Week 16
We had a busy and eventful week.  On Monday we played volleyball in FHE, and Elder Kerr actually contributed!

He's a good blocker

I don't recall if I mentioned earlier that we knew it would be wise to have a doctor in Stillwater, but you can't just go to the doctor--you have to audition (ok--not really, but that's what it felt like). In December we went in and filled out forms, then the doctor looked them over and decided if he'd take us on as patients.  We got calls a couple of days later saying we were accepted.  Then Part 2 is to actually go in for a new patient visit, and the first available were in February.  Mine was a couple of weeks ago and Kerby's was Tuesday.  It looks like we both passed and now have a physician in town if the need arises.  He's actually very nice and thorough, it just seemed funny to have to go through "try outs" to get a doctor!  

Speaking of auditions, we've tried out three hairdressers since we got here.  We went back to the third one on Tuesday evening, so I guess she passed and we'll just go to her from now on.  It's pretty traumatic finding a new stylist after going to the same one for 15 years.  Of course Kerby didn't find it traumatic at all, having never gotten terribly attached to any barber.  He does find it a bit odd to sit in a beauty salon and have his hair cut by the same person who does mine, but that's just what works best on missionary schedules.

Thursday was a ward temple trip for baptisms.  Elder Kerr helped in the baptistry, but I did a session with Heidi, who did work for her grandmother, and another young woman who was also pretty new to the temple.  Great day.

It has been our ward's turn to clean the church building every week in February, so we helped with that on Friday.  Afterward we enjoyed steak and baked potatoes compliments of Jake.  He's working on a PhD in animal science, and these were "research steaks" that he grilled outside the building while we cleaned.  

Really not nice to say "look over here" when your spouse has a mouth full of steak

Friday night was the "Evening With a General Authority" for all CES employees and volunteers.  We watched at the institute building with seminary teachers from the stake.  The first speaker was Elder Kim Clark, acting in his capacity as Commissioner of Church Education.  He said that we have to do better and be better than ever before in teaching the youth and young adults.  He shared "The Parable of the Nursery Leader" to teach the principles of faith, hope, humility, and love in teaching seminary and institute.

The primary speaker was Elder M. Russell Ballard, who reminded us that our purpose is to help build unwavering faith in the lives of our students as they navigate a world that is increasingly hostile to faith, family, and gospel standards. His talk was superb and long, so I'll just share a couple of highlights. He said that unfortunately, many young people in the church are more familiar with google than with the gospel, more familiar with the internet than with inspiration, and more familiar with facebook than with faith.  They need to be inoculated with faithful, thoughtful, and accurate interpretations of history, doctrines, and practices as they go into the world.  He counseled us to avoid getting off course by periodically having a personal interview with ourselves using 2 Nephi 26: 29-32, Alma 5: 14-30, and D & C 121: 33-40 to guide the process.  Another great meeting.

Saturday was the Black and White Dance--a regional YSA dance sponsored by our stake.  It was held in the OSU ballroom.  Since it's easily been about 40 years since I've been to a dance, I'll simply say they have changed a whole lot!  Apparently having a dance partner is not part of the process any more--nice to avoid any sense of being a wallflower, but not really helpful for getting to know people.  At first it was kind of funny to watch groups in little circles dancing--mostly guys in one group and mostly girls in another.  Finally the groups got larger and integrated.  We stayed about an hour and a half, and actually danced several times (we also actually danced together).  The only song I recognized was Footloose.  It seemed like everyone really had a fun time.

A big clump of dancers--not partners

One last note--my nephew, Dave, was called as the bishop of his ward last week.  Kerby's son, Eric, and my nephew-in-law, Lonn, are also serving as bishops right now (my other nephew, Spence, was released as a bishop last year).  Kind of neat to have a family full of them!