Winter or Fall??

Walt helping "doctor" calves.  The shadow on his face looks like a snake.

Monday was Ace’s birthday.  Since the kids were out of school, we were able to FaceTime him.  He is getting so big.  He really enjoyed showing us his Halloween costume, some new toys, and we discussed army men (the figures).  Those have been around forever it seems.  Seminary went well.  I had a new idea for them that I got from President Bailey when he went to seminary.  I fancied up some small notebooks, and let them each choose one.   Every day at the end of the lesson, they are to write down one of the following 1) something they learned, 2) something they felt, 3) something the Holy Ghost testified to them, or 4) something they felt inspired to do.   It is going well.  It might not always be something profound, but it gets them thinking about what we discussed and how it affects them personally.

We had a lesson that evening with a family.  Walt was preparing his lesson for Tuesday and was listening to a talk entitled, “Lord, I Believe.”   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng. (this is the link, if you want to listen/watch). It’s a really good talk no matter what faith you follow.  As I was getting ready for our lesson, and was hearing this talk, I felt inspired that we should share this talk with the family we were teaching that night.  So we did.  There was a strong spirit there as we shared that and discussed it before moving on to our prepared lesson.  It really touched their hearts and helped them realized the faith in Jesus Christ they already had.  

Tuesday morning during seminary, Walt asked the Bishop’s daughter how things were going at the ranch.  It wasn’t a good report.  Many times with winter and calves weaning, they will get sick.  The Bishop’s calves were sick, and now needed “doctoring.”  They only had their family of 5 to get all 600 calves doctored.  I told Walt he should go help.  He loves to help out.  I had an appt for my nails - for my birthday that afternoon, but it was only downtown and I could easily walk there.  So he called the Bishop to offer help and the Bishop was very grateful.  Walt left about 8:30 for the ranch.  I had plenty to keep me busy - my turn to do the lesson and catch up on other seminary and missionary stuff.

  Oakley Checketts

Bishop and Tal

Sunset at the Ranch

About 5:30, I texted Becky to see if Walt had left yet.  They were still doing cows, and she said she would let me know once he was on his way.  He got home about 8:30 pm, and had been working calves all day.  I saw the headlights and went to greet him.  As I predicted, he came hobbling in.  He has trouble when he’s on his feet for a lengthy amount of time.  He could hardly walk for the next two days.  He was broken once again.  Thank goodness we came on our mission when we were younger.  Most couples can’t go until they are retired; which for most is in their late sixties or older.  He was able to see an amazing sunset out at the ranch.  They were able to get ALL the calves done, and I know the Bishop was so grateful for his help.

Wednesday, we finally got to go to Donna’s Diner for breakfast.  When we first looked up Newcastle online before leaving for our mission, Donna’s Diner was on the website with the comment of the best breakfast.  I have been wanting to go there from day one.  On a whim after seminary, we decided to go there.  Walt had the biscuits and gravy with eggs and I had a veggie and bacon omelet.  It was pretty darn amazing.  I am sure we will go back before July.  They have great local decor there as well.  Part of the charm.

A jackalope at Donna's Diner

Locals and local decor.  Part of Donna's Diner's charm

 I served at the Sr Center alone.  Walt was till a bit broken.  Plenty of people asked about him though.  Keisha even sent home some cookies for him.  It’s nice to be so loved.  We visited the Smith’s that afternoon.  It was a gorgeous day - 67 degrees and sunny.  We started our visit out on the porch in the sun.  Earlier in the spring, a group of guys helped Richard put in a cement area off the back door, so Renee can be out there in the sun with her power chair.  It has been wonderful for her.  Later we went in and shared a video about how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will never leave us alone.  This disease (ALS) is so scary and hard to handle.  It would be so hard for any of us to understand what she is going through.  I think the message helped a bit.  Walt was kept entertained by 4-yr old Nic; who loves to play games by his own rules.  Walt always just goes a long with whatever.  

Thursday’s lesson for seminary was a huge success.  Walt had prepared his lesson the day before and was ready.  About 3 am, he woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep, he was thinking about his lesson and how it needed spiced up a bit - more involved with the students.  Heavenly Father basically woke him up and said - do this instead.  So in 30 minutes, at 3 am, he came up with a game for the lesson and prepared it.  It involved teams, lookin up scriptures, answering the questions and gettin points.  He called it “Break the Bank Thursday.”  He gave out $500 for every correct answer, which was split between members of the team.  They thoroughly enjoyed it and loved the competition.  Everyone ended up earning about $5,000.  We use play money, and to give you perspective - a full size candy bar costs them $3,000.  They get money for showing up on time.  Being there before we start to sing the opening song, and getting 100 % attendance for the week.  One student even wrote in her little notebook, “this was the best lesson, and taught the material well.”  So awesome!!

That morning, we had District Council in Gillette with guest speakers of President Bailey and President Klamm (both part of our Stake Presidency).  There have been some issues with the missionaries doing things that is causing poor relations with members in their ward.  The topic was Member Missionary work and earning the trust of the members.  They also treated us to Qdobas for lunch. (Thelma - it will always remind me of you!).  They did a great job helping us all understand how to improve and building relationships between missionaries and members, and without sounding preachy.  They would like to do it again some time.

