31 May 2018 - Thursday

31 May 2018 - Thursday

Wow!  The last day of our first full month here in the mission field!  And what a full day it was as we had the opportunity to shadow host our first group of trekkers.  We were being shown the ropes from a missionary couple who have been here before, so the experience was very helpful.  However, I am looking forward to just Granny and I doing this together going forward!

Actually our day began with our wonderful morning routine of prayer and scripture reading together.  What a great way to begin the day!  Then I took my three mile walk along the entry road to the Missionary Village.  It was in the low 50's this morning, and nearly perfect temperatures for my morning constitutional!  I did catch another great sunrise;

The puffy clouds adds a nice morning touch!

By 7:15am we were off to open the Visitors' Center at Martin's Cove.  We had the 8:00am until 1:00pm shift and then over to the Outfitting Center to meet the trekking group from Montana.  They finally arrived at 2:00pm.  They had about 200 trekkers and support people with them.  It was a good sized group and they had good attitudes as far as I could tell.  Remember I was shadowing a veteran!  I tried to listen intently and learn as much as I could.  Some of his information the Elder was giving to the trek group was not all that accurate, but you can tell he loves being here, and being the "go to" man for the trekkers.  Here are some pictures I took of our group;

Getting the handcarts ready for the anticipated group!  Beautiful skies!

Gathering for the Fort Seminoe presentation of 200 trekkers

Our first stop on the three mile trek to the Cherry Creek campground

We got them out to the Cherry Creek Campground within an hour.  The Elder and Sister and the Camp Host missionaries wanted to accept an invitation from this group for dinner.  Mom and I were ready to head home, so we respectfully declined.  Those hungry teenagers, I am sure,  were very appreciative of not having to feed two more people!  And mom and I were tired, and ready to relax for the evening, in our little living space here in Missionary Village.  And I was so anxious to get those boots off my feet!  I am not convinced they were the best investment!  

The folks mom and I got to talk to were very nice, and so willing, and anxious, to give these youth a special experience!  We will join them tomorrow at the campground at 7:30am to get them ready for their major trek tomorrow.  That part of their experience here will cover another seven or so miles, and then they will come back to this same campground for their last night here at Martin's Cove.  

They will then head back to their homes in Montana after a lunch stop at Sixth Crossing on Saturday.  It has been a great day and we are so thankful to have had this experience with them today!  It will just keep getting better, and we will share these experiences here in the coming days and weeks!

30 May 2018 - Wednesday

30 May 2018 - Wednesday

We have arrived at the last day of training for the trekker groups.  Tomorrow we will welcome two groups from Montana and Wyoming,  A third group arrived at Sixth Crossing today from Utah.  Our busy season is about to begin!  We are excited!   

But to begin our day, we had our daily morning prayers and scripture reading.  I got up a few minutes earlier than usual and was able to be out on my morning walk by 5:40am.  The morning air was clean and so fresh from last nights rain.  I got two morning pictures to share;

The morning sunrise to the east on a cloudless morning!

And the setting full moon to the immediate west sky!

It was a remarkable walk, this morning, as I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, in the mid 40's temperatures.  I was able to complete the three miles in under 50 minutes, but I have not yet broken the 45 minute barrier!  I have cheated a few days by jogging part of the way, but I keep thinking that if Granny knew, I would be shot!  So please don't tell her!

Then we had our correlation meeting at the Homestead at Martin's Cove.  We then had a two hour dress rehearsal for the welcoming of the trek groups, and reviewed the duties of each missionary involved.  Look at all the missionaries it will take to welcome each group this summer;

The welcoming committee!

Our welcoming group heading off for the dress rehearsal

We all will have specific assignments as each group arrives.  Mom and I are especially excited to be the trek hosts.  That responsibility allows us to be with the group from the beginning of their stay here at Martin's Cove, to the end of their stay, as they leave for either Sixth Crossing, Rock Creek, or back to their homes.  It was fascinating to actually have a practice session with all those involved.  Both mom and I feel so much better prepared for the experience and the mechanics of the trek.  Now we can focus on the youth that we may be able to reach out to!  Yea!

