We have a new address. We haven't moved, but now can get mail at our residence. That should make life a lot easier for all.

Our new address:
50 Rabon Rd #1
Atmore, AL  36502

Monroe Branch Missionary Family History Event

Monroe Branch Missionary Family History Event
Sept 11, 2016

Todd & Zack Smith helping Branch Pres Fralick & EQ Pres Brewer

Sr Redfern & Elder Radmall

Family History Event in Slocomb, Alabama

Wow!!!  The south sure embraces Family History. We have had many amazing experiences - the one last Saturday was a yet another new one for us.

Miracles:
Two months when we were setting up our missionary training schedule - we felt like we should go east instead of our planned south route for training. We set up training for missionaries in Andalusia, Enterprise and Geneva, Alabama. We felt good about going there, even though we knew with their zone conference being on Wednesday, we would not be able to spend one day and not train the rest of the missionaries in that area. When we got to Geneva on Tuesday at 1:00 pm, there was a member (Sister Kriser) that heard we were coming and came to talk to us. She had been awakened during the night on Monday and felt like she was to call Sister Hanson (senior couple in Enterprise) and talk to her about Family History. (She had a non-member who had been asking her if she knew anybody that could come and do a Family History presentation.) Sister Kriser called Sister Hanson and told her the story about her inspiration to call her. Sister Hanson said, she had just learned Monday evening, that we were going to be at the Geneva building that (Tues) afternoon and she needed to be there.

When Sister Kriser told us her story and what she needed - we said we would be happy to do help. It turn out that this "man" who was asking, is a principle of a middle school that wanted the school to host a Family History event and invite the community, starting with the parents of all the kids in the middle school. Well, last Saturday (April 30) was the day. We had trained missionaries to help attendees with one-on-one help after a FH presentation. We had two sessions - it was a Great Success!

Here are some pictures taken at the event of the presentation and the one-on-one help:

What a great day and a blessing to be part of it!

Here is an email we received from Sister Kriser after the event. She was writing this to her Stake Presidency hoping they would so something similar and give the members the opportunity to invite their friends. She was very kind and appreciative - and she did a LOT OF WORK to make the event successful!

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Email from Sister Kriser:

Presidents Salmon, Aycock, and Davis,

I wondered if you might be aware of Elder and Sister Price, who were requested and brought to the Tallahassee Mission by President Smith to be Family History missionaries here?  I happened to become aware of them when trying to find someone to help us with a specific event.  A non-member in our area offered to host a family history event at the Slocomb Middle School.  This was Zeb Brown's second request, and I had been praying to know who would be well-prepared and capable to lead out with such an event.  

The name of a stake member came into my mind one night along with the thought that I should call her the next morning and ask her about family history.  When I called Elder and Sister Hansen (from Enterprise) the next morning, she let me know she does have Family History experience, but even more importantly she told me she was aware that there would be a missionary couple (she didn't know their names) at our Geneva Branch building at 1 p.m. that day to meet with and train our sister missionaries in Family History.  I drove to our building and met Elder and Sister Price and knew my prayers had been answered. 

Elder and Sister Price have been wonderful to work with as we planned together, and last Saturday held a successful, double-sessioned event at the Slocomb Middle School.

I can't say enough good about Elder and Sister Price and their abilities to really carry this event.  Their presentation, people skills, and overall approach was professional, fun, and highly effective.  We had a support team of 14 missionaries, whom the Prices had previously trained to work with branch and community members during the break-out sessions portion.

Besides several branch members who attended, we had about 15 non-members who came to the sessions (one in the morning and one afternoon), and information was exchanged with our sisters for follow-up one-on-one sessions.

The Prices are going throughout the mission training all of the missionaries to be prepared in helping with Family History and also helping to host events like this one. These events have seemed to especially be effective when they are held in public locations (libraries, senior centers, schools, etc.).

I couldn't help but recognize the opportunity we have with the Prices right now-- especially if they are able to partner with Ward or Branch High Priest Group Leaders and Missionary leaders.  I know when Drew served as High Priest Group leader (responsible for Family History work), this information and resource would have been very helpful to him.  

Here are a few pictures from the event--the one where everyone is eating lunch in the hallway was our support team.  I only have pictures taken in the library--a computer lab was also used during the break-out sessions.

--Sister Kriser

President Bradley Smith of the Florida, Tallahassee Mission & His Wife, Dana.

The mission president requested that we train him and his wife to do Family History. We traveled to Tallahassee and stayed  overnight with them.    Wonderful people & great fun!

  

Pres Bradley Smith, and his wife, Dana from American Fork, UT! He served as mission president previously in the Marshall Islands. Mission presidents serve for three years. He had requested a senior couple who was "enthusiastic about family history"!

We trained them for a few hours before and after dinner and a few more in the morning. 

We were invited to stay in the General Authorities' guest bedroom!

Pascagoula, Mississippi Public Library Family History Workshop

Great Fun! Great Day!

Elders Lee-lo & Richardson helping Candis with her family history

Elders Jackson & Brewer helping Billy

Elders Galloway & Greene helping Violet

Sister Price with Candis        Sister Price & Elder Price helped the Elders help others:)

Tornadoes!

