We stopped by Crater Lake on our way home from Medford. The lake looks so serine. The temperature was about 35 degrees and we didn't have coats. It was definitely worth freezing for this view. 

It was quiet and I'm sure we were the only ones up here at the time (I'm sure regular people were keeping warm somewhere else).

"So,  if I had my 5 iron, how far could I put the ball out there?"

 The words "High on a Mountain Top" come to mind.

My smile is really my teeth chattering! But this was SO worth it!

We used a timer to take this picture, it looks like we are all tilting and ready to fall off...but we didn't.

 The newest additions to the OEM, the greatest 

mission on earth.

Elder Best

Elder Fernlius

 Elder Scott

 Sister Stenberg

 Sister Linstedt

 Sister Murdock

 Sister Sands

 Elder Jarrard

 Elder Billmire

 Elder Chang

 Elder Strech

Sister Hall

Elder Kimber

Elder Sorensen/Elder Jarrard                Elder Fernlius/Elder Watson

Elder Kimber/Elder Ross                        Elder Chang/Elder Blair

Sister Murdock/Sister Hillner                   Elder Billmire/Elder Pickett

Elder Anderson/Elder Best                     Sister Linstedt/Sister Chalfant

Sister Roylance/Sister Stenberg             Sister Sands/Sister Doughtery 

Elder Scott/Elder Jardine                         Sister Duenas/Sister Hall

Elder Fowler/Elder Strech

We love our missionaries!!

Last night we were privileged to attend the baptism of Emelie DeCordova. She is a wonderful lady that we met in Coos Bay.

 Sister Peterson and Sister Healy with Emelie

 Sister Russell, Emelie, President Russell

President Russell was asked by Emelie to perform the baptism

Elder Spencer, Emelie, and Elder DeGraffenried (performed the Confirmation)

Elder DeGraffenried was with another companion when they received a referral for Emelie. She was so ready to hear the gospel!

The OEM welcomes our newest Elders to the best mission in the world! Great selfie, Elder Hyde and Argyle, but who's driving the van??

The Santa Clara zone held their mini Olympics

The missionaries on the bench had a shower cap that has shaving cream on it, the others are throwing Cheetos and whoever got the most to stick wins!

This is the marshmallow 'stuff'. The winner is the district that can stuff the most marshmallows in their mouth at one time.

 This event is a new one, we're not quite sure what that was all about.

 And the winning district got hamburgers!

 Humble winners.

 The Santa Clara zone!! Way to go!

President Russell with his two counselors;

 President Lowary and President Cropper

In Coos Bay September 30, 2014

On September 24th we went to the Portland Temple with our wonderful missionaries who are going home: Sister Miller, Sister Nealy, Sister LeSueur, Sister Fluckiger (not going home), Sister Neilson, Sister Phillips, and

 Sister Labrum,

Elder Johnson, Elder Sudweeks, Elder Bethea, President Russell and Sister Russell (also not going home), Elder Hansen, Elder Tanner, Elder Fluckiger (not going home), and Elder Ohlwiler.

The are the BEST missionaries and we will miss them!!

Sister Nealy and Sister Phillips, holding on to a sure foundation!

Earlier that week, President Russell in his office. Behind him is the name and picture of every missionary in the OEM and where they are serving.

We went to the Medford Temple on Saturday,September 27th with Sister Moore, Sister Clawson, President and Sister Russell, Sister Partridge, Sister Miller, Elder Taylor, and Elder Berry. It was a perfect day.

**********

We went to Coos Bay on Monday and had a few minutes to see the ocean.

The ocean was so peaceful

 This is Table Rock, one of the many landmarks on this beach. 

Another landmark is Elephant Rock

There are many beautiful lighthouses!

Our MLC was held in Coos Bay. 

Lunch is always everyone's favorite part.

 A way to relax and enjoy a little small talk.

The Elders saw a chance for a photo-op.

 Can you say, "Cheese.....burrito?

 That was a great appetizer, when's lunch? 

What a spread! They feed us incredibly well.

Elder Hyde and Elder Argyle said, "We are the APs, we should look bigger than everybody else. 

And they did!

********

 At the end of the MLC, President Russell took the mission leadership to  a lighthouse.

 It was good to have the Elders inside the lighthouse so they weren't playing on the jagged rocks.

"Be the lighthouse for the Lord,

                Bring them safely home" President Russell

...And then they got crazy.