Wild and Windy

it has been several weeks since I last wrote. Time has flown by, both literally and figuratively. On Dec. 1, 2011, we had a huge windstorm hit the Wasatch front from North Salt Lake to Ogden. When we got up that morning, we found hurricane force winds blowing our home and the power out. We lost one covering on an attic fan, the tree in the front yard blew over to about 80 degrees and one section of our fence was blown down. All in all, we were watched over and protected. We had to drive to Centerville to pick up a companionship of Elders and drive them to Ogden. It was on our travels that we saw massive trees blown down, things and "stuff" blowing around us in the air, power poles wobbling back and forth with power lines looking like "jump ropes". We were fortunate to drive to the mission office with no incident or damage, but saw hundreds of evergreens blown down and debris everywhere. Once at the mission office, the lights flickered somewhat atfew times, but then things settled down and all was well. It was amazing because that was the day of the annual mission conference, luncheon, talent show and party. The wind blew most of the day, but when it was time for us to go outside to have the mission picture taken, the winds stopped. It was cold, but calm. When we came back inside, the winds started up again. Interesting.

We had a grand time. ALL the missionaries were there. The office staff women did a parody of the 12 days of Christmas, 12 days of Fast Food, for our talent. We had the food samples there and everyone joined in on our song. It was so much fun. The missionaries talked about our "talent" for days. The first day was a big bacon classic with cheese, the 2nd day- two happy meals, 3rd day- Three biggie fries, 4th day- 4 egg McMuffins, 5th day-5 onion rings, 6th day- 6 chocolate shakes, 7th day-7 cups of coleslaw, etc. with day 12 being 12 bags of Pepto. Everyone laughed and loved it.

It was so incredibly wonderful to be with these outstanding men and women. We had sloppy joes, chips, cole slaw, and apple pie. That was on Thursday.

On Sunday, we heard that our home Farmington ward was canceling all meetings except Fast Mtg. and then the ward was getting together to clean up after the storm. There was another storm forecasted to hit with strong winds again Sunday night. So Elder Lund and I decided to stay home and serve others in our own ward. I just couldn't get over how many trees had been blown down. That day, the governor called out the National Guard to help with the cleanup efforts. The wind that evening wasn't as strong so we didn't see any more damage.

The next Tuesday we received new missionaries. I love getting new missionaries into our mission. They are so bewildered, excited, anxious, scared, and brave, and oh yes, happy to be out of the MTC and actually serving. This week thirteen missionaries entered the Utah Ogden Mission.

Wed. was transfer day and that is always such an exciting and crazy time. I was able to get everyone on their way...or so I thought. Elder Kreiberg, one of the former APs was flying to Chicago, changing to British Airways to fly to London, changing in London to continue on to Copenhagen. Shortly after President Olson dropped him at the SLC airport, I received a call from American Airlines that said his departure from SLC was being delayed by 2 hours and that he was going to miss all his connecting flights.  Unfortunately when missionaries go home, they don't have a cell phone with them. I tried paging Elder Kreiberg, but he never answered the page. Pres. Olson tried to contact his parents. Let me just say, that in the end, Elder Kreiberg actually met his connecting flights in Chicago and London. I am not sure what happened, but he got home as he was scheduled....I still don't know what happened.

It was definitely a wild and windy week, but once again, the Lord shown down on us. We were safe and protected and all turned out OK. Amazing if you ask me.