We VOTED! Have YOU???

Oh my goodness, it seems like it has been a very long week. Monday was kind of a special day; first, in our morning devotional, Sister Wels shared a letter from her granddaughter which detailed her attendance at conference - in the tabernacle for the first session, the conference center for the second session, and outside listening for the remainder.  She expressed her feelings at hearing the reduction in age for sisters to serve missions and the thoughts and feelings she had been experiencing prior to conference and afterward regarding serving a mission.  A desire to put her papers in immediately that was confirmed by a day in the temple.  When she went to her bishop he suggested waiting to put the papers in until December, when she would be of age; her answer was that she wanted to put her papers in NOW.  He acquiesced, and she has done so.  What Sister shared for her spiritual thought was that she is sure this is happening all across the world and how very much it will affect the work; to which we all agreed.  From several sources during the week we heard of the 400+ percent increase in applications to serve, and that half of those were from sisters:).  It is truly an exciting time.  

Following the devotional we received a remarkable letter from a recently baptized woman detailing how her conversion had happened - over the course of a good number of years.  It was such a testimony strengthening letter.  I made a copy for myself but since it is 4 pages long, it would be hard to share here.  Another great thing that happened is that my efforts to get a referral through to German missionaries to visit the friend of my friend in our ward here finally appears to have succeeded.  Apparently this women is not close to where missionaries or members are, but the missionaries were supposed to visit her on Saturday and she was thrilled! I am so very glad about that.  The friend here has asked me to be a “pen pal” to the lady in Germany, so I will try, although I am certainly not doing well at letters during this mission.  

The Watts returned from their vacation on Tuesday, which marked a change in the office atmosphere with 4 couples now there.  They had a wonderful time with family on their trip to Disney World and then a cruise in the Caribbean.  Makes me want to get started on a plan for a family gathering this summer.  So very much.  We had two more wonderful letters from newly baptized members; it is so wonderful to hear these stories of people coming to the Lord’s church:)!  

Tuesday evening we all went to Camp Alpine (where they hold scout campouts and girls’ camp, etc. throughout the year) to visit with the 2 couples serving there.  It was a wonderful evening, attending by all of us in the office as well as the other couple in the presidency.  President Young just could not manage it as he was needing to leave the next morning for a trip to San Diego for a mission presidents’ conference.  We were able to listen to amazing stories of one of the couples who had served an 18 month mission on a small island in the Pacific; the elder had helped to get air service established to the island - an amazing story in itself.  Dad really enjoyed talking with him about all the challenges.  The challenges of the mission seemed daunting and overwhelming - yet when Dad asked if they would do it again, the answer came immediately, Oh Yes!  Why?  Because of the people:).  And that really is the answer to why any of us would serve any kind of a mission...because of the people and the desire to help others experience the blessings we have experienced through the gospel.  Side note to the evening: my assignment was to bring brownies - and I made gluten free brownies so that Sister Wels would be able to eat them.  They were as good or better than any brownies I have ever made - I was so happy:).

Wednesday & Thursday I didn’t manage to keep many notes...so about all I can say is that we undoubtedly were busy at the office.  Did manage to do grocery shopping on Thursday evening and got what I needed to make a large crockpot of chili - which cooked all day Friday and went with us to the Ward Halloween dinner and event on Friday evening.  They started with a chili/soup “cook off” and had the elders judge it - but then never announced the winner(s).  I was happy to note that when they were down to 2 that they thought were the best mine was one of them:) (They didn’t know that and it didn’t matter since they never announced it.)  Again, just glad it worked out; I really don’t do much cooking any more...at least not like I used to.  

