Burmingham Alabama Mission

   The Alabama Birmingham Mission has just finished 5 Zone Conferences that included some very enlightening training on planning, calendars, smart phones and organization skills.  Sister Barfuss enjoyed attending one of them, being inspired by the young missionaries enthusiasm and hard work.      At transfers, Missionary Leadership Conference (MLC), Zone meetings and whenever missionaries come to the Mission Office, Sister Barfuss helps the Sisters and Elders with a myriad of complaints with otc s/s relief.  (Sprained ankles, heart burn, warts, canker sores, ingrown toenails, muscle strains, headaches, IBS, and whatever else is on their minds)      We had a Senior missionary suffering from a cycling migraine and luckily essential oils, a back and foot rub with a short nap in a darkened room gave her some relief!!!    During a loop of checking 13 apartments, Elder and Sister Barfuss went to "Ivy Green" Helen Keller's bi...

 We have adopted Grandma H in Sylacauga and she spars with Elder Barfuss.  One Sunday morning she was visiting with 2 sisters and Elder Barfuss walked up saying, "It looks like a hen's party to me!" Grandma says, "I don't think any roosters were invited!!"  A couple of weeks later, Grandma H was strongly contributing in Sunday School and Elder Barfuss said, "Your pretty sassy for an old Hen!" Grandma pointed her finger at him and slapped her hands together while saying, "I'm goin' to 'minister to HIM!"      One of our senior couples had a friend from home crochet this family of chickens for her children to play with and we borrowed them for a picture with Grandma!!  Sister Barker from Malad, ID crocheted her first afghan to share with the Ensley Branch when she and her husband finish their mission. Her daughter mailed the chick family from home, so a little girl in church could play with them and be entertained during...

     We delivered an ankle brace for a Sister missionary living in Columbiana after our Meetings in the Sylacauga Branch.  She sprained her ankle a month ago and it isn't healing, so Dr/Sister Puls the AMA is managing her in two braces. A cam walker during the day and a lace up for night.      The missionaries are doing record extraction for two transfers, of ancient records that are crumbling!!  President Muck set up this amazing opportunity and all the missionaries who receive this Columbiana transfer love the work.  They are on bicycles and live not far from the Courthouse.      We stopped at the Veteran's Park for a lake walk and viewing some wildlife on the way home.

Alabama has amazing hillsides of Kudzu that looks like a wonderland!! It was introduced in 1876 at the US Philadelphia Centennial Expo. Farmers were encouraged to plant it between 1935-50 to prevent soil erosion. It covers whole trees, pulling water and nutrients and can grow 1 feet per day with vines being 100 feet long. The only way to get rid of it is to mow it close to the ground, every month through two growing seasons and burn all the vines. Scientists are trying to eradicate this invasive species, but haven't found a way yet!! Grand kid pics coming in texts just always makes our day!! Sister and Elder Barfuss??

  We had two sister eye surgeries, a sister with immigration papers needing updated, two sisters getting rid of lice, two getting rid of fleas, four getting rid of bedbugs and ongoing!! Elder Barfuss just sprayed two apartments for bedbugs in Madison.  Success!!--currently no infestations!!!                      Finished second "Star Farm" quilt pattern designed by Diane Brinton and Audrey Mann I loved piecing it because it reminded me of my childhood growing up on 80 acres and our family. It is a joy to serve these stalwart Spanish speaking missionaries.  We enjoyed a nice lunch after appointments. These sisters are so obedient and have hearts of gold!!  Sister texted this fun picture and Elder Barfuss quipped, "I've been trying to get Rosemary to STOP for years!!"

Sign found at a Flea Market, but it reminded me of our strong nurses. Five going to four.  Sister Dillard is retiring for the third time and also serves as RS President.  Sister Wade is our new mental health nurse helping Sister Prosch.  Sister Richetto is helping again with medical after Elder Ricketto's cancer recovery. Sister Barfuss is the only full time nurse missionary and is so thankful for all the service missionaries amazing help.       President and Sister Sainsbury cooked a lovely salmon dinner with almond cranberry green salad, corn bread muffins and bacon glazed veggies.  The nurses all brought desserts; Key lime pie, pound cake, pecan pie and a fresh fruit platter. Overall a most wonderful sendoff for Sister Dillard.       The nurses see the hand of the Lord protecting the missionaries throughout their missions. Bike accidents, dog bites, accidents usually are very non threatening.  Where there may have been pot...

Elder Barfuss and Sister Barfuss spent the day waiting for a lady to move out of the apartment that we were moving Sisters into.  After the Sisters helped us load their apartment, we took them to breakfast at Bojangles.  They had a District meeting, so we visited Nocalola Falls not far from the Church and had a nice walk and visit with other nature seekers. Later we moved the Sisters things out of the trailer into their nice new apartment just before they returned from missionary duties.

     President Muck, one of the Mission Counselors set up a service opportunity for some of the young Elders, Sisters and Senior missionaries to serve at the American Village on our Nation's birthday!!  We arrived early and enjoyed a MSO recreation performance of "The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and several other patriotic songs.  There were an estimated 4,000 people enjoying the performances, period costumes and actors presentations.       The young missionaries were ushers, crowd control and the Seniors manned the info booth.  Elder and Sister Barfuss were assigned to an assembly hall where every 30 minutes there was a 15 minute play on "Spy Secrets of the Revolution" and "My father, a Patriot soldier."  Both were done very well with actresses who had competed for the internship opportunity.  There were 90 youth who memorized and performed 1850's drama scenes, purchased their own period costumes and worked all summer for the Vi...