August was a Blur

August came and went in a Blur. I think I spent most of the month in the kitchen cooking, washing dishes or canning. I have been lucky enough to find great deals on produce or have had some produce handed to me so that I could build our food storage up. I am learning that even though it is hard work to can food I am grateful that I know how to do it and most of all so proud of the end result. This year I have canned: blueberry syrup, blueberry pie filling, peaches, peach pie filling, peach jam, grape juice, grape jelly, homemade salsa, and applesauce (I will be caning this next week). I am extra proud of myself since half of the things I have canned I had to teach myself how to do it.

At the beginning of August Stewart and I got a membership at the local YMCA, we have since been swimming together as a family a few times a week. Sophie loves the water and enjoys splashing around. One of us will play with Sophie while the other swims laps. I have been meaning to bring my camera and take pictures of Sophie in the water but it has not happened yet.

Since we have moved to Beckley, Stewart and I have met some wonderful people. We enjoy our new ward and feel so at home with the members here. I mentioned to Stewart it is nice to be in a ward where we are not just another medical student but we are finally individuals. I love it! We were able to go visit the farm of one of our bishopric members. They live about 50 minutes from our house on a narrow windy road. They only live about 30 miles from us, but since the roads are windy it takes longer. When we got there I was a little carsick but I shook it off, and had a great time. Their home sits in a quite little hollow (or holler if you’re West Virginian). They have 4 goats, a horse, 2 beef cows, chickens, 2 bee hives, 2 dogs, a cat, and lots of wildlife including black bears. Sophie loved the animals, she really likes wildlife. We wish there was a zoo nearby so she could see more animals. Anyway we had a fantastic time, they told me us we could come back so I could ride their horse and Stewart could go target shooting.

Sophie was not to found of the horse, I think he was a little too big for her

Speaking of new wards, with new wards comes new opportunities to serve in the church. We moved here in June and in August we finally got a calling. Stewart is now the Ward Mission Leader and I am the Young Women Leader. Both are fairly demanding callings, but we are both excited to serve.

At the end of the month the town of Beckley had a children’s fair one of the events took place at a near by lake called Lake Stephens. Being the adventuresome people we are we decided to take Sophie and visit the lake. We thought there would be more to do but to be honest the fair was lame, so we took a walk down to the lake to play in the sand. If we would have planned better we would have thought to bring our swimsuits. Sophie loved the water, but disliked the sand a lot. We had a fun time together as a family enjoying the last real day of summer.

Sophie did not like the feel of the sand on her toes

Well there you have it, our August happenings. Hugs!