Still no snow -

Still no snow - today they asked us to fast and pray for snow. I guess I really didn't need the Iditarod  snowsuit or the two cases of hand and foot warmer inserts or the insulated coveralls, not even Mom's

fancy rain boots.

Just thought I'd catch you up on some of the projects I've been working on the past two weeks:

I finished up my sign project of routering and painting  about a dozen signs and then posting them on the property.

My next project that I think I haven't  mentioned is the refurbishment of a 28 foot high climbing wall. My assignment was to put three coats of paint on 21 sheets of plywood that will replace all the old ones. This involved three coats of paint, with a lot of lifting and "grunting".

And I finally completed four birdhouses and got them placed around the pond that is just outside our little house in the middle of the woods.

After two months we are feeling more comfortable with our mission. We had another weekend of boy scouts and a family reunion because tomorrow  is a holiday and kids are out of school.

Mom is doing good too. She is feeding me too good. I love being her driver/helper to go grocery shopping every Tuesday morning.

Love, Dad

Still no "real" snow....

Still no "real" snow....

To the point that it will be disastrous for the fruit industry of Washington.

Today was our Branch Conference (like ward conference) and we were asked to include the need for snow in our prayers. We do have "moisture" - in the form of rain nearly every day. The ground is soggy!  We did have our first Elk visits to our front yard however, by the time we got to them to take a picture they had meandered a hundred yards down the road to what we call the ballpark. The picture looks like they were far away, but they weren't. The full group was about 12 cows and one bull.

I'm still cookin'. Today, after church was our official "zone conference" . It was the stake presidency that has the current stewardship for Ensign Ranch and us, the missionaries serving there. They served us dinner and then a talk and discussion about the mission. It was interesting to get more info and see the ranch as an entity, from a different perspective.

I have started listening to the book on CD of John Adams. I have really enjoyed learning and relearning about the history of our country. I have also read a book since I've been here called "The Bible in America".  There is a lot of history there also and I have decided that I want to be an American History teacher when I grow up.

All is well here in the little house in the middle of the woods. The little old man rarely stands by the window, but I sew every afternoon for a while in front of the windows. Have seen no rabbits hopping by, but did see a squirrel or two and the elk....and a whole lot of little boy scouts here to have a Klondike derby with wheels on their sleds.

Love you all - Mom

Dad as my "Hair Dresser" photo as by popular request

Feelings of Great Joy

This has been a week of great reflection.  Reflection on my wonderful children, the great challenges they face and the powerful spiritual families they have all become. The past two weeks, since it was my turn to write, much has happened within our family unit. Over two weeks ago Ben called to say that the big projects for his future work had either been put off or evaporated altogether and that his enthusiasm for his work and future there had diminished. Therefore, he and Katherine were in discussions of whether it was time to move back home. Mom and I indicated we wanted to support them in any way we could so keep us posted.

One week later I called him to see if there were further updates and he surprised us by saying that they were 95% sure they were coming home, but asked us not to say anything as yet as they needed to talk it over with their kids.  Several days later, along with all of you we received his text that he had an important message he wanted to share and it was posted on the "Return with Honor" blog.  I was thrilled with their decision, but of course concerned about the challenges their family would face. Certainly the big one was financial, but knew that there will be others with the whole process of moving. Therefore, last week I found myself conflicted with the emotions of both great joy as well as concerns as to the "how's" of their making this transition work in their lives.

Even though I was concerned, I found myself continually feeling this overwhelming great joy. Knowing that it would be my turn to give a spiritual thought in our daily scripture study at the end of the week, I knew that I wanted to express these feelings of "great joy".  So, I started searching the scriptures and conference talks for more information on this "great joy" I was feeling. I came across this talk by President  Eyring from the April 2012 general conference titled "Mountains to Climb".

He said in part "If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest, as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord's service because we never are. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps his word."

I think I am beginning to understand a little better who some of these "angels on our left and right" might be and how significant their influence in our day to day lives really are.

The last time I talked with Ben I told him that because of the righteousness of his family I expect great miracles to begin to take place. In reflection, I used the word "expect" not as a demand, but of a realization that his family deserves them.  In fact,  a great miracle has taken place in his life this past week that he has told us about, but is hesitating to share with others at this time.  But know this - a great miracle has come about because of his and Katherine's faith and continual service in the lord's ways.

