Summer Picnic

Each year the ranch has two social events for the employees and their families: a summer picnic in July and a Christmas party in early December. The summer picnic was held on Saturday, July 2nd at the Rodeo Grounds. The elders spent Friday and Sat. A.M. cleaning up the rodeo grounds and helping the sisters "decorate". The missionary couples were also enlisted to man the snow cone concession. After a dinner of hamburgers ("BEEF - It's what's for dinner!"), hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, chips, and a variety of desserts, there were arena games (some on horseback!) with fireworks as the finale of a wonderful evening.

 Although, we worried about rain because of the late P.M. storms we have been having, a short rain came in the middle of the day resulting in perfect temperatures for the picnic.



Entrance to Rodeo Grounds





Elders Appel, Manning, and Yates clean up the place.
(Elder Kennedy is busy off camera!)




Sister Yates sweeping the deck around the tree.




Sister Manning putting on tablecloths.
(We won't do that next year!)




Red, White, & Blue decorations!




Water Slides for the kids




Ellie Anderson (ward organist) & son Ian




Bishop Jim Campbell & wife Terri




Chad Smith & daughter Maya (9) head for horse race starting line.




Winner of Horse Race: Bishop Campbell by a nose!




Pie Eating Contest




Snow Cones!!

 




Arena Games (Egg Toss maybe?)



Sparklers

Watching fireworks from the back of a pick-up truck!

New Calling

When SK joined the church 40 years ago, her first calling was in Primary teaching a CTR class of 7 year olds. Now after various callings in Primary, Young Women, Sunday School, Scouts, Seminary, and Relief Society, she's come full circle and has been called to teach the same class! What a nice change! No presidency meetings, no PPIs with Bishops or *Stake Presidents, no ward or stake council meetings, etc, etc!! She suspects they'll teach her more than she will teach them and she will welcome that.   Primary

(*Pres. Emery, if you are reading this, meeting with you was pure joy!)

"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isa. 54:13



L-R Adam(visitor), Melanie,Kaylee, Mary, Tia, Charly, Rawdon
Not Shown: Holly




Ellsworth Ward



*Ellsworth Ward is located on the ranch about 6-7 miles from the visitors center where we live. It's a great ward and we are enjoying getting to know all the members. The Mannings have been called as advisers to the Young Single Adults; the Yates' are serving as ward music chairman (her) and asst. 11 year old scout leader (him); and the Penningtons will be teaching the temple preparation course. Sis. Manning is also the sacrament meeting chorister. She plays the piano and organ and has already played a wonderful piano duet with the organist in sacrament meeting. Hopefully more are planned!

* The ward was named after Leo Ellsworth, a developer of agricultural and livestock operations in central Arizona, who managed the ranch from 1954 - 1968. He had the vision and experience to develop and manage a large tract of wasteland and make it productive.

Busy June

Our first Zone Conference was June 7-8. Elder and Sister Estes came from SLC. Elder Estes interviewed each couple, offering counsel as necessary. We had lunch on the porch of the Carroll House and then moved to the Ellsworth Ward building for our formal meeting. The theme for the conference came from Proclaim My Gospel, chapter 6, "Christlike Attributes" and was presented by Sister Estes. Joe Snider, the Housing Foreman, acknowledged the contributions of the elders to the ranch, each missionary couple bore their testimony, and Elder Estes was an inspirational concluding speaker. The day ended with dinner at Carraba's Italian Grill in Palm Bay.   Preach My Gospel

The next morning we piled into the tour bus for a tour of the ranch which included all of the elders' work projects completed or in progress, the missionary apartments in the 4-plex, and the Sungrove area where the handcart treks take place. The Estes brought their 11 year old grandson, "Luke". After lunch on the porch again, Elder Estes and Luke went on an airboat ride while the sister missionaries showed Sister Estes everything we had made to donate to the Osceola Council on Aging for distribution to various agencies in Osceola County. (Quilts, childrens clothes & toys, baby items, etc.)



Elder Yates explains new electric panel installed at water pumping station.
(Elder Kennedy with suspenders)

   


Elder and Sister Yates' apartment living room.

 




Elder Kennedy and Elder Manning (right) explain 
remodeling being done to a cowboy house that houses interns.





Elder & Sister Kennedy "help" Luke pull a handcart!



The day after Zone Conference ended, we flew to Ohio for Frank's graduation from the University of Cincinnati on June 10th. He now has an MBA in accounting and is doing an internship for ATSG,Inc., the parent company for ABX, wife Dawna's company. Now they actually ride to work together! Sue's brother Bill and his wife Ann also joined us for the ceremony. We were so grateful we could leave the ranch for this important occasion.

Also, on Sunday June 12th, Frank was ordained a High Priest by his Father. Another not-to-be-missed family occasion. Priesthood