On the Road again!

A rainbow during a thunderstorm.  Thunderbow

This week has been lots of traveling.  We had Zone council on Tuesday in Buffalo (2.5 hrs away), so we stayed at our friends the Bailey’s on Monday night.  We really enjoying visiting with them and always leave feeling uplifted - spiritually and physically.    Then Friday, we drove to the temple in Billings (5 hrs away).  We worked as ordinance workers for the Friday evening shift.  We really enjoy that opportunity even if only once a month.  Some of the other Senior Missionary couples work that shift as well.  They usually serve every Friday.  We stayed with the Childs, our missionary couple friends from the beginning of our call to be missionaries.  They were always so patient with all our questions, and always gave us great advice.  We are grateful for them and the Bakers for always being willing to have us stay and feed us.  It is truly a blessing.  Both are going home sometime this summer, so we’ll have to start getting to know their replacements. :).   

New moose at the Bailey's

Caribou at the Bailey's.  Reminds me of Grandad Leveridge

We were able to do some family names on Saturday and finished up quite a few.  It felt good to make so much progress.  It also allowed me the opportunity to think ahead on any things that might be an issue for Renee when she comes on the 28th.  The temple presidency has been trying everything possible to accommodate her special circumstances.  Our training this week for ordinance workers was on accommodating those with disabilities.  What good timing.

 We made several stops along the way home, and arrived around 8 pm.  We always stop at Costco in Billings (the closest one), and Walmart in Sheridan or Gillette.  We space out the shopping to give ourselves a chance to stretch out and get moving.    We even stopped at the thrift store and got some long sleeve ranch shirts for Walt and some hoodies/sweatshirts for girls camp next week.  There are just some things we didn’t really think we would need on our mission.  Not many missionaries do ranch work or go to Girl’s camp.  It’s whatever our ward needs us to do.  It’s all an adventure!

It does get green here!

Love the sky here!

Scenery along our travels

Finally some baby horses!!

We had 3 lessons with people this week, and our normal serving lunch at the Senior Center, Bingo at the Manor and Missionary Correlation meeting.  Even though we did lots of driving, we used a lot of the time on plans and goals for the people we work with.  It was a great opportunity for that.  It is getting pretty green here, so the views of the wide open spaces are just amazing.  Hopefully we don’t feel claustrophobic when we get back to Pennsylvania.  There is definitely an infinite amount of blue sky and beautiful white clouds here.  That never seems to get old.  What does get old  - is the constant revival of chilly weather.  This whole week had just been gorgeous.  It was warm and sunny and just summery.  I was even wearing my sandals.  I checked the weather before heading to Billings, and all looked fine.  Since we were stopping at Costco, we wanted lots of room in the car, so I took out all cold type weather accessories.  We got about 2 hours from Billings on Friday, and it started to rain.  Then the temperature started to drop.  By the time we were done at the temple, it was down to 50 degrees.  I was sure missing a jacket or sweater at that time.  

The next day, it was till raining and only in the mid 40’s (for a high).  We had purchased the sweatshirts and hoodies in Sheridan, thank goodness.  When we got out in Gillette, it was in the low 40’s and windy.  I normally wash clothes from thrift stores before wearing them, but I was so grateful to have something to wear to keep me warm.  I was telling this story after church to some people.  One guy started chuckling and said - “she’s so cute, she still hasn’t learned about weather in Wyoming.”  We are working on it.  We will be prepared for camp next week!!   It did get in the low 30’s overnight.  I was ahead of the game on this one, and brought in my plants.  I feel for farmers and ranchers growing hay and alfalfa.  

Today was super busy after church.  With our ward being so far from Gillette (the Stake Center), it gets difficult for people to get their temple recommend interviews done with Stake Leaders.  When a person gets their temple recommend - (which shows you are worthy to go), an interview with a member of the Bishopric and Stake presidency is required.  If a person is going for the first time (like the Smiths and Aylesworths) then they have to meet with the Bishop and Stake president (not any counselors).  Our Stake President was able to schedule some time to visit our ward today and meet with them.  Since one of the counselors was attending a ward fairly close to us (40 min), he agreed to come to our building and interview whoever needed it.  13 people were interviewed today.  It was wonderful.  Recommends expire after 2 years, so they need renewed.  Some people forget or don’t realize it until it has expired.  Getting one at the last minute is very very difficult with our Stake boundaries being so large.  One of Walt’s duties as Executive Secretary is to help people get their interviews set up before their recommends expire.  He was very busy today and stayed until the last person was finished.  That was about 4 pm.  A very long day for him (7 am- 4 pm).  The Bishop was there the entire time as well.  I brought sandwiches over for Walt and the Bishop to hold them over.  

The Smiths had their interviews today.  Since there was  a large time gap between interviews and they live 40 minutes away, I invited them over for lunch and some time for Renee to rest.  I even tortured her with family pictures. :). It was a nice visit and they kids had a great time investigating our “back yard”.  Not really anything but dirt and gravel.  Although, Haley found some beautiful wild flowers and brought them in for me.  So sweet! Reminded me of my girls when they were little.  It always made me feel loved.

Flowers from Haley

We’ll spend tomorrow teaching and getting ready for girl’s camp.  We leave bright and early (7 am) on Tuesday.  Hopefully we’ll be prepared for whatever Mother Nature dishes out.  Hope you all are having summer weather and enjoying all that it brings.  I know lots of our family are having fun with the kids already this summer.  Just think, if you lived in Wyoming, you’d probably be working the ranch.

We have so many opportunities to feel close to the Savior here; serving our mission.  We read letters from our other missionary friends and see the Lord blessing their lives as well.  Walt was  talking to Renee today and she was saying how much we have blessed their lives.  He explained that it isn’t us.  It’s the love of the Savior working through us.  When we are set apart for our missions, we become His representatives.  It makes us happy that others can feel of His love through us.  It is often through others that my prayers have been answered.  We - all of us - are His eyes, hands and heart to serve others for Him.  It’s a great privilege and blessing.  It doesn’t even have to be something big - just loving and serving others.

There aren’t as many pictures this week, since several days were spent driving.  I am sure there will be plenty next week with girl’s camp.  We love you all and pray for you all the time.  We wouldn’t leave our loved ones out of our prayers!

Zone Conference