February 24, 2016   We had a tornadoes in our area yesterday, but we were very blessed!  There was a path from the coast heading north that hardly even got rain. We were in that path. As the storm got to that "path," it turned north. Yet there was devastation on both sides. Louisiana & Mississippi on the west and Pensacola on the east.

Shari & our children were checking on our well-being during the tornado warning as well as our Branch President. 

These are emails from our Branch Pres. yesterday & night before.  Very nice of him.

On Feb 22, 2016, at 10:39 PM, Greg Fralick <gregfralick2790@gmail.com> wrote:

I would like to take a minute of your time to make you aware of the threat of severe weather tomorrow evening and in to the night. This has the potential to be very bad. Y'all are welcome to come to our home if you like or use the church for safety if needed. Please don't wait till the last minute to seek shelter. I will be watching the weather and will try to update you as I see or hear warnings.

Thanks for all y'all are doing!

Pres Fralick

On Tuesday, February 23, 2016, SisterPrice <sisterprice@ireneprice.com> wrote:

Thank you for the information and the offer to stay at your house or at the church. We will plan to stay at the church tonight. :-)

Confirmed tornadoes to the west of us headed this way, use caution. Send me a message if you need us and let me know first thing tomorrow that y'all are safe.

Our Neighbors!

We like to walk up our red dirt road whenever we get the chance.  We  are often able to visit with some of our neighbors there.  This week we discovered some new neighbors!

Our District

This is our wonderful district:  ( R-L) Elder Jordan, Elder Carpenter (District Leader), Elder Renslow, Elder Ellsworth, Elder Moore, & Elder Hatori. All are hardworking, intelligent, fun Elders & tomorrow is transfer day.  We'll see who stays & who goes to new areas!

I'm helping Elder Carpenter & Elder Jordan help two patrons who came into the Monroe County Heritage Museum seeking help on tracing their family history.

Our Youth Family History Consultants

This is AnnaMarie Fralick, the Branch President's 14 year old daughter, and her mother, Buffy.  Anna Marie is one of our Branch Youth Family History Consultants. In fact the Branch President called all six of the youth in the Branch (12-17 years of age) to be Family History Consultants!

This is Zach Smith, our 12 year old Branch Youth Family History Consultant. We train the YW after church on Sunday (They bring a snack.) & the YM before YM's on Wed.  This way no one has extra travel.

 Jodie & Josie, 17 yr old twins, who are also Branch Youth Family History Consultants. Their father, John David Johnsonj, has just been active 2 years & these daughters were baptized only 2 years ago.  Their father is 2nd Counselor in the Branch Presidency & the Ward Mission Leader.

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Our Beautiful Work Areas

  

                                                Irene & Tom's Work Areas in our 5th Wheel

We took all of the living room furniture (couches & chairs) out of our 5th wheel & put in our tables, computers, & files for the perfect mission set-up!  In the mornings, we pack our food in a cooler & are off on an adventure--meeting new people & serving most of each day. Toward evening we come home, work at our desks (which are right next to each other) plan, eat, & retire to our comfy bed for the night.  It's a great life!

The Fun Spreads to Mississippi!

This is what we chose for our Missionary Placque to be hung in our ward at home.

Elder Holland: As we serve in the mission field, our children and grandchildren will be blessed in ways that would not have been possible had we stayed at home.

Jan. 25, 2016 Last weekend we spoke in a Ward Sacrament Meeting in Mississippi (2 hrs away but in our Stake!) and did a presentation for the public on FamilySearch at the Public Library there, & trained missionaries, non-members, & Family History Consultants in Mississippi on Fri, Sat & Sunday!  A full but great weekend!   We are loving our mission!

This is the list we are using for training.

Basic Skills for Family Search
	Creating an account
	Navigating and using Family Tree
	Connecting to deceased ancestors
	Get Help Tab
	Record Hints
	Adding and correcting information
	Standardize dates and places
	Person Page Interview (missing details or relationships)
	Searching on FamilySearch Site
	Searching Partner Sites
	Source linking methods - (RecordSeek.com)
	Check for duplicates
	Printing Charts
	Descendancy view
	Fan Chart view
	Helper Function
	Memories: Pictures and Stories (Text & Audio)
	Apps for devices (FamilyTree & Memories)
	Changing Order and Title of Sources
	Search Historical Records (Catalog & Historical)
	FindARecord.com
	Teach family and friends
	Indexing
	Family Search Research Wiki

Tom emailed the mission president to tell him in detail how well the training was being received by the public.  Tom also told him that the young missionaries have expressed that they feel a lot more confident teaching others why we do family history after our training. After training, they feel they can help anyone get started. Tom asked the mission president if he would like us to travel the mission & train all of the young missionaries & senior couples. This was the mission president’s reply:

January 25, 2015

Dear Elder & Sister Price,

You have a great big yes for me! It is absolutely amazing what you both are doing! I was so excited, I forwarded your email to Salt Lake to show them everything that you were doing!

