Hello to all our dear family and friends!
The great adventure begins! We're here in breathtakingly beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho, the part of the country known as "the inland Northwest." We're definitely in the north country, 60 miles from Canada! Evergreens cover the mountains, yet the elevation is only 2000 ft above sea level. Sandpoint is on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille (pronounced Ponderay), a huge lake, one of the deepest in the country surrounded by miles and miles of forest and mountains. We've only seen a tiny portion of it so far and it's spectacular! We followed the gorgeous Clark Fork River (which feeds Lake Pend Oreille) through Montana on our way here. This is seriously beautiful country! We're in a tiny 1 bdrm duplex in the woods temporarily.
Other than the 17 daunting steps to the front door and the feeling that bears are watching us, it's lovely. Thankfully, when we arrived, the sister missionaries who used to live here met us and helped empty our overloaded little Honda. They hefted our heavy suitcases up those stairs. Bless their hearts! Our place is clean and cozy and quiet. .well, other than nearby highway noise, the occasional whir of train engines and wheels (more than occasional at night, of course!) All a far cry from the sounds that greeted us on our last mission to the Dominican Republic...horns honking, sirens going off, dogs barking, people yelling and turkeys cock-a-doodling all night, every night! So, let's just say it's quiet here! We have well water to drink which is fabulously refreshing! We're lacking a few important amenities like washer/dryer, pots and pans (but then again, who wants to do laundry and cook, anyway!) There's also no internet so we get to go into "town" about 5 miles away to the library or 8 miles to the Stake Center to send or receive email. Hence, our blog is a bit delayed. But we're thrilled to be here! We'll be in our permanent digs in the middle of July. More room and less stairs!
Bill says don't forget to add, "The Idaho spuds here are terrific! They must save the best ones for themselves!" Oh, and we found a little Mexican restaurant on Saturday night to celebrate Father's Day and he had the best "Mole Poblano" since his mission in Mexico too many years ago to count! So I know how to keep him happy!
We attended the YSA branch on Sunday and it was delightful. What great young people! We get to start teaching Institute this week and are recruiting recently graduated high school seniors to join us. Our S&I Coordinator and the Stake President have a lofty vision for the YSA's in this area. We'll jump right in and do our best to assist in this great work of gathering.
I must take a minute to express gratitude to the Lord for the miracle of my brother's life recently being spared. He was in critical condition with pneumonia in a hospital in Boise when we arrived here in Sandpoint. He was placed on a ventilator and going downhill fast. Prayers and Priesthood blessings, fasting and faith and the gracious will of the Lord allowed a miracle. He's off the ventilator now and doing better and getting stronger each day. So, so grateful! All is well with my soul!
Love to you all!
Elder and Sister P
The view outside our front door. It's beautiful up here!
