Cinnamon Rolls and Calligraphy

 I made cinnamon rolls....thinking I had all the ingredients, but I was missing a key element in SK's estimation, the maple flavoring.  I had ordered it on Amazon, but hadn't arrived when I took the rolls out of the oven, so I just made vanilla frosting.  We took it to the two young women who visited us yesterday, with disclaimers about its lack of maple.

They both got back to me pretty soon and loved them.  That's a good thing.  Not my best effort, but I haven't quite figured out how yeast here works....if it is similar to the years I commonly use in America.  I will try them again next week when I have the maple flavor.

I've been working on Travis and Ally's names done in calligraphy for her wedding announcements.  Just their names, and then the rest of the invitation will be typeset.  I have only one metal nib, and have been working with that one, hoping that I don't run out of paper before I get it right.  It is something I truly enjoy, and this seems like a good time to relax with the joy of creating something, even if it is only a few names.

I'll scan them first thing in the morning and send them off.

After delivering our cinnamon rolls, we attended a Family Home Evening.  There were just a handful of us this evening, but three who were attending were not members, so that is a good thing.  They played a game that just naturally gives away to banter and laughter.  I think  everyone had a grand time.

SK likes to point out that this way the first March 22 that we have been in Oxford.  In 2019-2020, we were here from September 21 through March 14, and in 2020 and 2021, we arrived here from September 2 through now.  That means every day (March 15 through August 27) until we leave, we will be experiencing for the first time.

A mission is an interesting event in one's life.  For me, its about counting - to a certain extent.  I mark each 14th of the month, thinking it has been so many months since we left England,  to return to Gilbert.  Then there is the monthly anniversary of the day we came back to England.  I am also thinking things like:  Five and a half months - actually less - til we go home.  

On that last one, it makes me both happy and sad to think about.

The time is going so fast that I just know I will be sitting in our home in Gilbert before I hardly recognize the passage of time.  I am looking forward to these next two weeks, but when they are over, we'll be under five months left.

We had a great zone meeting tonight. One of the Sister Training Leaders conducted the meeting and the training.  She is American, and she knows how to take charge.  They announced that two former missionaries - an Elder and a Sister are engaged to be married.  Everyone kind of hooted and hollered, but I think it is nice.  They'll have so many shared memories of this land.  I have often looked at these young people and wondered if they are noticing each other. 

I can't think of a better place to judge the character of another person.  SK's character has come shining through. He is (as Dave pointed out) a "good man."