Happy Thanksgiving! ( please pass the Derby Pie)

We, Ron and Karen, have been studying the Doctrine and Covenants together and have recently been studying section 100. I would like to quote just a little bit of it and then tell you how it relates to what we have been doing.  I think I mentioned that we are teaching an investigator.  He got interested in the church because his girlfriend really wants him to study the church and decide if he wants to be a member and adopt the teachings. Sometimes we meet him at the church but lately he has been coming to our apartment.  We let him ask a question and then we just talk about it rather than plan a formal lesson. Here are some recent verses from our studying of section 100.   

5. Verily I say unto you  lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; 

6. For it shall be given you in the the very hour, yea, in the very moment,  what ye shall say. 

So... Ron is talking to the investigator about a question he asked and I know that Ron didn't prepare to talk about this--but he explains very well the question, the answer, the way to apply in our lives. And because I know there wasn't preparation, I am sitting in my chair marveling about what he says and how amazing it is.  Suddenly, Ron says, "Karen, do you have anything to add?" and usually I do because that is my teaching job.  I look at him, still in awe (he will like this part) and say, "I am just sitting here being impressed. You are saying just what the Lord inspired you to say and it is amazing."  

Wow, we are just like the scriptures, yes?

Elder Te'o and Elder Schmidt, who live in the apartment below us.  (Yes, that is a mannequin head he is holding and there is a story here for another time.) We did get a bunch of snow; but so did many of you, so no one is very impressed.

A huge bulk carrier (about 1,000 feet long) going through the passage that leads to the bay.  Did you know there is an online site where you can track all the ships in the Great Lakes to see where they came from and where they are going?  Also posted is a photo and name of the ship and  its specs and what it is hauling.  (This is obviously a boy thing. I think it's interesting but I didn't, like spend three hours on it.)

I spoke in church today about being thankful.  I am going to share a few quotes I found: 

Be thankful for the bad things in life.  

For they opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before.

It's not happy people who are thankful.  It is thankful people who are happy.

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.

Waiting for the snow!

This week we have learned ominous news that a big snowstorm is coming.  While we wait, this is what has been going on.

This is Sister Simpson and Sister Ballif who come to our apartment to use the computers.  They are sleuthing for inactives that they contact through Facebook. They bring such a good spirit when they come.  And they are contacting people who let them come over and teach.  It's a good plan!

Two really awesome things happened this week.  We are teaching an investigator and the spirit was so strong as we talked about the steps to baptism and why Amanda would want to be married in the temple.  Wow!

We visited a seminary class in Duluth, actually next door and we drove to Ashland (1 1/2 hours) for an Institute class on Wednesday night.  It is so wonderful to visit these religion classes and meet the teachers and the students.  They are so sincere and trying to do good.  I LOVE getting to know the saints in Minnesota!  I LOVE this mission!!

Saturday morning missionary correlation meeting at our apartment. We love hanging out with the missionaries.  Elder Schmidt cooks the bacon and Elder Stratton cooks the pancakes. Brother Faerber runs the meeting and appreciates my green smoothies.

Duluth ward trunk or treat party.  Sister Simpson and Ballif came up with the cat idea. Can you believe that the Duluth ward has this many full time missionaries living in it?  One set of S&I senior missionaries, one set of zone leaders and  Sisters and the Elders.  Lots going on!  Whiskers on elder Wilcoxson.  And cute cat Sister Simpson.

Elders Wilcoxson, Dameron, Stratton & Schmidt.

Elder Te'o. Sisters Stratton, Simpson & Ballif.

Priesthood lesson in Carlton, MN branch. Our teacher wears a flashlight on his side.  There is a lot more to talk about here.

  

So on Saturday night it was really quiet at our apartment, so I decided it would be a good time to dye my hair.  I got the goo mixed up and had trimmed a little and had put dye on the first section of hair when there was a knock at our door.  It was the Elders and I had told them to come and get olive oil from me for blessings.  So I let them in (I was wearing my pajama pants and a stained t-shirt) and we went in the kitchen to get the oil and put it in a small container.  Then the Sisters came.  Sister Simpson was going to stay with us because she didn't feel good.  So I finished with the oil and the elders and sisters are in the living talking and I still haven't gotten to the next section of my hair.  Then the sisters go into the bedroom to have a prayer and next to them, my phone rings and rings.  I did finally get my hair dyed and things were quiet again.  But it was pretty exciting for a while.  Did you really think senior missions are quiet and peaceful?

