Where the buffalo roam...

I must first apologize to all of you who are anxiously awaiting news from Red Sands. I have failed to enter any new info for two weeks now and I apologize. I know it can be frustrating to check in and see no updates for so long, so please bear with me.

Friday, November 21

Tonight Miss Springer, along with the school children, presented their fall program. It was a mix of scripture memorization and songs. The program ended with Mr. Bill giving a devotion about the first Thanksgiving. The kids all looked lovely and they were so excited to be there and performing. We had a great turn out with the parents and families. Afterward, the parents and teachers had provided refreshments. Most everyone stayed around to chat and get to know each other. It was so much fun.

Saturday, November 22

Today is the Winslow city Christmas parade. We drove up to town and parked out at the Warren Avenue Christian Church. We walked around before the parade started. It was a very big event! We saw vendors with Navajo Tacos, Tamales, Navajo blankets, Turquoise jewelry, and all kinds of foods. It was centered on the "corner" in Winslow. We found a nice spot and watched the parade. Kelcy called it a "hurrah'd". Pronounced like parade, only with an "h". It was her first parade to my recollection. She really enjoyed it. We got to see some of the school kids there walking around. In the parade there were Hopi dancers and marching bands from as far away as Payson. They even had the Shriners with the small cars. Some of the floats threw out candy, to the delight of my children. Kelcy REALLY enjoyed this part of the parade. The parade ended with a fire truck that had Santa and his sleigh riding on top. It was a fun day.

Sunday, November 23

We had quite a few people at church today. I had 11 in my Sunday school class alone. Mr. Bill gave a wonderful and encouraging message about being grateful.

Tuesday, November 25th

Today, we saw the buffalo. They were right behind the school, lying down in the grass. I drove Kelcy down after lunch to look at them, but they were farther away then. It is very neat to see the buffalo roaming here. We believe that they belong to someone around here, they are not wild.

Wednesday, November 26th

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch with the children today! We all pitched in to bring the various items and had a great lunch! We had Turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls and pumpkin pies prepared by Miss Springer's Kindergarten through second grade class. We had a great turn-out again with the parents and friends of the school. School was over after lunch and all the kids went home with their hunger fully satisfied.

And today it rained! I forgot to mention it, but God had provided someone to put the roof on the new staff house. The old roof was half removed by the fifteen hour dust storm back in October. If it had rained without a roof on the house, it oculd well have damaged the dry wall inside. Well, the gentleman who replaced the roof was finished on Tuesday and then we got rain on Wednesday! Isn't that a wonderful miracle? The Lord provided once again! And just in time!

Thursday-Thanksgiving Day!

We stayed home today and had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving day. I was up at 7AM starting the turkey and had lunch on the table before noon. We had turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and green beans and rolls and pumpkin cake. By this time, I was little tired of pumpkin pie, so I made a pumpkin cake that turned out well. We all just played and read books and rested.

Saturday, November 29th

The Roberts family left today. The Robert's family, both of them were teachers, have decided that this is not the place for them at this time and they have left the mission. We wish them well in whatever the future holds.

Today, we went to the Winslow public library again and had a great time. The girls love the library! We read books and played and found some books to borrow. We borrowed about 10 books for the girls to read/be read to. The library is such a wonderful place. I love books and I think that the girls also love books!

Sunday, November 30th

We had quite a few people at church again today! I had 9 in Sunday school class today. I didn't get to hear Mr. Bill's sermon today, but I am sure it a great one. During the evening service, we drove to Dilkon Christian Church to hear Mr. Bill teach. His lesson there was on Romans. We all enjoyed the lesson and getting to see the Navajo members over at Dilkon again.