Here we are in our yellow "helping hands shirts"

Maybe you heard that there was flooding in New York--specifically Silver Creek. Well, our missionaries were asked to go do service for those people whose homes were damaged during the flood.

Here is Sister Dewey on the left and Sister Wolfgramm on the right wearing our Mormon Helping hands shirts. The missionaries were so happy that they had an opportunity to wear these shirts to be a part of the program the church has for helping people all over the world.

Elder Lindblom was the supervisor and got the missionaries into groups

This was one of the houses affected. About a foot of water came into this house so the missionaries had to cut away the dry wall and insulation--about the first 12 inches. The carpeting was pulled up, floors swept and prepared for new plywood in preparation for new flooring.

This was part of the muddy gook that covered everything.

we all met here for our assignments and equipment--shovels, rakes, cleaning supplies

This is where we came to eat a lunch prepared by red cross--beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, desserts, fruits, etc.

These are the volunteers that fed us!!!

Another of the houses that needed the mud cleaned up

Sister Wolfgramm and Sister Dewey shoveled their share

Silver Creek
getting last pictures of Silver Creek

Palmyra

This is Elder L. and I with Griffin Hunsaker one of our YSA who left Tuesday for the MTC He will be serving in Billings Montana mission.

This is where we ate lunch in Palmyra (and of course, we went to Chill and Grill for dessert) and it is fabulous!! We will go there again----we got the calzone and it was aaaaaahhhhhh!!

On Saturday it was Temple day and since our closest temple is Palmyra, we took the whole day and did it up good. We took three of the women from the ward with us to do baptisms for the day. Our new convert, Audrey Anderson, a newly activated, Lidia Fuller and a girl her from Mexico who is a nanny. After the session was over, we picked up the three and went to the Sacred Grove and the Smith Farm area. I think the pictures are self explanatory. We all had a wonderful day. The session Elder L and I went through was with the Hunsakers who had their son, Griffin, one of our YSA, who was going for his endowments .

Our trip to Franklin today

Okey, so today Elder L and I had to speak in Franklin, Pa. As we drove down the streets we saw these amazing Victorian homes and knew there must be a story behind it. So, Here it is:Franklin, Pennsylvania, is a community with spirit. Located in the heart of Venango County, on the banks of the Allegheny River, Franklin sits amid rolling hills and miles of forest, which make the region a recreational delight. Called the Victorian City, Franklin takes pride in its many elegant homes nestled in the heart of the city.
Every major architectural style used in western Pennsylvania from 1830 to 1930 can be found here. From Federal Hill to the stately homes in Miller Park, the Historic District, registered in the National Registry of Historic Places, provides delight and surprises with each new turn along tree-lined streets.

Franklin is rich in history- Its location, at the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny River, was a key spot during the French and Indian War. The French claimed this territory and, in 1753, sent an advance party here to erect a fort. In early December, a young officer in the British forces named George Washington came from Virginia to warn the French that they were trespassing on land claimed by Great Britain. The French defied the warning and built Fort Machault. Here they amassed large forces of French, Indians and boats and planned to mount an attack on Fort Pitt, in what is now Pittsburgh, to reclaim Fort Duquesne for France.Before an expedition could leave, however, word was received that the British were launching attacks on other French forts along the lakes. The French had to scurry north to protect Fort Niagara, after they had burned their fort and supplies here. The British built their own fort, which was destroyed by Indians during Pontiac's uprising in 1763. The fort was burned and the soldiers massacred in a surprise attack. After the American fort, Fort Franklin, was built in 1787, a large tract of land was reserved here by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Andrew Ellicott, who had surveyed for the site of Washington, D.C., had charge of the crew that laid out the city of Franklin. Franklin became a center for world-wide oil production following Colonel Edwin Drake's discovery of oil in nearby Titusville. Unique to this valley, "Franklin Heavy Crude" was sold at a premium price.

Erie 2 Ward picnic

We all got together, in the middle of the rain, but under shelter, most of the time, for the annual ward picnic. Lots of people were missing, but there was a ton of food. I took two casseroles and most of them got eaten. Anyhow, we got to socialize and had an enjoyable time!!
Top right is Elder Lindblom across from him is Bishop Wilkerson, next to him is his son Josh
The woman next to Elder L. is Sis Godfrey, Relief Society Pres, next to her s Tiffany Grubaugh;across from her is Elder Richter
The kids, led by Sis Barb Morrill, had a race to see who could squeeze the most water in the bottles. Every one had a good time with this

Especially the kids and their moms.

Bottom left is Bishop W. and next to him is his son Adam, next to him is Elder Blackmore, who just got here this transfer

Foreground is Sister walker, in back of her is Reese Hunsaker

This is Brother and Sister Nielsen

Elder Ricker in middle, to his right is Sis Wadsworth, to his left is Alise Hunsaker

Sis Godfrey and Tiffany

Elder indblom just could not leave the grill alone In the background is Elder Grant

Sister Wadsworth and Barb Morrill they were on the activity committee

Upper left is Kathy Dinickle, right is Elder L and in front Matt

And here is Matt again