Our visit to Birney, Montana

A few members on our Colstrip Ward list live in Birney a very small Native town about 40 miles south.

One day in November, we visited there driving through what we learned was Native Birney on to the other settlement of Birney near the Wyoming border 8 miles away on dirt roads. Checking at the small Post Office, we learned that those we were looking for lived in the Native Birney village.

We took time to take in the local sites.  This small church is used by more than one denomination, we learned from a lady walking down the street,  She invited us to go inside saying that it was always unlocked.

We found a few benches and this old pump organ.  I couldn't resist to give it a try.

Elder Allsop was intrigued with the stain glass window and old lesson books.

We learned that there are only 16 families living in the town but others are on ranches a distance out.  We learned that there are grades 1 through 8 with one teacher and only 8 students attend.

Driving back to Birney Village we did find some of our members and had a great visit with a Alex Sandcrane who use to be active.

We couldn't help but notice two very unusual huts which are obviously homes to someone.
 One was across the street from the other and each had recliner chairs sitting next to the huts made of a frame work and covered with tarps and blankets.

This was November 5th, 2014 and we wondered where they would go when colder weather comes.

District Meeting Dec. 24, 2014

District Meeting Dec. 24, 2014

We suggested that if the Elders held District meeting in Colstrip we would treat them to Christmas Eve dinner at our home afterward.

The Zone Leaders who work in Billings, called to say they would like to attend District Meeting too, so we planned on feeding six Elders afterward.

We arrived at the Ward Meeting house at 9:00 am.  The Zone Leaders Elders Organ and Topham came shortly there after.  No one else came.  By 9:30 a short call came in from the Harden Elders Kharazi and Wilden saying they were a little bit lost and low on fuel.  Later we learned that the Forsyth Elders Brewster and Weaver were following them in their truck.  Cell service on the Reservation is really sketchy so calls and texts to them didn't go through.  One other message came through an hour or more later just saying that they wouldn't be making it to Colstrip, but they were ok.

We had figured out that they probably had taken the back roads which on a map looks like a straight good road, ran out of gas and who knows what else.

Elder Allsop came to our house and got a gas can, filled it with fuel and in the meantime he told the Elders to take me home so I could tend the meal cooking in the oven and crock pot then they would make a plan to go looking for them. We decided to sit and eat since everything was all ready. Luckily, before they got off the four Elders showed up.

They had a tale to tell about how they had taken a "shortcut" from Hardin to Colstrip which landed them in a pasture.  Elder Kharazi's truck was low on fuel.  They climbed a hill to see if they could see Colstrip or any civilization.  A grouchy rancher came in a vehicle and told them that he had trouble with trespassers.  He angrily told them to get in and he took them back to their vehicles and told them how to get to another place that could tell them how to get back on the Hiway.  That man helped them and even gave them some gas.  They ended up in Busby then drove on to Lame Deer.

 Aside form muddy pant legs and shoes they were in ok shape, and their appetites didn't disappear either.

Shown above:  Zone Leaders Elder Organ and Topham.

Shown above:  Elder Weaver, Elder Wilden and Elder Kharaze.

So the gift bags shown on the right side of this picture filled with snacks and goodies became less important as they rehearsed the saga of the day.  But they were glad to take one home.

Colstrip Ward Christmas Party 2014

A good attendance came to the Ward Christmas party held on December 17th. 2014.
Elder Allsop and I helped in the kitchen.  Jeff Benson known for his cooking skills with meat was asked to cook the prime rib roasts.  It was interesting watching him baste, sear and cook them.   Served with baked potato, salad and a long table full of desserts, everyone had plenty.

Plans were made to feed about 100 people.  There were 19 tables mostly full.  The cultural hall was decorated lovely with table centers and wall decor by Jeannie Mansfield and Sue Allred.
 The Primary Children sang "Away in the Manager" and other Christmas songs as part of the program. ( bit blurry shot)

The Battle of the Big Horn Site

Located about 65 miles east of Colstrip is the Battle of the Little Big Horn site, also referred to as Custer's Last Stand.

On the way to  right off of Hiway 212 at Busby is this lone Trading Post store.  Next to it is a large, but in badly need of repair, wooden tepee structure.  We need to find out the history on it.

 Besides a Visitors Center, you can take a 5 miles driving tour of the area where the battle took place.  A narration is given by calling a number on your cell phone and listening to the events of that fateful day on June 25-26, 1876 when Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes battled the 7th. Calvary Regiment of the US Army in the Great Sioux War pf 1876.  A force of 700 men led by George Armstrong Custer, suffered a severe defeat.
There is also a large well groomed military cemetery.

At the top of a hill is a large monument and all over the hillside below are small markers showing the spot where various soldiers and Indians fell to their deaths.

Christmas Zone Conference

We always enjoy the December Zone Conference.  Mixed in with a few talks are lots of Christmas musical numbers from the Elders and the Sisters.  Sister Mecham, the mission mom, is very good at music.  She has us divide into the four singing parts for an hour's practice in separate rooms in the Stake house.  Then we come together and sing the three songs we have rehearsed.  It is wonderful sounding.   

