Decided that I have had the January blahs along with some other people I know. But here it is the 31st of January and I am glad except that life has ben cancelled for the next couple of days. We are expecting the worst storm in 50 years they say. Today we have had freezing ice and drizzle, but tonight it is supposed to snow and blow and all land on top of that ice out there. Lots of us were told to stay home tomorrow, so we will see what happens. That is the time I would like to go in so that I can get a lot done.

So tomorrow begins February and I have noticed that the days are already lengthening. I love the daylight being extended. Our President asked everyong to read the Book of Mormon in the first 60 days of the new year. I am on my way to completing that goal and have decided that I am going to do it every year. It is just a good way to begin the new year. Dad is just over a bed two week cold and congestion and our names have appeared on the Departure list. Yep, it is coming up.

Love you everyday.

Here is the pic of the missionaries who were in the Christmas program. They got together in the gym after lunch and started singing. Not the songs we had heard in the program, but they really started some with sound effects and a little dancing and the President walked over and said it was time to go into the chapel! They were having a little too much fun.

We had three Zone Conferences and just had larger groups together for each one. It is so great to see the kids come together. There are squeals of joy, tons of hugs and slaps on the back, laughter, sitting knee to knee and talking, just a happy time to see your former companions or others you know in the mission. There are friendships formed out here that will be eternal.

On Sunday night, the 19th of December, we were supposed to be at Liberty Jail for the Presidents fireside, but instead stayed at home to (watch the end of Survivor). I put that in parenthesis to sort of cover it up and maybe you won't really read it! Well, turns out we were so happy we had stayed at home. We are sitting watching Survivor when therewas a knock on the window. We get knocks on the window often so that people can get into the building. Dad went out to open the door and there was no one there. He walked around and over the the front window and saw a note on the window. "ELDER LINDE, a present for you". There was a box sitting on the ground and then from around the side of the house Erin and Mike appeared. Well, then they had to re-enact the entire surprise for me. Dad came and got me and told me to come out and see the package. So I went out and was looking at the note on the window and the package and SURPRISE!, there come Erin and Mike from the side of the building again. Well, all I could do was cry and hug. It certainly was a surprise. Erin had told us to pick her up on Monday night at 9:45 and also had given us a flight numer. And Mike was driving out with his friend who was a truck driver and we didn't know when he was coming. It was just so natural to have them here and to sit and visit that night.

We went to work on Monday and worked until about 11 and then started out sightseeing.

This was the Bingham Wagoner Mansion that we toured. It was all decked out for Christmas and I must say a bit overdone. Any organization can decorate a room, so they put everything they have in one room. But we tried to look beyong the decorations and see the beautiful wood and furniture.

and some of the simple decorations in the kitchen.

This is the underground, I guess it it not underground, but in the side of the mountain Orchid Farm. It is quite fascinating. And we all got to meet the originator, Dave, who started it. Well, you can imagine that he and Erin hit it off. She had lots of questions for him and he talked the language with her.

It is really an amazing place. And no natural light in there. More variety of orchids than I have ever seen. Erin took one home. I hope it made the trip OK. One of the hardy varieties. I guess the Utah desert is not really the place to grow orchids.

They just go on and on.

And who would have known that the Harley Davidson manufacturing plant is in KC, MO. Mike informed us and so we went. This is Mike sitting on his HOG and looking like he is in heaven.

This is Dad looking at a big touring bike that he and I sat on. First time I had ever been on a bike that big. I am sure it was probably double the price of our first home! Everyone was dreaming of driving cross country and then as Dad was getting off he sort of stood up and started to pull his leg across and his forehead went down on the windshield and scraped some skin off. He gets this bloody spot on his forehead and Erin scrapes his skin off the shield and you can imagine the laughter that ensued. And it continued for several hours. We then toured the plant. It is almost secretive. No pics allowed. We all had earphones on so that we could hear the guide and walked in a straight line along the edge. They are held to a very high standard. If there is something done wrong, that bike is put in the cafeteria for all employees to observe and make note of. Very interesting. They are kind of made one at a time and no stockpiling of them. Everyone that is being made is already paid for. And there are several types made. The ones for Europe, Australia, the US of A, and the Republic of California!, as he called it. They have such high emission standards that theirs are different still.

Whoops, I ran out of pics. Have to get some more.

