Wow! I didn't realize how long it had been since we last posted. We are alive and well and very busy in Redding, CA.
We have both completed the challenge by President and Sister Weston to read the Book of Mormon before the end of February. Along with the reading, we were to mark, in different colors, 1) any reference to Christ; 2) any words of Christ; 3) any attributes of Christ; and 4) principles and doctrines of the Gospel. We both enjoyed the challenge. It's interesting to see "in living color" a notation of the four topics.
Shasta College celebrated Lincoln's birthday on the Friday, the 8th so the college was closed and we didn't schedule any Institute classes either. It was nice to have a day off. That evening we "live streamed" the address given by Elder Dallin Oaks.
For our walk on Saturday we decided to drive over to the college campus and walk around there. It was a nice day and we enjoyed being in the great outdoors. It's great to walk at the mall, but being outside is so much more invigorating.
Sunday, the 10th, was "Break the Fast" at church. We made my mother's "Breakfast Casserole" recipe. Always was a hit - still is. The pan was scraped clean.
Just in case anyone is interested - Sunday, the 10th was the start of the Chinese New Year. This is the Year of the Snake. Got that little bit of info from my day planner.
There was a Zone Conference in Gridley (CA) on Tuesday but because we teach classes on that day we weren't able to attend. We did go to Mt. Shasta and give our 6 p.m. Pearle of Great Price lesson. We're fitting in quite nicely in Mt. Shasta. There are a few people who come every week and then we have about six others that come sometimes. All in all, it's turning out to be a great experience.
Although we had to teach classes on the 14th - Valentine's Day - it was still a nice day. Since we leave the Institute at 4 p.m. each day we decided to just make a dinner reservation for 4:30. (Are we starting to sound like old people - eating dinner at 4:30?) Anyway, one of our students works at the Cattlemen's restaurant here in town and Garret said, "If you're going - go early. It gets crazy early on Valentine's Day." We had a great meal. When we got there the Manager was standing in the lobby and he greeted us with "Elder and Sister Barlow - Welcome." He informed us that he is also LDS and was happy we had come to his establishment. He informed one of the Hostesses to take us to "Table 22" which turned out to be a large, side booth away from the hustle and bustle of waiters. He also told our waitress to take our order for any appetizer we wanted and charge it to him. Of course, we both had steaks which were cooked to perfection. We didn't do dessert. It was a nice outing.
Friday the 15th was a BIG evening. Before Thanksgiving, the Elders and Sisters had a contest to see which group could collect the most canned goods to be donated to a local food bank. The prize for winning was to have dinner prepared by the losers. The Sisters won - but not by much. The guys fixed dinner for the ladies on the 15th. The fellow in charge, Devon, was so excited for the whole thing. The guys met a few times to decide a menu and who would be responsible for which part of the evening. The menu was chicken Parmasean, fresh salad and green beans. They even had crusty bread and vinegar and oil for dipping. Kent slicked back his hair and wore a bow tie to fit in with the other Elders. The food was absolutely wonderful! One of the guys met the ladies at the front door as they arrived and escorted them to their seats. The boys were totally attentive to the gals the entire evening. After dinner, "The Battle of the Sexes" was fought. Racing in high heals, throwing a football through a tire etc. Kent and I didn't stay for that. Those kind of activities are definitely not for people our age. But we heard all about the Battle and that turned out great too.
Monday the 18th was another holiday from college - this time celebrating Washington's birthday. So - we didn't have Institute classes that day. I could really get use to only teaching three days a week.
Tuesday the 19th was our regularly scheduled day to teach evening Institute at Mt. Shasta BUT there was a major snowstorm up there. When we were making plans to have the Tuesday evening class we made sure everyone involved understood that in case of inclement weather we would not be driving up. So, Kent sent a "mass text" to all the students to tell them we weren't having class that evening. It was the exact right decision to make but it also made us feel badly we had to cancel.
Today, Sunday the 24th, we decided to attend services at the Anderson Ward at 9 a.m. and the Cottonwood Ward at 11. Both those Wards meet in the Anderson Stake Center which is about a ten-minute drive from Redding. Both Sacrament Meetings were inspiring and the Sunday School class at 10 a.m. (between Sacrament meetings) was well prepared and delivered. We felt "spiritually well fed" when we left the building.
Our Branch Relief Society had a "Craft Night" when the gals made L-O-V-E blocks. Since they were doing that on a Tuesday when I would be in Mt. Shasta, the Counselor in charge of the night made blocks for me as she demonstrated the painting, decoupage, gluing, and ribbon-tying. I now have a very nice set of blocks sitting on my mantle proclaiming "Love" to anyone who enters our "home." Such a sweet thing for Sarah to do for me.
That's it for me. Kent might have a few things to add. Everyone - stay safe and warm and keep in mind that summer will eventually get to you.
Smiles from sunny California. It cooled of to 60 F today.
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