This week we were Campground Hosts at Cherry Creek so the days were basically the same. Out to the campground at 7:00am, restock the restrooms, help the trekkers get on the trail, greet new arrivals and in the evening on the nights we had square dancing set the sound systems up and help with teach the kids the dances. Every day we were able to get home in the middle part of the day for awhile which was very nice.
This was something I hadn't seen at the campground before...freezers. The Castle Rock Colorado Springs Stake brought five of them plus two generators to run them! The week before we saw a trek arrive with a kitchen sink in the back of a pickup truck.
In the middle of the week we realized the side effects of the medications Elder Lindsey is taking for his PMR were getting to the "we need help" phase so after talking to the doctor it was decided we would make the 700 mile round trip home for an appointment on Monday. We both feel better knowing Elder Lindsey will start feeling more like himself next week.
This week the snakes became very active in areas where they would be a danger to our trekkers so we had to send several to the other side of the veil. My name rose to the top of the list for my own snake so Elder Stimpson gave of of them to me and I with some help from my friends started the process to turn him into a hatband. WARNING for the squeamish the pictures ahead may be disturbing!
Notice he's headless and I'm wearing gloves...I'm only so brave!
First he has to be skinned and since I wanted no part of that Elder Moeser volunteered to do it for me for which I am forever grateful. Like I said my courage goes only so far!
Next you pull the inside out of the skin...more thanks to Elder Moeser. No we did not eat him!
My courage returned and here he is skinned and ready to be stretched.
Next we carefully stretch him and pin him outside down to a board.
Sister Stimpson helped me with this process.
After stretching we salted him up good. It will be several days before we do the next step so check back next week!
Friday was a wonderful day. After we got our campers out on the trail we went back home and soon were joined by my friend Allison and her friend Angie. Allison and I worked together for about 16 years and I have missed her. Over the years I had heard many good things about Angie so it was really fun to spend time with her too and get to know her a bit.
Allison and I
Allison and Angie
After filling our water bottles us "girls" took of to trek Martin's Cove. We had a great trek. I told them all the stories and we just enjoyed being together in such a beautiful place. After trekking we headed to the Homestead to have lunch and tour the sights there. Then it was off to Cherry Creek to check in with our campers before heading back to Missionary Village to celebrate the 24th of July with BBQed hamburgers and Dutch oven potatoes, beans and cobblers with ice cream. We know how to party!
Elder Lindsey and the Stimpson's sharing good times.
Too soon it was time to say goodby. As they drove away I told Elder Lindsey I had had the best day ever! There is just nothing like some "girl time" with dear friends.
Saturday after getting the last group on the trail and headed for home we came home to do laundry, clean house and make preparation to head to Salt Lake on Sunday. In the afternoon we had a wonderful surprise when Elder and Sister Moench knocked on our door. Since those of us still serving missed their missionary reunion in Utah a couple of weeks ago they decided to come see us. We visited for a few minutes then in the evening all of the second and third year missionaries who could got together in the Gathering Room and visited. It was a wonderful evening.
Elder and Sister Moench aka Mary Ann and Lorin and us.
Sunday we headed to SLC at 6:30 in the morning and arrived at home just after noon. Tauni has done a beautiful job on our home, everything including the yard looks lovely and it was nice to sit on the deck and have lunch and just enjoy visiting. We went to our home ward and it was fun to see everyone and get hugs all around. Two months and we will be home! After church we headed over to surprise Ernie with a quick visit. It was good to see him and find out for ourselves that he looks and sounds good. He had some health issues earlier in the month and it was discovered that the seizures he had as a child have returned but he's on medication and doing well.
He towers over his parents!
After our visit with Ernie we headed to Ken and Sue Larsen's our dear friends who always open their home to us at a moments notice. They have been such a wonderful support to us as we've served our mission and we love them like family.
Remember John Cooper "We can't always expect everything to run smooth." well that's how I feel about this week...actually this month but through it all we have felt the love and guidance of our Heavenly Father. He has answered prayers and comforted us. Our leaders and fellow missionaries have also blessed our lives in untold ways and we feel blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.
Our love and prayers are with each of you,
Elder and Sister Lindsey
No comments:
Post a Comment