Mud and Snow

A beautiful frozen lake in the mountains!

This week is so full of stuff, I don't know where to begin and can't begin to tell it all.  I feel like Moroni when he says, "He cannot write a hundredth part of what has transpired."  (paraphrased).

Can you see the road?  Good old "blowing snow."

Muddy dog prints!

Our car after driving down the "Highway"

We have decided that there is either snow or mud here.  I think I prefer the snow, it's cleaner and does a good covering up the mud.  Only the main streets are plowed here; which aren't very many.  We're getting used to driving on packed snow.  We did well to trade in our Accord for a CR-V.  Most driveways are only gravel and dirt; thus the mud.

Two big mud events were 1) when a dog jumped into our car the minute Walt got out.  Then he happily jumped over to my seat and danced around.  Thank goodness I had gotten out already as well.  It took a few minutes to convince him to jump out.  The results were great!!  Mud on everything in our front seat area - even Walt's cup.  We sat on floor mats on the way home.

 

The "highway"

 2) We followed our GPS for a shorter way to get from Sundance to Upton.  It took us along State "Hwy" 145.  Basically a gravel and dirt (mud) road.  Our car looked like we had gone four wheeling. (Got a little mud on the tires).  We were able to find a car wash - which there are only 2 in town.  It was so muddy, it was hard to just get out of the car without getting muddy ourselves.

We have done a lot of visiting this week.  We've had 13 appointments/visits this week. We had the opportunity to do some service this week. Walt and the Elder hauled pellet bags and wood.  Walt and I got groceries for a member.  We got to sit with a family of 5 children and help entertain them during Sacrament meeting.  Those grandparent skills are coming in handy.  We also stopped at the Senior Center for amazing cinnamon rolls they sell on Friday, and asked them about volunteering.

Yummy cinnamon rolls from the Senior Center - Huge

Love how the sky and ground both look so similar!

Most of the people we see are in town (Newcastle) are usually only 5-10 minutes away.  Then there are the ones that prefer the more open space and take a bit longer (20-25).  These people usually don't have cell phone service, so we are always praying we don't get lost.  One family even came out to look for us, because it was really snowing hard and we were late.  It has all been such an adventure.  Every time the weather is crazy, I say "Welcome to Wyoming!"

Typical back road.  Just packed snow.

We attended our first District Council with the Elders and Sisters in our District.  There are 4 sets in Gillette, one set in Moorcroft (which covers Newcastle and Sundance as well) and then us.  The old ones.  I felt a little out of place at the meeting, but am sure we will start to feel a part of it the more we attend.  We have the farthest to drive ( 1 hr. 15 min).  After the meeting, the group usually gets lunch and eats together at the church.  They invited us as well.  The Little Ceasar's in Gillette is owned by members of the church and give the missionaries free lunch.  That little name tag works wonders!

The Bishop seems to call at least once a week with someone he needs us to see right away.  It usually works out that we can, and it feel great to be that helpful.  We are getting to know so many people here and all are very welcoming and friendly.  So far, no doors shut in our faces or dogs sicked on us.  Although there are lots of dogs.  The worst that has happened was someone not return our phone call.

I would have to say the high light of our week was today.  During the week, we invited a family that comes only sometimes to come to church this Sunday.  They have 5 children and that can be a challenge during church.  We offered to sit with them and help entertain the children.  We brought all our tablets with LDS games and coloring things loaded and ready to go.  It worked like a charm.  We were so excited that they came.  They were so excited to have their children behave so well.

We are also working with  a family, the Aylesworths.  The wife had started coming back to church and is going to the temple in two weeks.  Her husband hasn't come in years, but is very supportive.  The first Sunday we were here, she met us and felt very excited about us being here.  She said she felt like something special would happen with our arrival.  We met her husband a few days later at a dinner with another couple from the ward.  She was quiet the whole evening, later I found out why.  She had told her husband about us and wanted to see what his reaction was after meeting us.  We had dinner with them on Friday at the Pizza Barn, and found all of this out.  His reaction was "I felt like I had a sunny day; which hasn't happened in a long time."  He had been asked a few months ago, when he might start coming back to church.  He told them  - when I get a sign from God that it's time to go back.  He said, we showed up and that was his sign.  Boy,  did we feel humbled!

We invited him to come to Stake Conference next week.  Walt promised him that he would feel the spirit and his testimony would be strengthened.  He said he would come!  I said - you can even come this Sunday!  We walked in to church today and there he was!  He said, he couldn't break a promise to a lady.  After church, I asked him how he felt coming back.  He said that all the wonderful and spiritual feelings he had experienced before came rushing back and it felt wonderful!!  We can't describe the joy we felt at hearing this.  All we want to do while we are here in Newcastle is help people feel the love of the Savior and Heavenly Father.  I could tell this man could really feel that!  In addition, we have some wonderful new friends!

Frozen lake amongst the Black Hills of SD

We did finally take a P-day (a.k.a - a day of fun!). We went up in the Black Hills of South Dakota on Friday morning.  The weather was sunny and 48 degrees by noon!!  It was like Spring! We took lots of pictures along the way.  There were frozen lakes (20 inches deep of ice) with several guys ice fishing.   At the second lake, I got brave enough to walk out in the middle.  Logic would tell you if there are people driving their 4 wheelers onto the lake, it would be safe to walk on.  It was fun to do.

Entering SD, a small piece is in our mission

We got to walk around a mountain/hill and loved being out in the blue sky and fresh air.  I  pretty pine cones and Walt found lots of rose quartz.  He says we will need to rent a trailer to haul all of his new rock collection home by the time we are done here.  We even got to have a blizzard at Dairy Queen - nice treat!!  We really needed a little down time and especially doing something we love so much, as hiking and being out in nature.

Across the street from the South Dakota sign

Us on the frozen lake.  Note the ice fisherman in the right back of the picture.

Walt on top of a big rock on the mountain.  He loves to climb!

                                                                   

Our lunch spot 

A beautiful view from the top of the mountain overlooking the lake. 

Over looking the Black Hills of South Dakota 

I took this picture to show a house in the middle of the open range; then noticed the amazing clouds over head!

Just a scenic creek.

 We love it here already and it has only been here 2 weeks and one day!  I can tell you we will definitely be sad to leave when our time is done.  But that is very far away right now.   Thank you everyone for checking out our blog!


We love sharing our experiences with you all.

We've seen plenty of deer before, but I snapped a picture just as he was running away.  Live action!