February Update

The mission continues in keeping us busy. We are enjoying our experiences, especially the combination of helping members and friends here, finding new friends, and being with our daughter's family.

One of our highlights (of many) is being in the temple with one of our dear families of the branch- the parents this time. We went with them as their boys were baptized for family members last fall and a few weeks ago we were with their parents as they did other ordinances, this time for his parents and paternal grandparents. It was the first time they had been back for these ordinances since they were sealed in the temple over 16 years ago. It was an amazing experience.

We visit with their family every week, mostly because we teach their two older boys as their seminary teachers. Shauna also has been helping them in their kitchen remodel.

They have a pet dog, named Silly, who is extremely paranoid and skittish. She finally is willing to take some food from my hand (if I do not look at her). She is loved by the father of the family (as you see above).

Ray has been in the military and has had a lot of difficult times in his life. He has an interesting collection of pictures and other items. One picture I wondered about, until it was explained to me that this is a famous painting of a buffalo-hunting Indian as he reloads while in pursuit of his prey.

The area here is still somewhat in winter. We have had all sorts of weather, besides the real cold times I mentioned earlier. On interesting thing I have noticed is that along the roads, where the roadbed has been cut away from the bedrock, there is a lot of seeping of water continually, and in some places in the cold times, ice flows develop where you really do not notice water flowing. It is gradual and forms there flows of ice. This picture was taken when it had gotten up to above 70°F, so it has melted some, but you still can see the ice flow. The flow does not come from the top, but seeps from the rock itself.

The hills in the warmer months are thick with trees and overgrowth. At this time of the year, especially with some snow on the ground, you can see through the bare trees. Here are some pictures of the hills around here. (The local people refer to these as "mountains.")

One of our recent activities was an Elders Quorum bowling night. These show some of our people, including one man who was baptized just a few months ago, and another who is recently coming back to church. The branch members are doing well in helping these people feel welcome. The last one is a wall mural in the bowling alley depicting Hornell as it was in the heydey of the railway boom.

(Elders Lawrenz and Kerwin)