MTC Branch Presidency

Brother Waits, President Harrison and Brother Mickelsen
Branch 10 MTC Branch Presidency.

Saying Goodbye to our first group of missionaries

This is our first group of missionaries that we have worked with "start to finish". They entered the MTC a couple of weeks after we began this calling and now they are off to Russia and the Ukraine! We have grown to love them as we meet with them 2 or 3 times each week for Tuesday Devotional and discussion groups, Sunday for Releif Society, Priesthood and District Discussion groups and then we have the privilege of attending the temple with our branch! We do enjoy working with the missionaries and there is no where quite like the MTC! These elders and sisters become like additional sons and daughters. Saying goodbye is always difficult!

April in St. George

Last week Hal and I took a short trip to St. George to visit my sisters and their spouses and so that Hal could golf! Evan joined Hal and Roger for the "golf-a-thon" (36 holes on each of 2 days)! Pam, Kay and I enjoyed shopping, going to lunch and of course lots of visiting. After 2 years apart while we served in Russia, we had a lot to catch up on!
Sisters are truly special friends and I have been blessed with 3 wonderful sisters!!

Sick baby Violet, 2 Birthdays, Easter and General Conference

What a busy, busy weekend! After our Missionary Reunion on Friday night, I spent all day Saturday at the hospital with Tricia and Violet who was severely dehydrated after a bout with the stomach flu. Babies are amazing in their ability to heal quickly. She went from "death's door" to pushing her IV pole around her hospital room in just a matter of hours! We are so grateful for modern medicine and the power of prayer!! Violet is getting back to normal and her appetite is returning!
Sunday's General Conference sessions were so uplifting and gave me much to think about and work to improve on. After the afternoon session, we went to Evan and Kelly's house to celebrate Easter and Aleeya and Hailey's Birthdays! We had a wonderful ham dinner and the kids enjoyed celebrating with a pinata and just playing together! I have so much to be grateful for. I love living near to family and having the opportunity to spend these special times with them.

Missionary Reunion

Friday found us hurrying and rushing to put together the last minute details for our Russia Novosibirsk Missionary Reunion. We served sub sandwiches, chips and donut holes to about 135 returned missionaries their spouses, dates and children. It was a wonderful time to see our missionaries and catch up on their lives. President and Sister Smith attended as well as several of the senior couples that have served in this mission. The Royers arrived on Thursday night and stayed with us. The photo of the Royers shows them seated with a backdrop of one of our "missionary quilts". We cut each missionary's tie on their last night in Novosibirsk before they returned home from their mission and then we had them write their names on their ties. I made 3 quilts with these ties and they are fun keepsakes. We always display the quilts at the reunions and the missionaries love to find their tie! After the reunion, we finished the evening with a stop at the BYU Creamery for some delicious ice cream!

A visit from Joan

Last Sunday Joan and Taylor arrived for a fun visit. On Monday, while Taylor checked out BYU and even attended some classes, Joan and I shopped and enjoyed lunch at the "Paradise Cafe". They have yummy soups, salads, sandwiches and COOKIES!! I love spending time with my sisters!! We are headed to Saint George in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to see Pam and Kay!

April Fool's Snow Storm!

We woke up this morning to an April Fool's surprise. It had snowed during the night and it feels like winter has made a return visit to Salem! Hopefully it will melt soon and spring will return!