Early February 2008 Update
This week there was a big FIRST here in St. Louis for me: I ate at White Castle. Lisa had determined that she would never eat there based on someone's description of the food. She never was a Hamburger person, in fact, I can safely call her an anti-Hamburger at a fast-food establishment person. I was swayed in the same direction for my first 2 years and 5 months in St. Louis, but then curiosity got the best of me, as it so often does. I was on my way to a cleaning assignment at the temple from Columbia on Thursday, then realized I had to EAT! The next thing I knew, I was pulling up to the White Castle on Tesson Ferry. I knew it was an important moment, so I told the man next to me. He was so excited for me that he talked about White Castle for 3 minutes straight, and then my food arrived. I was a little worried, as he had mentioned in his monologue that it was definately an 'acquired taste'. What could there be about a hamburger that required getting used to before you liked it?
I took Tommy with me the next day while his brothers were at their Suzuki piano lessons. He didn't go for the burgers either, but liked dipping the chicken from his chicken burger into his chocolate shake. I took a phone video of the event, which was hilarious and cute, but unfortunately deleted it. He gives me the same level of entertainment as Parker and Scott: side-splitting. This week Lisa and I took separate turns cleaning the St. louis temple. There was an internal flood 6 months ago that ruined much of the carpet. Dave Keetch and I couldn't believe the beautiful marble that has been laid in the entry as part of the renovation. I loved working with him, just as I did when we were on the Stake Young Men's together with Russ Osguthorpe (who moved back to Utah right before his dad became a G.A.). Lisa and I both sang as part of ward conference, but not in the same number. She had a solo in a ward choir number that was absolutely beautiful. I felt like I did back at BYU when I was at one of her Women's Chorus concerts - i couldn't stop staring at her! She was beautiful in face and voice. She had a lot of compliments. I want to post one from her email:Lisa,I really haven't gotten to talk with you personally and I'm embarrased to say, that I don't think I have even formally introduced myself, but I just wanted to say that I think you are doing a fabulous job as Relief Society President. I have only been able to be in Relief Society once since you have been called and have appreciated the times you have shared your testimony in other meetings. I admire your positive outlook and enthusiasm for the gospel and life. I can tell that you are full of kindness. You have already been such an example to me. Thank you for your willingness to serve and for your time and dedication. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great week!Christin Maxfield
I took Tommy with me the next day while his brothers were at their Suzuki piano lessons. He didn't go for the burgers either, but liked dipping the chicken from his chicken burger into his chocolate shake. I took a phone video of the event, which was hilarious and cute, but unfortunately deleted it. He gives me the same level of entertainment as Parker and Scott: side-splitting. This week Lisa and I took separate turns cleaning the St. louis temple. There was an internal flood 6 months ago that ruined much of the carpet. Dave Keetch and I couldn't believe the beautiful marble that has been laid in the entry as part of the renovation. I loved working with him, just as I did when we were on the Stake Young Men's together with Russ Osguthorpe (who moved back to Utah right before his dad became a G.A.). Lisa and I both sang as part of ward conference, but not in the same number. She had a solo in a ward choir number that was absolutely beautiful. I felt like I did back at BYU when I was at one of her Women's Chorus concerts - i couldn't stop staring at her! She was beautiful in face and voice. She had a lot of compliments. I want to post one from her email:Lisa,I really haven't gotten to talk with you personally and I'm embarrased to say, that I don't think I have even formally introduced myself, but I just wanted to say that I think you are doing a fabulous job as Relief Society President. I have only been able to be in Relief Society once since you have been called and have appreciated the times you have shared your testimony in other meetings. I admire your positive outlook and enthusiasm for the gospel and life. I can tell that you are full of kindness. You have already been such an example to me. Thank you for your willingness to serve and for your time and dedication. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great week!Christin Maxfield