Blue skies and rain this morning-

 This morning as we left for church there was a brilliant blue sky, the sun was shining bright, but as we looked out at the little pond right outside our door you could see it was pouring rain right there. The sun continued to shine and glisten off the snow on our way to church until we suddenly had to drive right through a cloud that had settled on the highway. I think I'll relate that to what's happening up here in Cle Elum, Washington. In general we are both doing really good. We are glad to have this opportunity plus we are glad we are "here"' not singing and dancing in the evening shows in Nauvoo (at least I am!). However, we both will have moments of discouragement, maybe some nostalgia and homesickness, and then interspersed will be the random aches and pains that gets us down. The part I want to emphasize is that it comes at different times for each of us so that we can support and buoy the other one up. In other wards it goes a step further in that we can rely on the other one to help and take care of each other as needed. Early on, as I reached out to hold your Mother's hand, and as i have continued to do so, it has come to me that it means more to me than when we were first dating. I am so grateful we are together, not just to experience this together, but to really "be" together with very few outside influences. This is a special time for us and we are grateful for it.

As of this point I have graduated beyond tepee poles to birdhouses. They want to encourage more wildlife and birds on the property, as well as want to add a decorative element to a lot of old ugly tree stumps, so they would basically like a whole village of bird houses. Thus, all daughters and daughter-in-laws take note, I have become an active, participating member of the great world of Pinterest! Yes, I have my secret password and my very own bulletin board with the various items (birdhouses) I have "pinned." I have been to the two hardware stores in town, as well as the one lumber yard. They did have the basic cedar wood I wanted - but that's it. This then necessitated a trip of about 70 miles to the "dark side" as we locals call it, to the Michael's Craft & Hobby Shop of  Issaquah, Washington. Who knew there would be little wooden butterfly's and picket fences for me to paint and add perspective to the project.

Potential future birdhouses for my village, from my Pinterest Board

This weekend we had another several hundred boys on the property in the name of the Boy Scouts of America and their Klondikes. I am so glad I am not a boy scout leader any more. I am way too old for all of that! It's much more fun to be a grandpa and a missionary companion to Sister Kenney. Stay strong. Love, Dad