Reflections....

As we complete our first year of service as missionaries, it seems like a good idea to reflect on the past 12 months. Just getting our affairs in order to be able to serve in this way was something of a challenge, but with 4 large storage units packed full of our "stuff" and our home of 35 years leased out (actually we're now on the second lease of our home), we've spent fall, winter, spring and summer here in East Lansing. We are now heading back into fall, and the fall season is beautiful in Michigan. We will be here well into winter, and are scheduled to return home in March of 2012.

We were very excited to be visited by Tiffany, Eric, David and Grace. We all had a great time while they were here. We also were visited, and later able to visit, our friends Dean and Marjorie Cook, now Elder and Sister Cook, serving in Kirtland OH. They will be heading back to California in October.

Probably the most difficult thing of all has been being away from our wonderful family for so long. Every day we miss every one of our six children, three sons in law, three daughters in law, and 20 grandchildren. Thanks to Skype, Google Chat, and Facebook, we have been able to get some "face time" with them over the last year.

Despite the longing to be with our children and grandchildren, this has been and remains one of the greatest experiences of our lives. It has been a period of great personal and spiritual growth for both Karen and I. What a wonderful thing it is to get to know so many of these fine young folks, and have the privilege to teach them correct principles as taught by the Savior and the prophets through the restored Gospel. It is a bonus to be able to share with them experiences from our own lives that might help them as they face difficult choices and decisions.

Each day we learn new things. As we prepare for classes we feel the spirit of the Lord in helping us to prepare and understand that which we should teach. As we teach, we enjoy the exchange of thoughts, ideas, and truths in the classroom. I never cease to be amazed also at the things we are taught by the students as we learn of the challenges and successes in their lives. We are fortunate to have a very nice office in the Institute building, and there we have many impromptu discussions with the kids. They are truly amazing and we have made many great friendsips among them.

We truly do love those we are with here. I am reminded of the words of the Savior to his disciples found in John 13:35...

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."



Following are some photos with descriptions of some of our activities and travels in the last month....


Lancing "Lug Nuts" game. They are a AAAaaa (how many "a's" down to farm teams go?) team for some big league Montreal team. Fun game...we lost big time. We went with some of our friends. That's Emily, Klea, Justin, Clayton and Michelle sitting behind me.


Justin, Clayton and Klea.

Michelle

Family Home Evening activity - Watersliding behind the Living Center....so fast he's totally blurred!

Eric and I at the harbor in Saugatuk...a cool little town south of Holland.

Eric and Karen...we really had a great time when he visited over Labor Day weekend.

Now I'm really starting to miss sailing! This is the channel out of Holland Harbor.

The "Keewatin"... an early 1900's great lakes passenger steamship beached at Saugatuk.

Hey, I don't look like a tourist!

I'm pretty sure one of these signs must point the way to Half Moon Bay....

9-11 Display in front of our Stake Center...many American flags, very impressive!

School is starting at MSU...literally of thousands of bicycles on campus!

And it looks like the fraternity thing is getting into full swing....

The River Walk on the Grand River in downtown Lansing.

Our friendly "plant man" now has a new set of flowered eyes!

Truly amazing peacock made of greenery and flowers by the Horticulture Building. About 15' high!

Grand Haven, MI...Home of the annual Salmon Festival and Derby! Great Fun....

Stomping the grapes at the Festival...that's NOT us in the barrels!

Entry in the Salmon Derby. This one was about 19 pounds...the winner was 57 pounds!

Unloading boats for the Salmon Derby.

These hand painted "fish" signs were on all the street corners in Grand Haven for the festival.

And now, for an update on our Lighthouses....

"Big Red"... popular lighthouse in Holland, on Lake Michigan. Built in the 1870's.

Cleveland West Harbor Lighthouse on Lake Erie.

Muskegon lighthouses from the ship channel. The last time we were here was in winter with SERIOUS ice and waves! Beautiful in the fall.

Muskegon lighthouses showing connecting "catwalk" for winter access in severe storms.