Then after our dress rehearsal,  we had lunch and finished up some work assignments.  We got the final port-a-potties sanitized.  Then we cleaned up a full barrel of aluminum cans, for recycling, and finally, dealt with a few more weeds at one of the residential areas.

These port-a-potties are actually snake proof.  They can't come up into the potty!

This picture reminded my of my Nana when she worked in her garden!

We were talking about favorite childhood memories as we were working this afternoon.  I remember my Nana, Madeline Josie Howard Jones.  She would always bend over her garden as she pulled weeds.  I always wondered why she did not kneel down to do the work.  Now that I am near her age, that she was then, I know why she did not kneel down!  It is way too hard to stand back up!  Experience and age tend to help us better appreciate our loved ones!  And I so loved my Nana!!

And, here are some pictures of the Sweetwater River and areas around Martin's Cove.  The area is absolutely beautiful, and it is so ready to share sacred experiences with the thousands who will come this summer.  Mom and I are so excited to share, with each of our families and friends, the marvelous experiences that we are having and learning about.  Take a look at these pictures;

Mr. Groundhog absolutely mocking us as we drive by.

Our first sighting of a baby antelope this morning

Some local ducks taking off from the Sweetwater River

A strategic view of the flowing and winding Sweetwater River 

Elder Criddle giving the history of Fort Seminoe to the committee

Every senior missionary is dedicated to given their best.  What a privilege it is to serve with so many good people.  This will be a good summer!!

I want to close with some P-day dates for those of you planning on coming.  The time you spend here with us this summer will be life changing for you and for your children.  We will do our best to make sure this happens!  If you don't think that you can fit in a visit here, please reconsider.  The entire experience will be an answer to the Sacrament prayer portion that says, "that they may always have His Spirit to be with them"...  

The way that the experience is put together, coupled with the individual, and group, preparations prior to coming, will give you an inside glimpse to the reasons these precious pioneers went through so much opposition to, "become better acquainted with God".

Here are the dates of our prep days.  Come a day or so before the prep day so that we can be together on our day off.  Let us know of your tentative dates so that we don't have more than one family to share our accommodations;

• June:  2, 9, 18, 25
• July: 2, 9, 16, 23
• August:  11, 18, 25
• September: 1, 10, 17, 24

We will be assigned to Rock Creek Hollow from August 2 to August 9.  We will be living in a trailer there for that week and will not have a P-day.  I am sure we will be more flexible in our schedules after the middle of August!  Thank you for checking in with us tonight!  Let the trek's begin!

29 May 2018 - Tuesday

29 May 2018 - Tuesday

Our day started off as does most of our days.  Mom and I had our morning prayers and scripture reading together.  It is a wonderful habit to get in to and the prayers are always directed to help us and our family continue striving for our eternal goals.  We love these challenges that we come face to face with each day that will help us draw closer to our Heavenly Father.

Mom and I had separate assignments for today in our correlation meeting.  Mom was part of the group of missionaries that gave the school tours.  I was assigned to help another Elder with his project.  After the meeting this Elder came up to me and said his project was still in the planning stages so my help was not needed.  How fun is that to know you are not needed??

So I regrouped and went with Elder Taylor and Elder Tuescher to help with some road repairs.  Elder Tuescher is a heavy equipment operator and Elder Taylor has had experience working with some pieces of heavy equipment.  I was just an Elder that wasn't needed....  sooooooo here is what I ended up doing today!  Tommy, try not to be too jealous!  

Look at this bad boy!  Holds a full 5 yards....maybe

Maddie that look is for you!!

And then there was the steam roller!

