Crisp, clear, Spooky Halloween, no snow today!

Some of our favorite little spooks. H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N !!!!!
Some places are decorated all out for Halloween.
The after product
Doug carving away with his little carving tool.
The before picture, sorry it's last

Halloween is a hard holiday to be away from family. We always gather over to our house before the little spooks are out and about, for Pizza and Homemade pumpkin cookies. The grandkids are always so excited to be all dressed up with the anticipation of gathering yummy treats and showing off their costumes. Brandee emailed to let us know that the tradition is continuing with out us. We have such a fun wonderful safe neighborhood. We seriously have about 200 little and big trick or treaters come by our house on Halloween.

Here in Monticello they say it can be a scary place to be outside on Halloween. Many people have gotten hurt from flying eggs. Our complex where we live is off the beaten path and there is a sign up any way that says "Absolutely no Trick or Treating allowed". How sad. The missionaries are all to be in by 6:00 pm tonight, they can play games or sleep. We are hopeful to have the Elders in our building over for pie and a mean game of Canasta. Also I printed off some fun Halloween word games.

We carved and painted pumpkins for FHE with branch members and Doug had one left over that he saved for himself. I used mine to make pumpkin pie. What a long process. I was told that it makes the best pie when used fresh. It is a really good tasting pie, but too much time. There is a special breed of pumpkin used for just pies. I've got another one saved for Thanksgiving and then I think Ill just use the canned stuff.

S N O W Y Tuesday

We woke to a skiff of snow on the ground. We haven't lost all the leaves on the trees, so I hope that the weight of the frozen snowy leaves and trees don't cause problems with power lines. Anyway, Doug is thrilled and I hate being C O L D!

Rainy Monday

Elderl Berganza showing us how it is done
Elder Jesson, this is how it is done
Elders watching to see how it is done
Oh, that's how you do it!
Our District; Elders Wilkinson, George, Dalton, Jesson, Ellett, Gale, Berganza

It has rained non-stop all day today. A very steady rain fall. We enjoyed district meeting here in Monticello. Went over what President Searle trained on in Mission Conference that he was trained on at his Mission Presidents conference by Elder Bednar. The guys always enjoy a few minutes playing ball when ever they get together.

It was "movie night" at FHE. This happens every 4th Monday. We popped pop corn and watched "Second-hand Lions". Transfer phone calls are tonight. We just got word that NO one in our district is being transfered. We thought there would at least two of the six elders transfered. But not this go around. Probably because every companionship has baptism dates scheduled. Our district is doing awesome.

We are teaching a lady that called and ordered a bible from a TV commercial. (Media Referral) She is very excited to come to church with us this Sunday.

New Burgh Stake Conference

We have truly been blessed. Our sore tired bodies have been invigorated by attending our first Stake Conference in our new area. We have to travel about 50 minutes to get there. We are so spoiled in Utah to live so close to our chapels. Many don't make it to the conference because of the cost and transportation problems. Having said this, I was really surprised at the amount of people there today. Last night was a little different. Doug was asked to talk in the Priesthood Leadership meeting. He was first on the agenda after the prayer. When he started he said there was about 20 people there, but by the end of the 2 hour meeting there was about 50. The torrential rain last night could have persuaded some to stay home. I was told by the whole Stake Presidency and many members what a fine job he did. The adult Saturday night session was great. And then again this morning we had a wonderful spiritual feast. The Manhattan Temple President and his wife along with President and Sister Searle, our mission Presdient, were the guest speakers. We have grown to love both so dearly. Oh, how we miss serving in the Temple. There are quite a few from the New Burgh stake that travel once a week and serve in the temple.

All total, we had about 15 from our little Branch and 2 investigators at Stake Conference. We should have had at least 10 more there that could have come down in the 3 vehicles they have between them. Oh well, those of us who made the trip were grateful we did. It was a great experience to sit by the 20 cadets that came from West Point all dressed in their blues. It was awesome to be sandwiched in between them and listen to their powerful testimonies thru them singing. Most are RM's

A few tid bits of encouragement I will share with you from my notes:
Enduring - It is not just "hanging in there" it is a process filling every minute of the day
Religion should not be an academic pursuit, It becomes who we are
"It will be all right in the end...If it is not all right, it's not the END," (Pres. Hinkley)
We are given sacred responsibility to obtain, nurture, share our testimonies.
Repentance is a requirement, it's not optional
Did you know that the mustard seed is the smallest seed of all the herbs, and it grows into the largest plant even becoming a tree. Can we grow our faith to become like the Mustard "TREE"

Metalic Zoo

We were down to Sparrow Bush cutting wood and had to go into Port Jervis (2 miles away) to find a STIHL shop to sharpen the chain saw blades. And what should appear right next door in full view, but a metalic zoo. These creatures are actually really cool. The old gentleman who makes them has a dog that he was walking, much like Brax's Bernie. He told me that he was a friendly "dumb" dog and that he would be happy to put him in our back seat so we could take him home. I told him that we all ready had one back home. We both had a good laugh.

Surviving "Fall - Hunting Season"

Doug is surviving this season. It has been hard not to be on the mountain with his boys in Colorado. They did a good job of checking in with Doug several times this past week. Staying busy cutting and splitting wood has helped. We are just too tired at night to worry much about anything, but we are grateful to be of service to our branch members here in Monticello. The families benefiting from the wood we have been cutting will stay warm this winter. We are all ready experiencing cold nights. It was 28 degrees this past night. Our fall colors have reached their peak and are now falling to the ground.

Brandee and Kevin both got a deer during the hunting season. The meat will be appreciated this winter.

Even though the hunting season is a spendy time of year for our family, the memories are "PRICELESS". We are glad you all are continuing with making memories. XOXOXOXOX

h A P p Y 7th b I r T H d A y KC

This is a SHOUT OUT to our very 1st grand child Kevin Clintin - "KC". He has been Pompa's little shadow from day 1. Happy 7th Birthday to you, hope you have a fun exciting day. Love you so much XOXOXOXOXO!!!