December 21, 2009

OH MAN!!!Where do I begin?Friday we had district meeting in Big Stone Gap, about 30 minutes from our apartment in Wise. After district meeting we headed to Pennington Gap (40min from Big Stone), we had an appointment with a new investigator there at 5:30, so we were going to go work there until then. It was raining pretty hard so we decided to see a recent convert there to see if the rain would let up a bit before we started tracting. We visited for a bit but before we left we heard word that the storm was getting worse so we left a note for our new investigator and split town. Before we left town the rain turned from rain to freezing rain mixed with snow.It took about an hour to get back to Big Stone Gap and the weather didn't change, but between Big Stone and Wise is an elevation change of 1,100 ft and as we ascended into Wise everything turned into a whiteout. Traffic was backed up and we were stranded on the highway for 2-3 hours before we started moving again, and after another thirty minutes of driving we made it back to our little trailer.We ventured out to check mail and stores for a few supplies. (I did get every ones packages, Thanks!) On our way back, we watched the sky light up green and red as transformers exploded and power lines fell in the distance.When we arrived back to our apartment we lit some candles to get ready for bed (the power was out). We bundled up the best we could and were warm the first night.The next day we spent most of the day on checking members in our immediate area to make sure they were alright. Most of them had gotten out before things got too bad.The second night we warmed up in our car for a short time before we went in for the night. The third day we went to a nearby public shelter with some neighboring members. We had heard that big stone still had power so and was still selling gas so Bro Bradshaw took us with him as we went to gas up his car we left the rest of his family at the shelter just in case. Fortunately the trip was a success and we made it back safely. After we got back I volunteered to go with a rescue truck to find some recent converts with small children living about 5 miles out on old country roads. The roads were impassable and we returned empty handed. It was about this time the Bishop showed up at the shelter. Apparently they did have church that morning. Bishop and 3 members from Kentucky staying with him had a sacrament and testimony meeting. They were out checking on members as well mostly everyone had been accounted for.We were tired and cold, when one of our members in big stone offered to take us in for the night so we took them up on the offer. Last night we showered and stayed in a warm house.We were warm on the third night.Today we are back in Wise. Half of the town has power, but not our trailer. It is estimated that we will not receive power until Wednesday or later. We will not be staying at our trailer until we get power back.I will be calling early on Christmas day. With the time zone change I will try to call about the same time Andrew gets up.I love you guys and I will take care of myself so you don't have to worry.I will TALK to you soon.LoveElder Jose