WINTER BLIZZARD

Late last week we started getting  news reports of a big storm coming.  It was forecast that the storm would start midafternoon Saturday with freezing rain and then about nightfall turn to snow.  The snow was expected to continue all through the night and Sunday until 10 PM.  So far, the weathermen have got it right.  They have also predicted that Monday through Thursday will be clear with low temperatures in the single digits and highs rising to 28 on Thursday after three days in the teens.  That layer of ice below the snow will have no chance to melt on its own.

Church meetings have been canceled today as public safety personnel are urging the public to stay off the roads.

Friday evening I (Russell) got word that my temple shift Saturday afternoon had been canceled.  The temple was planning to close by 1:30 PM, after the mid-day shift.  I felt a sense of loss not be I able to serve there the next day.

That evening we also had the opportunity to have dinner with President and Sister Sommerfeldt at Manny’s Mexican Restaurant, in downtown Kansas City.  I came away that evening clearly recognizing two of my favorite things about my time serving here.  I love serving in the temple and I love serving with President and Sister Sommerfeldt.  I am really going to miss them.

Since I was going to be home Saturday afternoon, and most things here were shutting down by midafternoon, I suggested to Eileen that we have a pre-blizzard party. We invited some of the other senior missionaries that live within close walking distance to us over for dinner, which I picked up from the Chinese takeout place near us before they closed.

Two photos posted on the news regarding accidents in the freezing rain. You think the road is clear and in reality it is a sheet of ice. In fact one video showed teenagers playing ice hockey in the street in Liberty.

Windchill factor of -4 degrees. So glad I am not a pioneer living in a log cabin.

Missouri doesn't get much snow. Compared to Utah this isn't much but there is a sheet of ice under that snow.

Our pre-blizzard party. We only invited people who lived close enough they  could walk to our apartment. 

Look at these cleats/treads Sister Dennison had on the bottom of her shoes.  Brilliant!