Burmingham Alabama Mission

Barkers, Owens, Ensigns, Barfuss's                            We enjoyed walking through three buildings of Race History;  Talledega Dad found his beloved M & M Car!! Models and more models every where  The seniors took a van ride tour around the huge speedway (2.66 mile loop, seats 80,000) after the race museum.          There were special shoes developed so they could paint the 33% slope of the race track curves!! Between the museum visits, we all enjoyed dinner together at a Chinese Restaurant.     Sloss Furnaces Birmingham, National Historic Landmark, was the biggest producer of pig iron from 1882-1971 putting Alabama on the map! Coke made from coal burned hotter and would turn iron ore and flux from limestone into pig iron in the blast furnace. Pig iron is the main component in making steel. Birmingham had coal, limestone and iron ore all close to each other in veins through the earth. Now most of the steel production is in B

#1 Birmingham Destination!! Barber Motor Sports Motorcycle Museum and Raceway Ryan, Josiah, Natalie, Anneliese, Auni (Nanny), Christian, Dawson and Ewan                                                            Checkers, Anyone? We all enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner together at the Air BnB Ormonds rented.  Grandma Rosie had shopped for PJs for everyone, stuffed Christmas stockings to enjoy before dinner.  The Big and little boys were enjoying TV football games while the turkey and all the trimmings were cooking. Some games were played.  After dinner, we visited the Motorcycle Museum and came home for dessert.  The kids decorated Christmas cookies while Gpa and Gma and Ryan and Natalie took a drive through Birmingham.  Vulcan Iron statue, the Alabama Theater, The Oldest church, Civil Rights trail, University Alabama Birmingham (UAB teaching/research hospital) were all stopping places for photos.  The next morning after breakfast, the kids g

The office Seniors, Barkers, Ensigns and Barfuss's went together at Tannehill Park and purchased a Spam Canjo for Elder Tausinga and a Popeye Spinach Canjo for Elder Rumel (APs) and surprised them as gifts!! Sister Barfuss bought a Moon Pie Canjo and is practicing for Christmas!! First time eating Alligator!! Bobbin lace demonstration, amazing!!                               Iron melting ready to pour into casting art molds carved by Kentuck participants          Elder and Sister Ensign, Sister and Elder Hurst, Sister Barfuss at "Kentuck" art festival. There was a "Musical Petting Zoo" for instrument exploration for the children, live entertainment, story telling, a block cut print demo each of us made for a souvenir and amazing handmade items of every kind. Sister Hurst bought a black crocheted kitten and Sister Ensign bought some origami earrings!! I drooled over the $200.00 pottery we were not allowed to photograph!! Iron proc

             Elder and sister Barfuss drove through the Tupelo Zone checking on all the missionary apartments for cleanliness, safety and function over two days.(Stayed at Days Inn)  Most of the missionaries do a really great job of keeping everything clean and workable.  We love visiting with them, but when we miss them, Elder Barfuss brings spare keys to keep the work moving along.  We also bring supplies and requested items, as well as treats and fresh fruit. We share favorite scriptures, ask about missionary miracles  and have a prayer with each companionship.      After all the apartment checks, we stopped at the Alabama Music Museum, Hall of Fame, in Muscle Shoals for a quick tour.  It was amazing how many musical success stories started in Alabama!!