August 14, 2013

The month of August is upon us, along with grain harvests, fair time and school.  There are lots of preparations for all of these things going on in our community.  That feeling of any relaxation that goes with summer months is rapidly dissipating since the flip of the calendar to this month.

Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson have recently returned from serving eighteen months in the England, Leeds, Mission.   They have been residing in the city of Hull near the North Sea.  Son Mike Olson picked them up at the SLC Airport.  Their daughter Peggy and Jon Flinders and three little, blond, Olson granddaughters came down from Salmon, ID, to help warm up the empty Olson home on Station Creek.

The Mink Creek Ward received a new member when Jonathan Seamons, son of Jennifer and Jeff Seamons was baptized.   Andy McKay, son of Paul and Terrie McKay, was ordained to the office of teacher.  Andy also receiver his Duty to God award from his service as a deacon.

Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen have been submerged in family.  Annie and Steve Earl and their family spent some vacation time away from their home in San Jose, CA.  Joe and Kate Jepsen made a trip up from Utah, getting in a few free moments before the school year begins.

Two family reunions were wrapped into one when Tiffany Longhurst spoke in the LDS Ward.  The Longhurst group moved their reunion date and the Craythorn Family from the Burley area, who had planned to be at Island Park, gathered for the same purpose, both at the Erickson pond and park in Mink Creek.

The Relief Society held a closing social for the summer at our community ballpark.  The members, with husbands, enjoyed a meal of Navajo tacos with all the trimmings, slices of watermelon and punch.  Dessert was a scone dripping in butter and honey.  Entertainment was provided by participation in a variety of Minute to Win-It efforts.

 Wild fires are raging in the mountains to the south of us.  These particular ones are across our state border in Utah and some have been going on for days.  Just one year ago we had fires popping up much closer and we understand the tension that accompanies the situation. During a dry year, such as now, that concern is constant.

 Last summer a considerable size of acreage between Mink Creek and Preston went up in flames.  The view afterwards  was stark blackened hills, skeletons of brush and trees pointing skyward, scattered here and there.   It has been rewarding to see the greening return this spring.  Even some of those stark tree forms have sprouted green leaves in the tops, above the reach of the flames, showing how hard it can be to quench life.  It has been a message of encouragement for me.