March 30, 2015

Sorry we are emailing so late this week but we got to go out with the Rekow clan and gather some more sap for making syrup. It's quite the process and man that stuff tastes good once it is finished. Picture hundreds of trees with buckets hanging from hooks in them and then some good looking sisters swapping the buckets and putting them in the path for Brother Rekow to gather in the tractor pulling finishing tanks. Also picture a snake in one of those buckets that one of the cousins caught and it scarring our Bishop half to death. Oh what a good p-day. Grandma said we could send the family a bottle when we get it all cooked up. I am slightly terrified I now have wood ticks for punishment for breaking rules and riding a quad back to the house but all is well in Zion. I am also really thankful Mom sent me my rubbers because they have saved my life out here.

This week has been so good. We were good with conserving our mileage for the trek to Milwaukee so this week we got to go crazy and drive out to some of our surrounding areas like Wittenburg, Tigerton and Tillida. Another miracle, still haven't hit a deer! I just knocked on wood so we should be safe. We found these hilarious older women who both accepted Book of Mormons and like that we are girls of the Lord. They even tried to give us gas money which I appreciated. We also accidentally knocked on the music teacher's door while trying to contact a referral. He stood out on his porch for a half hour talking to us about the gospel and then apologized for needing to go in because it turns out he recently had heart surgery. No apology needed sir, you just had heart surgery. But when we did find John, the referral we were so excited! He really loves his church and is trying to come closer to Christ. We brought Grandma Rekow back for our second visit and she was perfect. She use to be Lutheran as John is now so that was neat. 

As for interesting foods eaten this week...we have pigeon gravy. Yup, not as bad as you'd think but also not as tasty as you would hope. I ate a lot of biscuits that meal. 

We are starting to get more work done in our Gresham ward which has been really great. The families are so willing to help and serve. It feels a lot like home. 

I'm so sorry this is so short but we need to head out to lessons. In a nut shell we love Joey and Kris, discovered you can make a neat toothbrush holder from a horse shoe, the gospel is really true and I love the Plan of Salvation. I love you I love you and hope you have the best Easter and Conference. 

Ps- Sister Payne had the camera when we did syrup so I'll send those when I get em.