I think it was our September meeting with the President that he just casually said that we needed a program for our Christmas Zone Conferences. Last year we had Elder Miner and his wife from Lindon and he was a musician. He actually plays in a band at the MAC Center in Murray. He had planned a beautiful program with several missionaries participating in quartets, organ solo, cello accompaniment, singing solos, etc. Dad and I were the only missionaries in that meeting who had witnessed the previous Christmas program. We left that meeting and Sister Bouy and I looked at each other and asked each other if he had just given us the assignment? He had said he would like it centered on Christ. Yes, that is how he does things. The men didn't get it at all. So we talked about it a little and started wondering what to do. We decided that we did not want to do the same as last year. Sister Van Komen brought us a program that has been written in one of the New York missions. We just kept tossing it around and then thought about the Beebe's in Independence 2nd Ward. I called to see if we could come and talk to them about getting some music, etc. They have a recording studio and publish lots of music. If you sing in your ward choir, chances are you have sung some of their songs. While there Sister Beebe looked at the program we had and offered to write a program for us. We were blown away. So we just kind of turned it over to her and relaxed a little. Not only was she the RS president, but she worked full time with her husband at the studio and was getting orders out, printing, etc. After several days, several days, we called to see if there was anything we could do to help, because we needed to start calling kids and assigning parts. Finally she called and had the written program and we picked that up and started the debate on who to ask. You know, lots of missionaries want to participate and so it is a real hard thing to narrow it down. We ended up with 16 kids that we used. The program was full of beautiful music with the congregation joining in on several of the songs, a lot of narration, and some short solos and most of the songs sung by the choir. We have some very talented musicians who sing and play piano and so had no problem with that. Also a glorious viola solo by one of the Elders.

We had our first practice on 20 November when the entire mission was in Topeka for a conference since Elder Scott, one of the twelve came out. Very interesting practice and Sister and Brother Beebe were both there to conduct the practice. She had made music CD's for each person so they could practice at home with the music. Our next practice and dress rehersal were on 7 December, the night before the first Zone Conference. You would not believe how hard it is to get missionaries all together for something like that. Some had to come from Wichita, we had to arrange rides for others, get extra miles from Elder Linde, the list goes on. Most of the Elders were 50 minutes late. That meant that we went late and missionaries are supposed to be in at 9:30, but at 10 we were just taking kids to where they were staying and the Elders could not find the keys to their car. It was crazy. The logistics of it all was a job. Kids in cars, where to sleep them, rides the next day.

The first conference on the 8th was in Lenexa and then in Independence the next day. Both of those days the Beebe's had control of it all and we just sat and listened. Then they told us they could not go to Wichita the next day, so guess who led the choir!! I have never done anything like that. Talk about being out of your comfort zone. I do not like standing in front of people with all eyes on me. But guess what, the kids knew the program prety well and I only forgot a couple of things and they came in anyway and I did bring them in most of the time. It was a very interesting experience and I was able to do it without sweating bullets and quite enjoy it. I truly was blessed. President and Sister Van Komen were so pleased with the program. It was all they had hoped it to be. And the Beebe's are angels who donated their time and varied talents to do such a beautiful program for us.

I just deleted the pic of the entire Christmas cast. How do I do that? Above is Elder Allred. A very talented musician who can sing solo so beautifully and plays piano amazingly well. He did both in the program. Here he took my camera and took a pic of himself in his Buddy Holly glasses. He is great.

These three got together and told me to take an OREO pic. Sister Ika, Sister Criddle, and Sister Fakai.

Is there such a thing as catching up! It has been far too long since I have been here and so much has been going on that I cannot forget about.

I can't remember if I put Sister Sasaki in here. Dad and I got to take her to the airport and she is such an angel. I think I told you about her earlier. But she did say at one time how hard it was to come to America and try and fit into our culture. Just the differences is food and customs and all and she also wondered if people would accept her. Oh my, we absolutely love her. Another that I would like to bring home. We hope to see her in Hawaii someday. And Dad does give hugs when the Sisters leave!

I love this girl..........................

Sister Bouy and I ran to JoAnn's one night and both indulged in new irons. We had just begun a project and my iron has always been awful and Sister Bouy wanted one of these forever. We got either $30 or $40 off. It was a steal! Yipee This was the beginning of our project and I knew I needed a good iron.

I know that I have this thing with clouds, but you cannot believe how different the clouds are out here. They are just beautiful and unique all the time.

Lots of long, whispy kinds.
Another of the breakoff branches of the church.

This was a Christmas dinner and entertainment for all the Senior missionaries and lots of the Independence missionaries that the Independence Stake does each year. The Stake Presidency and High Council plan it and it was great. This is Elder Thomas, Brother Olvera, and Elder Diaz de Leon. The Elders are the Assistants to the President at this time and Bro. Olvera is on the High Council. All speak Spanish and of coarse Olvera is Spanish and Diaz de Leon was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and so their song was in Spanish and they walked around to every table and serenaded everyone. They each had an instrument of some kind. It was fun. They really relaxed and had a good time doing it. Very out of the ordinary for them, at least in public.

The newest senior couple to come on board. Sister and Elder Wagner from Billings, Montana and the best part is that they are living in our building. They are great people. They are working in the Employment Office with the Stutz's.

Sister Stutz grabbed my camera as I was up leading the singing at the Senior Conference at the mission home. Tomorrow I may tell you about how I have been stretched and out of my comfort zone on this mission.

Who says missionaries cant let loose once in awhile?

Last Sunday night I got into email and read some news. That night there was a blue moon. Go figure. Did you know what that was? I read all about it, grabbed my camera about 10:30-11pm and ran outside and it was completely overcast. No pic.

