As we drove through the tall grass of one of their meadows we scared up a wild turkey which rose out of the grass and flew away so swiftly I didn't get a picture. But, there in the grass of the meadow we found this nest. We counted ten eggs, pretty obviously these are turkey eggs. We hoped the mother would come back after we departed.

They drove us about the place in their their little run-about dump truck. David and I got to ride in back of course. David is the Elder's Quorum President and a great strength to the Branch because of the deep committment and understanding he has of the gospel and church government. He has an active cancer that is not longer treatable, but you never hear him mention it. He is an inspiration to us all. His wife Susan is a North Carolina girl. She gave us big hugs and made us feel so welcome!

Saturday, we drove out to the 50-acre estate of Branch member David Freer, believing that we would be participating in a Branch party and cook-out. When we arrived we learned the picnic had been cancelled because of the heavy rains of the previous two days. But, we were greeted warmly by both David and his wife Susan and at their invitation we spent a good part of the afternoon, touring their very unique new home and riding about the expansive grounds which include hardwood forest, open meadows and a quite a nice sized private lake, stocked with fish. They treated us royally! We really had a most enjoyable afternoon with them, even sharing a meal together before we left for home.

This little fellow didn't get nearly as warm a welcome as the squirrels when he came slithering across our front lawn the other day. I figured him for a common black snake. He disappeared up under one of the big Blue Spruce trees near the driveway after I took this picture.

But, a day or two later, when we came home from an appointment we found him curled up on our front porch, probably enjoying the warmth of the sun on the concrete. The woman of the house gave stern orders and I had to get a rake and lift him off the porch and deposit him down in the wooded area near the creekbed below the house. He must not think we are very hospitable for his hasn't returned.

Squirrels abound here. They can be seen searching for food under the trees in our yard at most any time of the day. Sometimes we see two or three at a time foraging about. This little fellow came up on the sidewalk right in front of the living room window and seemed to want to have his picture taken, so I accommodated him.

These are the members of the Vinton District. From left to right:

Elder Chapman, Elder Shill (District Ldr), Elder Soderstrom (companion to Shill), Elder Makay and his companion Elder Jeffery (the Spanish speaking elders).

We learned from Elder Shill that Elder Soderstrom is being transfered on Transfer Day next Wednesday. We will surely miss him. He is from northern Utah, near Logan.

The only District member not pictured is Sister Chapman, who insisted on being the photographer.

We have been informed by our Mission President that we will be getting a new set of young missionaries assigned back to Bedford this Transfer. We were very happy to hear that news!

Driving down to our 10:30 a.m. District Meeting in Vinton Wednesday morning we took the Blue Ridge Parkway from the US 460 over to US 24 (Stewartsville Road). We stopped at this overlook that gives beautiful view of homes nestled on the slopes of the Blue Ridge mountains just to the north and east of Vinton, Virginia. The rain clouds of the night before were still hanging low on the mountains.