The BIG EVENT Friday was my visit to the doctor.  I had found myself putting more and more weight on my casted foot, and she said I could transition from doing that to walking with a “hard shoe” - which they make out of wood, velcro and some covering.  She also said that over the next 3 weeks (that is when I go back to see her) I could even try wearing my regular shoe - if things seem to be going comfortably well.   I came home and tried out the hard shoe - wore it for awhile and then put it aside.  Yesterday I wore it for the majority of the day, except when we went out to the store late in the afternoon.  Today my leg & foot seem to be hurting a little more, but she didn’t seem to think pain would be abnormal or a problem so I am counting that what I am doing is OK.  Haven’t left for church yet - but think I may wear the hard shoe to church, especially since so much of the time we are just sitting.  Do have to use my poles for balance if I go out however.  Here in the apartment I can balance by just touching or holding onto the things around me.  

Saturday was Becca’s 7th birthday - 7 years old!  Hard to believe. It was also an absolutely FABULOUS day because I was able to do my old routines - at least much of it - on my own (with my hard shoe:)! Really important things...like take my shower, wash my hair, clean the bathroom, do the laundry, water my plants...yeh - the really important things.  Honestly, it felt so good to be able to do things on my own.  Jim got called in to the office to do some things there and was gone about 3 hours or so; when he got home we had a meal, then rested a while and then went to Wal Mart and to the post to MAIL OUR BALLOTS!  YES, WE HAVE VOTED!!! HAVE YOU???

Today was Charlotte’s Birthday!!!  I almost forgot to call her:(.  We called Jim & Jeanie earlier and found out that Taylor won a contest put on by the “Turkey Trot 5K”  (hope I have the name right).  Her artwork will be on their brochures and on their T-shirts (I think maybe there was another thing too...) and they are going to present her with a framed digital copy of her artwork.  AND the whole family gets to enter the 5K for free!  Jim says he is up to it:).  Their kids have been having fun with Halloween stuff and I’m sure all the other grandkids are too.  I saw Emily’s post on Facebook I think of Eli in his costume...and she and Adam right in costume too.  Jeanie said Tanner was not quite sure about the whole costume idea...  Oh yes, before I forget, Jeanie had made homemade tortillas for the very first time tonight!  (Taylor was quite mystified as she tried to figure out just what Jeanie was doing!)

We called Steve...and found that he & Holly were visiting Holly’s parents...I am trying so very hard not to covet!!!  Sounds like they are doing well, that Steve really likes having a garage...and that he is “recovering” from being sick for a week or more.  But -he did say he sold 3 cars yesterday.  I think he is hoping for 3 more days like that this month!

Charlotte was doing well when we called her - sounds like her ward members are taking good care of her in the sweets department, especially cupcakes:).  And, Seth made homemade ice cream which was in the process of becoming an ice cream cake!  Those guys are talented.

Talked with Emily a couple of days ago - I think.  At least it feels like a couple of days ago, but maybe it was yesterday.  Anyway, they are still working hard on houses, still waiting for the permits to be able to continue their work on the home they hope to move into...so maybe everyone in the family could just add a few words to your prayers that somehow all that necessary paperwork gets done as soon as possible:).  Since we are hoping to visit them at Christmas, that would be a blessing for us as well:)!

I don’t think I have any other news...except I really like Ammon’s Quote of the Week and hope everyone else is enjoying it too! It is a busy time in Wyoming, lots of cows arriving and creating lots of work.  Sounds like Christi is getting her fair share of that work as well.  She still struggles with headaches - so maybe a family prayer request would be in order for that too.  Headaches are no fun.

Guess I should close for this week.  We had a call from President Watts telling us that there is to be a conference call from President Young to everyone in the mission at 9:30 p.m.  I suspect he is going to share the news that we are to be expecting Seventy arriving missionaries in January.  That is quite a number; I’m sure it is related to the age change at conference and it will be very exciting.  Lots of hard work ahead I am sure.  Please keep us in your prayers that we will have the strength and energy needed for it.

       
  November is Upon Us...Birthdays to remember:  Chris Bullinger, Nov. 5th; Ammon Bullinger, Nov. 29th !  If you'd like to send a card or Facebook wish, Isis (Oliphant) Albert's Birthday is November 24th and Melissa Boldrey's is November 28th...Hope everyone has a GREAT BIRTHDAY!