June 20, 2015 - Saturday in Carthage

Mom and I had a chance to sleep in this morning, but habits of getting up early are hard to break!  We were still up by 5:30am and had our morning devotional and prayers, and were ready for our long morning walk by 6:15am.  We did not need to be at the Visitor's Center until 12:00 noon today.  It was a very relaxing morning and I even got to slip in a short nap before our shift!

We had some more Idaho Falls/Shelly contacts today.  I have posted a picture of the Winder's here.  They have returned from an 18 month mission to Albania and were coming by Carthage with a group of missionaries they served with there.  

It was so fun to make the connection... they own the Winder's funnel cakes that we have seen in a number of events we participated in with the deli food truck!  Remember the Shelly Spud days and the 4th of July at the Falls, and the Rodeo at Sandy Downs???  They are back after their kids ran the funnel cakes while they were gone.  Now here's the fun fact;  they said to make sure when our children see them at any event, just tell them you are one of Elder and Sister Lasher's family members, and they will make sure you enjoy the funnel cakes... on them!  Take them some deli coupons and tell them hello for us!  

Here is their picture from their visit today:  They were so very kind and they love Gandolfo's!

And just a little while later, in walked Dr. Hamer with his family!  His sister was just married in the Nauvoo Temple and they were here to support her!  He is the kids doctor for both Ali and Jared and Josie and Tom and he remembered both families!  Here is their family picture!  Mom gave them the tour...

We seem to have had a little more of a quiet day.  Must be because of the Father's Day weekend.  We will see how tomorrow goes, but today was our slowest day so far this month.  It has been such a great week with our large groups of youth and families coming to Carthage.  

There were so many faith promoting experiences with many of the missionaries this week, and it has been such a great blessing on our testimonies!  With our youth groups we have had young men make the commitment to return home and be better prepared to serve missions.  We have had parents become emotional when their sons and daughters realize the great sacrifice and love that Joseph Smith had for the Saints.  

The experience in the martyrdom room is really a point of no return.  You must make a decision as you leave that room to be better and do better in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Spirit of that room is not only filled with Joseph's and Hyrum's love, but it is filled with Heavenly Fathers love for all His children!  You can never be the same again after being here.  Mom and I know that first hand.

Thank you for checking in with us tonight and thank you for your love and support of two Senior Missionaries who love and miss their families and friends so much!  But we know we are where we are supposed to be and we will work hard to fulfill the full purpose we have of being here.

Happy Father's Day to Bob and Tom and Josh and Jared and Doug and Pop Pop and Tony and Will and Dougie and to all of our family and friends!  We hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow and we will be thinking about you!