Yes, Tommy, I drove a dump truck today!  Well, maybe not a FULL size dump truck, but oh what memories!  Jared may be a little jealous as well!  I was able to haul four loads and then give the roller a little run.  But the roller did not want to keep running!  It did make a good picture!  What projects do they have in the future where they don't need me???  Remember the big boy trucks?? Those four loads were about one load for The Dumping Crew!!

As we were relaxing after our scheduled work day, mom and I took another three mile walk around Missionary Village.  As we were just finishing up the walk, it began to rain.  We have the best view outside our living-room window!  Check it out;  Lot's of rain that lasted about ten minutes...

This is the view from our living-room window.  Unobstructed!

As we look out the window, we usually have the blinds down.  But since it was raining so hard, we opened them up for the full view.  That field is the area at the foot of the mountains where the handcart pioneers were taken by the wagons after leaving Martin's Cove on November 9, 1856.  They were partially frozen, starving and worn out from their travels.  The wagons were a welcomed relief, except they were not getting the circulation they needed to help stay warm.  Isn't it interesting that there are so many challenges, in our lives, that remain, even after relief has come? 

I keep thinking how Heavenly Father helps us along the way as much as we need.  Then, as we give thanks for that relief, He is ready to give us more.  We can learn so much from these precious pioneers and how they were always so quick to thank Him and praise Him in their afflictions and afterwards.  It has been a testimony for me at how they stayed positive and so willing to go through these challenges, and then tell their grandchildren that they hoped they would learn from their trials and be strengthened by them throughout their lives!

Just a few minutes ago, we got called on the radio to check the weight of our fire extinguisher.  I had no idea the extinguishers had a weight rating.  So the person asking for this information told me to ask another missionary here at Missionary Village that information.  She added, "he knows how to read them".  That made me feel like a dud, so mom looked it over, and, in the fine print, found the information.  I called her back and then I became the new expert, and was asked to help three other missionary couples read their extinguishers!  To be honest, I have never been involved with such a magnificent transition in intelligence!  Thus, my new intelligent picture;

Have fire extinguisher will train

And that's the way it was today for two senior missionaries who love you very much!  Thank you to everyone who checks in with us on our blog!  These experiences are so much fun and life changing!

28 May 2018 - Monday

28 May 2018 - Monday - Memorial Day

In our correlation meeting this morning, our mission president, President Pace, was wondering what you say to someone on Memorial Day.  For most holidays we say something to the affect of "Happy..."  But for Memorial Day, the only greeting I think is important is, "Thank you".  When we stop and think about the sacrifices our veterans have made of time away from family, being put in very dangerous situations, having your body face harm and disfigurement, and considering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, "Thank you" just doesn't seem sufficient.

I was up early this morning and ready for my three mile walk after our morning prayers.  The rain and coolness of the storms from last night were so refreshing!!  The morning air was crisp and so fresh!  I keep looking for the baby antelope as I make my way to the highway and back.  There were no baby sightings today, but I did get this morning sunrise;

The morning sunrise to the north and east of Missionary Village

The view to the south and west of Missionary Village this morning.

I sure enjoy the beautiful morning walks and I am still trying to complete the three miles in 45 minutes.  It is not an easy task!  But I feel so invigorated with this routine, and I am looking forward to trekking with the groups coming this week!

Mom and I were trained in one of the last areas of work duties behind the scenes here in the mission field.  We went out with the Teuscher's and learned how to pressure wash the campground restrooms.  This was no easy task with the water truck, affectionately called, "Wilma".  The truck is so hard to start and sounds like it is going to die at any bump coming!  And it carries about 300 gallons of water!  

As we were attending to the duties of this assignment, we were in the process of checking and spot cleaning the restrooms at the Cherry creek campground.  And guess what we found??

Mom the detailer!

That pole I have in my hand.......????

Got me this baby rattlesnake about 36 inches long

Sister Teuscher walked into this restroom at this campground and, when she looked around, this rattlesnake was curled up on the mouse bait in the corner.  Now, this snake was in a striking position and she was able to walk in and walk right back out without getting bitten.  We all knew that the angels were protecting her in that moment of vulnerability.  We were extremely thankful for her being spared harm!