Checking in with the family--

Happy Halloween from Boise (Sean)!                   

You are looking at the next Stratton grandson!  (and his Mom) Hooray!

     Our last day at the Fall Foodbank outdoor produce distribution.   Jeremiah cames to the Foodbank with his Grandma and Elder Stratton made him a "cabbage hat" and then everybody wanted one!                                                                                     

 We have been visiting seminary and institute classes and traveling quite a bit the last two weeks.  This week we went to North Branch which is south of us and is a ward-confused yet?  There are two seminary classes in the ward, one at the church and one at a member's home, far from the church. Then we went to Pine City for seminary and  then finally home.  I caught a cold and have been coughing and then I went to the doctor to see why my foot was hurting so much and I have broken a bone!  So now I wear a boot and it is tiring to hoist it along but my foot feels so much better!

Ron ordered some running boards for the truck to make it easier to get in.  Last week we gave some rides to a college girl and she is shorter than me and had quite a time getting into the truck.  So it seemed like a good time to order some running boards.  He had them almost installed and asked the Elders for some help.  Here they are in their suits tightening the bolts.

            

 These are the Elders and Sisters that come to our house for a missionary correlation meeting with the ward mission leader... and breakfast.

We went to Minneapolis to a mission conference and Elder Carlson was the visiting general authority and we went to meetings all day long.  Surprisingly, I loved going to meetings all day long.  There have been many times in the past where I wouldn't have enjoyed sitting and listening all day.  And now, I know you are all wondering how Ron did!  We all know he isn't one to sit still for long, right?  Well, he is a changed man.  He can now sit through hours and hours of meetings and remember what he hears.  I know, it's a miracle.

So we went out on Saturday night with our non-member friends to eat at the Duluth Grill.  On their dessert menu was a "When pigs fly" bacon-caramel sundae.  Now, wouldn't you have ordered it just to see what it was like?  Yeah, we did.  And here it is.  Three scoops of vanilla ice cream with caramel drizzled over the top.  On one side are chopped pecans and on the other side crumbled smoked cherry wood bacon and on the top, sea salt.  It was wonderfully good in a sweet and salty kind of way.  So now you want to come to Duluth to visit, right?

Nooks and crannies

Last Sunday night we invited the YSA's over to learn how to make applesauce. We also took turns guessing where Chris would go on his mission.  So far he hasn't received his call, so we don't know who is right.  We asked if he had a place he really wanted to go and he said, somewhere without  winter!

This is Vermillion Lake. Someone told me that it is the prettiest of the 1,000 lakes in Northern Minnesota.  It is sure pretty!
We explored the area around this lake after we visited a seminary class in Virginia, a town north of Duluth.  We hadn't been up that way and we saw the area of the boundary waters and Ely where many of the canoe outfitters are based.


 This is  a seminary class held in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada in the teacher's dining room.  Yes, this ward is in our stake, 3 1/2 hours north of Duluth.  What a great class!  I love visiting the seminary classes and seeing that the gospel is being taught in all the nooks and crannies of the Church.
That evening we went to the campus of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and attended an Institute class.  See what I mean about the nooks and crannies?






We stopped at a quilt store on the way home and Ron took a photo of the "husband's waiting bench."









 And then he found an interesting rock shop.

Sister Ballif does the dishes after the missionary breakfast at our house.  She does them every Saturday.
We can't stop her.




               AND one more photo of Lake Superior.

Here comes winter!

Sister Simpson and Sister Ballif are serving a mission here in Duluth and sometimes we get to hang out with them. They are such awesome missionaries!  They came over to watch conference and brought "conference treats."  On Sunday it was in the 70's and by the end of the week, the high was 48 and WINDY.

We are teaching the missionary lessons to an investigator who requested "more seasoned" teachers.  Well we are certainly that.  We are have a good experience teaching and feeling the Spirit as we do so.

Last Monday was zone conference and then we provided lunch.  I think these missionaries love the training but they also love the lunch!   

Early Tuesday morning we visited a seminary class in Askov on our way to St. Paul.  Wonderful class, teacher and students.                                                                            

                                         

Just in case you think we don't have any fun...  We went to Minneapolis for a senior couple missionary conference.  11 couples serving in the Minneapolis Mission got together.  First we had a potluck lunch and a getting to know you game.  Then we watched the "Meet The Mormons" movie which our mission president had an advanced copy of.  Then we went to Stillwater, MN to ride on the riverboat and have dinner.  The next day we went to the temple and then back to work.  We are the only couple working with seminaries.  One couple works in the mission office.  One couple are medical missionaries which means he is a doctor and advises the missionaries when they are ill or injured.  One couple works with young single adults.  And the other couples with work small branches (smaller than a ward) giving support to the members.  For instance, one wife told me that she helps a woman who doesn't speak English.  She helps the kids with their homework and she taught the woman to garden.



