Mission Conference

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday we went into Rawlins to do our shopping but first we met up with Elder and Sisters Stimpson, Burdette and James for lunch at a fun local spot in downtown Rawlins. We had a great time laughing and visiting. No one can quite tell a story like the Martin's Cove missionaries!

The decor was just as fun inside.

For FHE Monday evening District two put on a delicious dinner courtesy of Elder and Sister Moeser. We had "hibachi beef" with a delicious secret sauce, Dutch oven potatoes, homemade rolls and watermelon. It was one of those perfect evenings with no wind so we gathered around tables outside the Pavilion and enjoyed our meal and visited.

The winter missionaries have no fear of starvation with Elder and Sister Moeser around!

Toward the end of dinner our friends Dennis and Candida Jensen arrived to spend the night while on their way to Gillette WY. There was still plenty of food left so they enjoyed dinner and then after setting up their tent they came down to our place where we enjoyed ice cream sandwiches and a nice visit.

Dennis and Candida have been great riding companions on many of the trips we've taken with the Temple Riders.

Tuesday we had work crew. The Elders cleaned outside windows on the triplex and the office while the Sisters did a deep cleaning of the gathering room in preparation for our guests who are coming for our Mission Conference. We Sisters decided that we should take turns gathering at each others homes to do our deep cleaning because it's a lot more fun that that way!

When we checked our mail these cute little poems were waiting for us...we have some very clever missionaries serving here!

Wednesday we were on work crew again ant this time we worked cleaning up the wood piles behind the mechanic shop. After sorting and restacking we then used a chainsaw to cut them into campfire size pieces and threw them into the back of the pickup.

I share some of these pictures to amaze our kids and grandkids with how hard a bunch of old people can work!

We then took two pickup loads out to the wood bins at Cherry Creek Campground. For lunch we met in the barn and enjoyed leftovers from a milk can dinner that a trek gave to us. It went well with the watermelon another trek left behind.

Thursday we were assigned RRA so we were out early cleaning restrooms. We didn't have to go out on the trail today so after we finished and got cleaned up we spent the rest of the day in the Barn baking. I made rolls for Sunday's potluck (I freeze them on the pans then pull them out to defrost, raise and bake just before serving). Elder Lindsey made a cherry and a berry pie and together we made a fresh apple pie. I used the rhubarb I've been harvesting our of the garden to make a rhubarb crisp also for Sunday's potluck.

After lunch I made a batch of bread sticks. It was a new recipe I plan on using for the first trek trainning dinner where I'm serving spaghetti. Everyone who tested them for me gave a thumbs up. I then made three loaves of wheat bread for us and a double batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for Elder Lindsey's lunches. I haven't baked cookies since we arrived back at Martin's Cove so he is very happy. It was a full day!

Before we went to bed Thursday night we had a wonderful visit from some of our Rosebud family.

Michelle and Tiffany with Kiaralysce were headed to Utah with the kids.

Jacob, Jayce, Daequan and Keaton...the real reason I baked the cookies. These boys give the BEST hugs! 

Friday we had mid shift at the Visitors' Center and it was nice to have a slower morning, we even had time for a nice breakfast. The Visitors' Center was busy so the afternoon passed quickly. For dinner we took pork chops to the James motorhome and along with another couple had a nice cook out. It was good to sit and relax with friends. As trekking winds down we are finally getting time to enjoy each others company.

Saturday we were assigned to Welcome Post. We went in a little early and baked the pie dough cinnamon rolls as a treat for everyone working today. I also took some time to bake the rolls for Sunday's potluck. I usually bake them on Sunday just before potluck but since tomorrow is our Mission Conference there will not be time.

All Sunday's here at Martin's Cove are great but today was an exception. Today was WONDERFUL! It was the first Mission Conference for the Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission. Sacrament meeting President and Sister Bushman each talked for a few minutes first. Sister Bushman talked about how this mission teaches us the true meaning of sacrifice and President Bushman talked about how as we walk these trails we are walking on hallowed ground.

Next we heard from Sister Nielson who told us Heavenly Father has saved this mission for people who can truly understand the things that happened here. She also talked about how just like he did for the pioneers God walks with us in our trials and we have a choice about how we react to our trials.

Elder Nielson told us that people all over the world look to the example of these early pioneers for strength to endure their trials. He told us the pioneers set the bar so high with their sacrifice that none of us can ever say to our Bishop or Stake President that they are asking too much of us.

After Sacrament meeting our visitors were excused to enjoy the grounds while we spent the next two hours discussing and learning about the redeeming power and the enabling power of the Atonement. As reference we used two talks from Elder Bednar "Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease" and "The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality". I highly recommend both of them. We learned much.

What a privilege it was to sit at the feet of one of the Lords anointed and learn the truths of the Gospel.

I can't do the spirit we felt or the knowledge we gained justice here so just know it was one of the best days of an already wonderful mission.

The perfect ending to this wonderful day was to have our friends the Hendriksen's arrive to spend some time with us.

Kelli, Marilyn, Brian and Dennis relaxing in the yard.

Our love and prayers to each of you,

Elder and Sister Lindsey