HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all Mothers! We had a nice treat for Mother's Day (Grandmother's Day). Kevin & Dacia and children drove to Muncie this afternoon and brought dinner with them! We had just over 2 hours together and then they had to head home (a two-hour drive) - school tomorrow. That was so sweet of them. They brought me a nice plant for our apartment and a cute birdnest necklace with four eggs in it - since I have 4 kids (and 4 grandkids in their family). The pingpong table here was a big hit! First Sunday at the YSA Branch today (last Sunday was Stake Conference). Thinking today of all the parents with missionaries - who got to speak with them by phone today. Missionaries probably don't realize how much parents anticipate that phone call - until they have a missionary of their own. Yesterday we attended a convert baptism of a young man who is now part of our YSA Branch/Institute. Every month or two, the Elders have another person ready to be baptized. Amazing!! After the baptism we painted (for the next 9 hours). We will be teaching in our newly painted room. Munch&Mingle (or lunch&lesson) is twice a week for an hour at noon and starts on Tuesday. Gary was excited when one of the YM suggested hotdogs for our first Munch & Mingle. Thursday evening will be our first Institute Class - so we will be busy doing final preparations for that lesson this week. Last Monday we had a doozy of a rain/hail storm. Lots of water fell in a short time causing some road flooding. The nickel-size hail was fun to watch as it bounced upon hitting the ground.

Twice this week we took our morning walk on the campus of Ball State University. It was the week between semesters so was very quiet. It is a nice campus, very walkable. Most of the buildings are red brick. The bell tower with carillon bells in it is really nice. The statue entitled "Beneficence" (an act of kindness or charity) was erected in 1937. The winged woman holding a gift box is the logo of Ball State - and honors the five Ball Brothers who gave very generously to Muncie and to Ball State. The statue is affectionately callled "Benny" by the students. Much like becomming a True Aggie at Utah State, legend here is that a female student isn't officially a coed until she is kissed by a male beneath the statue.

Friday we walked by the river and saw 12 large turtles (some at least a foot long) basking in the sun, 6 geese - some on nests - and numerous birds. More adventures await . . .