Branch Family Home Evenings and Tragic Funeral

Poplar Branch Family Home Evening July 2014

A fun evening with grilled burgers and hot dogs, visiting and volleyball.

A wake and Funeral

The unexpected beating death of Byron Scott was indeed a solemn occasion.  He was a member of the Branch and came often in spite of his struggle with additions. He really will be missed.

Again STAR quilts are used all the time to show love and respect and to honor the living and the dead.  My friend Joilyn Loves Him pieced all of the quilts shown.  The five displayed above were given away after the funeral at the family meal to individuals who were key people in the life of the deceased.

Transfers in July 2014

 Transfers can be a sad time as long time serving Elders are moved to a new area.

We needed to help with this transfer by driving to Miles City with Elders and luggage.

Elder Fuifatu has served in Poplar and Wolf Point 10 months of his mission. He was transferred to the extreme western side of Montana. He is a dear friend from Samoa, but we hope to see him again as he has family in the U.S.A. and even in Utah.

Elder Fuie has served with Elder Frost for much of that time.  He too is Samoan, but grew up in California. 

The Fourth of July in Poplar and the swearing in of Sister Pat Iron Cloud

The Fourth of July in Poplar

Fireworks are a big deal on the Rez.  They are allowed to buy and shoot them off beginning the first of June.  You can hear the pop and bang in every neighborhood.

 

We viewed some spectacular displays from the top of a hill overlooking the Rodeo grounds outside of Poplar.

Some of the Fireworks shot off by the people parked near us where as big and loud as the Poplar City's.

There are few fireworks restrictions on the Rez.

A couple of them exploded very near the ground.

Wild West Days, Pow Wows, and a special Baptism

WILD WEST DAYS               June 20-21, 2014

The highlight for us of Wild West Days was the Pig Wrestling.  Teams of 4 have one minute to catch a pig and drop it in a barrel in the center of the arena.  Starting with youngsters 4-5 yrs. old and moving up to adults, the pig gets bigger and the barrel gets taller.

Young and old male and female slip and slide and even nose dive in the soupy muddy mess.

This team was one of only about three that beat the timer and got their pig in the barrel.

The women didn't stay pretty for long.

Our First Pow Wow Brockton, Montana

The outfits were amazing.

They were all moving so fast that my pictures are blurry.

After the Grand Entry and introductions, competitions began.  We watched the 9-12 yr. girls do the Shawl Dance  by then it was 10 pm and needed to leave so I'm sure that the other competitions went well into the wee hours of the night.

My two friends, a brother and sister, Hayleigh Eagle and Preston Ownspipe were baptized on June 29, 2014

The Elders have been teaching them for several months.

Preston Hollom baptized Hayleigh and confirmed her.

Elder Lynch (center) baptized Preston and Elder Wyatt (right) confirmed him.