Bumper Cars....

After nearly a year of extensive teaching on safe driving habits, this last couple of weeks the missionaries have managed to total one car, and damage 3 others. We've been blessed that nobody was hurt in any of these accidents.

Some of the excuses are: "I only took my eyes off the road for a few seconds to look at my GPS, and I hit the concrete freeway wall!" " We didn't even notice the airbags went off" "My car started hydroplaning and I couldn't steer it." "I was making a left turn and the other car didn't stop in time and hit me" "I thought I was far enough away from the concrete pole when I turned" "I was only going 90 mph when the policeman pulled me over" "I didn't think the light was red"($125 photocop ticket) "32 mph in a school zone??" ($200 photocop ticket)

Good thing we love these Elders and Sister Missionaries so much. They reply "Well, it's covered by insurance, isn't it?" To which I reply: "well, who pays for the insurance?"

In the words of Trace Adkins : "we're gonna miss this" -- and we really are. -Elder Wilson

Happy Thanksgiving

It seems like I've spent a lot of time giving thanks this year, and rightfully so. Thankful to be in such a great place on a mission; thankful Aimee brought Kenzie and Sophie for a visit; thankful that our Shellee's healthy and was able to bring the boys for a visit. Thankful for daughters, sons and our son-in-law who know how to take charge and "git 'r' done". Thankful for the most wonderful grandchildren on the planet (right, Sharon?!!) Thankful for a gorgeous summer to rival any I've ever seen, thankful for the delicious ice-cold Root Beer in Issaquah on a hot day, thankful for car shows, waterfalls, tall pine trees, friendly squirrels and birds,and those crazy salmon at the Issaquah hatchery doing their darndest to go 'home' at all cost. Thankful for the people like Elder and Sister Elder who inspire us to work hard and do good with no thought of reward. Thankful for friends and family, the most important part of life's journey.

Zone Conference

Missionaries having birthdays in November, get called up front for the Seattle Birthday Song

me, Elders Rose, Young, Ball, Underwood, Pettijohn, and Wall.

The Kar King in action at Zone Conference teaching the importance of safe driving. to his left: Elder Wall, Elder Gemmell (AP's) Pres. Moffat, Sister Moffat.

Smashing Pumpkins

I hate it when I accidently load the same photo twice.

These gallant Elders volunteered to come over to our apartment and put several rotting pumpkins out of their misery, by whacking them to bits with the 'sword of laban'

It was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it...

Missionary Meeting with L Tom Perry

We were thrilled to be invited to a Missionary Meeting on Friday with the young missionaries.

The speakers were Regional rep Bro. Walker, Area Rep. Bro. Clayton, and head of the Church Missionary Dept., Elder L. Tom Perry. They started the meeting off by having all the missionaries come up row by row to shake hands with the General Authorities, then use hand sanitizer after so as not to spread germs to each other. Elder Perry told us that this is the greatest time in the history of the world. It was wonderful meeting. It was also fun to see all of our missionaries in one location all at the same time. I got to meet many of the new Elders I have never seen before, and say "hi" to our favorites. (not that we have favorites). It was a fun way to spend a Friday afternoon, and one we won't soon forget. I am reminded of 2 Nephi 25:23, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (italics added) In a nutshell why I am here-to give others the opportunity to hear about and learn about Christ.

Giant Autumn Leaves Grow Here

This is by far one of the biggest leaves off of a regular tree we have ever seen. (not counting tropical leaves, which are another matter entirely)
It is well over 12 inches. (see photo with ruler). I am hoping to preserve it somehow, it is quite spectacular.

Pumpkin Carving 101

It's always fun to have our Office Elders over. Halloween Night they had to be "home" by 6pm, so we invited them over to carve pumpkins. We were a little concerned about whether it was a good idea to provide knives to young men, but they showed up with a wood block full of sharp ones.
Elders are L to R: Elder Young (Texas) Elder Barton (Utah) Elder Christensen (Utah)
We LOVE these guys.