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More on the VLA

The Very Large Array (VLA) was dedicated in 1980.  Astronomers from around the world use it to study objects from our Solar system to the edges of the known Universe, billions of light-years from the earth.  The telescope array consists of 27

230 ton dish antennas that together comprise a single radio telescope system. 

A Very Large Array

The Very Large Array is an astronomical observatory.  This picture is from the road because I could only take photos with our camera while actually at the sight  because cell phones disrupt the signals on the radio waves.  This one is from the cell phone.  I am learning how to do this, maybe I'll be able to get the really good pictures from the camera soon!  This sight is about 40 miles from our home. 

Be sure to Google VLA and you will be able to learn all about it!

The People and How They Live by Sister Croft

The people here have multiple generations living in each home.  There are some homes here in town and the majority are out on dirt roads.  Every home is heated with wood stoves, so wood is very important.  We have had the opportunity to go wood cutting with a family who generally sells the wood but if there is a family in the branch who needs it the missionaries will get some of that wood and deliver it to the ones in need.  This is critical for the old folks.  The main food at each meal is fry bread and tortillas, with a combination of some meat and potatoes or beans and everything has red or green chilies on it.  Our friend showed us how to make the fry bread and tortillas and gave us wonderful meals from it.  The fry bread and tortillas are made from the same recipe, only the fry bread is fried with lard (!) and the tortillas are heated and cooked on a very hot cast iron flat pan.  (But not fried)  The recipe is basically: 

Fry Bread / Tortillas

3-5 cups white flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups water

I haven't had the cooking experience yet, but we are going to buy the tortilla pan and I will be an expert by the time we come back.

I even cooked dry beans and put them in my taco soup last week.

Speaking of food, we had potluck Sunday on the 24th of Feb.  We had a great turnout!  A few even waited in the parking lot until church was over and then came in to eat with us and their families. 

Everyone loves to eat cookies!  Alot of times when we visit homes we will try to take treats.  That is what the senior missionaries are all about!  We are given names of less active families and we go for a visit.  We try to help in whatever way they need us to help.  Sometimes it is to fix something, sometimes it is to give them a ride somewhere.  Sometimes we read the scriptures with them, but usually for the elderly it is to visit and talk and we always try to have a prayer with them.   

More to come!

Housing Update by Sister Croft

Well, we have been here in Alamo for almost a month now.  It feels better now than then.  When we arrived on Saturday night we walked into a house that had no heat and no usable stove.  We found out a few days later that the fridge worked but never got below 50 degrees.  Thank goodness we had a small electric heater to keep us warm the first day or two.  We would sleep in the bedroom with the door closed and the heater on.  There is a wood burning stove but the pipe that connected to the ceiling was not connected.  So Monday morning we headed to Socorro which is about 60 miles away.  Thank goodness Elder Croft really is McGyver and he was able to fix the stove pipe and we were able to have a fire that night.  He had worked on the furnace but couldn't figure it out and was ready to call the furnace man.  The next morning he got up and said that he had not checked the thermostat.  That was the inspiration that was needed and we were able to get the furnace fixed.  He installed the thermostat and we've been relatively warm ever since.  We got a new stove and the land lady swapped out the warm fridge for one that is noisy but it keeps things cold!  We got a carpet cleaner and cleaned all the carpets and Scott installed towel racks in both bathrooms.  There were none.  It seems as though someone got really mad and went through and trashed the house.  There are three broken windows that are now taped up, a door is off its hinges (been put back on) and there are multiple holes in the walls.  But things are pretty comfortable now.  Can't complain!

Lambs Eat Oats and Dogs Eat Lambs

Actually, mares and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy - but I couldn't help myself!

Mom and Dad helped someone (?) enclose a lamb pen with wood to prevent dogs from getting at the lamb.  Is there a lamb in the photo? Or "Did the dingo eat your lamby?"(reread that in an Australian accent) Mom and Dad feel that it looks more traditional with the additional fortification.  Anyone else care to toss out an opinion? Personally, I think you've got a Rustic Art Nouveau thing going that homeowners in Park City are going to love. 

Sister Croft standing next to a newly redesigned lamb pen - c/o the little lamb protection agency
 Nice Carhart, Mom!

Wow, I don't know about you guys, but the later it gets and the more I post, the funnier I get! Holla at me in the comments section if you think so too!

Prayers of the Faithful

So this is what happens when a Branch President prays for help with the drought.

Big fluffy snowflakes  February 25, 2013