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.

Moving Day from Poplar, Montana

 The Mission home was short handed so they couldn't send a truck and trailer to move us.  So they asked us to rent a UHaul and do it ourselves.  It was an exhausting day.  The Missionary Elders came for an hour to help load the heavy furniture, couch and bedroom set.

                                                                                          Elder Allsop spent the day packing up all of his tools and equipment including lawn mowers while I got the entire house packed up.  Even though I had done much of it ahead, there was more than a few hours of work to pack and clean.
Finally at 7:45 pm we pulled out, and drove to Miles City. We had a nice overnight sleep at the Super 8 then left for Colstrip 80 miles away the next morning.

One last Sunday in Poplar

This was the class my last day teaching Primary in Poplar Branch.  Most of these children, parents were recently baptized.  We just hope the Branch continues to grow and that those baptized remain active and gain experience so they can strengthen the Branch. 

 President Hollom has become a real friend.  We hope he feels that we helped and supported him as Branch President.

We will miss our friends in Poplar, but there are surely new adventures ahead.

Labor Day picnic with friends and visits by our teen friends.

 We hosted a Labor Day picnic in our backyard.  The friends we invited are mostly members of other faiths.  Pastor Susie of the Presbyterian, and Dave and Terry Graham of the Church of the Nazerine, Bro. Bede of the Catholic church, our landlords Don and Donna Gudgel and of course our four missionaries. 

 The weather was perfect for one last gathering before we move next week. We grilled burgers and hotdogs, and Elder Allsop made his yummy dutch oven potatoes, and we had salads, beans and desserts.

 These three 13-14 year olds come to our house after school some days for their cookie fix, Artie, Jessica and Allie.  I have enjoyed their fun silliness.  So if you thought you knew who Cookie Monster is.  You are wrong.  It is Artie on the left.