This post is mainly for my family and is probably way too
much information for others. I’m going to post an overview as well as separate
posts on the different activities we had while visiting them.
First, I am happy to report that Grammy and Grandad are
doing great. It was wonderful to be able to see them and to meet the people
they have talked about. I was glad I could check out where they are living and
make sure that they are okay. It was the first time I’d ever visited our
parents somewhere beside “home,” so it was a little strange to have them
planning activities for us to do. It was like a role reversal since usually
they are visiting me and I’m planning things. They were great hosts and it was
so good to be together.
I have heard Dad called “Bishop Bayles,” “Coach Bayles,” and
“Dr. Bayles,” but I had never heard him called “Elder Bayles” before. That was
different! I think he is very much in his element. His health (albeit not his
driving) seems to be better than ever. I never once saw him have to sit down or
go lay down because he was exhausted. He seemed to have more energy than he’s
had in a long time. (He is pictured in their office here.)
Grammy has had a harder time adjusting. She never served a
mission before, so she is just now realizing what it’s like to share the gospel
with someone, know they feel the Spirit and then still have them reject it.
That’s a hard thing to experience. She’s doing well though. She’s written a
letter to all the grandkids, which you should get soon, explaining how she is
doing and why she is on a mission. She was meant to be a missionary since she
has always had that outgoing personality and ability to make others feel
special and welcome. She has already made fast friends in
Caswell County.
They are in a beautiful part of the country that is
comprised mainly of wide open spaces. It was very green in March, so I can only
imagine what it will be like in summer.
To a certain degree, I felt like I had stepped back
in time to a place where time moves more slowly, people are gracious, and where
what you see is what you get.
I mean, where else can you still find men huddled around the
pot-bellied stove chewing the fat?
There are ruins everywhere and it is obvious that at one
time there were mansions dotting the landscape. There are little country roads
that lead to who knows where and I think it would be very easy to get lost.
Fortunately, they have Madge and for the most part she keeps them on the
straight and narrow.
Caswell
County is where the story
“Roots” takes place, although the name was changed in the story.
I had to include a picture of this vine that was originally
planted as a ground cover and has taken over. It has completely eaten up some
houses. It has a crazy name that I can’t remember.
Yanceyville
Yanceyville is an interesting town. It’s obvious that at one
time it was very prosperous, but now it’s mostly run down and depressed. There
are some beautiful homes mixed in with ruins.
Apparently Yanceyville was once a center of the slave trade
and later a hot point of the Ku Klux Klan. (The marker above tells of a senator
being murdered by the Klan.) As one person told Mom and Dad, “the Ku Klux Klan
is alive and well in
Caswell
County.” I’m not sure
where to even go with that.
When the railroad came through, Yanceyville rejected it and
it went through Danville, Virginia instead. (I’ll do a separate post
on our walking tour of Yanceyville.) Yanceyville’s days of glory were over.
Mom and Dad’s House
Mom and Dad live in a very cute, cozy house. The first thing
you notice when you walk in the door is the original wood floors.
I decided to show you their home in pictures.
Up the Stairs
Upstairs
Living Room (they're allowed to have a t.v. - apparently sports are okay, but NCIS is not)
Kitchen
Dryer (it really is on the back porch, so there!)
Bathroom
Bedroom
Next to the house is an old playground that was part of a daycare that is no longer in use. The kids thought this was awesome.
Merry-go-round
Crossing bars
Swings
Caswell Ward
The Caswell Ward (or as I think they should be called – The
Caswell Family Reunion) is a fantastic ward. Everyone was so friendly. They are
even friendlier there than here in our ward in
South Carolina, and this is the friendliest
ward I’ve ever lived in. I can’t even tell you how many people came up and said
hello, making sure that I knew how much they appreciate Mom and Dad.
I was fortunate to be there on the same Sunday that Mom and
Dad’s mission president and his wife spoke. President and Sister Thomas are
very humble and kind people with a great love for their missionaries. They
spoke highly of Mom and Dad.
Relief Society was a RIOT! There was a teacher, but it was
more like a group discussion with sisters just speaking up and sharing ideas
and opinions. I should note here that having lived in the South for almost 12
years, I thought Mom was exaggerating the North Carolina accent – she wasn’t! I’ve
never heard so many syllables before. Plus, in Relief Society I learned that
you can “toot, fluff or shoot chickens.” I’d never heard of shooting chickens
before, but it will now be part of my vocabulary. For example, “P-U! Someone’s
been shooting a lot of chickens around here!”
I know that the member’s of the Caswell Ward will look out
for Mom and Dad and I feel more comfortable now that I’ve met them.
Grammy and Grandad anxiously check the mail every day hoping
for letters from home. They have your letters hanging on their refrigerator, so
keep writing!
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