February in and around Provo

   Lots of rainy days in the valley means fresh snow in the mountains!

             BYU basketball is usually exciting and suspenseful!

                    Valentine's concert by the Mapleton chorale

Baby shower for Nikki and Garrett Sapp. Nikki has been my assistant English teacher until this term. Janeth, Manuela, Bertha, Rocio and daughter, Valyn, Nikki and Garrett. Beautiful cake made by Rocio

Cousins from 4 families at the rec center: Cordelia,Lucie,Phoebe, Evie

                     Phoebe's favorite animals at the Bean Museum, BYU

Last week at the Provo Temple (sadly, to be demolished and rebuilt; reconstruction is expected to take about 4 years). I have enjoyed accompanying Susan Familiari (left) from the Jamestown retirement group this month. We now attend various temples in the Provo area.

Granddaughter Sister Taylor (right), her wonderful companion Sister Payne (who just came home) and one of their many Swahili-speaking friends in the Iowa City Mission. Kelly is now the only Swahili-speaking missionary in the area. Below she is with 2 new companions at Mandy's baptism.

My grandson Elder de Schweinitz just found out that the good young man he and his companion had taught before he moved to Chicago, was baptized. Great news!

I'm so proud of these young missionaries who dedicate 18-24 months to share the Gospel putting up with rejection, abuse, dogs, inclement weather, fatigue, strange food, language barriers, etc., but keep going, searching for those who recognize the truth, light, joy, love and compassion, guidance,and peace that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ offer each of us and we struggle in today's difficult world.