I grabbed the snake catcher and, for the first time, used the instrument in a live situation!  This campground will be occupied by over 600 youth this Wednesday and Thursday!!  We had six restrooms that we checked at this campground, and this one room was the only one occupied by this varmint.  There was a small hole in the weatherstripping, and he got in through that hole!

Here is an action shot of the power washer

As we were winding down the day, we stopped by the last monument overlooking Martin's Cove just behind me.  Those clouds behind me were gathering for another storm.  I got one other picture of the darkness of the gathering clouds just over the Martin's Cove area;

This is such a special and sacred place as we look over Martin's Cove

And finally I took two final pictures of our most favorite activities.  It comes, periodically, as we have a few extra minutes.  And this is one of the activities that sustains us as we stretch ourselves in service here in the Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission.  And one of those activities is when we get to talk to our precious family members! -

A moment we cherish in talking to our family!

Then the equally best activity ever is a letter from home!  We got some mail today from Cody and Maddie!  Yea!  The letters were wonderful and will go on our family wall in the trailer! Cody your writing is getting really good!  Nice work!  And Maddie your cursive writing is getting really good, too!  Thank you for sending us your letters and your love!   

I hope you get to see Grandpa's rattlesnake pictures!!  You asked about the rattlesnakes in your letter, Cody, and we got one on the same day we got your letters!  Can't wait to see each of you this summer or fall, here in this wonderful area, where sacrifices were made daily by many faithful pioneers.

27 May 2018 - Sunday

27 May 2018 - Sunday

Mom and I ended our weekly fast this morning with our favorite breakfast!  I could not help but think about the fun times we have had over pancakes, eggs and hash browns with our families!  Even though I have sworn off whipped cream, I think I might indulge as a reward to coming home at the end of our mission here!

Today we had the darkest of clouds.  The thunder and the lightening were intermittent but still very powerful.  I took a picture out the window of the car as we were driving back from our church meetings;

I was hoping to catch the lightening in at least one of these pictures!  Right now the rain and the wind are playing with us as the storm brews.  And this evening, mom and I are going over to the Gilliland's for a movie.  Mom negotiated a 5:30pm time slot!  We have come to really enjoy the Gilliland's.  She is the mission nurse and he does the roadwork around the mission driveways.  They are from Colorado and this is their first mission.  We met one of their daughters a few weeks ago and we are looking forward to you meeting them when you come.

The church meetings today took on a bigger crowd than we have seen to date.  There were about 175 in the Sacrament Meeting.  And we had Sunday School for the youth, and Primary for the children, as well.  I think you will all enjoy coming here for the Sunday meetings.  Granny and Grandpa will try to attend the classes where the kids go after the Sacrament Meeting.  

Coming up on June 10th, Granny and Grandpa are speaking in Sacrament Meeting.  We are both pondering our speaking assignment since we are not given a topic.  Mom already has hers written and I am working on some adjustments.  It will be fun to speak to our group of missionaries here, and the visitors that will be here on that Sunday!  The missionaries at Sixth Crossing also meet with us here at Martin's Cove on Sundays.

I want to address the line from the Sacrament prayer; "that they may always have His Spirit to be with them".  I think about that promise so many times and wonder, how is that possible to always have His Spirit to be with us?  I continue to get insights from my morning walks and from our daily and weekly experiences.  My plan is to tell two stories, that are close to me, and that seem to explain what is really involved with, always having His Spirit with us.  As I read Alma Chapter 5, I look at that chapter as my salvation interview questions!  All 30+ questions!  Hopefully I can get a message across in the 10 minutes allotted to me!

