Stilwell Strawberry Festival

Stilwell, named for the creator of a railroad empire, is the county seat of Adair County in eastern Oklahoma, far outside of the boundaries of Elliot's mission. Too bad, because this coming weekend Stilwell will host a great event -- the 65th annual Stilwell Strawberry Festival.

The festival will have all kinds of fun activities. Early Saturday morning, runners will lace up their shoes for A Run for the Berries, with 5k and 1-mile run options. There will also be a parade and live music performances, including Susie McEntire, choirs from Stilwell High School and Middle School, and the Stilwell Community Choir. At noon, the winner of the Strawberry Queen Pageant will be crowned. Throughout the day, the Tired Iron and Standing Tall Antique Tractor Club will put on demonstrations on Division Street, and there will be a carnival, a horseshoe contest, and arts and crafts. Sounds like a great time.

But the most important part of the Strawberry Festival is the strawberries, of course. Despite last summer's extreme drought, which reduced this year's strawberry crop by as much as 50%, and a frost early in this year's growing season, festival organizers have assured that there will be plenty of red, ripe, strawberries. A number of local growers will have strawberries for sale at the festival. The festival will feature a strawberry recipe contest at noon, with champion strawberry awards and an auction at 2 pm.

As a huge fan of strawberries, I know where I'd like to be Saturday. For now, however, I'll have to be satisfied with a trip to the local farmers market while I dream about Oklahoma strawberries. Here's some great coverage of the strawberry festival from the Tahlequah Daily Press and a feature from the Oklahoman about Mother's Day strawberries, along with a video featuring a fun strawberry pizza. Delicious!

Elliot's May 9 email and pictures

Here's the latest message from Elliot.  He sent some pictures too.  You can see them after the jump.

Hey!

It was awesome talking to you guys too. [We spoke with him yesterday for Mother's Day.] Y'all are awesome and keep it up!

I guess there's really not too much to update you on that I hadn't done yesterday, but I'm excited to be training! [Elliot will get a new companion Wednesday, a brand new missionary straight from the MTC.] It makes me nervous, but I'm more excited. I just wish I knew who he was. Right now he's sitting in a classroom in Provo, UT. I remember being in his shoes like it was yesterday. It's feels like it was practically yesterday.

And I'm grateful for the time I had with Elder Endicott too. . . . I just hope I'm llegando a ser [becoming] the person God wants me to be!

Everything else is going awesome. I'm still loving this area and the works going well. I'm glad to know it's all good back home too! I love you all and thank y'all!

Love,

Elder Elliot Adair

And just for fun I included pictures! One of me in a Model T [for members of the Newhall First Ward, you can see his blue "100 Days" challenge wristband], one of my companion Elder Endicott, and one of an awesome burrito I ate recently at Los Dos Amigos.

Happy Mother's Day!

One of the rules missionaries for the Church live by is that their communication with family back home is limited to a weekly email or letter and two phone calls per year, one on Christmas and the other on Mother's Day.  Those phone calls are precious experiences for the families.  We look forward to them, savor them while they last, and hate to hang up when it's time to let our missionary go.

Since today is Mother's Day, we had one of our calls with Elliot.  It was so great to hear from him and to know that he is doing well and is happy.  He is such a positive person.  He enjoys the people and the culture of Oklahoma, and the entire experience of being a missionary.  Nothing seems to phase him -- not the heat, the humidity, the bugs, and the rest of the challenges he faces.  He sends his best to everyone and appreciates the letters and emails he receives.  We'll talk to him again in December!

And in the spirit of Mother's Day, enjoy a fun video after the jump.

Elliot's May 2 email

Here's the latest email from Elliot.  Six more days until our Mother's Day call!

Hey family!

That's crazy that they got him [Osama bin Laden]. I actually had heard about it this morning and it's a big shocker. I wonder how it'll change tracting and stuff this week.

Okay-so for the phone call next week I'm actually not too sure yet when exactly we can do it. We have possibly 2 dinners that we're going to, and I'm not sure exactly how it'll work out, but I can promise to call after 4 my time, 2 yours. I could probably get permission to let you know later on in the week when I know for sure. Otherwise hopefully I can call later on around 5ish!

The work was kinda slow this week, for some reason appointments were just falling through and stuff. But it was still cool. We got some new investigators and actually still taught quite a few lessons. It's just great when you're out all day, feeling like nothing's happening, and then the very last door you knock before it gets too dark to tract ends up in a lesson. That's the best feeling. Going back to the apartment knowing that you did what you were supposed to, found that person you needed to, and feeling exhausted is the best for me. Nothing like it.

Other than that I'm doing good. I'm getting fed and staying healthy So I'm happy.

Sorry for the short email but I gotta run!

Love you!

Elder Elliot Adair