3 May 2018 - Thursday

3 May 2018 - Thursday

We had a beautiful sunrise this morning.  I was up early, even before mom, with thoughts about our part in the correlation meeting this morning.  Every missionary couple has a thought and prayer on a rotating basis.  Today it was our turn.  We read from the mission handbook and then gave a thought from Preach My Gospel.  I think I over did my part in reference to Preach My Gospel, but mom read from the handbook and we both gave the prayers.  I had the opening prayer and mom had the closing prayer.  

Here is a picture or two of this morning's walk and sunrise.  Mom is not yet up to walking in the mornings, but we will probably start walking, again, together next week.  Here are the pictures;

Taken at about 5:30am this morning

Taken at about 5:45am this morning

Taken about 6:10am this morning

I took the Granny Highway to the main road and saw some marvelous pictures.  The Wyoming sky with the morning clouds offer some wonderful morning light shows!  I made the 3 mile walk in under 45 minutes this morning and felt so invigorated.  The quietness of the mornings is breathtaking and a great opportunity to commune with Heavenly Father.

After breakfast and a nice warm shower, mom and I were ready to begin the work day.  We gave our prayers and thoughts and got our assignments.  We were on "cow pie" duty.  This involved clearing the cow pies from the Cherry Creek campground.  We were on a crew of eight senior missionaries.  The Teuscher's  were in on our group, and here are some action shots;

The producers of our work assignment

It did not matter what we did today, mom was so anxious to get back to work!

Clearing out the "load"...

Oregon trail marker - see the wheel ruts?

The willows in the cove area that offered a wind break

More shots of the embedded trail ruts over 150 years old! 

This picture is taken from Cherry Creek towards Martin's Cove

It was so peaceful out here this morning.  We are cleaning out the camp grounds in preparation for the first trekkers due at the end of this month.  I have heard that over 15,000 trekkers have scheduled to be here.  Tomorrow we are training 200 trek leaders as a mission.  Mom and I are giving the opening and closing prayers for this training tomorrow.  Bob, did you ever attend these meetings before your trek?

Again, this is such a sacred place.  The trail marks from the ruts and the whispering from the pioneers makes this such a peaceful and hallowed place.  From this view, over 500,000 travelers came in the mid 1800's.  Each seeking various rewards such as gold in California, open lands to homestead and raise their families, and, a very few, looking for religious freedom and a place called Zion.

This fella did not make it.  Some of his hide is still covering his bones.

The Martin's Cove site marker with Martin's Cove directly behind

I can only imagine 12" to 18" of snow covering the ground as 700 freezing pioneers attempt to reach the shelter of the cove or ravine, later know as Martin's Cove.  This was almost an insurmountable challenge except for the determination of the Saints, and the Rescuer's, to pull together and witness miracle after miracle occur to preserve those who did make it.  

It was interesting to note that one of the many rescuer's to reach these precious pioneers was Able Garr.  He was so willing to come from the warmth of his home in Salt Lake City to assist these beleaguered Saints.  Now the interesting thing that sets Able Garr apart from all the other rescuer's is that he was not a member of the Church.  He was baptized by George Grant, the rescue captain, and confirmed by William Kimball, another rescuer, in May of 1857.  

That was about 6 months after the rescue party arrived back in Salt Lake City on November 30, 1856.  I have to assume that his work and efforts were activated, and then rewarded, by the Spirit that each of these noble rescuer's carried in this sacred effort.

Brave rescuer's helping these precious pioneers

Statue depicting the rescue across the Sweetwater

What is interesting to note about these statues is the fact that there were five known rescuer's that were named in journals, but over 20 may have also been involved.  These statues are here honoring the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood.  These are young men like Zac and Isaac who honor their Priesthood and are fearless in ministering relief to those in need.  Zac, Isaac, and soon Bobby, Cody and Jackson, I can't help but think about you and the excellent priesthood holders you are, and you will be.