15 September 2018 - Saturday

15 September 2018 - Saturday

This afternoon we got the internet connection back here at Missionary Village.  There is one Elder who seems to know this system well and he will be leaving in less than two weeks.  I did make a suggestion to the FM managers that those who are staying the winter, and will be here next year, learn all they can from him!  This internet system has been sporadic this year, but I have only missed one post opportunity from Missionary Village.  That is a pretty good record, even when there were  many days where the signal was very weak.

My morning walk was brisk and refreshing.  The temperature was in the high 30's, and I walked quickly to keep my blood circulating!  I just can't imaging the challenges the pioneers had when they walked in temperatures, even lower, for days and weeks, without proper clothing and footwear.  As I began my walk, there were interesting clouds waving over the horizon.  Sunrise was still an hour away!

These clouds took on a different look this morning!

Mom and I did not have the internet working this morning, so my blog post for yesterday was done this afternoon down at the Homestead.  Having a laptop computer is sometimes way convenient!  Once we had a break in our work assignment, I was able to put some notes together for yesterday's blog.  I hated missing even one day!  These kinds of daily habits of posting our experiences each and every day, are addicting!  Bill Glasser calls that a "positive addiction".  He wrote a book that was used in one of my undergraduate business classes.  If we are going to be addicted by something like blogging, or exercise or learning "The Living Christ", it helps to have it as a positive experience!

At our correlation meeting this morning, mom and I got the assignment, with Sister Gilliland, to prep the window sills and window framing for some fresh paint at the mission office complex.  This was not an easy assignment with the building being well over fifty years old.  But we were excited to do it right and I was able to find many of the needed tools and equipment for our project;

Mom and Sister Gilliland scraping some very old wood!

I used a sander to make the chipped paint smooth for the re-coat.

I sure enjoy projects like these.  It kept us busy through lunch, and then we had the afternoon off.  The paint should be in for Monday's work crew.  This was the Gillilands last work crew assignment.  They have a shift in the Visitors Center on Monday and, then, the day Tuesday, to pack up and prepare for their farewell, and travel back home to Colorado, on Wednesday.  We have enjoyed getting to know them this year!

The farewell flags were blowing in the breeze as we pulled in to Missionary Village.  It makes for an awesome sendoff for the departing missionaries.  You might remember that these same flags were up at the entrance to Missionary Village when we arrived here in April.  We are again reminded how quickly this six month mission has flown by!  We are very grateful for the time we have spent here and for the experiences that have strengthened our testimonies!

The last thing the senior missionaries see as they head for home!