And Winter Has Come. . .

This past Halloween will be one to remember.  Not because of the trick or treaters, or even for a fun institute night in which I made the tradition Taco Soup for the YSA's.  It was the fact that I have NEVER seen rain like this before.  In a matter of minutes the roads all looked like rivers, visibility was zero and the water pours like sheets from the sky.  There was flooding all over Vermont and lakes where they weren't suppose to be.  Power outages that lasted for days. We were driving home from Institute when it hit and it was a sight to behold.  We almost hit a large tree branch that was in the road (I thought we'd gone off the road) not far from our house.  The next morning as we were going to District Council we saw that  this had happened just about 10 yards past where we turn  onto Chapin Rd:

This is actually a field.

The rivers have been very high and in places have run over their banks.  We had an older sister here in the family ward who had over a foot of water in her basement--and she lives on a hill.  The water came up from her foundation.  And this is in our ward in Richmond, an adorable town that is one of my favorites:

Schools and businesses were closed, and over 18,000 people were without power for a couple of days.  

In spite of this, the weather hasn't been too bad or cold considering we are in Vermont--Until yesterday.  Winter has arrived and while we didn't get much snow, it is VERY cold and my knee is VERY sore.  It's is scientifically proven now that the barometer affects joints. 🙂

We are staying busy.  Last Sunday we left for church at 9:00 and got home around 5:00.  Between "break the fast" and ward council (which went WAY TOO LONG) it was a full day.  But it was fun to have 34 people at our branch on Sunday.  And we have another baptism tomorrow!  Have I posted about how much I love these young missionaries that we work with?  We have grown to truly love these young Elders that are assigned to the YSA Branch with us.  They work SO hard.  They literally have to cover the whole stake which is most of Vermont and a piece of New Hampshire.  And because they are traveling so much and are not assigned to a regular ward, they don't get fed like most of the missionaries do.  They are always cheerful in spite of being exhausted most of the time.  They are also the zone leaders, so they have a lot of extra responsibilities.  We have grown to love and care about all of the missionaries in our district, but we do have a special soft spot for the Elder E's.

Starting at the front and going clockwise: Elder Stuart, Sister Harrison, Sister Campbell (newbie), Sister Smith, Sister Hendricks, Elder Kunzler, Elder Martin, Elder Edstrom, Elder Ellsworth and our new DL Elder Button.

We had our second Zone Conference on Thursday at the Joseph Smith Memorial.  And we had an interview with President and Sister Beck on Wednesday.  We have grown to love the Becks.  They only arrived about 6 weeks before we did.  I can't even imaging trying to keep up with their schedule.  Sister Beck is really wonderful.  She was asked to speak impromptu at the fireside with Elders Ballard and Christofferson and she did an amazing job.  Yesterday she presented the 2019 "Light the World: One by One" campaign that we are excited to be a part of.  She shared a miracle in their lives with a son that was born with some problems--having dozens of seizures a day.  President Beck was in graduate school and Sister Beck had a toddler and this son with all the struggles.  The bishop called them in as asked President Beck to serve as the Elders Quorum president and Sister Beck to serve in the Young Women's.  She said when they got into the car she laughed.  She thought it was ridiculous and NOT a call of inspiration but desperation because the Bishop didn't understand their situation.  As they sat in the car and talked about it, they decided that they could not turn down a call and that they would give it a try for a few months and do their best.  At the end of a few months their son was having fewer than 6 seizures a day.  It was an absolute miracle.  And as they continued to serve the seizures went away and he has lived a totally normal life.  I was so impressed with the faith that it must have taken to accept those calls.  And yet because of of their faith, they were blessed in ways they didn't ever dream possible.  

Sister Beck speaking to missionaries about the "Light the World"

On Wednesday Ken went with the missionaries to help unload a truck of winter clothing that the church donated to three different charities here in Vermont.  He said it was amazing the amount of stuff and how nice it was and how well organized it was packed.  

Last night because of Zone Conference, Ashley (a ysa) cooked for the institute crowd and Stephen (a recent convert) taught the lesson.  I was so impressed with both of them.  I continue to feel the spirit strongly with this group of YSA's and know that the Lord has His eye on them and loves them.  We have another baptism tomorrow and I can't wait.  

Winter has come now and I will have to get out my winter boots and cuddle duds😊.  But I'm so excited to be a part of this mission and can't wait to share the message of Jesus Christ this holiday season!

From Ken: The snow finally came and they closed the golf course! Boo! I even bought a new driver on line and didn't get a chance to use it. President Beck say's that first thing in the spring we're getting together and trying it out. As Debbie mentioned we continue to be so impressed with the local sisters and elders that we work with. I was sitting at a meeting with Elder Edstrom the other day and asked what he had planned after the mission. He said that his family was in the commercial building business and that he wanted to major in construction management in college. I asked if he had picked a school and he replied, yes. He then said...and I was shocked...I have a four year all expense paid scholarship to Harvard to play football! then added "I think they have a pretty good construction management program too." Sister Hendricks plays the piano like the best person that you know that plays the piano plays except a little better. Sister Smith...a Utah State track and field high school champion. Amazing individuals! I haven't found anybody that wants me to teach them about the junk business yet? Big local debate about whether we need to buy snow tires? I think I'll take my chances with the all season radials on our car. Our Branch President say's " don't come crying to me when the first ice storm shows up!" My "P" Day project last week was to put a trailer hitch on the Highlander. Pretty tricky to hold it up with one foot and knee while you try to dodge the muffler and frame and start the bolts on the other end! The neighbor lady (Kim) watched and laughed but I finally got it done. Not sure I'll tow anything but it's nice to have someplace to hook on to get pulled out of a snow bank! One of our companion couples (the Packs) hit a moose the other day and totaled their car and the moose. Very lucky and blessed that they escaped unharmed (air bags). We're happy and busy doing the work of the Lord!