We survived...

Well, since our last posting, we had a major ice storm hit our area from January 12 - 14. Although it was scary at times, we all made it through okay. Lots of tree damage, and power out for some as long as 2 weeks or more. We were 'lucky' in that our power was only out for 5 days from the 12th until the 17th. There are pictures posted below.


This is a view from the front entrance of MSU

This is a large tree on the front lawn of the
house next door to the BSU

This is a view of a large tree blocking a major street.













I think we have been spoiled by our past 'mild winters', with our last major ice storm hitting in 1987. Now the clean-up of brush begins, with many homeowners still waiting on help getting their damaged trees cut.

As far as the MSU campus, the BSU building was without power for 2 weeks. Although this storm hit the weekend before the spring semester was to begin, a lot of students were still on campus. Luckily most of the international students did not lose power at all or not for very long. However, we did know of one of our students from S. Korea who was by herself in her building with no heat, and had no way of getting ahold of us. Once school began and we were able to get with her, she said it was a very cold and terrible experience. I felt very bad that we did not know of her situation.

On Sunday the 28th, a group of 16 students from India continued a study from last fall when there were only 10 in the group. They begin around 10PM and end around midnight. On Monday the 29th, 55 students attended the first lunch of the spring semester at OTC. It's a good start considering last semester we started with 45 and ended the semester with just over 100 attending. No telling what will be in store for this semester! Hope to have pictures posted soon.

This weekend was the annual Leadership conference in central Missouri. The BSU takes a group of students who are in or want to be in a leadership capacity. It is an uplifting weekend with speakers and various activities. The students are going back to their campuses with an increased desire and passion to make a difference in their community.