Cinder Cone Hike

           Sorry that this is late again! I’ve been working on two different Shutterfly books and it seems to have consumed my time this week. However, there was still time to sneak in a few other things. The other time eater was working on the new trifold to replace the one that is being phased out. I will be so glad when this thing actually is at the printer.

For P-day we stayed around the area. A group of eight missionaries drove over to the cinder cone (extinct volcano) and climbed to the top. Stephen took the lead and raced liked a gazelle to the top of the mountain. It was steep going up but even worse coming down as we came down the side of the mountain rather than on the trail.

Stephen spent a lot of time in the shop working on the lathe. He has finished a salt and pepper set for me, a small bowl, and some beads. He is becoming very adept at working with this tool. 

We had our first farewell social for our leaving missionaries. There will be three couples who will go home before our next social. The first sister to leave managed to miss the step on her trailer and fell down the day before she was released. She sprained her ankle, broke her elbow, and dislocated her shoulder. I’m hoping that this is not going to be a trend for the rest of us.

Labor Day was an excellent day for the missionaries as we seemed to be busier than we were during the summer. We would just finish with one tour, write it down, and then go out on another one. It was great! To top the week off we had more than 600 people show up at the fort on Friday (we had 180 second graders from a school in Richfield plus 120 parents and siblings). 

On Tuesday the Christensens announced that they were going to the temple and were looking for people to go with them. Stephen and I took them up on the offer and had a great time at the Manti Temple. It is nice to have other people with you who are willing to take your names through for you.

Saturday was the BYU game – I’m sure some of you may have watched it. Our directors invited all the missionaries over for a tailgate party and to watch the game.  I was working on the computer in the other room and could hear the cheering like I was in the same room. I think we have some pretty great directors who are always including the missionaries in lots of activities.