One year since we arrived in Newcastle!!

Bald Eagle we saw on Friday

 Mondays just don’t ever seem to be that busy.  I guess most times it is prep day for the upcoming week; making appointments and such.  We were invited over to the Smith’s for dinner.  He is a good cook; much better than me.  Renee was a chef, but he did most of the cooking.  How crazy to have two good cooks in one family.  We had roast beef and the fixings.  I brought brownies and the kids were excited about that.  Of course, they had to finish their dinner first.  Once Nic realized that, he was more focused on getting it done.  Afterwards, we talked about the Book of Mormon and watched the new video for 1 Nephi 1 & 2.  The videos are really well done.  I like them.  Nic recognized the story right away.  He said - Is that Lehi?  Where is Nephi?   Is someone going to get killed?   He knows all the good stuff.

Nic wanted me to take a picture of his empty plate

Richard (little) wanted credit as well

Haley too.  She had something going on with her eyes.  Not pink-eye though

Tuesday, we worked on seminary lessons.  We actually only had 3 this week.  The schools were closed on Thursday and Friday.  Works for us!!!  Two extra days of sleeping in.  About mid-morning, we picked up Richard and Nic and took them to Upton for Richard to pick up his truck.  He actually dropped the brakes off and then would go back in an hour to get the truck.  In the meantime, we went to Richard’s storage unit to get books and DVD’s he was getting rid of.  The box of DVD’s was really big.  We also got his red seat/step stool.  The kind that everyone’s grandmother had when we were growing up.  It is in great shape.  

At the storage unit, the snow had not been plowed from last week, and there were a few snow drifts.  I tried a couple of paths and finally picked the least deep.  I was really hoping I didn’t get stuck.  I did fine.  I had to get Walt’s snow boots out of the back, since he had regular shoes on.  Nic, of course, found the deepest parts; which were deeper than his boots.  It didn’t take long for him to have snow in his boots and very cold feet.  It was a pretty cold day, and after getting what we needed, I sat in the car.  Nic was happy to get inside as well.

Walt wasn’t feeling very good; not since Sunday night, and was ready to just go to bed.  He slept most of the night.  We had to cancel our lesson that night.  Although I did have to go the the family’s house to borrow a sword.  I needed one for my seminary lesson the next day.  The plan was to have the students act out 1 Nephi  3-4 - the part where Nephi and his brothers went back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates.  It’s a pretty good story and even has Laban getting his head cut off.  We had gone to the thrift store that morning to find some more salt shakers and some props for seminary.  I found quite a few curtains and sheets that would work for costumes, some gold things, a few belts, and gold picture frames to stack up for the brass plates.  They turned out pretty good.  Of course, we had the sword that we borrowed.  It took most of the afternoon and evening to pull it all together.  It was well worth the effort.

Props from the thrift store.  Gold and silver things, a rod and brass plates

I was please with the way the brass plates turned out - despite the rubber bands.

I sent the students a text on Tuesday night that said the following “We have a fun lesson tomorrow but need ALL the time.  Please try to be there by 6:45.  It’s our last day this week!”

I was so impressed.  6 of the 8 were there right on time, 2 actually a little early, and the last two were there by 6:50.  It just wouldn’t have worked well if people showed up 15 minutes late.  I had the room all set up the night before.  I had signs for the places, name tags for each character and props.  We even had a rod for Laman and Lemuel to beat his brother with.  Of course, I didn’t allow real hitting.  I think they had a good time and enjoyed it.  Some of them were really into it - most of them actually.  When it came time for Nephi to cut off Laban’s head, Dakotta (playing Nephi) just kind of tapped him on the back of the neck, hit hair was too short to grab him by the hair like the story said.  So I suggested, she just pick up his head in one hand and give a good swipe of the sword with the other.  They must have thought that was funny or memorable because two of the kids told their parents about that part.  Their mom was telling me on Sunday.  Too funny!  It was a great way to finish out our week.