Saturday morning the Duluth Ward missionary co-ordination meeting was held at our apartment.  Two sets of Elders, one set of Sister Missionaries, the Bishop, Ward Mission Leader and a ward missionary.  We provided breakfast.  Very Fun.  Good to associate with such wonderful, dedicated people.

With the Soelburg's from Mesa, AZ        

Today the Soelburg's came to Duluth and we took them to see Hawk Ridge, Two Harbors and the Split Rock Lighthouse and the beautiful fall colors along the North shore of Lake Superior.  

And when we got home, our door had been " heart attacked"

We went to Bayfield, WI to the apple festival and besides having a good time, we learned that when you spend the winter in MN or WI, you definitely need a "Stormy Kromer" hat.  Or maybe several, in various colors. They are made of wool and have a band that can be pulled down to cover your ears.  Honestly, everyone has one!  About Northland fashion when it is cold, you just don't care."

Then it began to snow....

Happy Fall!

It's Autumn here!  The hardwoods are so pretty.  Too bad the camera can't capture the beauty very well.  And too bad that it means winter is coming.

Busy week here. We went to Fargo for 2 days of S&I (seminary and Institute) training.  We enjoyed meeting two other S&I senior missionary couples.One of the lessons we taught required them to participate in a tug-o-war.  These are the Evans who serve in Bismark and the Matellos that serve in Fargo.  You can identify two other people who are full-time CES employees, Brother Mattheson and Brother McDonald.  We enjoyed our training and learned more things we should be doing.  It was fun to socialize and be with people who have been doing this longer than us.  They had such good ideas.

 Today we gave a presentation at youth conference called "Why  Nauvoo Matters".  Here are some of the young people who attended.  They did many other pioneer activities and it was pretty fun to be with them.  We also went to the food bank on Thursday and Elder Stratton taught Institute class on Wednesday night.  That is a very fun class. He teaches and I bring the Oreos and post the reminders. I believe that divides up the responsibilities pretty well..                  

We also have an investigator that we are teaching.  That is pretty fun, too.  As long as he keeps meeting with us.  I really like teaching potential members.  I'm kind of surprised by that.

Last Sunday we gave talks in the Pine City branch.  I spoke about becoming a person worthy of eternal life.  Ron spoke about forgiveness.  It was a good experience and according to several people in the audience, they liked it too.

There is a Catholic university here in Duluth, and they have a campus wide theme this year that says,  "The World Needs More Saints."  I love that theme! They have it printed on flags all over campus and on a billboard.  Those Catholics are ahead of us on this one!

Scenery pictures first

Mountain Biking Trail                                                                                Chester Creek


This past Tuesday when we were working at the food bank distribution, Ron saw the Elders walking down the street.  He called them over and invited them to help out.  They did so willingly.  You can kind of see them here in this photo.  Afterwards, we talked to them and they want to come every Tuesday.  Their job was meeting the cars as they came into the parking lot where we were giving out the food.  People in the cars would drive right up to them VERY interested in what they had to say. They said it was very fun having people come to them for information.  Kind of different for them.

                             

This week we visited 2 seminary classes and an Institute class.  One of the seminary classes has 18 students and is held at the church.  The other class has 3 students and they all come early because their teacher brings breakfast everyday.  That class is held in her home.  The Institute class was on Wednesday night at the church and there were 9 students there.  This is what we came for!  Today we held an Inservice meeting.  It was humbling.  They are already doing great things in their classes.  For instance, I gave a presentation on journals.  One of our teachers brought some journals that have been done in her class and they were awesome!!!  I got lots of good ideas and I am supposed to be giving the good ideas!

There are many things in Duluth that are similar to Idaho. Minnesotans love the outdoors.   People here like to fish and hunt. There are lots and lots of outdoor activities: ATV riding, mountain biking, golfing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, running and in the winter ice fishing and cross country skiing as well as downhill, hockey and curling.  People here wear a lot of camo, sort of like Idahoans only more.  You can find pretty much every article of clothing, including underwear, in camo and also backpacks, purses, bras (you think I'm kidding).  But I am thinking that covering your living room furniture in camo fabric may be taking things a little too far. 

What do you think?