Home and Back -- Weeks 21, 22, 23

We left for Utah on Sept. 23rd to prepare for winter, visit doctors and see family.  Elder Smart had 4 doctor visits and most went well.  His visit with his dermatologist left him with lots of burn offs on his arms, hands and face.  A biopsy was taken of a growth just to side of his left ear.   Result came back 3 days later with not the best results.  He had the beginning stages of a cancerous growth.  In office surgery was scheduled for the next day.  He was left with  2 inchs of  sutures.  Sister  Smart got to remove the sutures after we returned.  Elder Smart was really worried about Sister Smart removing the sutures but it turned out to be almost painless😅.

It was Elder Smart's birthday while we were in Utah.  We had lots of parties.  We had a birthday dinner after watching two children's Sacrament meetings in Tooele.  It was especially fun to see the Sacrament programs because both Rachelle and Velynn are the Primary Presidents in the wards we visited.  Both programs were very well done.  Way to go you two wonderful daughters. 

Birthday Cake Made by Brinley

The next night we enjoyed a birthday dinner out with Kathie's family and Aaron.  We also had another dinner with them the night before we came home.

Enjoying Time With The Family

Ranae hosted a luncheon for all of Sister Smart's siblings.  We had a breakfast birthday party with Elder Smart's siblings the morning we left to return to our mission

We spent most of our first Monday with Bob Smart, Elder Smart's brother, looking for a vehicle that we felt would be better for us to drive in the Wyoming winter.   He helped us find an awesome Burgundy Jeep Grand Cherokee.  He also took us to  lunch  at the Little America buffet.  Thanks Bob!

Our New Transportation

We also kept busy going to some of the sporting events of the grandkids, soccer and volleyball. We enjoyed hearing them share their talents. Our favorite thing that we did was get to see and hold our new granddaughter, Elizabeth (Elle) Stagg.

Raquel Playing Her Violin

Brinley Plays High School Volleyball

Enjoying Sweet Elizabeth

Relaxing at Draper Home

We enjoyed conference very much.   It is wonderful to hear from Christ's spokesmen. . . a very spiritual conference.

We returned to our Wyoming home on Monday, Oct 2nd

This week back in the mission has been busy catching up everything in the office and getting settled back in the routine here.  The number of missionaries here is getting smaller and smaller.  This is going to be the last week that any missionaries will stay except those crazy winter missionaries that we are part of.

We had fun Friday evening going to Enchanted Canyon just a few miles from the homestead.  It was beautiful and we kept warn in our coats with a nice fire to cook foil dinners.  It was beginning to feel like winter, but today it is not just feeling like winter,   It is Winter!  Three inches of snow on the ground  and still coming!

Elder Smart in Enchanted Canyon

Enjoying the Canyon

Looks Like Winter, 8 Oct.

Today is Sunday and we gave the Sunday School lesson in our Branch.  Sister Smart was sustained as 1st Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency.

The deer have discovered how good the grass is at the homestead. Many deer have decided to reside here.  We had lots of antelope residing near us at missionary village where the trailers are and the deer are here.  In fact one big doe stood outside our kitchen window looking in at us today.  Her face was right next to the glass.  She was as interested in watching us as we were watching her.

Deer in Our Driveway

We are very happy to be serving the Lord here.  The spirit that abides here is priceless.  We are blessed to be a part of it.

Happy Birthday to CJ today!

We love you all.

Grandpa and Grandma Smart, Mom and Dad, Paul and Annie, Elder and Sister Smar

Working in the Sewing Room to Make New Covers For Handcarts
with Sister Crist, Sister Honey, and Sister Paul

Working in the Office