26 May 2018 - Saturday

26 May 2018 - Saturday

Here we are on a Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend.  We were up for our P-day that began with our morning prayers and scripture reading.  Without the service of so many our our military service veterans, and the ultimate sacrifice of so many of them, we would not have this Memorial Day.  I feel so indebted to them for putting their lives on the line to defend our country and protect our freedoms.  And I can't help but feel their pain and suffering from seeing all those who take these freedoms, and this country, for granted, and trample on them.  

In my opinion, setting apart Memorial Day for a time to honor these men and women is exactly what would help us reunite as a nation.  It is not the best focus, today, on the sales, the barbecues, and the beginning of summer.  Does anyone else feel the dilution of this day as a time to reflect on, and honor,  these men and women?  I am grateful for Granny's service and contributions she has made from her service!

The traffic to Casper this morning for our weekly shopping trip was very light.  Even Sam's Club and Wal-Mart had fewer shoppers.  However, the price of gasoline was true to its inflated pricing for this holiday of remembrance!  We had a safe trip, and returned home for a quiet, and reflective, afternoon here in Missionary Village.  When we drove in around 1:00pm, we were the only missionaries here.  In total, there are about 15 senior couples who are spending the summer here.  I noticed that there were several tent campers here this afternoon as well.  There is a lot of room for campers and motor-homes in this village.

The temperatures, this morning, were in the mid 40's.  My three mile walk was invigorating.  And the antelope are started to give birth to their babies.  I have been on the lookout for the newborns without success, but one of the senior couples saw a family in the distance this morning.  When I can, I will get those pictures, and post them here.  This afternoon the wind picked up and the temperatures approached 80 degrees, but that did not stop me from finding a shady spot near the Pavilion and wash the car.  Mom did the vacuuming and some of the interior detailing.  It is always better to have a clean car!

We hope you are having a marvelous day!  We love you!

25 May 2018 - Friday

25 May 2018 - Friday

I can't believe another week has gone by and we are looking at another P-day tomorrow!  The temperatures are starting to rise, as well.  It is still cool in the mornings for my three mile walk.  However, the daytime temperatures, today, reached into the high 70's.  And I felt the drain on my energy levels, as we had a workday assignment to remove the magpie nests that are plaguing the Homestead area.  These birds chase the good birds away and make the biggest messes.  I didn't pay much attention to them before today!

Look at the size of that nest and those tree limbs used to make the nest!

Great rear view of the magpie eliminator!

The safety officer with the proper glasses!

This picture of the safety officer, (Grandpa), is taken in front of the gasoline tanks.  We found four nests in this one tree that shades one of these tanks!  We got really creative when Elder Tuescher came rolling in with the water truck.  We rigged up a water nozzle and blasted those old nests.  They use a lot of mud and larger sticks to make these nests.  I guess they have to do this project every year here in the mission!  It is a good reason to not sign up for next year!!

Then, this afternoon, we had our district meeting and clean-up assignments here at the Missionary Village.  The Memorial Day weekend crowds are just beginning to arrive and we are so glad to be off the highway!  We also were scheduled off for Sunday, so we have tomorrow and Sunday pretty much open for rest and relaxation.  After today, I am looking forward to resting this tired body! 

We were very happy to have the opportunity to talk to some of our precious children this afternoon as well.  What a marvelous blessing it is to be your parents.  Mom and I marvel at what you are able to accomplish each day, and we thank Heavenly Father for the privilege it is to be your parents and your grandparents!  There is no place we would rather be than with our precious family!!  I have this copy of the Family Proclamation posted in the shower;

I read it every morning!  My absolute favorite line in the Proclamation is this one; "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave".   Every-time I read that line, I am reminded of my first introduction to the Church, and the Gospel, in Ellen Draper's, (Clayson), living-room, in 1971, and when I first saw a temple picture, and asked about its purpose.   And what a magnified picture I have of that today!  Not only will I see my dad again, but mom and I will work as hard as we can to be with all members of our precious family.... forever!

