May 2015

May was nothing short of wonderful.  Of course, we continued with the basic activities described in the March entry to this Blog.  We stay very busy but it is just such a positive and joyful work that we are simply enjoying the ride.

With the weather now solidly in the “nice” zone, we totally love seeing all of the green wherever we go.  In fact, we have decided that we prefer the green to the white.  It is interesting that places we go throughout the area look so different that on occasion we have actually missed a turn because we no longer recognized the area.  That is a good problem to have.

We have met so many wonderful people and we are just having a fabulous time getting to know them and helping to fill the gaps for the Church where needed.  One of the highlights of the month came when Jim took Elder Geminert and Elder Hamilton to Cooperstown, New York where they went to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  Of course, Jim loved the trip as much or maybe even more than the Elders since he has been a baseball fan since he was a little boy.  It was a great experience.  Elder Geminert, who is from CA, was a high school baseball player before coming on his mission so President Wirthlin gave him permission to go see it before his mission ends in July.  How cool is that?

One of our favorite members (don’t tell the others) is Crystal.  She is 32 years old and lives in a full time care facility about 20 minutes from here.  She undergoes kidney dialysis every Monday, Wednesday and Friday but never complains.  She has spent many days and nights over the years in our local hospital for a variety of health issues.  She lifts OUR spirits every time we visit her and never fails to make us laugh.  The smile on her face when we walk in to see her is imbedded in our hearts forever.  The missionaries see her every week to share a Gospel message with her and play a game of dominoes.  We were blessed to show up the other day just as they were beginning so we got in on the action. 

Missionaries playing lawn darts!

Participating in "Red Nose" day for a good cause!

With the grass comes mowing.  Jim loves the riding mower!  I’m sure he mowed one day last week before he needed to but that’s beside the point, apparently.  The other mower is a different story and I’ll be taking over that task since it really hurts his back (all that snow shoveling sure didn’t help but will be turned over to the young missionaries next winter).  

Sunset - New York style