Let's go forward with your plan!

Give'em Heaven

President Smith

Florida Tallahassee Mission

850-510-0624

This positive reply means we will start planning a schedule to meet with & train each of the 200 missionaries in our mission who live from Mississippi to Tallahassee, Florida! Fun!

Monroe Branch

This is Elder Renslow on the left & our great Relief Society President on the right. See how young she is, & she has only been active in the church for 2 years. Her husband took the missionary lessons 2 years ago & was baptized. Listening to his missionary lessons renewed her testimony, & she became active again.  She also has a darling 3 year old daughter & works as an X ray Tech.  Her husband is a wonderful, dedicated Young Men's President!

Each 5th Sunday the branch has a fun potluck dinner--a great time for fellowshipping!

We gave Alvin Callier a ride to church this morning. Instead of attending our 8 am Branch Council meeting at 8 am, we left at 7 am, picked him up in Grove Hill at 8 am, & arrived for church at 9 am. After the potluck dinner, we had him home by 3 pm & were to our home by 4 pm.  Long day, but so worth it to be able to include him!

January 9, 2016

January 9, 2016 - Driving back from New Years in UT, we traveled south to be out of freezing weather.  Because hurricanes are not uncommon, many of the businesses and homes along the coast in Mississippi are built on stilts! Was fun to drive through Biloxi, MS where we lived when Chet was 6 mos old & Tom was stationed in the Air Force!

Our Christmas - 2015

We were invited to help at the museum & therefore were able to meet lots of wonderful townspeople during their Christmas activities:)

Monroe Museum Crew +1
(Snow in Monroeville, AL? rented a snow-making machine! )

Before this year we'd never had the chance to spend Christmas with our oldest son, Chet, & his family in Atlanta which is just 4 hours from us. Chet & Danielle are great parents to their 5 children!

At Chet's on Christmas Day 2015 (Who took the picture? - Cool)

January 2, 2016

January 2, 2016 - We were able to go from Alabama to Utah for our 18th annual 3 day Family Reunion with our children & grandchildren.  It was a great time of family bonding & lots of fun!!

Pics taken from our balcony in the vacation home we rented for the reunion in Bear Lake

G'ma & G'pa  "Happy New Year"

Brady & Allison

With Charity 'n Kids

Brady

Lani's Family's Dance

Luke Dances!

Jacob's Family Gets a Turn!

Mom's "screened" view from our home.

It's only 20 feet of trees with farmland on the other side of the trees, but it's a beautiful view from my screened window in the bedroom!

Our Beautiful RV Setting

So - yes, we are way behind in our blogging. The temperatures are warm but not too hot yet. The foliage is green - green - green.

How could we be so blessed? We are 1.3 miles from the Monroe Branch building (where we attend) and are situated in a great, secluded RV Park - and have been the only ones in the park since we arrived. Here are 3 aerial pictures showing: 1- Our location and our church building, 2- Closer view of our campsite, 3- Close-up of where we are parked, 4- View of our RV and 5- View from our RV.

Heat wave hit Alabama!

All is well in the south. They are having a "winter" heat wave. Heat records for Christmas time are being broken.  In fact: this morning at 5 am our air conditioner came on because is was over 75 inside. Our outside low last night was 70 and our high was 82. What a marked difference to Rexburg's overnight low of -20 degrees.  (But really - air conditioning at the end of December?) However, that said: we are NOT complaining!  ;-))

Mom & Sherry Johnston - Evergreen Public Library Genealogy Room

This is Sherry Johnston - one of our new GREAT friends. She is in charge of the Evergreen (AL) Public Library Genealogy Room and is AMAZING. We get to spend every Monday with her. We go to help her - but she spends most of her time teaching us. She has a photographic memory so she can go on and on and on with incredible stories about the area. Evergreen, AL in Conecuh County so she is the "goto" source for information about the history of people and places. Uwanaknow how the city of Burnt Corn got it's name (I did) - just ask her. If you want to know about Mormons in Conecuh County - she will go to the shelf and pull out a book with the information and history. Yep - she IS Amazing!!!

Last week when we got there - she had brought us these beautiful gardenias. Yes, they are real and are are grown outside and aren't frozen and yes, it's December.

We have found out from many sources that Sherry is VERY well respected for her work and knowledge. After the first of the year, she is going to start inviting various groups to the library to meet us and so the three of us will be there to help those coming, take the next step with their Family History. It also sounds like sometime during the year, she wants to have a "meet and greet" with her connections to all the historical societies in southern Alabama and northern Florida (17 counties). What a blessing she is in our lives!  We love you Sherry.

 It's pretty fun in Branch Council.  It's our 3rd Sunday here, so it seems everyone's getting more comfortable with us. Today the YM Pres. said, "Well they didn't take me out back & whup me r nothin'.  There are only 3 active young me.  He explained how dedicated they are by saying, "If you asked 'em to move a mountain with a spoon, they'd ask where ya want them to start!" The 2nd counselor in the Br. Presidency said, "Whatever trips his trigger." I asked him to repeat it, & told him I was going to write it down:)