4th of July Celebration

We attended a baptism 2 weeks ago for a young man taught by Elders F=== and D===, the missionaries in our Antelope 1st Ward where we attend.  Elder D=== has been out 5 weeks and Elder F=== is his trainer.  Then last week we attended the baptism for a guy taught by the sister missionaries, Sisters C=== and W=== in the Dry Creek Ward.  There also was a baptism last week by the Spanish Elders from our district who attend the Spanish Sunrise Ward.  These guys did such a nice job at both of the baptisms we attended, and are so committed and confident, that when we see them in action, our eyes tear up and our hearts swell with pride knowing how pleased Heavenly Father is with their efforts.

We love our Elders and Sisters.  What a joy it is to be around them.


For the 4th of July we got the Zone together for a BBQ at Elder and Sister S=== home here in Antelope.  This is the home we will be moving to when the S=== are released August 22nd.


We bought a small grill for the occasion and some charcoal briquettes.  The grill will hold about 6 hamburger patties at a time, and so the plan was to eat in shifts.  My past experience with charcoal grills is to get the coals lighted early because it always seems that they are the hottest after you are all done with the grilling.

It all worked as planned, but . . .  (There always is a "but . . ."), as the frozen patties dripped their moisture onto the coals, the coals slowly got doused to the point that it would not even cook the second batch of hamburgers.  I had to put a second layer of briquettes down and light them to finish with the grilling.  Past experience again proved itself when one and a half hours after grilling, the coals were so nice and hot that we could not yet put the grill away.

It was 100 degrees outside.  Everybody stayed inside.

We had a great time with the Zone.

Mom had bought a game and prizes for the winner.  It consisted of an air gun with nerf darts to shoot at a target.  Elder Stephens made the target by cutting a hole in a box, and we all had a try at getting the dart through the hole.  Only Elders B===, E===, and S=== made it, and then we had to have the "play-offs" to see who would win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize.  None of them seemed to be able to get it through the 2nd time except Elder B=== who took 1st prize. The other 2 ended up making the determination of their prize by doing rock, paper, scissor.

Elder E=== with the neighbor lady and Mom looking on.

Elder B=== concentrating.

We had tons of food. (Elder K=== and E===).

Sister C=== and W=== brought home-made ice cream and made root beer floats.

Sister P=== and her companion Sister A=== brought a dessert of crumbled Oreo cookies with whipped topping.  That was yummy!

Elders D=== and S===.  Too full to move.

Mom trying her skill as a marksman while Sister Stephens looks on.

It being the 4th of July, we also sang the National Anthem

We finished the afternoon by celebrating Elder F=== 20th birthday.  

For safety reasons all the missionaries had to be home by 600p.m.

The Elders are already asking when the next holiday is.  I told them it is Labor Day in September, but that there are 2 Transfer Days until then.  Who knows who will be in our Zone at that time.

We will save our air gun game.  We will have a new batch of missionaries then.

We love you and always pray for your health and welfare, and for special blessings from Heavenly Father for you.

Mom and Dad. 

( Check our blog at kolditzmission.blogspot.com )