Mom and I hope everybody is doing really well! Old Man Winter really paid us a visit this past week, with freezing temperatures for 4-6 hours non-stop! We had freezes 2 nights in a row and it hit all the fruit trees, the ferns, and the staghorn fern out front(see the pics). Oh yeah, don't feel too bad for us, it was 75(and clear) today...Also included is our new sign at the front gate!

Budinger Road, which used to dead-end at the turn-off to the city dump, is now paved and goes all the way down to New Nolte Road, near St. Cloud Elementary. It gives everyone another way to get into town besides Canoe Creek and Old Canoe Creek Roads.

The ward is doing fine. Cooper Cox was ordained a Teacher today, Sister Danley is recovering well from back surgery(she had a titanium rod placed along her spine), Emily Munns is really getting big(she's having a boy), Sister Melik is expecting a boy(after 3 girls), Kami (Pratt)Bova is expecting(?), and Monica(Fertic) Wright is expecting a boy. Good crop of future missionaries. Brook Pratt got married at the Manhattan Temple this past week and all the Pratt clan was up there. Lauren Solomon has started her missionary paperwork and will be home late this week to start the interview process.

Mom and I started working at the Temple this week. She goes every Tuesday(starts at 715am) and we both go every other Friday evening. Its a wonderful thing to be doing and the folks who work at the Temple are absolutely great! Just to prove I am doing my part, I've included a picture of the new me, minus the swatch of hair just above my lips! A small sacrifice for the experience!

Our hope for everyone is that we all remain steadfast and immovable and always abounding in good works. The Lord needs his people to be steady, consistent, and dedicated. Be prayerful about your decisions and take all of your problems, concerns, and fears and lay them at the Lord's feet. He has the power to help you overcome and conquer everything. Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote: "Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it...but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor." We love you all and are awfully proud of each one of you!

Keep us posted!