Nephi, Laman, and Sam.  Me as Narrator

Nephi and his brothers offering their gold and precious things to King Laban in exchange for the brass plates

Not sure what is going on in this scene.   I think when Nephi is bringing Zoram back to the wilderness with them

Nephi putting on the clothing of Laban (who is still drunk on the floor)

Nephi finds a drunken Laban on the ground and is commanded to kill him

That afternoon, we served lunch at the Senior Center.  It was pork roast.  Last time, they were going to throw away the scrappy stuff in the bottom of the pan.  Walt took the time to drain it and we got to take it home.  Same thing this time.  When we got home we put it in the crock pot and poured BBQ sauce over it and it made some very tasty BBQ sandwiches that night.  Walt was ready to rest again, and so I went to visit Renee.  Her mom was there and the three of us had a nice visit.  After her mom left, Renee and I had a good visit as well.  With having the Eye Gaze communication, she was able to open up about her feelings of what is going on.  Richard is really struggling with everything - unpacking, taking care of children, and working.  It’s also very stressed and overwhelmed by Renee’s disease and her pending passing.  He hasn’t visited her much.  Renee feels a little abandoned.  I was glad she felt comfortable enough to share with me.  I also asked her if she wanted to leave any notes for the children.  She could type it on her eye thing and then I could write what she says.  She had actually started some journals - one for each child and Richard.  She wanted to add to them.  So I took care of Richard finding them.  I took them another day to the hospital, but she wasn’t really wanting to work on it right then.  She actually had a visit from Richard a little earlier and was tired.

Thursday was travel day.  We had our Missionary District Council in Gillette that morning.  Afterwards, our free pizza for the week and  some Amazon and Walmart returns.  It’s great un-spending money.  Since we have tried to buy everything we can to get us through our mission, we are really watching the spending on Grocery and Miscellaneous each month.  Returns help a lot.  We did get some produce and eggs on our way home on Friday.  Then it was off the Sheridan.  We had Seminary training that evening.  We have the option of going in Gillette or Sheridan.  Sheridan is farther but then we just spend the night at the Bailey’s and don’t have to drive for 1 1/2 hours watching for wildlife the whole time.  It seems like we are silly not wanting to drive at night, but it can be pretty tricky with the amount of antelope and deer that like to play chicken with the cars.  We’d really like to not hit anything and mess up our car.  Staying at the Bailey’s also is just nice.  

That night, Amanda was really booked solid.  There were piano lessons, picking up from school, dinner to prepare, get changed, and pick up her husband from work to meet the other members of the Stake Presidency for a dinner/cooking class.  Plus her parents were driving from Spokane Washington for Brigham’s priesthood ordination and Hunter’s birthday.  In our church, young men are eligible to receive the Aaronic priesthood when they are 12.  They are interviewed first to determine if they are worthy (keeping the commandments and standards of the church).  This is their first son to receive the priesthood - pretty exciting.  In our family, Bryce received the priesthood last Sunday and would be passing the sacrament for the first time on the 19th.  Go Bryce!!

We decided to help out Amanda by helping cook dinner, do some dishes, clean up after dinner, fold some clothes and watch children until we had our meeting.  It’s so nice to be helpful to parents of 4 children.  Anya - we will be home in July!  :).  They brought us some sweet butter infused olive oil.  This place they went for dinner/cooking class, specializes in lots of different infused olive oils and vinegars; as well as, imported cheeses.  President Bailey said they would like to take us there some time before we go home.  We’re good with that.

We slept in a bit on Friday - till 8:30, packed up, had some breakfast and headed home.  It started out a 52 degrees in Sheridan and by the time we got to Newcastle - 4 hours later, it was only 32.  On the way home, just outside of town, Walt spotted 2 bald eagles side by side and very close to the road.  We see a lot of them at this time of year, but usually not that close or two together.  I turned around so we could get pictures.  Walt used the zoom lens for his camera, but wasn’t able to get the two together with clarity.  He did get some good pictures though.  Our first since we’ve been here.

Pictures of the eagles.  Don't have one with the two together

We had arranged with Richard to take care of the kids while he went to the hospital to try to connect FaceBook and such to her Eye Gaze Communication device.  I texted him that we were home, and they were here in 5 minutes.  Walt found a kid movie for them on his computer.  They are always hungry when they come, I think it’s a grandchild thing - see what we can get.  I only had pb&J to offer them.  They scarfed it up.  Richard was only gone a couple of hours; so not too bad.  He didn’t have any luck and won’t be able to get with the tech people until Tuesday.  He looked pretty beaten down.  I wish we could help me feel some joy, but it’s just a very tough situation that doesn’t have a positive ending.  

