We're back on the screen again after the long haul of not writing. I (Paula) have been trying to plan a trip to visit all of you and see how things are going. This will come but I am writing to keep in touch until then. The Twin Falls Temple open house is going on right now. Gordon and I have ushered groups through and Larsen and Boston put footlets on the visitors. The girls had to tape their blouses to themselves to prevent exposure as they bent over. This next couple of weeks will be intense dance practice for Larsen and Boston to celebrate the temple.
Stuart graduated from ISU in Business Administration in Marketing. Invitations were far and few between but you were all welcome to come. He's working at Odell's Furniture store in Pocatello for right now checking out different options for permanent work.
Anna and Steve have spent the last week and a half traveling back to Illinois to see Steve's parents. They took the scenic route and have enjoyed Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Nauvoo, etc. They are enrount back to Utah where Anna starts teaching at Evergreen Junior High in US History and Utah History. Steve will continue his studies at U of U in Math.
Jessica is doing great in Vilnius, Lithuania. Here is the exerpt from her last letter:
"So anyways…last week we went to Kernave. Kernave is the original capital of Lithuania. The King of Lithuania built up these hills that approaching armies would have to deal with before reaching the Lithuanian force. We ran down the hills and crossed this big open meadow to the river and forest (pictures included on other email). We had a picnic, then tossed the Frisbee, and got bored and so we wondered into the forest and discovered the joy that is the Wild Forest. EVERYTHING grows in the forests here. Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, mushrooms, etc. I felt like Sal, the little girl who hangs out with the bears in the forest with blueberries. We were so happy there in the forest. : ) We didn't have a lot of time for adventuring, so we headed back across that big meadow, towards the giant hills. And I suddenly felt very small and un-violent. Imagine great armies marching across that very meadow! They were there! This country has very rich medieval history and we get to tromp through the actual sets such history was acted out."
Kendrick spent a fun week with us during the Spudman in which he swam 1 mile, biked 26 miles and ran 6 miles. We cheered him on at the finish along with Micheal and several others. He's been cutting hay and baling for 3 farmers in Washington just across the border from Moscow. He's combining now and hauling grain down to the barges at Lewiston. He's attending Moscow again this fall and looking into the Mechanical Engineering program.
Hayden or Webb Elder as we know him for now is Branch President in Hungary. He says, " Well, well well! I'm here in my new area! I am out in the flat land of Hungary in bekescsaba but there are still many trees and beautiful old buildings. I recieved the call for my new assignment last Tuesday morning and was assigned to this area! I am really excited but I was a bit anxious about the whole thing because with the assignment I was called to be the branch president as the city that I am in was opened with in the last year and a half. That made me a little nervous and I have yet to see the full effects of this new assignment but I'm waiting with caution and attention:) so I will now have to lead the meetings in church and organize church services and make sure that the new members dont say anything too crazy:) that should be interesting."
Larsen turned 16 last Tuesday and was ordained a Priest today by Gordon. He's been one of the main balers for the farm and is the "go to" person for his Uncle Doug. Football practice starts this week. He was voted Junior Class president so he'll be busy this year.
Boston is Boston. He worked on the farm swathing, raking and working with Gordon sorting cows on the farm this summer so Boston's Bakery got put on the shelf until later. He will get to play football this year in school. He's excited.
I will be back in school on Mondays and Wednesdays with classes in Accounting, computer, writing internship for the Consumer Economics Department and a Consumer Economics class.
Gordon is moving forward with his partnership and business. I don't know where he's moving forward to but things are going well.
Elva, Gordon's mother is still living with us and doing well. We love this time of year with harvest and all the fun things going on. We love you all and hope to see you soon. Paula
