Week Number 22

     We spent Monday through Thursday staining cabins in Camp Esther.  We had a great crew of missionaries working and the work went quickly.

     On Friday and Saturday we were busy with families on Challenge Course 5.  On Saturday we helped over 120 people swing.

     Wednesday, on our p-day, we drove to Salem, Utah and had the most delicious sausage and bacon pizza I think I've ever eaten (Mike ordered it)  plus a cherry strudel pizza.  Our dear friends, (more like family) the Nielsons have opened "Big Don's Pizza".  

I am feeling a little guilty but loving the pizza.

Good stuff

     At church on Sunday they announced the assignment for Team Leaders for next year.  There are seven teams, Camp Management, Challenge Course, Maintenance/facilities, Maintenance/trails, Lake, Camp Hosts, Security, and Support Services.  Mike and I have been asked to be Team Leaders for Support Services.  We go to a meeting in the morning to hear our job description.  I know I work in the office and Mike works with service projects.  - More information to follow -

     On Sunday afternoon it was fun to line up 100+ ATVs in the parking lot and take a huge group picture.  It was five rows about 20 deep.  They stood in the basket of a tall crane to take the picture.

     Sunday evening we rode our ATVs out to Maple Grove, an out-back camp.  Now Fall has come to the mountain the colors a beautiful.  As we walked out of the sun into the quiet shade of Oak Grove it was so peaceful.  The ground was carpeted (literally) with red, yellow and orange leaves.  The sun filtered through the trees above.  Heavenly Father is an artist.

carpet of leaves

so beautiful

 LESSON LEARNED THIS WEEK:   Give me a mountain. 

     A talk by Elder Von G. Keetch, Area Seventy, Utah Salt Lake City Area, today in church was centered on facing the challenges that are put in our lives.   Many of the missionaries here have health problems or their families are facing problems. 
     We may ask why do trials come to us when we are striving to live as good a life as possible?  To put it simply - it is because we are being prepared to be better than we are now.  When we face our trials with courage and faith we grow spiritually.   Our trials may seem to be mountains to climb but we should appreciate them for the the strength they bring to our lives.