July 12 Letter

Hey! Life is good here in Strathmore! We had a week full of adventures. monday was pday, and i got angies package. I couldn't tell whether i like the R2D2 toy, the jerky or the cookies more. I think its a tie between the cookies and r2d2. Cuz the cookies are long gone, and i make r2d2 make noise everytime i sit at my desk. I consider him my magic 8 ball. :) On Tuesday we went on exchanges with the zone leaders and the mission is really stressing to have effective exchanges. It being july, and half-kilometer month, going on exchanges is a big deal, because we live far away. I was with Elder Gardner in Strathmore and within 20 minutes of arriving back into town, all of our appointments called and canceled, haha its was comical. But we had alot of good talks about things and had a great dinner with an awesome family, so YEAH. woot woot. We took back roads coming home because it was shorter that way and it was fun hitting up all the back farm roads. We saw a family of skunks! I was trying to get a picture but they ran away. Elder Wheeler jumped out of the car to snap a photo, and i was scared cuz i could just imagine him getting sprayed BAD, but they ran away luckily. On Friday, it was BOILING hot. it was in the mid-90s, and before you laugh, you need to remember that i've been suffering through -40 degrees of winter for two years! I've lost some of my hot weather tolerance sadly, i'm gonna broil back home, haha. But then saturday, the next day, it poured rain. Notice to anyone coming to visit Canada. No matter what time of year you come, or for whatever duration, bring Swimming gear, snowboarding gear, rain gear, windy day gear, normal day gear, cuz you'll most likely need all of it. Then on sunday it was WAY stormy and windy when we came out of church but it calmed down. After church we went out to the Siksika native branch and thats always fun. I was nervous when we entered the tiny building because it the 3 young men we normally work with weren't there. Then we found out one of them was there, he was just hiding in the Primary room. Enter Jacob "Spotted Eagle" Crowfoot. He's a very round, funny native kid who's dad is just now coming back to church and we're gonna be teaching his mom soon. WOOT WOOT. he was excited to see us, ran to the classroom, jumped into a chair and pretended like he was asleep. Then we taught the Restoration to him and somehow, miraculously, was able to hold his attention here and there. :D After the potluck, as we were leaving, he ran out with us and got in the car. After joking around with him for a bit, he got out and stood in front of our car and started dancing. I pulled out my camear and then seeing that he was on film he ran away, but then ran back and tried stealing our cameras. I have video but i won't be able to send it because its too big. You'll see it soon. he's a blast and makes the long drive out there worth it. Than we drove to a members house in standard, 30 km away in a near opposite direction from strathmore all on back roads, FUN. THen back home. It was a good week. I felt really good at church, and life is just flat out good. Goin out with a bang!!! There's a new that if you live more than 20 km away from where pday is held, you aren't allowed to drive in. sadly, that is us. Luckily you can have members bring you in. Brother Fawns works as an accountant in the city and let us come in with him! they're a sweet family, we like them alot. SO he dropped us off at the East Stake center at 7 am, haha and we waited 20 minutes for Elder Clawson and Elder Byington (i love them) to come and pick us up. in the meantime, i ate an entire apple, except the seeds, and watch a bird feed its babies. its been a fun morning. I left my wallet at home in Strathmore though, so the plans to make guacamole are out the window. The Bartolozzi's, a sweet couple we visit with in Gleichen, the town where the branch meets, gave us two avocados! woot woot! Well, i love you all and will talk to you soon! Elder Crippen