On Monday morning we went for a walk and guess what, the blue moon was now in the West and I snapped a pic or two of it. As soon as I got a couple of pics, the clouds completely covered it again and it was over. So all that hype about Once in a Blue Moon is really true!

We had arrivals last Monday and then Tuesday was transfer day. It was a very cold day. I think it was 30*. This is Dad and I with Elder Bergeson. He has been one of the AP's these last twelve weeks and we have grown to love him. He is going home to California, northern.

Transfer day and this is Sister Fakai (fa-kaw-e). She is a bright ray of sunshine in our mission. From Australia and has a real accent. The middle is Sister Hinckley. She arrived on Monday. And then Sister Lasalosi (la-sa-low-se) another one that I would love to bring home with us. She did leave on Wednesday and went home to West Jordan (I think). Anyway she is close. A sweet story about her. She was not able to fly with the rest of the group because of a mixup and so her aunt flew out to pick her up. The President and his wife dropped her off at the Continental terminal. They walked in and there was her aunt and as she looked down the corridor--she saw her mother. She ran to her and they embraced. She had not seen her mother in 6-7 years. She had been in SLC going to school and her mother and father flew in from Tonga to see her and mom surprised her by coming to the airport to pick her up. Quite a reunion.

Another Sister I would like to claim. Sister Sasaki.

Dad even gives hugs to the Sisters as they leave! She has been a wonderful missionary. And she has a beautiful voice. We went over to the VC on Sunday afternoon and she sang O Holy Night for us. It was amazing. We plan to see her in Hawaii someday!

At the mission home on Thanksgiving. After dinner we decorated the home for Christmas. This is Elder and Sister Bouy and Sister Williams, who is going home on Tuesday. She lives in our building and we will miss her, then me and Dad.

Elder Stutz and Sister Stutz and the President decorating the tree.

I told you there would be more. Here is another church in the same area. And I know of two more that are not close by.

Their name of the church...

and the church itself.

Another of those berry trees that I love. This one has orange berries.

On Saturday we had an all mission conference. We picked up 10 Sisters at 6:30am in the brand new van and headed to Topeka. Got there a little after 8 and filled the chapel with missionaries after 8:30am. I went and got the mail all sorted out on the stage and came in a little late and tried to find Dad. I was looking for him on the sides toward the back. No luck. He was about 5 rows back right in the middle. And I was late. Had to climb over several people to sit by him.

But the meeting had started and you are spposed to sit with your companion! One of the twelve apostles, Elder Richard G. Scott, was in Topeka for a stake conference and wanted to talk to the missionaries. It was a glorious three hour meeting. It was very different than others we have had but a lot was taught and it was very spiritual. I have always loved to hear Elder Scott speak. He is so deliberate with his speech, so quiet and such a gentle spirit. He just makes me feel very calm and peaceful. He bore a beautiful testimony of the Savior.

After the meeting ended at 12, a Relief Society had prepared chili and soups and other good things for all to eat. They probably fed 300 people at least. But with Sister Bouy and I being in charge of the Christmas program, we had to have a practice. Can you believe that that assignment fell into our laps. I don't know how it happened. So what we did was call upon a member in one of the wards here who has a music store with her husband and she wrote a program for us. It has been very stressful because it took her much longer than we had hoped to get it on paper. But she actually drove to Topeka and went through the songs with the little choir we had chosen and she thinks the whole thing will happen. We are excited, but it has certainly been weighing on our back shoulders. We assigned all the parts and I am sure that there will be hurt feelings and all, but what do you do. We kept getting calls about the program and kids who wanted to participate. They had guitar numbers they had been working on. Well, guess what? NO GUITARS. I think the President is not going to allow guitars on special musical numbers any longer. We have had some pitiful numbers, at least by my standards!

As we are walking to the van, the sisters spot this car in the parking lot. We know it is a mission car, it is the type and it has a sign on the back that says CALL ME and tell them how I am driving. A couple of the Elders came over and wrote a message on the car......

Of coarse, they signed it at the bottom--

No idea whose car it was, but I would have loved to see their faces!

This is a couple of Sisters with a member driving them and they are holding up a note for us to read: I'M HAVING A BABY! You have to learn the talk of missionaries. Sister Young had received a call from the AP's telling her that she would be a trainer (a missionary arriving on Monday will be her new companion). Everyone hollered and gave her a thumbs up!

It just keeps going on. Last week was a busy, busy week. Elder Bouy had surgery on his foot a couple of weeks ago. A bunion removed and pins and rods put in two toes. So he had apartments to set up and could not drive, so Dad was the designated driver. They were gone quite a lot last week. And then things came to a head with Sister Lee. She is going home on the 30th of the month. That has been like a nightmare on Walnut Street!

Tomorrow we have 19 missionaries arriving, Tuesday is transfer day and Wednesday is departure day, then Thanksgiving and Friday. Wow! A huge week but All is Well.