It's been a great week filled with joy not only because I am serving on this mission but because I have had opportunities to reflect on my children and their wonderful families. Let me end with a scriptural reference from 3 John v.4:

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

Love, Dad

I just keep on cookin'

Another week has come and gone and Dad informed me that this week we passed 50 days. I admit that that sounds like a lot...and I just kept cookin'-

I think that I would say that my favorite time of the day on this mission is our half hour of scripture study...and I just keep on cookin'-

We are reading the D&C and then the official study guide. Every day I learn new things about church history...and I just keep on cookin'-

Still haven't had a huge snow storm yet, in fact the weather today was sunny and up to 55 degrees...but I still keep on cookin'-

I'm making an effort to get to know members of the branch and members names. We do not have callings yet, which we expect to get soon...along with cookin'-

We have been told that we can have Sunday only callings, because during the summer on any day but Sunday and our P-day we won't be able to leave because we will be so busy. We don't do visiting teaching or home teaching either. But...I'll be cookin'-

I have thought about the "cruise group" this week and am fine that I'm not there. I'm so excited for all of them and the fun time they've had. As you all know little winter time get away retreats with my sisters and cousins are something I have always enjoyed. Dad always supported me in going, but there were two rules. I couldn't come home "tired" or "grumpy"! And I'm still cookin'-

I have finally made some progress on my "Quilt Block-of-the-Month" quilt that I was supposed to have been making ALL last year. I have actually finished three months worth...along with cookin'-

Time to get ready for bed, after all it is 7:15 and I do need my beauty rest so that I can keep on cookin'-

Love, Mom

Where I do my cookin'

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

Another week, another month and another year has come and gone

Another week, another month and another year has come and gone. It's been five weeks since we ran away home to this strange little cottage in the middle of the Washington woods.

I am going to tell you about my work days. We set the alarm for 6:30 - Dad is always awake but I am not.

I usually take about 10 minutes to wake up and then I have "to hurry fast".

I get the bathroom for 15 minutes to complete my ablutions while he does his back exercises (Dr. Whipple please take note). Then it's time to officially fuss about my hair. To curl or not to curl - that is the question, unless it is to cut or not cut. FYI this week "to cut" won out.

Ready or not we must leave by 7:23 to give us time to get to scripture study. I would have to say that "I love this time". We are reading the D&C with the BYU study guide. It just so happened that they were starting it on our first day. We also take turns giving a spiritual message which I really enjoy.

Next comes the daily planning meeting with Larry, the manager. We review who is leaving and who is coming that day, then talk about what needs to be done. This is where the Tepee pole project gets talked about. We have had unusually good weather so that's why the emphasis on the poles. Dad has done a beautiful job on them, all smooth and polished up like 25 foot walking sticks. As of yesterday, he has been commissioned to do another set (there being 15 to a set.)

As for me at the end of the meeting, I don my apron and begin doing my thing. I have the menus and recipes ready to go a week in advance. As mentioned previously I  am soliciting new ideas. This week we are having Jacob's Meatballs, Laura's Chicken Noodle soup and Liz's Spicy Pasta.

The noon meal is the bigger one with a main entree and sides, mini salad bar, bread item and of course dessert. For supper it is lighter basically doing two of these three things - soup (homemade of course), salad or sandwich and then a dessert buffet of leftovers.

Interestingly enough they all love cottage cheese and canned fruit, so this is on for supper as one of the two items a couple of times  a week.

So, back to my routine, I get part of the evening meal prepared as much as possible in the morning after I have the lunch ready to go. The work is not hard and I enjoy just working by myself at my own pace. If and when I need to sit down for a few minutes, I do.

As for dishes, I try to have the preparation dishes all done before we eat. Then the sisters stay and help until  all is cleaned up after.

At about 2:00 I go back to the cottage and rest for an hour (play Spider Solitaire ) and try to do something productive until I need to go back to the kitchen. By 6:00 PM we are cleaned up and can go home to where Dad is so exhausted we read and listen to music and are asleep by 9:00.

Now you know what my day is like.

We do laundry on Friday morning as our assigned time, not on P-day. We haven't ventured west yet, but plan to this week. The nearest civilization going that direction is Isaqua, where Wes is from. There is a Costco there, where Dad can replenish his cashew supply.

All is well - although seemed to miss you all more than usual- even a few tears last night. I wanted to see Lindsay in her glasses and watch James eat a piece of bread.

Talked to Dixie today and she says her life is changing soon because the babies are starting to walk. I will be thinking about the Patterson's at Disney and the retreat girls on their cruise this week. Have fun - love you all.  Mom

Over the river and through the woods-

the view from our Front Porch

Over the river and through the woods-

As home from church we go!

The usual 10 minute drive took almost 45 due to the snow. They are all happy to finally get some snow. This Friday we have 25 different scout troops coming to have their winter camp out and Klondike Derby. (Poor little guys-Moms hate winter camp outs!)

This week I have kept busy with almost finishing up the 34 Tepee pole project.

Being a Lumberjack from Week 1

Lumber Jacking before the snow

Also I am officially designated as the sign maker. I was going to send a picture of the ones I made this week, but they are covered in snow. They say: area closed for winter - no sledding! This was on the area of the slip n slide that the 11 year old scouts had it in mind last week to turn into a sleigh riding hill. Very bad idea.

Anyway- was able to get to sleep at my regular bedtime of 8:30 on New Years Eve- surprise / surprise. We've got a single young Elder here that Mom has befriended and taught to play Runs and Bunches. I'm afraid to say that he loves it so much that he wants to play EVERY NIGHT - so gotta go. Love, Dad

with our Name Tags

our Missionary Group