John arrived on his birthday, August 29, so the next day, after they attended our Bedford Branch Sunday meetings with us we had the traditional Chapman family Sunday dinner complete with Roast beef, mashed potatos and gravy, tossed green salad, hot rolls, and fresh peach shortcake and ice cream for dessert! Not too bad!

Of course, just because it was John's birthday dinner didn't mean Elizabeth and I should forgo our practice of mustard on our roast beef!

Two of our children, John and Elizabeth, flew out from Arizona for a 3-day visit with us, August 29 to September 1. They were coming by way of Charlotte, North Carolina and were due to arrive at the Lynchburg airport at 11:28 p.m. We got to the airport in plenty of time, we thought, to be there when they got off the plane. I let Linda off at the main entrance while I parked the car. She took a seat near the entrance to wait for me. I came in and saw her waiting and told I was going to look for a monitor to see the status of the flight. I stepped into a small eating area (this is a small regional airport) and saw a young fellow seated there, eating a large burrito. Oh, my gosh! It was John! I was so surprised!

They had arrived in record time!

Linda said that just as I walked away she heard someone in the nearby women's restroom sneeze. She said to herself, "That has to be Elizabeth!" And sure enough, out came Elizabeth from the rest room and spotted her mom!

This picture was taken just as their mother greeted them for the first time! How great it is to get a visit from members of your family when you have been away from them so long.

We will not soon forget our day with Sister Rosemary Overstreet and the Kingston's and the other dear members of the Bedford Branch who were there that special day in the Raleigh North Carolina Temple, showing their love and support for Rosemary as she experienced the sacred ordinances, washings, annointings and endowment through the authority of the Holy Priesthood, available only in these Holy Temples. She had qualified herself to be there and it was such a choice experience to share in it with her and these other dear members.

Prior to the beginning of the session the endowment room was filled to overflowing and there were still members of our branch who had not been seated. In an act of true Christian charity, Sister Ball, our Young Women's leader and Sister Bible, our Branch Primary Nursery leader each got up from their seats and offered them to Sister Strawn, one of our oldest members and to Sister Smith. They were not with us then in this memorable endowment session, but we were pleased and very gratified to find them waiting for us, dressed in their white temple clothing as we completed the session and entered the celestial room. We won't forget the smiles and the tears and the wonderful spirit of love, brotherhood and sisterhood that surrounded us there on this sacred day in the Raleigh Temple.

We all went together to a nearby restaurant later in the afternoon for a late lunch before returning to Bedford. We had a wonderful time!

By following their directions we returned home a different way than we had come and cut our travel time from 5 hours to 3! Sometimes you have to admit that the locals know the territory!

Brother Hodge escorts Sister Overstreet to the car after our photo session. Elder and Sister Kingston are behing them.

Sister Overstree suffered a stroke not long after her baptism a year ago and now walks with a brace on her left leg and does her best to get along without the use of her left arm.

We were given the opportunity to teach her the Temple Preparation lessons prior to her going to the Temple. We came to her little home in Thaxton, west of Bedford, twice each week around noon time to teach her these lessons. It was a choice experience each time to be with her in her tiny little home and discuss the blessings of the Temple and have prayer with her. She has become a dear friend!

Sister Overstreet is in the orange blouse and flowered skirt, seated next to Linda. Ten members of the Bedford Branch came with her to the Temple. Elder and Sister Kingston came from Idaho. It was a sweet experience to be with Sister Overstreet in the Raleigh Temple. She is an inspiration to each one of us.

The back row, left to right:

Elmer and Sue Hodge; Ray Nichols; Judith Black; Sister Kingston; Sister Bible; Elder Kingston; Elder Chapman.

The front row, left to right:

Cressida Smith; Evelyn Deel; Sandy Ball; Glynda Nichols; Dorine Strawn; Rosemary Overstreet; and Sister Linda Chapman.

This picture was taken after the Temple session. We just outside the west entrance to the Temple.

Here is Sister Overstreet as she came from the Temple after the session was completed. Standing on either side of her are Elder and Sister Kingston, the missionary couple that was instrumental in her acceptance of the the restored gospel a year ago, last April. They flew in from their home in Idaho to be with her on this special occasion.

But, as our session ended and we stepped from the Temple to take some pictures, we found the sun was shining through great billowing, broken clounds; just a beautiful day for Sister Overstreet!

This picture is taken of the west side of the Temple, which is the side the entrance is on.