Oh the Howling Winds and Elders!

 

Thursday, May 20

Elder Himle and Gabel continue their work on the basement bathroom install.  The sewer comes in five feet from the floor so there was no plumbing in the basement.  This required an up flush (ejector system) toilet.  So they are installing walls, sheetrock and framing beneath the current duct work.  Elder Gabel is quite the story teller and keeps Elder Himle entertained with some pretty funny stories while they work.  

A huge storm blew in yesterday while they were working, so to their dismay at the end of the day they went out to start the truck to come home, and killed the family cat which had climbed up into the engine compartment.  

They both climbed out after hearing this bad sound and opened the hood of the engine and are trying to figure out how to get the cat out as their arms aren’t long enough.  The children see this from inside the house and are calling, “What’s wrong, did you break down?”

They are looking at each other and shaking their heads wondering how to  break the news to them.  They told the mom and then asked the oldest boy to come out as they figured he was old enough to handle it and his arms were skinny enough to get the cat by the tail.  

The boy  came out  and removed it, and then consoled them : “Of all the animals that needed to go, this was probably the best one.” 

They both felt bad about what had happened and wondered if they would be forever remembered not as the missionaries that built the fine bathroom, but the two that killed the cat!

One of the challenges is material and we will be going back to Billings tomorrow for more.  Not only that, there is a budget we have to stay in and it isn't huge, coupled with the fact that there as shortages of everything (post covid). 

Sister Gabel and I went to help setup for a reception in Shamut, Montana which is about a 20 minute drive.  The ranch managers son is getting married in the Meridian Temple this week, and the reception is over the memorial day weekend. So we drove to this tiny town and found the community center and went inside.  It was full of 100 year old heavy tables, benches like you’d expect to see inside of a dugout, church type vinyl chairs (large and small) of every color.  On the left were a set of small bleachers and a tiny stage on the right that didn’t have a curtain.  I wondered how they’d possibly make this look like a reception center.  Most of the sisters from the Relief Society began arriving and then I knew that it would be possible.  The seven of us went to work moving tables, benches, etc., and a country theme began to reveal itself.  They were allowed to setup a week and a half early and it cost them less than $100. I am thinking that this is going to be one of the funnest receptions I’ve ever attended!!

Friday, May 21st

We woke this morning to wind and snow.  It is 7:04 and 26 degrees.  With the windchill, we are at 12 degrees.  I am wishing I had brought my fleece lined blue jeans!  Tuesday we were 85 degrees and slathering on the sunscreen.  I understand that Montana has only two seasons:  Winter and June.  I think this is true as the heater kicks on every few minutes.  The house we are staying in is about 100 years old. It reminds me of my grandparents home that I visited in my childhood.

While the guys worked on the bathroom today, we went into Harlowton and packed the Head Start program as they are relocating.  Afterwards, we volunteered at the library, which is very spacious!  People pop in all day long just to visit and swap tales with the librarians.  Sometimes they come with their pooches, which they allow.

Tonight we are having a couple fro the ward over for dinner.  Apparently, the Brother Swickard helped set up the Polynesian Cultural Center back in 1962.  I will share what I learned on a later post.   

Saturday, May 22nd

Today would normally be our day off, however we were out of supplies again the the local lumberyard didn't have what we needed so we drove the 100 miles to Billings for supplies. We stopped and picked up specialty items at a Plumbing Supply and then went to a store called Habitat For Humanity where we found a vanity, several new sinks, and tile for the shower Elder Gabel will be working on this week. When we left we showed our badges and mentioned that we were service missionaries and asked if they could give us a discount.  The man knocked $86 off of our bill, which was very helpful considering our budget limitations.  They helped us load everything into the truck and then we bowed our heads and gave thanks for the blessing.  We hit Home Depot, Lowes, Costco and Winco and then stopped for dinner at Paneras.  It was nearly 4:00pm and none of us had eaten, so we ordered and tried not to wolf everything down.  Then we hit the road for home sleepily. Wes was able to buy his ice cream and it made it the hundred miles home (it was only 40 degrees outside so that helped).  He was ONE HAPPY MAN to have a huge bowl of ice-cream tonight.  I think he was having withdrawals!  Tomorrow is Sunday and we look forward to a day of rest and meeting with the Harlowton Branch.