Jake's Brazilian Birthday 2010

Who is that tall, skinny gringo? That's the elder formerly known as Jake Halgren celebrating the end of his teenage years. He turned 20 (not a typo) on November 14, and Jake told us that one of the members made sure that everyone in the ward made sure that everyone knew that he was having a birthday. This led to a combined party celebrating his birthday and his Elder Melo becoming a ZL and leaving for a new area.


Jake had the ultimate birthday present that a missionary can have: a baptism! Here he is with his companion and the Farraria Ward's newest member: Mateuzinho. He was excited although he'll miss his trainer companion (Elder Melo) as he moves on. His new companion, Elder Do Carmo is a native of Brazil as well.

Van Versus Can Opener

We had been debating about keeping both the van and the Taurus, but we had the oil leak fixed and I reclaimed the opaque headlight on the van so we decided that that it was a keeper.

That was then...this is now.

Tracey had a meeting in the Bozeman Chronicle parking lot---with a semi-trailer. No, there was no damage to the semi-trailer---it was just parked in the wrong place. It took a wrecker several long tugs to extricate the van from the trailer. I drove the van home and I think I convinced myself to keep it since you get some interesting looks from people. They definitely give you a wide berth.

And for you speculators out there---no, Tracey didn't fall asleep. It was just the result of a frenetic lifestyle and trying to cram too many errands into her quick trip to town.

We're just glad she's fine!