Week 8 - Cold and Windy

This has been a cold week.  We had to turn the furnace on again.  We also experienced the Wyoming winds we always hear about.  It blew hard most of the week.  We feared another electricity failure, but, gratefully, it didn’t happen.

If this week and last are any indication of how things will go with our assignments, Elder Smart will be working in the office while Sister Smart does hard labor.  Other than one day in the visitors’ center and ½ day in outfitting, Elder Smart was working on finances for the mission and for the branch.  He has a lot to do getting the computer up to date (if that is possible with our internet) and getting correct people on the permission list for the Church financial dept.  Even the mission president was not on the cleared list.  Things were still under the old mission president, but since he was released, there was really no one that was cleared to do the finances. Elder Smart spent a lot of the week pulling his hair out trying to get things correct.  He is not there, yet, but much closer than he was a week ago.

Picture in Visitors' Center Depicting the Tragedy
 at North Platte River Crossing

Elder Smart Outside the Visitors' Center

Sister Smart worked the visitors' center with Elder Smart and a full day in outfitting.  She also mowed lawns,  prepared benches for painting (we were unable to paint the benches due to the winds), landscaped and trained for camp hosting.

Wednesday evening we were asked to help with square dancing at the trekkers camping site.  

Waiting at Cherry Creek Camp Ground to Square Dance

Cherry Creek Camp Ground Before the Trekkers Arrive.
Dry, Open and Barren!

Sixth Crossing Visitors' Center Dedication 

Thursday evening we were able to attend the visitors’ center dedication at Sixth Crossing, the place where the Willie Company was rescued.  It was a neat experience.  Elder Mervin Arnold from the Seventy spoke and President Ulisses Soares from the Presidency of the Seventy spoke and gave the dedicatory prayer.  What a powerful dedication it was!  All the missionaries in our mission met afterwards for dinner and we were joined by President Soares.  Great food…Café Rio type pulled pork salad. 

View From Back Deck at New Visitors' Center.

Elder Soares Speaking to us After the Dinner.
  President and Sister Pace Standing Nearby.

Friday Sister Smart stayed home because her foot would not go into her shoe due to swelling from infection in her big toe.  This was due to a toe nail ripping.   All is well. We do not have any energy when we get home at night to do the housework. So, it was good to have time to catch up the laundry, clean the kitchen and bathrooms, even if she gingerly got around.

Many days we work hard, but we absolutely love being here and serving.  The spirit here is amazing.

Happy Father and Grandfather

Saturday was the usual trip to Casper for groceries, hair cut, car wash, etc.  We had lnch at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate Fathers’ Day.

Today, Sunday,  we had church as usual.  We all take turns doing lessons and speaking in church.  It is fun to have different people each Sunday.  We taught RW/Priesthood meetings earlier this month.  We can relax through July, but we have to speak in Sacrament meeting in August.  The pot luck dinner and social after Church is really fun and so good to get to know everyone, especially the ones from Sixth Crossing and the guest families of the missionaries that come to visit.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all of you fathers and future fathers!

Happy Birthday to Simon  

Love you all so very much,

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

Mission Business Card

Buck Antelope Resting Next to Our Driveway on Neighbor's Lawn