Summertime

I am glad to report that the river was down about a foot yesterday. You can see it on grass that is now brown with mud but no water. The pump is still there just in case. Saw the local newspaper at Fred's physical therapy, and it says this flood is different, as it is clean and clear--reservoir water, and it will be a round for awhile--so it doesn't look like they will be parking here any time soon.

You can especially see the change in level on posts that are in the water. At Harrah’s Club in Iowa their underground parking is underwater parking currently, but the big posts have about a foot of brown stain on them above the water. My little statue in the river I have sent you pictures of is also starting to rise up out of the water. So we have hope--it just will be slow.

We had our big July 4^th celebration here with our Senior Dinner. I was on the committee and we had a great time using the storeroom decorations. It was casual night and a fun time to welcome our newest couple, the Julanders, next to Fred.

Our big decision was which way do you hang the flag? What do you think? Luckily my Cub Scout training came back. We did look very festive!

Fireworks were legal in Nebraska for the first time and they were everywhere making huge noise and lights. Last night I thought we had a big show downtown, but it was just the thunder—never heard thunder like this—sounds like a military barrage. I thought we might be under attack!

This past week was transfer week and we had 21 go home. Here we have a big testimony meeting after they all go to the temple. Our room is big enough they can invite their friends, those they baptized, their ward leaders they were close to, and even family who came to pick them up-- two of the elders were pleased to show off their siblings. It is very hard to send these kids home as you get so close to them. We have a wonderful group of sisters and it is like sending your own kids off. We also have a few elders who work in our area and live in our apartment, and who help us, whom we will really miss.

But then transfers also mean new blood. We got four lovely young women. We held a special workshop to train them—something new and it was fun to help put their notebook together full of items they need to be acquainted with.

Summer Travel Series: Winter Quarters and Kanesville

06 July 2011 — Salt Lake City

The Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters allows visitors to see glimpses of the Mormon migration

As many of you know I have been busy writing since I came. We are anxious for people to know what a great place Winter Quarters is. This week I helped with an article that is on lds.org/newsroom on summer travel sites. It was fun to be part of it. It seems there is always something fun to write about here so maybe another story will make the news.

This week we had a darling 11 year old boy write his testimony in a Book of Mormon to his teacher who had moved here from Ogden. He told her he knew how much she missed her husband when he came here and she was still teaching, but if she would listen to the missionaries they would teach her how to be with her husband forever. It was so neat to see so young a missionary. We are always looking for referrals as you know. They are the lifeblood of missionary work. One of our Sisters had 27 referrals from one tour!! We are all still in shock!

It is always a treat to have family come see us. Our latest visitors were Mark and Linda’s kids Katie and Shad Bowers and their four from Boise. Sharryl's parents Vic and V-Anne Ludlow came to the Trail Center as well. We love visitors, so come anytime!

Fred is coming along. We appreciate your prayers in his behalf. He is working our shifts, some four hours, and some six. He has physical therapy three times a week, so he is making progress—just a bit slower than he would like. Missions have trials that teach and we are hoping we are learning the lessons. Hurrah for Israel!