Dear Family and Friends,
As Elder Lindsey and I were riding in one of the rovers today taking handcarts back to Base I was watching the scenery thinking how very much I love this place and how at home we both feel here. On Saturday we passed our one month mark of arriving here at Martin's Cove. The time has flown by and we are one of those couple who will go home telling everyone how wonderful it is to serve a mission...especially at Martin's Cove! Friday as we sat at the Veil Bridge Crossing waiting for the handcarts to arrive we talked about how happy we have been and how this month has been one of the best of our 20 plus years together and that's saying allot since we've had some pretty great years!
As you can see by our picture the weather on Friday was pretty terrific for the Trek Leader Training. If you pay attention to me holding my hat on you will know that the wind is still blowing! As I mentioned in the blog last week Elder Lindsey was assigned to do photos and videos of this season. On Wednesday Elder Lindsey was asked to create a video of Martin's Cove to be shown at dinner Friday evening. He worked on it day and night and it turned out beautifully. The pictures were so pretty and he set it to what could be called trek theme music; "Come Come Ye Saints".
This week was different as Elder Lindsey and Elder Cherry, our FM leaders, spent the day taking video and pictures of the trekkers. Sister Cherry and I rode in a rover (being careful not to be spotted by the trekkers) and ferried them all over. Now Elder Lindsey will put it all together in a video. It was great fun and we still got a fair bit of walking in.
Monday we did some work around the Homestead in the morning and then painted the water buffalo and picnic tables at handcart parking. It was cold. In fact it snowed and the wind blew so hard it was difficult to see at times, then the snow would stop and the sun would come out and we'd have hope for warmer temps but then the cycle started all over again. Here are a couple of pictures to illustrate the point.
See that little bird house type building in the background...Elder Lindsey and I painted it. It is the water buffalo for handcart parking. Everyone who treks is required to fill their water bottles there before they head up into Martin's Cove.
Don't feel too bad for us though because we were having a great time, laughing, singing, joking and talking. We were all pretty layered up so as long as we were working we didn't suffer from the cold.
Tuesday was better weather but we worked mostly inside on various jobs. After lunch the Sisters cleaned the Trek Center and then since we had time the Sisters who crochet gave lessons to those of us who don't. I'm determined to learn and to make a shawl while I'm here.
Wednesday we had "P" day although Elder Lindsey did spend most of the day working on his video. We took time to make a quick trip into Rawlins for a few groceries and lunch at KFC which made Elder Lindsey very happy.
Thursday afternoon I filled our assignment in the Visitors Center while Elder Lindsey worked in the office on his video. The days just fly by and we sleep very well at night. We are well settled into the motor home and find we have enough room and all we need.
Saturday those of us who didn't go over to Six Crossing for Trek Leader Training gathered at the Homestead and put things back in order from the last two weeks of training. We cleaned the barn, took down the displays in the sewing center and cleaned it, cleaned the Trek Center and got it ready for church tomorrow and cleaned the gathering room and set it up for Primary.
Elder Lindsey and I and Elder and Sister Bingham returned three handcarts and one rickshaw to base where they can be taken down onto the trail as needed by trek groups. We did this by driving the rover very slowly while holding onto the handcarts and pulling them behind.
We finished all the cleaning and organizing before lunch and we all got the afternoon off. I used my time wisely, taking a nice long nap! After dinner as we were reading our Sunday School lesson I became distracted watching two very young calves frolicking in the field just in front of our motorhome. The sun was just setting and Wyoming sunsets are amazing. We are feeling very blessed to be surrounded by and enjoy all the beautiful things of this earth right outside our window everyday.
Sunday was great, the spirit is strong in all of our meetings and it's a joy to feel the goodness of all these people we serve with. Today while sharing his testimony with us Elder Rollin's said that here we are in a branch where 100% of the people pay tithing, 100% of the members hold temple recommends, (except the four children of the ranch assistant manager) where 100% of the people are willing and do serve and where we have 100% home and visiting teaching. He went on to say how blessed we are to live in a "Zion" society. Elder Lindsey also shared his testimony. He talked about hearing one of the Brethren at Conference say he was sharing his testimony joyfully, and so even if his voice is quivering with emotion Elder Lindsey wanted us to know he was joyfully sharing his testimony of Jesus Christ with us...and now with all of you.
May is here, the warmer winds seemed to have arrived and we have a busy and exciting month ahead of us. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
Elder and Sister Lindsey
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