Games, Games, Games! The first three FHEs of January and this past Saturday night were all game nights (after a FHE lesson). We were introduced to a new board game, Telestrations. Up to 8 can play together. It was fun and gave us lots of laughs. Those that draw well earn lots of points. Those of us who don't, had to be good at interpreting the drawings of others. One night we all played Euchre (Indianans claim it as their official game). Lots of rules - but a fun game for four.

Qwirkle was the hit of the Branch missionary's Saturday Game Night.

Members were supposed to bring non-member friends - but none of them made it. Our YSAs and Elders had fun though. The dad of two of our students gave us a 50 lb. bag of fresh field popcorn. We pop that up for refreshments. That bag will hardly have a dent in it before we leave, depite the frequency of our popcorn consumption.

Gary taught Institute January 16th and 17th. In Marion one of our students has been away learning to be a semi-truck driver. He was back Wednesday night with his big truck. We had 32 here for Institute on Thursday. This is the first time we've had a student with their birthday right on our Institute night. (writing with mini-marshmellows is tedious!) Many students stayed until 10 pm singing hymns and visiting. Four students stayed for another hour - singing Phantom and Les Miserables numbers. Elden is an excellent pianist and is always willing to stay until the singers are done.

We each taught a Munch & Mingle lesson and had one non-member here on Friday. These lunch lessons are getting easier to prepare. We try to focus on applying the teachings of Jesus Christ to their own lives. Sunday was a good day. It began with a missionary coordinating meeting here with the Branch missionaries, full time missionaries, RS & Elder's Q. leader, and a FHE leader. Afterwards we were able to pick up the Tab. Choir broadcast on BYUTV. Sacrament meeting was good. If you want to feel the spirit during the sacrament, try a singles Branch/ward - peaceful and reverent with no distractions. Our priests/Elders do a great job with the sacrament prayers. After the block we were off to a farewell open house for Aram, a missionary who enters the MTC on Wednesday heading to Washington, D.C. north. Then back to the church - for the "Why I Believe" fireside. We heard from a couple who joined in 1982. They told their conversion story. Then we heard from the sister who was baptized last week. She had so many tender mercies happen to her that there is no way she could deny that God was directing her to hear the message of his restored gospel. Choice souls are being gathered. She is looking forward to doing the temple work for her deceased husband.

We were able to walk outside most mornings this past week. One morning we walked through a historic section of Muncie where there are many restored homes. Another day we walked to the old main library. We enjoy getting more familiar with our city.

On Wednesday (garbage day) we donned our throw-away gloves over our warm gloves and picked up 9 grocery sacks full of beer bottles, water bottles, cups, wrappers, etc.. Gary leaned down for a leathery-looking thing and came up with a dead squirrel! It was quite smelly. He got it quickly bagged and to a garbage can at a nearby park. As he walked through the park later, to dump more garbage sacks, he found a folded up $5 bill! That gift, along with a 2 for 1 coupon, bought us each a 6" Subway sandwich on Saturday - with change to spare!

Through LDSSA some of our students passed out hot chocolate to those in line at a local food pantry early Saturday morning. They do that every month during the winter. Hot chocolate is pretty popular here at the Institute now that the weather has turned really cold. Stay warm! Have a great week. Love to all.