We ran errands in Gillette during the day - the thrift store (of course), and Walmart.  The thrift store has a Christmas “Room.” And I had a ball.  We bought about a dozen Christmas tins (10 cents a piece) for giving out cookies.  It will be the best I have to offer for gifts.  We also found a Christmas tree stand for $3.  Now we can have a real one.  All you have to do is get a permit and you can cut your own from the forests.  So glad we live near the Black Hills.  

Found lots of good stuff in the Christmas room at the thrift store

Since Pres. (Doctor) Bailey was in Gillette (he has a practice there he goes to about 8 days a month), we were able to have dinner with him before our Seminary mtg that evening.  After running errands, we just hung out in the lobby of the hotel he was staying and worked on our lessons.  We found a decent Chinese restaurant and had a very filling and nice meal.  Our seminary training meeting went quite well and ended a little earlier than the last.  We drove on to Sheridan afterwards and spent the night at the Bailey home.  It was funny to have dinner with President Bailey and then spend the night later without him there.  

Friday, we headed to Gillette a little after lunch time.  We tried an experiment while at the Baileys.  We have had an awful time with brown rings around the collar and cuffs of Walt’s white shirts.  I have tried so many things to get them out - without much success.  When we were home in PA for Kate’s reception, we washed some of his white shirts there and they magically came out spotless.  So we took ALL of his white shirts with us to the Bailey’s to see if  we could have the same success with their washer/water.  She was fine with it.  I did bring my own laundry soap.  It worked like a charm.  It was like a miracle!!!  I told her I would be glad to pay her for water and electricity to wash his shirts once month there and keep them white.  She, of course, said to just bring them - no charge.

We worked at the the temple that evening.  It is always such a spiritual renewing experience.  Both Walt and I got to have some time all alone in the celestial room.  The best ever.  We didn’t see each other all night; each serving in different areas.  I did catch a peek at him once and waved.  We spent the night at the Solomon’s place.  It is such a blessing for us to have someone to stay with instead of paying for a hotel every month.  It also give us a chance to compare notes with other senior missionary couples.  The Solomon’s work in the mission office.  In fact, Elder Solomon is in charge of finances and is the one we seem to constantly ask for new things from; like a vacuum, iron and paying for mouse traps.  It’s never an issue for us.   We will be staying with them again next week during Zone Conference.  They are going out with us for my birthday as well.

Saturday, they provided us a very nice breakfast and relaxed morning.  We went to the temple afterwards and did sealings.  We love that you can now have a family with children sealed all at once instead of one child at a time.  We had a family with 4 children sealed that day.  It’s was really something to have 6 of us being proxy for this family.  At 1 pm, our youth had an appointment to do baptisms.  So we met them at the Baptistry, and they did baptisms for 18 of our ancestors.  One of our seminary students was being the baptizer for the first time.  He did 5 youth, and Walt - which was 57 ancestors of people there.  It was pretty awesome!

We ran a few more errands, Costco and Kohl’s before heading home.  Our car is always so full after visiting Billings.  It reminds me of when the Folks go to town to shop.  I guess it’s just the nature of living so far from stores.  Go when you can.  We didn’t get home till 9:30 pm.  Quite a full three days.

The back of our car on the way home from Billings

Gary went to church with us again this Sunday.  Walt left early from his Bishopric meeting to go with me.  It’s against the rules for me to ride alone with another male as a missionary.  It may seem silly and be inconvenient at times, but it’s for everyone’s protection.  This will be two weeks in a row he has gone to church.  He plans on going next week as well - making it three in a row.  He’s excited about the potluck after church next week.  He even gave comments in the Sunday school lesson!  The teacher for the adult Sunday school class was sick and Walt tried to get several people to fill in at the last minute.  I wasn’t volunteering.  The Bishop said he would teach.  He did a great job and lots of people participated.  He has a way of communicating well with people.  He’s the kind of guy that looks you right in the eyes when he talks to you.  

On the way to take Gary home, it started raining and by the time we got to our house, it was snow - again.  There was no accumulation here, but 10 minutes away, they got 4-5 inches.  We were both so tired and had to take a nap.  I still had a seminary lesson to prepare for Monday, and a lesson to review for later that evening.  Plus Renee is in the hospital here in town and we needed to visit with her as well.  Everything worked out fine in the long run.  

Being here can be difficult and stressful, but we see the blessings we can be in others lives and the blessings we receive ourselves.  Even though Seminary can be non-stop lessons, I have enjoyed getting to learn so much from the Four Gospels for myself.  It is really helping us both come closer to the Savior and learn more about him and His love for all of us.  

I put a post on Facebook for Michelle’s birthday today!  We miss her and getting to celebrate her birthdays with her.  Kate, Drake, Walt and I have cheesecake every year on her birthday to celebrate!!! So here’s to all you cheesecake lovers - join in!!

Until next week  . . . 

One of our member's microwave.   They are super into Halloween