SURPRISE!!!!!

For his 55th birthday Dad received the surprise of his life! A whole zone of missionaries was hiding in the kitchen when he walked through the door. They had decorated the house and designed a very original cake with the word's "to the hardest working mission president" set next to a photo of him sound asleep in the back of the car. Then they had purchased a suit from Good Will that they all signed. Their plan is that every missionary who comes through during our three years will sign it. Wow....what a treasure! He received over a hundred beautiful letters from the missionaries with many words of love and support. Dad said that of all his many birthdays this one ranked up there as one of his best! Matthew especially enjoyed all the balloons left over after the party ended!

Mission Tour

Elder Sybrowsky of the Seventy and his lovely wife came for a Mission Tour in September. They stayed with us in the mission home and it was such a pleasure to get to know them and to learn from them.  What inspired and wise people they are.  They spoke in two zone conferences and in a few smaller meetings and each time I felt such a wonderful spirit.  Many of the things they said and did had such a powerful influence that both Milan and I felt that it would be the beginning of much change and growth in the mission.  By the time they left we felt that we had two very dear and lifelong friends.

Preparation Day

On one of our "preparation days" we were invited to go fishing at a members club park.  It was gorgeous.  He had invited a few of his friends as well, including some of our missionaries, to join him. We had some great gospel conversations and even caught a few fish too.  This was a 'catch and release' pond, lucky for the little turtle that Elder Jones caught who just couldn't resist those fat, juicy worms.

Quilts on Parade

The Mormon Trail Center hosted a wonderful quilt display that drew many visitors last month.  The Sister Missionaries gave tours wearing little white gloves so that they could handle the quilts and show visitors the backs. There were many beautiful quilts featuring family memories, important dates, baptismal reminders, and even a little quilt that was actually a matching game for children.  The real draw though, was a quilt supposedly made by Emma Smith.  This pictures shows Sister Gingrich giving her wonderful tour.  What a cutie!

Lazy Days of Summer

The boys new past time is 'frisbee golf.' They love it and are, not surprisingly, very good at it. We have a beautiful park nearby that has a great course. It won't be long and it will be under a foot of snow!!

Phoebe is finally  settling in.  She was so feisty and unhappy for awhile there, but she has pretty much come to terms with her new home.  Life's tough when your agenda is so taxing.

2nd 'Mormon Trail Run'

 

The 'run' is a three mile jog that takes place before each transfer week on preparation day.   It begins at the sister missionaries' apartments and goes for three miles around the neighborhood surrounding the Trail Center and Temple.  Milan and I are always one of the last to finish, but at least we can do it!