Ancestor's journal

June 13, 2011

Recently, Jim discovered that his great-grandfather, Nathaniel Alvin Decker, served a mission in the same area that Michael is in except it was 110 years ago.  Jim always thought that his mission was in Tennessee, but as he read the journal that his great-grandfather kept on his mission, he realized that Nathaniel Decker was in the Jacksonville, Florida area.  We found that he might have been in Brunswick, GA, where Michael is now.  There are some missing journal entries of about 6 months.  But there is a reference to Brunswick.  He was close enough that a doctor was called from Brunswick to help a man that had been shot in his arm.  Michael just received a copy of the journal.  So when he talks about "the journal" it is referring to that of his great-great-grandfather who served in Jacksonville, Florida area from 1899-1901.  That is pretty cool.

Hello Family!  Greetings from the deep South, where the chicken comes fried and the gritz come cooked.  Thank you for the emails and letters and AMAZING package! (yes I got one in the MTC too).  The pictures and blessings are so amazing and special to me.  The Missionary journal truly is dear to my heart.  I read from it every day.  I am currently on a 4 day exchange in Kingsland, GA where he (Nathaniel Decker) literally served, so it is so sweet reading his journal here.  

It has yet to rain since coming to Georgia.  Actually, the Okefenokee swamp is up in flames and the sky is gray, and the sunset is red here because of all the smoke.  There was ash on the car this morning.  Sad day.  

 On Tuesday, I talked with a bishop from Waycross at the church and told him my ancestors are from Manassa, CO and turns out his son-in-law is too.  His last name is Smith.  I think his grandpa was John Smith.  He was so excited to see the missionary journal when it came in the mail. I told him I'd copy some pages from it that dealt with Waycross.  He said the old LDS families are the Spivies, Fussels, and some others.  I saw "ervin spivy" in the journal.  SO COOL!

Hey Mom, Elder Nelson from Woodland Hills in my zone (in Waycross).  he said his mom told him to look out for me as well.  He is sweet. 
Megan, my companions and I randomly broke out into Anastasia soundtrack lol.  Some how we all knew the lyrics.  

Kingsland has been amazing.  We've had powerful lessons.  I have grown immensely being away from the comfort and guidance of my "Parents."  This little goose has left his parents and knows how to fly a little bit better now!  The reason I came to Kingsland is because one Elder has to get his impacted wisdom teeth out.  Everything has its reason!