6 Month Anniversary

Us on the 4th of July -  Downtown Newcastle

Today is our anniversary of 6 months on our mission!  What a ride this has been.  We would have never expected the blessings and miracles we have experienced.  The Lord has truly blessed us and allowed His light and love to shine through us.   We surely cannot take credit for any of it.  We’re just blessed.

It is hard to beat the amazing experiences of last week.  This week was actually very low key.  But just as it has happened before, gaps in our schedule were filled.  We won’t be able to share the details of the unexpected opportunity we were needed for.  It was another witness to us of why we were called to serve in Newcastle, Wyoming.  

We were able to help Gary Naillon with his garden twice this week.  Tuesday, we went there in the morning to avoid the heat.  Yes - it does get hot here!!  Walt worked on the fencing that was blown down and I took care of weeds.  There was still only half of the fence put up and several additional things he wanted to get planted.  Kate and Drake stopped by Friday and were able to stay until Sunday morning.  So we arranged for the four of us, and later the Elders to finish getting the fence up and all the planting completed .  Saturday, we were there for 3 hours.  How grateful we were for Kate and Drake’s help.  It felt really good to get it all done.  I have a feeling, we will be enjoying some good vegetable later on.  I already miss having fresh stuff, the seasons are just so different and there aren’t many fresh things available yet.  

Having pizza after gardening at Gary's

We had a great lesson with Kay this week.  Whenever a person gets baptized, they are taught the same lessons again, but have some of the other members involved.  The Checketts are an awesome family and have three daughters (and 3 sons).  Kay has started bonding with them.  So I asked if we could do these lessons at their house.  They agreed and even accepted the invitation to do the teaching.  It worked out great.  We’ll probably stick with that plan for all the rest.  It’s a great opportunity for these young women to share their knowledge and testimonies with Kay.  

Kay is such an amazing 13 year old!  She is the same age as Cash (our grandson).  She comes to church every week.  She loves the lessons!  She is a great example to her family.  The best part is the connection she has made with Heavenly Father.  She’s had some real struggles and is finding how Heavenly Father is there for her.  We couldn’t ask for anything better for someone.  We both have such a strong testimony of God’s love for all His children.  He will be there for us, through everything we experience.  We love helping someone understand that and feel His love.  Priceless!

The 4th of July was pretty fun.  There was a parade downtown.  We were worried the thunderstorms would prevent it from happening, but they cleared up just in time.  It wasn’t a very big parade, but we loved it.  It started out with two girls that were rodeo champions on their horses.  Then a horse drawn wagon with ladies from different eras celebrating the 100 yr anniversary of women getting the right to vote.  The wagon looked a bit familiar and we realized it was the Bishop.  His two younger sons were behind on their dirt bikes.  There was also Veterans, and the first firetruck in Newcastle - pretty old.  After the parade, the flag was raised by a fire truck- pretty impressive.  Then we were treated to a historic political speech from President Theodore Roosevelt and Nellie Tayloe Ross (first woman governor in the US),  I did already post things about this on FaceBook (sorry for repeat info).

The start of the parade with the Rodeo sisters

Two youngest Checkett boys on their dirt bikes

The first fire truck of Newcastle

We had a little cook-out with the Elders.  Neither of us had any invites, so we made our own.  Just burgers, dogs, and sides.  Fireworks were scheduled for 9:30, but there were thunderstorms off and on that night.  Fireworks must not be very expensive here, because there were so many people doing their own.  They were really good ones too; like ones that  towns shoot off.  Our driveway proved to be the perfect place to watch them all.  There were ones close, faraway, - just everywhere.  I never get enough.  So some fireworks were shot off, the thunderstorms came and went, and then the fireworks started again.  The coolest part was the fireworks of mother nature competing.  There seemed to be just as many bolts of lightning as fireworks.  It was pretty awesome to watch.

Me grilling in cowboy getup

Trying to catch a picture of lightening

Kate and Drake left Minnesota on Friday and arrived at our place around 8:30 pm.  We were excited that they were able to stay until this morning.  They left right after church.  We had fun going over wedding stuff.  I got an opportunity to show Kate my dress and shoes (grown up ones with heels).  We colored my hair and practiced my fancy hairstyle,  Men don’t understand all of that silliness.  They just take a shower, brush their hair and throw on their fancy suit.  Kate is getting excited and nervous at the same time.  She just wants things to go smoothly and to look amazing.  I told her, the only important thing is their marriage/sealing.  Everything else doesn’t really matter when it comes right down to it.

It should prove to be a an exciting week!!

We love you all and look forward to seeing many of you in celebrating Kate and Drake’s wedding!