The Word From Leeds, England

Elder Braeburn continues to delight us with his letters.  He keeps us updated on his investigators and the daily work of being a missionary.

This experience is from a few months ago, but I love it.

He says, " Yesterday morning at 9:00 we had 5 investigators confirmed for church.  At 10:00 we had one, and a random former investigator who we hadn't even confirmed showed up, which gave us 2. 

 4 of our investigators we had scheduled for baptism didn't come, which means they'll miss their dates and we'll have to start over again from scratch.  Sunday mornings are always a little depressing. 

 Then we had a great sunday dinner with some members.  Tony (investigator) said he was too busy to have us over that evening, but we sensed that his excuses were a little hollow so we went anyway.  We felt the spirit powerfully as we were able to resolve his concerns and pour out his alcohol again.  I had a pretty impressive experience actually where I taught him doctrine I didn't know.  He asked a question I didn't know the answer to, my mouth opened, and I was able to give him a concise, correct answer to a pretty intense doctrinal question.  We left the appointment feeling exultant -  far, far better than we did that morning waiting for investigators to show up at church.  So, that's the nature of our days."

Brothers in Blue

The Bunkhouse

Hooray!  The bunkhouse is done!

Everyone worked very hard, and we actually had a lot of fun fixing the old chicken coop up.

After painting the walls a cottage yellow, painting the floor a terra cotta color, and spreading out an area rug, Prairie Spy proclaimed, "this does NOT look like a bunkhouse!"

So, some of us are calling it the playroom.

Even Golden Delicious helped paint.  It was very late at night and we were listening to absolutely horrid country music on the radio.  (did you know country music these days is revolting?  If I hear another song about girls in cut off jeans I may throw away the radio!)  

Luckily, we all had fun together.

The next morning when the paint was dry, I hung the curtains (the rooster fabric is pretty cute) and brought in an old sofa, a little table, a rocking chair, and some toys and books.

I got the idea for the record covers from JCW's restaurant - cheap color!  Frank Sinatra looks very nice on the wall in addition to "Music for those who go steady" (that would be me), The New Christy Minstrels,  Herb Alpert, and assorted other stuff.  It adds a nice touch. 

My next project is going to be a straw bale building.  Fun!

The Foreman and His Horse

This is Prairie Spy.  

He just naturally takes the foreman role around here.  Not (as Nova will be quick to tell you)  because he does more work, but mainly just because bossing people around seems to come quite naturally...

Prairie is working with a colt also.  But Dancer is not quite big enough to ride yet.  Prairie does not mind.  Nikita is his first love and there is lots to do with her still.

She is going to be his bridle horse someday.

The Young Lad

Did you know that Nova's name means "Lad of God" in Hebrew?  

I learned that this summer while at the W Family reunion.  There was a BYU ancient studies journal there and one of the articles was featuring the roots of Granny Smith's name.  

His name also means light, and soul.

All those fit.

He is a light and delight to all of us.

I am especially delighted because he has taken up riding again.  After he got dumped on his head several years ago, I was afraid we were out of luck.  But one day he just up and decided he wanted to ride.

Nova's horse, Pepper, is taking very good care of him.