May 3

We haven't written in the past two weeks because we had a lot happen all at once and we actually were able to see a lot of you.

On the Thursday of April 18 we finally got the "go ahead" to make our mission dream come true! We were asked if we "really wouldn't mind" going home and getting our RV to live in. Sure enough, just as we had hoped, there is a couple that wants to serve, but does not have living accommodations (and a tent is not an option.)

So in my wife's wisdom she jumped on the idea and had us on our way as soon as she finished speaking in sacrament meeting three days later.

There was also an additional idea that had been brewing in her head of a beautiful (functionally speaking) commercial stove that she knew of that the ranch could really use that she could get for "free". And Ensign Ranch is all about what they can get for "free." So, that idea and arrangements had to be followed thru on. This involved us towing an empty 8 foot trailer to SLC to bring back that well-over 1,000 pound succor!

Served her right! She had to tow the thing back with my truck all the way by herself, while I traveled in the relative peace and luxury of the motor home. Actually, I was very proud of her. She managed to follow close behind me most of the time and she only panicked when the entire load would obviously shift position to the point that she couldn't see it anymore out of the right hand rear view mirror.

Because the stove was on wheels it was more of a challenge than we had anticipated. This necessitated us stopping at every other rest stop along the 800 miles and re-strapping to secure the load.

So we were back to a week of our regular duties with little chunks of time to set up house in the RV when we could fit it in. We certainly aren't done, but we did get enough done that we could sleep in it last night.

I returned to working on my remodel of the "step-above-a tent-project". Before and after pictures are included here. I am all most done with the second one of six.

step-above-a-tent project: BEFORE

step-above-a-tent project: AFTER

Mom has been cooking as usual except that her numbers have increased and the dining room/scripture study room is way more crowded. We came back to another young Elder plus in the last week we got two new couples.

One is from CA., and the other from Glendale, UT. He worked for Uncle Ray Lewis on the original A-frame cabins at the Ponderosa many moons ago, plus he worked for many years with Galen at Custom Auto and we remembered each other from there.

While it was great to be at home and see lots of you it was also kind of strange. Both Sr. Kenney and I felt somewhat anxious while there and in discussing it we realized that our spirits knew we needed to get back to our mission, here on dedicated land and continue doing what we were set apart to do.

I do want to thank all of you that helped us do the things we needed to do while in town. Especially to my long time friend David Schwobe for helping me get the RV uncovered and going. The problem is that this results in a big "Mormon Gold Star" on his very Catholic forehead!

Till next time, Love Dad