North Country News 7/26/09

Hi Everyone, This has been another great week to be in the missionfield. Still cool and wet but typical for this summer. It will be fall soon and still no summer weather. They, the old farmers, say this has been the coldest and wetttest summer since 1972. It figures we're here. It is actually quite comfortable, we haven't felt that hot muggy thing yet. The two pictures are from this week. We came across this Amish flat bed wagon at a hitching post right in Lowville. You can see how the men are dressed with the straw hat and black clothes. There was actually a woman and child also but they're covered up. Kind of quaint isn't it. We will miss the Amish, they are a very peaceful group. The other is of our monthly dinner, we held it later in the month because some of the soldiers were on block leave. It was our largest turnout so far there were 18 people, 10 soldiers, 3 non-members. After they scarfed down all the food they played volley ball for a hour. They all seemed to enjoy the activity. On Sunday we were invited to dinner at Col Haight's, he is the brigade commander who is in Afghan. now. It is alway fun to go there because she sets a great table and is a great conversationists. Lot of war stories stuff. Their son comes home from his mission next month. We spent alot of time helping a spouse whose husband is in Afghan. move. She put their stuff in storage and is going home to help with her aging grandmother. It was military housing so cleaning was the big chore. I helped shampoo the carpets but had to fix the machine first, it figures. It was transfer week in the mission but in our district no one moved so we got out of the usual trip to Utica. I guess the new mission President did the smart thing and is waiting for the dust to settle on his arrival before he shakes things up. I told them before hand they weren't going to move

North Country News 7/19/09

Hi family! Monday was District activity and we took the missionaries out to lunch in Lowville and to the park for basketball and frisbee. It is still pretty cool and rainy here. At pageant they had to stop the show one night because of lightning but they did finish later. This week we have spent a lot of time helping a sister move off post to home because her grandmother is sick. Her husband is in Iraq so the Ward has helped. We have cleaned her carpets, etc. Her little kids call us grandma and grandpa every time they see us and give us big hugs. We are teaching Institute lessons all this summer as the teacher is gone most of the time. This Sunday we had some new families show up to Carthage Ward. It is thrilling to get good solid members that move in. One of the pictures shows a grain elevator painted like the flag. Around here there is a great deal of Americana everywhere you go. It's great! This particular farm is a favorite of dads. We have had some problems with the young missionaries overstepping their bounds on Ft. Drum and we called the new Mission Pres. since the missionaries would not listen to us. He called the Military Mission Dept and got it all straightened out. He will be good! We are enjoying our days here and we love the people so much. There is never a dull moment!! We send our love to all!

North Country News 7/12/09 added picture

North Country News 7/12/09

We have had a very eventful week! We began the week by taking a group of Young Adults to a concert and fireworks in the Watertown Park. The Syracuse Symphony gives a concert and then the fireworks follow. The whole twon shows up and it was lots of fun! Everyone puts out chairs and blankets on the hillside and has a great time. We took a gift and dinner to a young couple with a new baby, made three trips to a disabled soldier's home to fix his washing machine, made some visits in Clayton, attended a birthday surprise party and made lots of other visits. The best part of our week, however, was when we saw those two big motor homes pull up at Hill Cumorah! It was so great to see everyone and we had a great day together. We toured all the sites at Palmyra and the kids were great. The pictures are of the stage and chairs at Hill Cumorah set up for Pageant. The other picture is in the Sacred Grove. We loved the Pageant and we all made it through to the end. The next day we spent the day at the campground with the family and made a trip to the outlet mall nearby. We drove home that evening and tried to get back in the missionary groove. It was so fun to meet Carter even though his lip quivered every time we held him. Everyone has grown so much. We are ready now to get back to work and do nour best these last few months! We send our love to all. Mom & Dad

North Country News 6/6/09

Hi Gang, Well June ended with a real rush and July came in wet and cold. It sure doesn't seem like July or even summer when the temp. is in the low 70's and its raining all the time. We are at least used to it by now. Our week was filled up with visits and fix up projects. It may seen routine but believe me lots goes on in those two areas. In the visits life stores are told and in the fixup areas there have been some real stumpers. We have learned to be patient and take things as they come. It has been very uplifting watching the arm of the Lord in action in the lives of these people. Not to mention the tender mercies. Col Haight, 3rd BCT commander, was home on R&R from Afghanistan and was at Church. We had a great talk about the war there, he is so mater of fact and upfront. He made it a real point to talk with the spouses of his troops who were at church. He was very concerned about them and their families. He is a great example of a modern day rightous military leader. Saturday we met our new mission president and his wife. (Picture) the Bullocks from southern Utah. She grew up in Circleville and he grew up in Ceder City. He has been a CES Administrator for the past 15 years but began as a seminary teacher in Centerville and went on to Viewment leaving in 1979, just missing the Larsen chain. They seem to be great people. It will be interesting to watch what changes are made in the mission. The other picture is of one of our rare sunset up here. This was just after a stormy day and the clouds were beautiful. Sunday evening we went up to Wellsley Island on the St. Lawrance to a members house on the river to watch Fireworks over Bolt Castle. It was Great there were 200 hundred people there, lots of ward members, food and good conversation. The firework lasted for about a hour boats filled the river to watch. Four of our soldiers came and they really enjoyed the break from barracks life. This is a really a busy time for soldiers, block leave (2 wks) training at Ft Polk (4 Wks) More block leave then deployment in Oct. For the next month of so they are gone. We are still loving the work and are really looking forward to seeing the crazy caravan bunch (Scott's term) this week. Take care and stay out of trouble. Mom and Dad