But things at the Youth Center are sweet. Jennah has done such a good job of trying to make it a 'safe place' for good kids that she's developing a whole new crop of great young people that come after school.
This puzzle became a magnet for everyone together. They would cheer every piece anyone found, and they all agreed they didn't want to finish it until the next Friday when we'd be back. We're going to Modpodge it for a wall hanging in the center when it's finished!
Things are going well at the Little House, too. I sneaked this picture of Fred working with two new ladies on Family History. He now has about eight people he is helping, and he's loving it! Here he's got a document transferred to the TV screen so they can all view it.
Today we attended the baptism of Tony. Our sweet and dedicated Elders have been working with him. Elder Miller (front) confirmed him.
Transfers happen Monday, and we're pretty sure we'll lose at least part of our wonderful team. They've let us enjoy this area together longer than usual!
The Elders tell us that being here 'in the hills' is a prized transfer area. Well, it IS beautiful.
Some random pictures of people we're working with:
These are the Cornells, our wonderful mission office couple. We love them. Every time we have an extremely early meeting in Modesto, they let us stay at the 'Hotel Cornell' the night before. If we're lucky we get in a little game time before we turn in.
This is Jo, the heart and soul of everyone passing through the Little House. I'm posting her as she came on Halloween, because it's so 'her'! She and her husband used to fly their own private plane. Age and her MS has grounded them, but nothing will ground Jo's enthusiasm for life.
We applaud every time she comes in to exercise class, steadied by her cane. Her birthday is in a week, and Reta's bringing cupcakes to the class to celebrate.
Here's Betty McFadden. We enjoy visiting with her out in Greeley Hill. She's had a tough few months, healthwise. But she got home today and says she'll be ready to play some 'hand and foot' with us by next week. She's a sweet lady.
President Whitmer and his wife, Harriet. I don't think I've mentioned before that she's part American Indian (I don't know the tribe). She teaches at the elementary in Sonora and writes grants to get funding for Indian programs in the school. I told her she's the 'blondest' native American I've seen!
They are going to a big pow wow next month where the President says he'll be the only 'token' white man there.
Here's Paula from The Little House staff showing us that you can be a vegan and still have a tasty lunch. Okay, it was pretty good. But we priced her 'burgers' at Safeways and they were $6 for four patties. And they're made of soy, carrots and celery? hmmm
This is as close as I got to anything vegan over the holidays. But you sure get a lot of advice about health out here. Give up wheat, go plant-based, eat only organic, throw out your medications... I'm not sure how we've stayed alive this long!
Well, I'll close with a picture of one of the biggest temptations living up here:
When the deer look up to your deck with those big brown eyes, it's hard to remember there's a $500 fine for feeding them anything! But they say it could cause them to be dependent on you and eventually starve. So there's some motivation for obeying the law! Aren't they just beautiful?
So for now, farewell from fair Groveland. We sure hope your weather back home is NOT as lovely as ours, or we'll be in some serious trouble by the time we get home!
God bless you all, and especially our new president, President Nelson. We hear he will hold his first press conference Tuesday. This could be a year full of some big changes! The Lord is in charge of his church.
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