February

Blake is still in Mount Aureol in Freetown.  He told Dave it was like hiking Crowsnest every day in dress shoes.  He said one day he was so tired they called every appt to see if they were still on so he wouldn't have to hike if appts were just going to bounce. :)  But he loves it.  He loves the country, his companions, the experiences.  Everything.  We managed to successfully get a package to him, which was fun.  We didn't tell him incase it didn't make it.  He was surprised and enjoyed it. 

One of the elders in his compound had a birthday.  They all bought him a Salone jersey and cake. 

Elder D Todd Christofferson visited Sierra Leone.  They bused everyone from the Bo mission to Freetown and brought all the Freetown missionaries in.  Blake said it was neat as Elder Christofferson shook every single missionary's hand and talked about the Book of Mormon.  Blake also got to see some of his old compions that had been transferred to Bo mission when it opened. 

Blake also met the only other Canadian serving in Sierra Leone.  An Elder Leavitt from Lethbridge.  He is in the Bo mission.  These two were pretty excited to find each other.  His mom sent me the picture. 

We took another trip up to visit Hatch's.  They had a lot of mail accumulated and so we made a quick trip.  Ammon gave us a tour of the church building, it is coming along great.  The ward up there is going to love it being finished.  Then a hike to an old train bridge. It was really neat.  It is part of Iron Horse Trail, which is 300 km long.  It is the old train tracks.  Really neat, we only did a tiny bit. 

We went into Cold Lake and saw the lake, went with them to get groceries and then had dinner.  We left after Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.  Got home to feed and water cows in the light.

Dave and I went to a Pronghorns game, met Leah and Braydon there.  Dave and I just both happened to be wearing our Southland sweaters.  (I bought mine as a Christmas gift last year) So Leah took a picture of us under the Southland banner. 

It was a good game.  Unfortunately in overtime they lost. 

We had a very cold few weeks.  The water was freezing fast for the bulls and they had started running over when Dave's car pulled up as they knew what he was there for.  One day it was a little warmer, Dave had an evening work event to attend.  I decided to be brave and go break the water.  I also got a calf out of the feeder and checked their water and cows feed, but none of that is scary.  I walked in and one bull started over.  I got ice broken and one big chunk out, then he was too close for my comfort.  I got out of there.  Then waited to see if he would leave after a drink so I could finish.  Sure enough, he took a while, but had his fill and I finished getting all the ice out and was very proud of myself. 

We bought oranges from Natalie and they were perfectly sweet and juicy.  I took the rinds and have them soaking in vinegar to make my own cleaner.  I now have an orange, grapefruit, and lime jar going. 

February was our usual Super Bowl Puzey's way.  We made lovely appetizers and watched a sports movie.  Just a little amount of each item as we didn't want tons of leftovers.

Dave and I have also been part of a group that is doing the emotional resilience class on Sunday evenings.  We have a good group and it has been interesting.  We are almost done.  I think it could be helpful for us to go through to help others if the need arises.

During the cold week we had beautiful hoar frost.  I have been going for walks on my lunch break.  One day in -32 it was pretty chilly.  I bundled up good and only my legs were cold.  My coworkers thought I was crazy.  They may be right. 

This little girl is getting so big.  We took an early birthday present up for her.  Cora and Ammon are great at sending us almost daily pictures and videos.  It's funny to think that Blake hasn't even met her yet.  

 

I know I say it all the time, but Dave and I often talk about how proud we are of our kids.  The things they are doing and making a difference in their wards and communities.  We love to watch and cheer them on.  Fun to see where life takes us. Sometimes scary as things happen, but mostly it's a joy. 

R.I.P. Morgan

Ten years ago when we moved out to the farm we decided to get a car that would be better on gas then our Tahoe.  We found this Saturn second hand, decently cheap and Cora promptly named her Morgan.  It stuck. She was a great little car.  A few years later when Cora graduated and went to Edmonton, we didn't expect it to last the year she was going to be there before her mission.  That was 7 years ago.

Last Thursday Dave texted me and asked if I wanted to go on a date.  He said Morgan had finally died and could I please come get him.  I was able to leave work a bit early and we had a lovely dinner at Burger King after rescuing Morgan from where she had given her last ride.

Dave made 3 separate day trips to Edmonton to fix Morgan on the side of the road.  Loading all his tools and any possible parts that could be needed after grilling girls about what was happening and the sounds it was making.  Pretty clever if you ask me.  He always deduced correctly.  Finally bringing her home a few years ago as she needed his constant care.  Again we were sure she wouldn't last the winter.  But she did and just kept going. 

Dave was pouring oil into her every day, he had to install a fan switch so she wouldn't over heat.  Morgan was often dying at stop lights, but she kept plugging along. Then a belt ripped out, Dave repaired it.  He know that soon there would be a repair that would not be worth the cost.  The girls asked that when Morgan died, Dave save them a bolt from her to keep.

Well Thursday the belt ripped an even a bigger hole and Dave said with sadness it was time.  Luckily his work had a trailer free to load her on and take to the wrecker.  He stripped down all we could use, including the hood for future hooding so her legacy will live on. 

All 3 kids passed their licenses with Morgan.  Lots of memories made in that car for them with friends.

To tell the kids that Morgan had died Dave wrote an obituary and put it on our family group chat with a few picture.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Morgan at the age of 27 years on Feb 27, 2025 after a lengthy illness.  Morgan dies doing what she loved and worked diligently right to the end.  Born in 1998 little is know of her early life as she never spoke of it, but she joined our family in June of 2015 and quickly became an important part of the family.  She loved adventure and could often be found at the ski hill or out on outings.  She was there when all three kids took their drivers license and spent some time with the girls in Edmonton.  This was a particularly joyful yet stressful time for her I am sure.  She was involved in a near fatal shooting and barely pulled through.  She carried her scars of this close call until her death but it never slowed her down.  Towards the end she spent most of her time with dad and was nursed along by him.  Despite her ill health she kept going, finally putting on over 505 000 km, truly noble for a humble Saturn.  She is survived by her current owners David and Charmaine, drivers Cora (Ammon, Jane), Leah (Braydon), and Blake. We are truly grateful for her unselfish and tireless years of service.  She will be missed."

Thank you Morgan for all the memories.   You truly will be missed.