April 25

It has been a great week. We continue to visit the families of the ward. Each and every person is a wonderful child of Heavenly Father, with a unique personality. They all have a lot of trials. Most of the people we work with have bad health. That old saying, "If you have your health, you have everything," is really proven true here. So many cannot progress because they are always ill. But they are doing the best they can in their circumstances. We love them. They have inspired me to do better. It has been two weeks since I have eaten sugar or chocolate. I'm trying to find the time to exercise.

Sandy should have been baptized this coming Saturday. That is not going to happen for a while. Her mom had a heart attack last week, had an aneurism discovered in her heart, lots of blood clots in her lungs, and pneumonia. She was stablized and came home, but went back in tonight. She has been staying with Sandy and Joe. Sandy has been stressed and so has not quit smoking. Neither has Joe. I am confident it will come.

We do have a baptism on Saturday evening. Lauren, the Laubenguyer's daughter, is being baptized. It is a joyous event. ╬

Horrock's "licorice" whips

Our new "favorite" store is Horrock's. It is like an indoor farmer's market. I guess in the old days there was a  meat market, fresh from the farm, too, but now that is somewhat limited. You will see from the pictures that the Amish people sell things there. Horrock's make their own olive oil.  The Wisconsin cheese is amazing. Of course there are the usual fresh fruits and veggies. They also bottle fruit to sell.It's a fun place to go. Michigan is famous for it's farmer's markets, and the outdoor markets are opening on Saturdays, too. We have not had a chance to go yet.

Amish Butter: 2 lb. rolls...fresh off the farm.

An assortment of figs

HUGE blocks of Wisconsin cheese (See the door to the right? That's how tall these are.)

Olive Oil: pressed fresh from Italian Olives

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Lots and lots of fresh produce

Fresh Michigan Apple Cider

Homemade Amish Wedding Noodles

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Fresh Fruit

Homemade Fudge

Fancy Olive and mushrooms

Pickled eggs

Yes, it IS  baby grand piano!

And a book department!

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Pickled beet eggs & pickled mustard eggs

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Pickled Jalapeno eggs


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Our neighbor's smoking places. We cannot open our windows as this is what goes on on both sides and underneath us.

Today we went to Lansing to the mission home for a barbecue with the other senior missionaries. This the first time we have all gotten together since we've been here. We loved it. There are couples from Idaho, Utah, Missouri, Louisiana and Texas. We are the only couple working with a ward. The others work in small branches and have huge areas. One of their areas is five hundred miles across. They can drive and drive and still find no one at home.

I am posting a photo of the entire group, minus Elder Davis and myself who were taking photos. Elder Davis has a timer on his camera and so has a couple with all of us in the picture. They will forward them to us. But you get the idea from this one.

I am also putting on of Pres. and Sis. Hess. They are the best!!! They are really busy serving. We were outside taking the pictures and Pres. H said it was the first time they had been in the backyard. They are too busy to use it. It is gorgeous as is the house.

There is a picture of the Jensens with the Hess'. The Jensens are going home this Saturday. They have year old twin grandsons they have never seen. Their family is excited. They are, too. However, the tears flowed as they said good-bye today. The new office couple is from Meridian, Idaho...the Bakers! We will meet them next week at zone conference.

The last photo is of the Davis'. They are the other couple in our zone. We have really enjoyed them. They go home in June and will be missed. (You should see his photos! They are on the coast of Lake Michigan at Ludington. The sunsets are breath-taking!!!)

We are happy to be bearing testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus, Christ. We know that he lives. We know that he died for us and was resurrected. We know that our prayers are answered. We are experiencing tender mercies and miracles every day.

Our prayers are with you. We love you. Thanks for  your love and support.