24 May 2018 - Thursday - Happy 15th Anniversary Josie and Tom!

24 May 2018 - Thursday

It was a beautiful morning here in Wyoming this morning.  After mom and I got our day started with prayer and Scripture reading together, I took my three mile walk.  Mom took her morning time to read some additional scriptures and get ready for the day.  Our assignment was to work the Visitors' Center from 11:00am until 5:00pm, and we had a wonderful day meeting new people!

As we were in our correlation meeting, this morning, we got a call from the senior couple opening the center that they needed help.  We were on the run from about 9:00am until the end of our scheduled shift.  The visitors came from all over the world!  We had some New Zealander's, some German's and a medium sized group from China, as well as many folks, starting their Memorial Day weekend early, from around the United States.  

We have the opportunity to invite these precious visitor's to know more about the Church and receive a copy of the Book of Mormon.  Most of the time they respectfully decline, and that was the case for mom and me today.  But hopefully we planted seeds or nourished seeds already planted.  

Mom and I love telling people about the sacred events that happened here in 1856.  Most of the people have never heard of the history of the emigrating pioneers in the 1850's, so that opens us up for some great conversations.  We even had a small car club group come through on their way to a car show in Casper this weekend.  They were very kind and appreciated the way we treated them.  I got some pictures with each of the couples.  Can you name the landmark in the background??

A couple from Washington State

A couple from Nebraska

I forgot where this couple was from!

The car show is in Casper this Saturday and mom and I may try to reconnect with them.  They spent about three hours looking over the area and feeling the Spirit of Martin's Cove.  One of the wives came very close to accepting mom's offer of a Book of Mormon.  We will plan on taking a copy with us to Casper on our P-day Saturday!!

In addition, we also had a school group come to visit this historic site.  What was unique about this group was one of the father's came to be with his daughter.  He had been here many times over the last 40 years and knows the Sun Family well.  He is a rock collector and a gemologist.  He had some fascinating stories about the Sun Ranch, and told us some amazing stories about his hobby of collecting rocks.  I think he will come again with his daughter.  He was a member of the church and served a mission in 1974, but has since fallen away.

Mac and his daughter, Heaven

Yes, that is right, he is a single parent and his daughter's name is Heaven.  Her middle name is Lee, thus her two given names are Heaven Lee....  She is 10 years old and is also an avid rock collector like her dad. She was so polite and very interested in the tour she got with her class.  Her mom left the family about 8 years ago to pursue other interests, and Mac, (aka Martin), is not only her father but also her best friend.  He has the right idea about parenting, but I am anxious to help him reconnect with  the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and make this relationship eternal.  Hopefully we will have more opportunities to interact with him and Heaven!

23 May 2018 - Wednesday

23 May 2018 - Wednesday

My morning walk was so invigorating this morning!  The three plus inches of rain had mostly soaked into the Wyoming high desert, and my three mile path was fresh and clean.  Then I got this picture along the way;

Sunrise over Missionary Village this morning!

Good news today!  We have our first trek assignment, to be the Trek Hosts for the Glendive, MT Stake.  We will be shadowing one of our favorite second year missionaries, Elder and Sister Taylor and we will be with this group for three days beginning Thursday, May 31st.  We are excited to have our trek season begin!  That is what we are here for!  I recall, vividly, three trekkers from our trek  group here, in 2008, that could have used some closer mentoring.  Those will be the ones I hope and pray mom and I will be able to assist in helping to feel the Spirit of this sacred place.

This morning, after our preparation meeting, we had our first interview, as a senior missionary couple, with President and Sister Pace.  It took about 15 minutes and we were able to get a little better acquainted with them.  They meet with each senior couple about every three months, so our next one will be close to our release date.

After our interview I was asked to change my assignment for today, and assist with a school group at Fort Seminoe.  The two Elders that had been assigned got caught up in different projects, so I was happy to help!  This Fort Seminoe was a trading post from 1852 until the Spring of 1856.  It was started by two French Canadians and their wives.  They did a really good business until the Spring of 1856 when the Native Americans became hostile in this area.  The United States Government ordered them to close, and they left the Fort abandoned.  But, in November of 1856, it became a rescue post for upwards of 1100 sick, freezing and starving emigrants.

