Yup!  West Virginia may be a Democrat State but they sure don't like the present Administration.  This sign was outside the door of a local business.  The economy here continues to suffer with all the government regulations that are slowly destroying the Coal Industry...#1 export for this State.  We daily hear of lay offs and see evidence of closed mines, closed businesses and deserted homes.  It is really quite sad.

This day we had quite an adventure.  To visit a family we drove 12 miles down a single lane gravel road and then had to park our car and walk across this 229.5 foot swinging bridge.  Then it was another 1/2 mile to the farmhouse.   :) 

Here are the mountains surrounding our little town of Webster Springs.  This was taken while on an early morning walk while the clouds were still sleeping among the beautiful trees.  We have never seen so many beautiful trees and so many varieties.  They average 1-2 days/week of some rain and it provides moisture needed for the lush forests that are everywhere.  Nothing is dry and brown like the mountains of Central Washington or Utah.  I can see why it is nick named: The Mountain State!

 

Here is evidence of Fall.  Lots of beautiful colors are everywhere.  The trees on the mountains are every shade of yellow to gold to orange to red.  I have never seen such a beautiful Fall.  With this comes a drop in temperature...it is now 40-50 during the day and in the 30's at night.  We are told that twice last winter they were without electricity for at least a week because the ice breaks the millions of tree limbs that fall all over the road and also break multiple power lines.  Hmmm....this could be an interesting season coming upon us!

I am now the Primary President meaning I am in charge of teaching the children age 3-11 for 2 hours every Sunday.  I have one counselor and hope to eventually have another counselor, secretary, chorister and teachers.  For now I teach two lessons and play the piano.  Wow!  We are also growing.  We started with 5 children and last Sunday we had 8!!  There are many more yet to activate.  We are having a great time!

We are teaching the Steele Family.  We sure do enjoy meeting with Diann and Dusty and their two sons, Dallas and Damon.  They live up in the mountains on 190 acres...mainly forest of course.  They have horses, chickens and dogs.  The boys spend most of their day...when not in school...outside and building lots of things that we get to see when we visit.

Here is a good 'ole West Virginia Wedding.  It is complete with suspenders, jeans and cowboy boots. Standing in the middle is the Branch President, Gary Palmer who married them.  Paul, the groom, will be baptized next Sunday.  It has been most enjoyable teaching him and family.  the food was sandwiches, salads and cupcakes.  This was indeed a great event that I was happy to make sandwiches for and be there for the happy couple.  We are indeed living the dream!!