Baptism Day

We had a baptism On Saturday May 23rd. We have been helping teach Mary, a single gal, the lessons. She really enjoys being involved in the ward, and has already sung with the ward choir.
She especially likes that the Mormon Church teaches that there is life after this and that she will have the chance to see her dad again. She was touched by the story of the Atonement and how Jesus suffered for all of us so that we could live with God again. Her prayers are simple, sweet, and heartfelt. It has been a blessing to us to teach her, and to hear her perspective on things.
The Elders are teaching a couple from Kentucky. I love them. Whether they end up joining the church or not. Tania is a kindred spirit. She is great. I could just sit and talk to her all day. As a plus, she likes country music concerts as much as I do. I love meeting all these amazing people.
Such diversity here, and such interesting people everywhere. Senior Missions are the coolest.

Visitors! Yay!

Space Needle Chittenden Locks Snoqualmie Falls

Basketball Snoqulamie Falls

Shellee, Jon and Jacob flew up for the long weekend. When I saw them coming down the escalator to baggage claim at the airport, I ran and squeezed and cried all at once. Oh man, it was soo good to see them. We had a blast. Saturday We went to H&M, ate lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, bought snakes and frogs, visited Boeing Air Museum and did the hang-gliding similator, ate Sushi, played Basketball, Monday we saw Boats go through Chittenden locks, saw tiny salmon swim through the fish ladder, went up the Space Needle, Explored the Pacific Science Center, ate cotton candy, saw Pikes Market, ate lunch overlooking Puget Sound, ate jumbo cookies, walked through the marketplace, ate Azteca Mexican Food, went to Church on Sunday, hiked at Snoqualmie Falls, Grilled some fresh Salmon, played "uno", shopped at the Asian food market, watched Paul Blart Mall Cop 3 times with the boys, watched Bride Wars with Shellee, and then suddenly it was Tuesday and time to pack up and take them back to the airport--waaaah :( We hugged some more, and then hugged again, and said good-byes, complete with eye leaking. Thanks to Shellee and the boys for a great weekend, and thanks to Danny for tending Halles and Bre so they could come. Thanks to Grandpa for tending the boys while Shellee & I enjoyed some badly needed retail therapy.

A Picture is worth 1000 words...

We took the Ferry over to Vashon Island on Saturday May 16th to see Morningside Farm, the Property we had heard about when we put in our Mission Papers. The Farm is beautiful, but sits unused until the County issues a Permit to the Church. The Farm was given to the Church by a family who used to raise and show horses there.

It is 110 gorgeous acres and includes the home, pool, barns and show arena. I guess we aren't the only ones who have trouble getting permits issued. The last photo is of Lincoln Beach. I was shocked to see people in the water. Yes, in. the. water. It was about 72 degrees that day, but seriously--getting in the water??

Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is spectacular. The thundering sound of water hitting water is awesome! The Falls are about 170 feet high, which is slightly taller than Niagara, but not as wide. (Niagara "falls" about 100 feet because of boulders at the bottom). We decided to head up to Snoqualmie in the rain instead of waiting for a "sun break". When we got there, the rain stopped and we got our 'sun break' anyway. As a bonus, a couple of clasic car enthusiasts drove up to view the falls while we were there. Sweet! We bought the coolest birdhouse made of tree bark for our patio as a souvenir of our visit. We love our little side trips on the weekend, because as we all know, all work and no play makes for cranky Wilsons.

Rain, Rain, go away.....

I'm sitting here at my desk, watching it rain(hard) and enjoying the momentary quiet in the office. Today has been a good day. It is Elder Gatenby's 21st birthday, which we celebrated by baking the cake mix his mom sent and singing "Happy Birthday" this morning. Who knew you could put Reese's pieces on a carrot cake? The Missionaries are all out working hard, teaching, making new contacts, and searching for that one "golden" investigator. The one that makes your whole Mission experience extraordinary. We are surrounded by faithful, hard-working Missionaries here in the Washington Seattle Mission. What a blessing. To us and our family back home, truly a blessing. So to those of you quote "Senior Couples" thinking about serving a Mission: Take the plunge. It's great.

Thanks, Mom!

Emotions are running high for me today on the one-year mark when my mom, Caryle Young graduated from earth life into Heaven. Words are so inadequate when it comes to talking about mom. She was the glue that held everything and everyone together. Unsurpassed unconditional love was the example mom set. Even in this photo, she is being honored by KSL for making hundreds(thousands?) of quilts and giving them away. So here's to you, mom; and all moms like you. I love you. I miss you. Happy Mother's Day to the bestest Mom ever! Love, Sue

Springtime in Bellevue (Sort of)

Elders Gemmell and Summers and the Referral Secretary. We get to go teaching with them (when they invite us)

This flower was HUGE. Bigger than my hand.

Office Elders Russell and Gatenby-They help us with everything! They are awesome Missionaries too--spending any time they have out of the office teaching or tracting.

*The Temple Grounds here are incredible. There are amazing flowering trees.