In November 1856, the rescuers from Salt Lake City led by Captain George Grant had set up this command center and found the Martin Handcart Company, the Hunt Wagon Company, and the Hodgetts Wagon Company within a days ride.  The weary emigrants began gathering at the Fort on November 2nd.  Nearly two thirds of the handcart emigrants could no longer walk.  The wagon companies fared a little better but their work animals were being driven almost to their capacity.

There were about 100 wagons in these two wagon companies, consisting of about 500 people, and there were about 450 handcart emigrants.  The fort had space for about 100 of the weakest emigrants, and they tried to camp at this fort for the next two days.  Then, on November 4th, it was decided to move the rest of the emigrants to a more protected ravine area about 2 miles south and west of the fort.  This ravine area has become known as Martin's Cove.  

It was also determined to store the goods, being carried by the wagon companies, at this fort, for the winter, to help carry those precious emigrants who could no longer walk.  It was also determined that close to another 200 rescue wagons from Salt Lake City were on their way with food and clothing and addition men to help.  However, this help was still a few weeks away.

Now here are some amazing "ministering" facts that I have witnessed from these precious pioneers.  First, with just a few exceptions, the more wealthy wagon emigrants determined that people were more valuable than things.  They agreed to leave their valuable and irreplaceable belongings here for the winter so that the dying emigrants could ride the rest of the way in their wagons.   I love to point this out to the school children and, without hesitation, put them in that group who felt how important people are.  

Next, I find it absolutely amazing that 20 men would stay behind to help guard the goods being stored.  Three of these men were with the rescue party and 17 of the men came from the wagon parties.  I can't help but believe that those 17 men gave up seats for the ailing pioneers, and helped make room for those who could not help themselves any longer.

When we add to the fact that the three men from the rescue party were only planning on being away from their homes and families for a short time, and then ending up spending seven months away from them, is absolutely incredible.  But that is not all!  These 20 men were left with a 20 day supply of food and about 75 head of trail worn cattle.  They even lost part of this herd to the wolves, and further from the spoiling of the meat once it was butchered.  By the time May 1857 rolled around, these men had nothing but rawhide to eat.  However, not one of these men died in this assignment and all made it back to Salt Lake in June 1857.

Letters written to the mission office from school groups this past few weeks.

My final thought and picture tonight is our welcome banners for the last two senior missionary couples coming in today.  Here are the welcome banners, as I saw them early this morning, that are flown along the 1.5 mile gravel driveway to missionary village;

Welcome!  The final two senior missionary couples are coming in from the MTC

22 May 2018 - Tuesday

22 May 2018 - Tuesday

Good evening faithful followers of the mission blog!  I can't begin to express adequate appreciation for your love and your support and your interest in our lives as senior missionaries!  These wonderful experiences are priceless to us as we see the blessings and the tender mercies flow so abundantly in our lives and in our families lives!

Our local pet antelope in the front yard this morning!

Mom and I were both assigned to be with the school group today.  They were a group of 40 fourth graders and 5 of their teachers.  I had the assignment to represent the rescuers stationed at Fort Seminoe and train a fellow senior missionary.  That was fun, especially when mom brought her school group to hear the presentation.  I am always so impressed with the willingness of the 20 men who stayed behind, on that freezing cold November morning of 1856, with very little food, to protect the goods left behind by the Hunt and Hodgetts wagon companies. 

They willingly agreed to leave their valuables behind so that upwards of 700 near death handcart pioneers could ride from this area into Salt Lake City.  And they were here for almost 7 months before additional help from Salt Lake City came out to help them retrieve the goods.  They got back to their homes in June of 1857.

I led the school groups here at the Fort!

