Really???

This is what we woke up to this morning (May 26). Not happy!!! I guess what Jack has said about WY holds true here. "If summer falls on a weekend, can we have a picnic?" I do hope it gets warm soon.

I'm Addicted

Before we left on our our Ward had a special meeting on indexing and how the Church was trying to get all the 1940 Census finished by a certain date (don't remember the date). They asked all to do what they could. I had never done any indexing and getting ready for a mission I put it out of my mind.

For you that do not know what indexing is, it is recording information from the 1940 Census and other documents so it is available to anyone who is working on their genealogy. Indexing can be done by anyone and it is easy to get setup on your computer.

When we went to the MTC they were also talking about us doing indexing. I thought this must be a big deal.

When we got here one of the first things the leaving missionaries did was to set us up with indexing on the computer. Also the Mission President talked about it and the need for it. Well, I tried it last week and I have to say I think I am addicted. So far 640 names indexed I know that to some of you that have been doing this for a long time that isn't a lot but for this newcomer not too bad.

Now if you are wondering why the birds? This is what I see out the window as I am at my computer. The birds are a vivid yellow and if you know me you know yellow is my favorite color. It has been so fun to watch them. They are so beautiful.

Home Sweet Home!!!

The home that we are living in was built in 1905. It is a home that everyone knows, if you say you are living in Effie's Home they know where we are. Effie is who we (or the Church) rents from.

This picture was taken in1908 and hangs in the foyer of the home with a sign on the back that says to please leave this picture with the house forever. Signed by Brad Davis 1987, also signed by August Winsky (Effie's Husband). Ofcourse I had to scan it in. Our house is the one in the middle, and the Branch President and wife's home is the one on the right.

Our home today, well build and taken care of.

Where we hang out, a little blurry but you get the idea. 

 Bedroom/office  Love my new quilt on the bed, a little bit of home.

Kitchen, the cupboard remind of Grandma Turners you push the button to open them. I don't know who could ever use the top selves, I need to get a stool, but I guess I don't have that much stuff so am okay.

Do these look like a good Missionary Tool??

This is the Place!!!

The sign as we came into town

People have asked what the country looks like where we are, so here are some shots. Harlowton

Looking towards Harlowton.

On a hill in" Harlo" looking to the west. 

Park down the hill from us.

Jack want to get him fishing line wet so bad with all these ponds so close.

Looking down the main street of town on a Sunday afternoon. A lot of the buildings are boarded up.

Looking up the street on a Monday morning. A few more cars.

Wheatland County Courthouse. 

At the Courthouse, I don't know if you can read it.

Harlowton was a big train town until late 1970s and early 1980s when the Milwaukee Railroad went bankrupted and closed every thing down in town. Which was the main source of income.

One of many Hotel and buildings on main street that have closed down. Sad to see these old building just standing empty. 

Our Church House.

 Where we meet.

Being Fed --- Mission Home Part 3

      We arrived at the Mission Home around 11:00 on the 8th of May. Met the Mission President and his wife. Sister Gardner took us right into the Mission Home to get settled for the day and to put our stuff in our room. We got to stay in the room called the "Apostle Room" because that is the room the authorities stay in when they visit. I felt important. After we put our stuff in our room we were interviewed by President Gardner. Such a nice, humble man. He did make me feel better about going to Harlowton (which is a good thing). Sister Garner was busy fixing lunch for the incoming Missionaries. They and the APs went to the airport to get 11 new missionaries. When they got to the Mission home we all had lunch (with the office help & APs). It was the Cafe Rio Pull Pork, which I love. 

    After lunch then we were really feed. President and Sister Gardner gave an orientation which was very good . They talked about the Mission and our purpose as missionaries (some we heard in the MTC, but can't hear it too often). The purpose is to invite people to come unto Christ. He also talked about Montana being the Treasure State, that their biggest treasure being the people and our main job is to love them. After dinner (another great meal) we had a great Testimony Meeting. with everyone bearing their testimonies, loved hearing the young missionaries and their strong (and some weak) testimonies. The spirit was very strong. The next morning we woke up to missionaries everywhere ( it was transfer day) and to another great meal. After breakfast the missionaries started on their way and so did we. Harlowton here we come.

Montana, Billings Mission Home ( the Apostle Room are the windows on the right)

Mission Home ( Tiffany are you homesick yet?)

Mission Home                                           Mission Office

Back of Mission Home (main entrance)

              Elder and Sister Brooks                                      Sister Gardner and President Gardner

Billings Temple (front)

Back of Temple looking at windows to Celestial Room

Our group in front of Temple 

Monument we saw on our way to Harlowton just outside of Billings.

Antelope, Buffalo, and Bears, oh my --- Trip Part 2

We left early (well not so early, as it was 9:00) on Monday the 7th to head up to Montana. The Jeep was loaded to the brim. It was a great trip especially with a side trip into Yellowstone.

 As you can tell by how low the back of the jeep is it was loaded.

Van, these pictures are for you, as you requested.

 Inside all the way to the top.

 As we were headed out.

 Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful 

 Two old faithfuls

 Going off, we timed it great as we only had to wait about 15 minutes.

 Love this shot, the sky is so blue. Couldn't have asked for a better day.

 Even the bears were out enjoying it.

 He (or she) didn't want to look our way.

 One of the rivers (Yellowstone I think).

 The Buffalo were everywhere.

 Up close and personal (don't worry we were in the car.)

 Moose across theYellowstone River.

 One of the waterfalls. This was the only waterfall we saw as most of the roads were still closed for the winter.

Boy, do we look like missionaries or what? 

Down river

 Elk by the North Entrance

 Sign like this near Umatilla, OR (where we used to live).

We have arrived!!!!!