Maple “Surple”, Midland, and the Lighthouse that got away….

For the first time in awhile I have some time on a beautiful – although cold – Sunday afternoon, so how about an update on our recent meanderings… We are keeping very busy with our Institute responsibilities, but are having a great time and are finding a lot of satisfaction as we teach and testify about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We continue to become better acquainted with the young folks who attend classes and the ward, as well as those who are looking into joining the Church. I am continually reminded of what a great generation this is as I see them making thoughtful, prayerful decisions about their lives. What an inspiration it is to be around young folks who are so sincere about advancing their lives, both spiritual and temporal. Naturally, there is a full portion of challenges and disappointments, but it is impressive to see them learn important principles as they face adversity as well as success. Our Institute Director was unexpectedly called away for a week last Friday, so we will be extra busy this week with teaching additional classes, etc. Last Saturday we had a couple hours free so went to the Maple Syrup Festival at the local Fenner Nature Park. Got a first hand look had how collecting the sap, boiling it, etc. works. Karen is pretty enthused about making some Maple Syrup on our own, since we have a woods right behind our apartment full of the White Maple trees, but I am reminded that it takes 40 gallons of sap (!) to end up with one gallon of syrup. Makes going to the local grocery store for syrup look pretty easy….

We had an entire day free yesterday, so we took a little sightseeing trip. It was beautiful out, but the temperature was still in the low 20’s, not counting the wind chill. We went to Midland, which is right about in the “middle of the mitten”. (Hold up your right hand, palm facing you, then consider how much Michigan looks like a mitten, and you will get it.) Midland is the home of Dow Chemical Company, founded many years ago by a young Mr. Dow who the locals considered to be somewhat crazy as he conducted some curious chemistry experiments. Guess he was offbeat kind of like Bill Gates and his crazy PC’s as Dow is a worldwide producer of chemical compounds. They seem to take very good care of the hometown... most of the local attractions (Museums, Art Galleries, public gardens, etc. seem to have the word “Dow” in their name.

Among the attractions is the (locally) famous “Tridge”, a well done three way foot bridge that spans the confluence of the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers and which then flow into Saginaw Bay, on Lake Huron.

After leaving Midland, we headed for Bay City, on Saginaw Bay to see the Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse. It turns out that it is completely inaccessible to the public, so we finally – after an hour or so of looking – gave up on it. But here’s a picture from the “Lighthouse Friends” website so you (and we) can remember what we missed.

We Had a Visitor

Tiffany flew out for a short visit last week and it was wonderful to have her here and so we could share some fun things about Michigan with her. Some interesting thoughts bounced around my head when she called from Chicago to say her connecting flight to Lansing was cancelled due to the fog here. Her husband immediately got her a flight to Detroit, which is an hour and half drive for us, but we hopped in the car and headed out into the very dense fog. It was after 10:00 P.M. as we cautiously found our way down the freeway, which was completely wrapped in fog. As we drove through this very thick fog, I kept thinking about how I am so grateful that we are sealed together as a family and so grateful for the gospel, which teaches that families can be together forever. It was so hard to see and dense fog just made me think about wandering around in the eternities and not being able to find your loved ones, not being able to find them ever. I know I get crazy thoughts sometimes, but I really love all of my family so much. It was after midnight when she landed, but all was well.

We did a little Christmas shopping in Frankenmuth at the world's largest Christmas store.

The snow is finally melting and there is lots of flooding. We are taking a short walk on the walk along the swollen Grande River.

Craig wanted to show his very slim wardrobe here. I won't be taking a picture of my closet.

We rearranged our office and it is quite a nice place to work.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Lansing Stake Women's Conference and it was quite an event. It started at 9 A.M. with a nice breakfast and a short program in the cultural hall and then we all moved into the chapel for the rest of the day with some inspiring speakers and beautiful musical numbers. We ended the day with a great lunch. Quite a day!

Last week was Spring Break here at MSU and it gave us an opportunity to go to Parma, Ohio for some routine doctor appointments. Cleveland, Ohio is right next to Parma and so it gave Craig the opportnity to check out the East and West Harbor Pierpoint lighthouses on Lake Erie.

We were saddened when we woke up to the news about the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Our lives here on earth really are so fragile. May the Lord's blessing be with the people in Japan.