Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019

Well....church throughout the entire stake has been cancelled today and I will show you why !

This was taken yesterday morning (outside of our kitchen window) when we had between 6-8 inches of snow.  We attended the temple for the 11 o'clock session and this is what it looked like when we came out.

It really "socked in" for the rest of the day and we have received over 12 inches of the heavy, wet, white stuff.  It is beautiful but extremely icy outside.  We are appreciating a nice, warm, snug apartment and kind neighbors and friends who support and help each other.  Everyone has a slight case of "cabin fever" so we have invited the other couples in our building to come over for a study session and visiting later this afternoon.  Right now, everyone is outside digging out !!  We have joined a study group that meet each Sunday afternoon to learn and grow within the "Come Follow Me" program and have found it to be really helpful.  Hope that you each are trying to incorporate it into your homes and families!  I really think that this will be a means of cementing family relationships and testimonies.




This past week, Jim has had to take down and repair fences around the Lucy Mack Smith home and the Brickyard as the grounds crew have removed and taken down BIG old trees.  Here are a few progression pictures. This first one shows Jim in the background beside the Lucy Mack Smith home.  They have taken off the branches and have started the cutting on the truck.

This last picture shows the tree coming down.  They are very precise in the cuts and the tree comes down exactly (pretty close) to where they have decided.  They block off the roads but invariably, some people (missionaries....haha) have to go around the barricade to get to where they need to go.  They seem to be unable to figure out an alternate route.....funny how used to routine people become and therefore are inflexible in how they do things !  

Also, Elder Roberts finished his mission this week.  He is the young service elder that I introduced to you last week....remember...he loves to tease and always found Jim to steal his hat or his name tag.  He was running around at the New Years Eve party, photo-bombing everyone!  He truly has been a delight to get acquainted with!   He has a sweet spirit and even though he finds it difficult to express his feeling verbally, his actions show them.  He insisted on getting a hair cut from me the night before his parents came to pick him up....he wanted to look "spiffy" for them!  He, also, came to me in a panic about 6 weeks ago....he had tried to cut his own hair and really had made a mess !!LOL ....like shaved it down to the scalp in 2 spots !!  I did the best I could to shape it up and cover it but it has grown out and this last haircut really covered it well. It is still awfully short in those 2 areas but you would need to know to be able see them now.     These next pictures show him receiving his farewell flag from Jordan Bodily and then expressing his testimony to the group the morning of his departure.  He lives in Springfield, Missouri (5.5 hours away).

Jim has become acquainted with and worked with another service elder....Elder Reynolds from Utah who has helped him alot this past week.  He also has a very accepting and willing spirit although he is very quiet and reserved in his demeanor.  Jim has found that he is actually a quick learner and listens to directions.... a great quality for all of us !   Here is a picture of him:

I was called into Jordan Bodily's office on Friday and given a new assignment beginning the end of this month.  I will be taking over Sis. Naef's assignment when they leave to go home the beginning of February.  It is "Housing Co-ordinator"   Not sure what it will entail but I'm sure that I will find out!!  During "slack" times, I will still paint with Jared and the crew.   I will keep you posted on that !