BLOG POST - JULY 13, 2017
By Elder Blanchard
- APPALACHIAN CULTURE:
We spend a lot of time tracking down long-lost souls in the Appalachian Hill Country. We're very thankful for our 4WD SUV and love the spectacular lush forests that we visit almost daily. The "Hill People" are an interesting culture and we're learning a lot. They wouldn't be comfortable in even small towns - they are rural to the bone.
Lots of big dogs, scrawny cats, chickens, guinea fowl ("they's better than dohgs for warnin' about trespassers"). They treat us well for the most part - there seems to be something disarming about a cute grandmother holding a plate of fresh-baked cookies as she stands next to the grey-haired dope in the white shirt and tie.
- AMISH LIFE:
We're learning more about Amish life every week. We live on the fringes of true Amish Country, about twenty miles south of the heart of Amish Country (Millersburg, Sugar Creek, Charm, Chili, Fresno, etc.) We're learning that there are different branches of Amish Culture and varying versions of lifestyles. On Monday, we took shelter from the daily cloudburst by holing up in a tiny Amish Store. The store was about the size of our garage and was operated by two very cute bonneted sisters, about 14 and 10 years old - while their mother took care of business in the back room on her cell phone. They had electricity, a nice rambler home and a Dodge Ram Truck. But other Amish homes are more traditional - buggies, bonnets, beards, etc. We see them often at WalMart - they come in hired vans and SUVS. We are learning how to spot Amish homes from a distance:
We're learning more about Amish life every week. We live on the fringes of true Amish Country, about twenty miles south of the heart of Amish Country (Millersburg, Sugar Creek, Charm, Chili, Fresno, etc.) We're learning that there are different branches of Amish Culture and varying versions of lifestyles. On Monday, we took shelter from the daily cloudburst by holing up in a tiny Amish Store. The store was about the size of our garage and was operated by two very cute bonneted sisters, about 14 and 10 years old - while their mother took care of business in the back room on her cell phone. They had electricity, a nice rambler home and a Dodge Ram Truck. But other Amish homes are more traditional - buggies, bonnets, beards, etc. We see them often at WalMart - they come in hired vans and SUVS. We are learning how to spot Amish homes from a distance:
a. Horse poop on the roads
b. Laundry drying on clotheslines
c. No cars by the house, buggies parked out back
d. No power lines to the house.
e. Common names on the mailbox: Troyer, Yoder, Miller, Stoltzfus, Hochstetler, etc.
- COSHOCTON INSTITUTE:
On Wednesday evenings, we team-teach the local Institute Class and we're having a great experience. We normally have about 15 present and we're currently studying the New Testament. Our class ranges from 20 somethings Shakira Robbins to 85 year-old Erma Mizer and all points in between. At last night's class, we had two birthdays to celebrate. One was our branch president, Darin Welker (the big guy in the camp-fatigues) got a special "Duck Cake" from the Blanchards. Just Google "Darin Welker, ducks and Army vet" you'll find out why. He's actually quite famous (Time Magazine, Today Show, USA Today, etc. ) Litigation has been going on for four years - trial date set for January 2018. By the way, we had a delicious dinner of roast duck last week at the Welkers.
On Wednesday evenings, we team-teach the local Institute Class and we're having a great experience. We normally have about 15 present and we're currently studying the New Testament. Our class ranges from 20 somethings Shakira Robbins to 85 year-old Erma Mizer and all points in between. At last night's class, we had two birthdays to celebrate. One was our branch president, Darin Welker (the big guy in the camp-fatigues) got a special "Duck Cake" from the Blanchards. Just Google "Darin Welker, ducks and Army vet" you'll find out why. He's actually quite famous (Time Magazine, Today Show, USA Today, etc. ) Litigation has been going on for four years - trial date set for January 2018. By the way, we had a delicious dinner of roast duck last week at the Welkers.
- NEW CALLING FOR PAUL: Pres. Welker has been a member of the church for three years (he's been branch president for two of those years). During his first year of membership, he served as a counselor to a young elder/missionary who served as the Branch President. Paul was recently called by the Stake Presidency to serve as first counselor in the Branch Presidency for the purpose of doing some mentoring. Pres. Welker is an amazing leader in light of his relatively brief time as a member. He is a dedicated, loving leader and the members love him. He really "ministers to his flock", hopefully Elder Blanchard can help provide some experience in the administration area. We love the Welkers - they have the most incredible garden this side of the Mississippi. A dinner at their house is an experience to not be forgotten.
- THE MOUND BUILDERS:
Before our mission, we weren't very knowledgeable about "The Moundbuilders" - or what is known as the "Hopewell Culture" / Indian tribes. They inhabited Central America roughly from 400 BC to 400 AD and their mounds are found throughout Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. As you drive through these states you commonly see tourist signs giving directions to "earthworks" or "mounds" in the area. One of the most famous of those mound cities is in Newark, Ohio - which just happens to be 30 miles south of us and actually in our stake. We visited the Newark Mounds last Sunday evening with a dozen other visitors (including Elder Boyd K. Packer's look-alike grandson) and enjoyed a tour guided by a local expert. We've attached pictures of us at the mounds.
Before our mission, we weren't very knowledgeable about "The Moundbuilders" - or what is known as the "Hopewell Culture" / Indian tribes. They inhabited Central America roughly from 400 BC to 400 AD and their mounds are found throughout Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. As you drive through these states you commonly see tourist signs giving directions to "earthworks" or "mounds" in the area. One of the most famous of those mound cities is in Newark, Ohio - which just happens to be 30 miles south of us and actually in our stake. We visited the Newark Mounds last Sunday evening with a dozen other visitors (including Elder Boyd K. Packer's look-alike grandson) and enjoyed a tour guided by a local expert. We've attached pictures of us at the mounds.
The correlation between the Moundbuilders and Book of Mormon cultures is something for the individual to decide, but reading Alma 49:1-4, 50:1-4 and Helaman 3 - while standing on a 25 foot dirt berm and moat that surrounds a 30 acre flat is a very interesting experience. For more information about what's called the "Heartland Theory", go to the NEPHITE EXPLORER website or just view Part One of the video by that name on YouTube. Very interesting to say the least.
- OUR NEW HOME:
We loved living in the snug apartment above the Medbery Deli on Whitewoman Street in Roscoe Village; but there are some aspects of living in a 175 year-old building that don't blend well with preserving the life of a cancer survivor (that would be Sister Blanchard). We decided that it wasn't wise to live in an atmosphere of mold, lead paint, etc. and we found a brand new condo a new development built on a former country club. We now live at 13 Fairway Lane - Coshocton, OH 43812. We're the first residents of a clean, modest twin-condo!
- BUCK-EYE COUNTRY:
This is not only Amish Country, but we're also in the heart of Ohio State Buckeye Country. We're only 70 miles east of Columbus, and with a Cougar "Y" on the car, we are treading lightly!
-RAIN:
We have never seen rain like this! We figure we have received between 5 - 10 inches of rain SO FAR IN JULY!! No wonder it looks like the Garden of Eden! We may need to prepare an ark here pretty quick!
-RAIN:
We have never seen rain like this! We figure we have received between 5 - 10 inches of rain SO FAR IN JULY!! No wonder it looks like the Garden of Eden! We may need to prepare an ark here pretty quick!
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