After our school group tours, mom and I got to work together with another couple, and two sister missionaries, in a project right in Martin's Cove.  We were able to take our tools up into the cove in a Rover, that carried all six of us, to do our work.  That saved us about an hour of walking up there and another hour of walking back!  Take a look at the sky that began to form over us as we were just finishing up that project;   

The storm clouds brewing!

This is the storm aftermath clouds tonight

The clouds as we were heading home this afternoon

Here is a view in the direction of our Missionary Village

As we were driving back into the Homestead at Martin's Cove, the thunder, and lightening, was only just beginning.  We would not want to be out in the storms here in Wyoming, unprotected, which just makes our appreciation of the handcart pioneers that much more amazing.  There is no protection in these high plains of Wyoming and when you are out in these open areas, you have no cover.  As we were coming to our turnoff to the Missionary Village, the lightening became more intense and the thunder was growling louder than my stomach!  Then the rain and the hail commenced.  We must have received 3 or more inches of rain in less than 10 minutes. 

However, we are safe here in our special trailer and protected from the storm.  It has abated, somewhat, and we are grateful for the peace that brings to the ears!  This is really beautiful country, and one can feel the power that Heavenly Father has over the elements, that we so often take for granted.  We tried to catch a picture of the lightening, but it was too fast for us!

As a bonus tonight we were able to talk to our precious Mary and hear her delivery story.  Adam is doing great and Mary will stay one more night in the hospital for rest and a little more recovery.  We were very thankful to have a few minutes to talk with her and dream about cuddling with Adam!

21 May 2018 - Monday - Adam Daniel Jones Lasher has arrived!

21 May 2018 - Monday

Just as I was sitting down to begin this blog post, we got word that Mary and Bob announced the arrival of our newest grandson, Adam Daniel Jones Lasher!  He made his debut healthy and strong, weighing in at 9 pounds, and 20.5 inches long.  We are delighted that both Adam and Mary are reported to be doing great.  Congratulations Granny!  I just woke her up with the great news!

Granny and I are home after an especially busy day of mowing the lawns at the Homestead.  I first started weed wacking the side patches of lawn after the main area was mowed.  After about 30 minutes the trimmer line for the machine came out of the housing and stopped my progress.  The equipment we are using is pretty well worn, so I grabbed an additional mower to help, and that machine was not cooperative at all.  I was using all my energy to get it to move forward when I noticed that the transmission was not working.  For all my physical exertions, I must have lost 10 pounds!

As I was relaxing after lunch watching mom assemble medallions for the children who come this summer, I got a call from Elder Tuescher on the radio.   He wanted me to climb Devil's Gate with him.  My mind said, are you crazy?  But my adventurous side said go for it.  The grand-kids will love the pictures.  So tell me what you think because here are the pictures.  And I am very happy to announce that we did not see any snakes on our assent or our descent!  

Our goal to reach the top of the right side of Devil's Gate

Elder Lasher and Elder Tuescher

Our first of three hills to scale

We found several water collection basin's at the top

This is an intricate collection of rocks on one of the summits. 

Looking back over the Homestead and the trails leading around to Martin's Cove

Elder Tuescher on top of the world!

Elder Tuescher looking over a 400 foot drop to the Sweetwater River

My view of the 400 foot drop to the Sweetwater River

Here is a water slide in the rock formation!

It took us about 45 minutes to weave our way to the top and then about 20 minutes to come back down.  We were watching for snakes all along the way just to be safe.  And we had the perfect afternoon of cloud cover and a cool Wyoming breeze to keep us going strong.  We are about 500 feet above the Homestead with one magnificent and panoramic view of Wyoming.  It reminds me of Philmont where Bob and I hiked Mt Baldy!  Only on this climb, there were very few loose rocks.

It has been a full day for these two senior missionaries!  And the best part of the day is having the safe arrival of Adam and the healthy delivery from Mary.  This has been a great day!