Saturday was another busy day.  Not as bad as last Saturday.  We visited a sister that the Bishop would like us to keep in close contact with that morning.  She always appreciates visits.  Then Elders were meeting us at our place to go over possible people to visit and what we had going on.  We haven’t seen them much lately.  We stopped at Wayback for Cheeseeys - can’t resist Buy One get One Free.  We got to see Penny - one of the owners and chat with her while we were there.  We had lunch with the Elders and went over possibilities.  Then we had an appointment with Richard to teach a lesson, and I had volunteered to bring them dinner.  He was very smart and said Yes.  Young Richard is 13 and eats like a typical 13 year old male.  He has an endless stomach.  I made a huge pan of baked spaghetti, salad, French bread and cookies.  The cookies weren’t that good, but the kids liked them.  

We watched the 2nd Book of Mormon video - the part our seminary class acted out.  They didn’t show Laban’s head getting cut off - Nic would have loved it.  We talked about the movie and what we each liked and learned from it.  No one has gotten any where on reading though.  We’ll keep trying.  

Sunday was pretty busy as well.  Sacrament meeting was really good.  It was about Member Missionary work and the speakers did very good job.  Usually people cringe when this topic comes up, but they made it quite enjoyable.  Sunday school was also good.  There was a lot of participation; which makes the class more interesting.  After church, we had a Missionary Correlation meeting, that was brief and to the point.  Afterward, the Elders helped us set up the room for Seminary.  They also helped put chairs in my car for our meeting with Gary later that night.

After lunch, Walt got some much needed rest.  I worked on my seminary lesson, put on some chili to cook for dinner, and made some no-bake cookies for two of our students’ birthdays.  That was their request.  I also put together a plan for leading the group discussion we were having at Garys.  We picked Keith up at 3:30.  April couldn’t come because their dog hurt his back and can hardly get around - she needs help.  We were grateful Keith still came.  The Booth’s from the Sundance branch also came.  They live in Upton but serve in Sundance along with some other Upton folks.  We are hoping maybe by the time we leave, Gary would be willing to go with some of the other Upton people to church in Sundance (same distance as to Newcastle).  They pulled people from Upton because there were so few people in Sundance, and they needed leadership help.  Brother Booth is actual the Branch president - like a Bishop of a ward.  It was so nice of them to come.  We brought the folding chairs with the cushions for the gathering.  

The discussion went pretty well.  Gary did start off with one of his strange questions, and I thought “Oh no!”  We eventually got him back on track and the train didn’t run off the rails too bad.  Sister Booth was great at trying to figure out exactly what Gary was getting at.  Sometimes it feels like he talks in riddles.  Gary also had one of his neighbors join us - Joyce.  She is 97 years old and Gary frequently buys things for her.  He’s got a big heart.  She said she wants to attend next week as well.  Everyone said they wanted to come again next week.  I asked for volunteers to lead the discussion.  Walt suggested I might want to since I did such a great job that night.  President Booth agreed, and then Gary as well.  Those guys!  They are just trying to get out of taking a turn.  Guess next week  aI will lead the discussion again.  

Gary had quite the spread for us afterwards.  He always goes all out when he does something.  He had fixings for sandwiches, chips, grapes, potato salad, yogurt and berries.  Sis Booth offered to make refreshments next week, but said she wouldn’t be doing a big spread like that.  We appreciate her offer and whatever she brings will be perfect.  We left the chairs with Gary, after confirming they wouldn’t be in his way.  I think he really liked having the company.  I asked him about coming to church  in the next couple of weeks.  He said he couldn’t do the study group and church on the same day - that would be like going to church all day.  Silly man!

Walt had room for chili when we got home.  Not sure how - I was totally full.  I was glad I had put something on before we left.  We got to bed fairly early to prepare for getting up early, but it still wasn’t enough sleep.  Both of us could use a nap around now.  That is it for this week.  The time seems to be flying by and July will be here before we know it.  We love you all so much and miss our family like crazy.  Thanks for all your emails back.  They make our day.

Yesterday was one year that we arrived here in Newcastle.