February 5, 2020

          Winter activities abound in this part of the country. The Primary organization enjoyed a sleigh riding afternoon on the farm of Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen. Their driveway is a perfect slope for this age group and it is long enough to provide good sledding. Glen doesn't clear it to gravel just to provide a perfect surface for a runner sled. The group was able to round up 16 Flexible Flyers and the sledders, including those with a parent assist, had a great time. Adults were on the hill as well: Jasmine Erickson, April and Trevor Rasmussen, Bishop Paul McKay, Brint and Brittnee Phillips, Jared and Hollie Keller, and Mike Jepsen. There were 4Wheelers in operation to haul sleds and riders back up the hill. Primary leaders Amy Baldwin, Jody Rasmussen and Mary Ann Jepsen were busy handing out hot dogs around the bonfire and hot chocolate with doughnuts.

           Hawaii isn't the only warm spot to attract people. Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson took some time to visit with Patti and Forrest Christensen in their winter retreat in Welborn, FL. This area is pretty familiar to ex-resident, Nelson Coleman, who grew up in Welborn at this place. The Olsons report that it is a beautiful area with lots of live oak trees with hanging moss, cattle, and of course, some swamps. In the way of activities they visited the Gulf Coast, went to the Stephen Foster Museum, checked out some great antique malls, purchased pecans from a roadside stand and loved the nice temperatures for relaxing both indoors and outdoors. With about 13 acres in the Christensen's backyard there was plenty of space to just lounge around. It was a bit difficult to come home and deal with our ice and snow.

            Jacob Seamons , youngest son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, was ordained to the office of a deacon in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family members gathered to witness the occasion were grandparents, Scot and Cathy Seamons and Joe and Kathy Jarvis, Jacob's brothers and aunts and uncles.

            Bob and Claudia Erickson went to American Fork, UT, to the home of their daughter Carla and Mark Nielsen where family participated in the ordination of Cooper Janke, a deacon in the LDS church. He is the son of Jody and Laural Janke. The afternoon found the family attending a gymnastics competition in Linden, UT, where Sophia Janke was competing. She did well and placed in all of her events.

           Oh, the weather outside was frightful----not really, but it was very WINTERr and put down enough inches of snow, and with some help from the wind, produced a situation that had schools having a snow day from all around this area. Grace, Preston, West Side. My outside connections told me things were much worse in Wyoming and Montana, and I am sure 'other spots in this part of the nation.

            Those of us in this village that have livestock are dealing with the delivery of lambs and calves, planned for this time of year to have a longer growth period before selling time. It is always unpredictable and somewhat of a gamble. I always think with concern, for those animal mothers in birthing moments that are zero degrees. I also think of those human midwives that are on call 24/7 to help in whatever way they can.