August 4,2024

 That is a little shocking to write that it is August! We had missionaries departing testimonies tonight. Some greats going home but it just points out how time passed as if in a dream! Hard to believe!  Even the sun is starting to set again!  It does about 10:30! But that means it actually get dark during the night!  Summer institute ends this week and fall starts in two weeks !

We had our miracle today at the YSA ward where we were having a fish cook off for "break the fast"!  They just invited everyone to bring fish to share!  You have to know many have been fishing or dip netting recently so plenty with fish!  Only four kids brought a bit! A few more brought salmon spread and bishop brought salmon pasta.  Now we did have 100 in meeting. !  We did serve 75 kids dinner! All that wanted got fish!  We had baked potatoes and salad and cakes for desert! But I think everyone got full!  It was pretty amazing!  Sister Brandau( bishops wife and I did it so miracles never cease!  Reeders had us to dinner so the fact we weren’t eating was good!

We have learned to really appreciate Justin and his lessons and personality!  Being on the same cruise helped connect us to the kids!  Very enjoyable afternoon with them and delicious food! Love Ashley! She is amazing!

We have had a busy week and slowly Gary’s cough has calmed down. Not gone, but better. He maybe held his breath a lot!!  He was good to go to the temple and it’s been a while for him so glad to be with him.  I met Jarilyn and David’s niece in law at the temple  which was great also! We had a couple of sessions with young adults counseling them this week! He is good at that! The kids trust him and we talk easy!  It’s good !  We also made bread and delivered it to the office and Kincade's and Badgers! I made it for institute too and it was a hit as always!  We ended up having a great visit with Kincade's. They gave us a bunch of Salmon!!so nice.  Badgers have had kids here so we needed a catch up and we had a great meal at the Rustic Goat!  Also a great visit! Both great friends!

I finished the wedding dress I’ve been altering. Two hooks and she will take it Tuesday . I always meet her at the institute. It’s a good friend place!  We always have good visits.  We were educated about Dip Net fishing this week with President Morgan!

We also went on bear hunt twice this week! Tuesday morning at Eagle River nature center!  Sat up McHugh falls.  No bears but some very good walks!?     Most of P-day was cooking!! CES!! Cooking every second!!!

A highlight of the week was zone council on Wednesday afternoon. I came straight from the temple! Gary said it so well!  Where in the world would you find 20 young adults sitting around on a summer afternoon counseling about things of eternity. Kids barely out of high school or at most two years out . They plan and discuss important things and help each other as they strive to help build Gods kingdom! That was our miracle to share with them!!

We were able to have two baptisms in our district this week! It was wonderful! Two Men in thirties or so with families! So excited to see potential priesthood holders joining!  Also been a dry spell for baptisms so this was wonderful!  Our elders and sisters are working really hard right now and seems to be paying dividends!! We love serving  here with these young people gathering Israel

! We are so blessed!!