Hello,
 Hope that you had a  HAPPY EASTER today!
           Our Branch was very small in numbers at Church today with everyone home for Easter break, but what it lacked in numbers it achieved in spirituality.   We focused on our Savior, and His Atonement.

                            "No matter how daunting the challenges in our lives or in the world around us,
                              we know we can have peace through the power of the infinite Atonement."
                                       Elder Paul V. Johnson Of the Seventy

Weekly we are traveling to Havelock and love to stop at New Bern for lunches so here are some pictures of our adventures.  Sister Hoyt and Sister Smith below.

 This was St. Patrick's Day just before the parade.  Showing their Irish side are Chris Downey and Brian Moran - some great members of our Branch.







          Below is our green meal.  Yes, we dyed our milk, and mashed potatoes green and tried something new, "Shamrock meatloaf" - Sister Smith's family tradition.

 Above is a monument which is dedicated to the
soldiers who fought in the Civil war, "To our Confederate Dead".
We toured the Robert Lee Humbert home on our Preparation Day as well.  And as it was our last day with Sister Smith we just had to throw in some shopping too.  Like the shoes?


     The next day Sister Vasques arrived and  Sister Smith went to New Bern with Sister McPherson.   We ALWAYS look for the Sisters when we are in Havelock and New Bern - but haven't seen them out riding their bikes yet.

 Below, Sister Vasques and Sister Hoyt are helping make the veggie kabobs for the First Ward's Relief Society Garden Party that the Branch was invited to attend.  It was FUN!

  We were trying to find a member while enjoying all their birds - peacocks, chickens and pigeons.


We experienced a lesson on the importance of living close to the Savior and trusting in his love for you - even during trials.  As the young man we were teaching expressed his doubt in the Lord and His caring about him - discouragement, darkness and sadness  filled the room.  Then as we (the Holy Ghost) taught him about hope, faith and the love our Savior has for each of us, the feeling in the room changed completely to peace, hope and happiness.  The difference in the room was so strong that the young man felt it and commented on it.
Dear family and loved ones, this Gospel is True!  Our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ love you more than you know.  Please live close to them through scripture study and prayer.  There is power in these two daily habits.  We love you!  Take care!