After a delicious lunch meal prepared and served my local Relief Society sisters, the three Assistant to the President Elders dressed as Santa, an Elf and a Present come out to allow for photo shoots.  It's a lot of crazy fun.

A group picture is always taken at Zone Conferences

Bread to the Rez Christmas 2014

 Elder Allsop and I began a campaign to make revisits to members of the Colstrip Ward to take a Christmas gift of a loaf of bread as well as a DVD we burned from www.mormon.org

Elder Allsop spent several days burning DVDs.  It required purchasing a new computer and a DVD writer.  We set it up in a spare bedroom in our four bedroom house.  Notice the art work on the wall.  This must have been the bedroom of the home owner's grandson.

We burned probably 120 DVDs

We passed them out at the Colstrip Ward Christmas party held on Dec. 17th. to each family that came.

This is a typical home on the reservation.  Not much attention is given to the yard.

This back door looks like a place where broken appliances found a new home.

We wondered what the story was behind this vehicle that sits in a front yard on Muddy Cluster near the front door of the house.  It is a newer model Prius, but windows are broken out and the inside trashed.

Many know that I love the color lavender.  Well, we discovered a lavender painted home in Ashland.The picture doesn't do it justice, but it really shows up in real time.

 Shoes on the power lines seems to be a novelty on the Reservation especially in Lame Deer.

We see them rather often.  I'll have to find out if it has some deep meaning, tradition of sorts or if it is just kids playing a prank on others.

Thanksgiving 2014

 We Were fortunate to join with family members for Thanksgiving dinner thanks to the generous invitation to Seth and Becky. We drove the 4 hours to Casper, Wyo. and enjoyed a nice break from missionary work.

Cousins ​​Time is the best.

The teens always enjoy getting together. It's amazing how they 'are growing up.

Crew found a favorite past time on the baby grand that plays with a touch of a button.  We all enjoyed clapping for his performances.

There was just time to catch up on one Ander lives.

Many hands helped to prepare the meal under Becky's expert direction.

With 27 or Thanksgiving dinner for us, we had three tables.  There Were the adults, the teens and the Children.

Yum, Yummy meal complete with lots of pie and ice cream.

Sheri and her children Shauntae children, Gavin and Chase were there. Melanie, Brian and family Stockton, Hunter Crew, McKenna and Lexie came. Ken and Kristen and children Ella, Luke, Velva, Rosie and Lucy joined us and or course Seth, Becky Savannah, Kaylah, Ava, Sylvia, and Mariah and us Elder and Sister Allsop.

The Allsop annual family party:

A perfect way to end a great time together. We exchanged gifts chosen because they were one of our favorite things. Much laughter accompanied the fun game that included stealing from someone who had something you wanted.

The Amish community.

A visit to Amish Country

 Located north of Ashland,Montana is a community of Amish people.  It is like going back in time.
We did buy several grocery items from their little store.  There are some homemade baked goods, and preserves, but most of the items are what appears to be damaged packaging or seconds.  The prices were good, and we don't mind a few wrinkles in the packaging.

We were intrigued with the buggies and horse pulled equipment in the Amish yard.  We saw several one horse, Shetland pony size, and buggies being driven by children with even younger children as passengers going up and down the roadways.  Seeing a group of about 5 boys near a building, I got out of the car with camera in hand and asked if I could take a picture.  They declined.  I'm sure they have been properly instructed.  They were dressed so cute like something out of "Little House of the Prairie" TV show.

 On a return visit to the Amish, as I waited in the car a young boy came riding up fast on this pony, dismounted checked something under a pile of wood then got back on and took off.  I was sneaky and got a quick picture of him.



It was interesting to see the white laundry drying on the clothesline behind this house.

Somewhere behind this barn, I could hear children's laughter.  I think there simple life leads to many happy moments.

Our New Home in Colstrip, Montana 9 Olive Drive

Here is our new home in Colstrip, Montana, 9 Olive Drive.  Until the leaves fell, the two large trees in front blocked the front view.

It is much more house than we need, 4 bedroom and 2 bath with a full semi-finished basement. 

 This was all that was available at the time the Mission office people were looking for a place.  Even thought there are several apartment buildings there was no vacancies. This home and most on our Street were once duplexes.  That explains one half the the house is just like the other half except for the kitchen.

 Deer roam freely through this community nestled among rolling hills.  This lovely animal was just relaxing in our neighbors yard and didn't seem to be too spooked when we walked about.  They tell me that they do know when it is hunting season because they come down and hangout in the community knowing it's safe there.

Our beautiful Ward Meeting house in Colstrip Montana.  The chapel is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen with extra wood decor and lighting.  We are just about 2 blocks from the building located on Cherry Street.

A full moon over Colstrip was beautiful on this fall evening as I walked the 2.5 miles with my exercise friends around Crater Lake.

Even when nearly dark it was stunning shining over the Colstrip Power Plant.