an opportunity to explain what C-T-R meant while the parents were filling out the survey.  It was a busy, exhausting, and fun way to start off our mission.  We got to meet lots of people and also had a chance to get to know the young missionaries here.  If we learned anything from the young people this past week, it was that we are old and cannot possibly keep up with them even though we tried our best!

As the sisters were sending around the missionary dinner calendars I told them no thanks, they didn’t need to feed us.  Remember, ward members are encouraged to feed the missionaries to help with their finances, which is great, but this ward has 4 sets of missionaries!  I just thanked them, explained that we don't eat dinner, and we would really prefer that they feed the Sisters and Elders.  I have a little slow cooker that Elizabeth sent with me and we use it.  I made up a pork roast that we ate for several days.  We also ate at the fair every day, so we are doing just fine. 

Speaking of "fair food", when I heard we would be at the county fair I was thrilled.  Fair means SCONES!  I couldn't wait.  Monday after some searching we found the scone/funnel cake booth - so exciting.  I stepped right up and ordered my scone… I could taste it… and – NO SCONES!  They only make scones on Friday Evening.  It was so hard to wait till Friday, but I made it.  Back to the scone booth and ordered MY scone.  Sorry!  The boss decided NOT to serve scones this year.  WHAT???  So sad!  Saturday on the way to the fair we stopped at Wal-Mart and I picked up a bag of Rhodes frozen rolls and stuck them in the back of the car then put them in the fridge when we got home.  Sunday after church I made my own scones.  They were great!

We are getting settled in little by little and the 5th wheel is starting to feel more and more like home.  We love being here in Tennessee and the KOA seems to be a perfect fit for us. This is a grand adventure.  I now go if we go out to the main road and turn left we can go to Wal-Mart or Home Depot and if we turn right we can go to Wendy's or Sonic!  What more do we need?

Papa is excited about only paying $3.08 for gas.  We travel a lot so he likes when we save.  The church is about 30-40 minutes away. 

Our primary duties while we are here, as we understand, is to work with less active.  They want a branch here in Manchester, but there are several things that have to happen first.  The first Sunday we went to church here a lady came up to me and introduced herself and said, "I live in Manchester, we want a branch there, so get busy."  WOW no pressure.  We really can't do anything more until we meet with the bishop. We hope to do that this week.

As I said before, we love it here, are settling in but still missing ya’ll lots and lots.

I'll end with 3 pictures...

Mission Report - 17 Sept 2013

(email from Nana)

Well we have been in Manchester Tennessee for 5 days now!  Things are not what I expected although I am no sure what I was expecting or even thinking for that matter.  

Here is how it went...

Thursday arrived at 8:30 PM and by 9:00 PM I was calling both Joleane and Elizabeth crying and telling them I wanted to come home.  But they both said NO and that after a good night's sleep I would be fine... They were right.  I think what it was, was seeing Steve drive off and thinking he was the last tie to family I had. 

Friday we spent the day trying to unpack boxes.  Not all of them, just enough so we could sit in our chairs and have clothes to wear on Saturday and Sunday.  We had a little flood when we discovered that the sink hose in the kitchen came loose or something.  Calvin worked on and fixed that.

Saturday we again spent the day unpacking boxes.  By now we realize that we brought way to much stuff for the amount of room we have.  Calvin/Papa/Elder did hook up the TV so we could watch the Tennessee/Oregon game.  There is no cable right now in the front room so we had to sit on the bed to watch the game.  We went and picked up lunch to have while we watched the game.  

We did decide that we would try out our nifty little washer/dryer combo while we watched the game as well.  After the game Papa stepped off the bed and into a puddle of water.  It seems the water from the dryer came up to the shower but the shower drain was already full of flies and moths so the water overflowed and settled in the carpet!  What a mess.  Sadly there were a pair of Papa's cowboy boots and our Ugg boots were all filled with water too. We are hoping they are not ruined but will have to wait and see after they dry out.  

Saturday morning we ran into the younger missionaries who told us about a ward missionary meeting that evening and wanted to make sure we could be there so we put lots of towels down on the wet carpet, got ready for our meeting and let the mess go.  

What a great meeting and we discovered there are 8 missionaries serving in this ward.  A set of Spanish speaking sisters, a set of English speaking sisters, a set of English speaking Elders and us.  It is cool to see how excited they all are about missionary work.  It is quite an example to us.  And of course the mess was waiting for us when we got home.  The shower drain did however drain while we were at our meeting.

Sunday we attended our first meetings in our new ward.  The ladies are huggers and made us feel so welcomed.  They acted like we were old friends who had moved away and now returned.  I must admit I was very relieved.  We got to speak, introduce ourselves and share our testimonies.  Papa of course did a fantastic job and I was as always very proud of him.  I am blessed that he is my eternal companion.  

Sunday evening, just like on Friday and Saturday we emptied more boxes and tried to find spaces for everything. We are running out of space but still have 8-10 boxes to empty.

Monday we emptied the last of the boxes and everything is put away, well most of it.  While Papa  worked on the plumbing, I did laundry.  We are lucky enough to have space #1 here at the KOA and right across driveway besides being a pool, hot tub, and great play area for kids there is also the office, laundry room and showers.  So I started 3 loads of laundry, went and took a shower and by the time I was done with my shower the washing was ready to go in the dryers.  Perfect timing.  While the clothes were drying I was able to just relax and answer the letters we received from Logan and Taylor.  

To tell you the truth I like this little set up!  Maybe we would be okay with doing some laundry over there.  We will see.

The ward is having a booth at the Coffee County Fair.  All 8 sets of missionaries plus ward members will spend time there.  We give anyone interested (and we try very hard to get them interested), a simple 4 questions survey to fill out. They are then entered to win 1 of two door prizes.  There are lots of pictures, DVDs, Bibles, Book of Mormons, balloons and even cookies to give out.  It is a great way to introduce ourselves, get referrals, and just be around great people.  

We were at the fair from 3:30pm until almost 9pm and it was lots of fun! My favorite part was talking to the little kids of course, while Papa's favorite part I think was talking to the Ministers on our right and the Gideon's on our left.  Anyway we can't wait to go back tomorrow and everyday this week.

As you can see we are doing fine and having lots of fun.  I am learning to hug the ladies and say "ya'll".   I love listening to the thick southern accents on the children and trying o figure out what they are saying.  They think I talk funny!

Love ya'll lots.

Nana and Papa