Week 19 - Service and Scones

 Hello!

This week passed right on by in a blur. The highlight of the week has been the amount of service we've been able to do! On Wednesday we drove to Bismarck to work on landscaping for the temple. It was such a fun time to do some good work outside and actually get my hands good and dirty. I can't remember the last time I just picked up worms! We're basically professional mulchers and weeders now. The grounds are looking beautiful! It was so nice to be near the temple even if we can't go inside. After some good hours of work, President and Sister Howell fed us lunch afterwards and it was so fun to see them and spend time with other missionaries as well. Seeing Bismarck green was the weirdest thing ever. 

Major service project number two was up at a hunting dog training farm thing. It's owned by members in the other Dickinson ward, and we went and helped to lay down some ground cloth over some sapling trees that were planted earlier in the week. Give it a couple of years and they'll grow into some top class wind blockers! That was one of the weirdest things I learned about North Dakota. It really doesn't just have trees growing. Anywhere. It's a whole lot of fields, and no trees. The only trees you do find are pine trees planted in nice clean rows around the fields and houses. It's the strangest thing. They also gave us some pretty awesome t-shirts for our service, and I cannot wait to go back and help them out again! Driving home, there was nothing but rolling hills, farm houses, and a lightning storm. I feel in love with North Dakota on that drive.

So, I have heard that there are some places around the country that are starting to open up a bit, unfortunately the missionaries are still being asked to keep our distances from people, but we have had one pretty amazing development: MEMBER PICNICS! This week we were able to eat outside with members three times, and it was the single best thing ever. However, yesterday's meal nearly killed me. Why? Because it was a scone eating competition, and if any of you know anything about me, you know that I am competitive as heck. Therefore, I naturally had to eat more than anyone else. Well, I got up to eight and thought that I had it there, but then Sister Van Hoff just had to go and eat eight as well, so I ate nine. I have NEVER been so full in my life. I felt so sick!! The victory was obviously worth it though.

I love you all. Have a great week!

Sister Balls