Ephraim Hanks and Trekking

June 29, 2014
Dear Friends and Family,
As we were singing a hymn in correlation meeting Monday morning it occurred to me that we are very blessed to start most of our days with a hymn, prayer and spiritual thought. It just sets the tone for everything else we do. Monday was a work day for us. I spent about six hours with two other sisters as we weeded the areas in front of the Visitors Center. We put ten large garbage bags of weeds into Bertha to be burned and by Tuesday morning my body felt every one of those weeds! Elder Lindsey and Elder Stark worked out on the trails weed eating around the benches and finishing the new surround enclosing the eight port a potties we added to Handcart Parking. Boy did those come in handy when we had seven treks on the trails on Thursday!

Monday evening we got our first opportunity to tell the story of Ephraim Hanks and Thisbe Read to a trek group. Elder Lindsey shares the story of Ephraim Hank's life and how he was involved in the rescue of the Martin Handcart Company and I tell the story of Thisbe Read who was eleven years old when she came across the plains in the Martin Handcart Company. She and Ephraim Hanks later marry and have twelve children. When we tell these stories we do it in pioneer dress and in first person. We try to relate these stories to the youth and get them to consider how they relate to their own lives and what they can do in their own lives to find the gifts and strengths Heavenly Father has given them.

Thisbe and Eph

Tuesday we were asked to serve at Handcart Parking again as the couple assigned had a medical problem. We had a nice day. There were several treks plus a fair amount of family traffic. Because the treks started early we had to be at post by 7:30am but we did get finished up by 4:00pm so that was nice.

Wednesday we had the 8:00am to 2:00pm shift in the Visitor's Center. We enjoy meeting the people who come to the Visitor's Center. About 80% of them are members of our faith but everyone who comes feels the spirit of what happened here. We had a two hour square dancing assignment for Wednesday evening but Elder Lindsey went on his own because I wasn't feeling well.

Thursday we were out the door early as we had a trek. We met our group on the trail at 8:30am and had a wonderful day. This Ward (Timpview 1st Ward) and their youth were so very prepared, Elder Lindsey and I just marveled at what they did. We started at the River Crossing where one of their leaders played the part of Brigham Young calling for rescuers and where the young men responded to the call. We watched as the young men carried each of the girls and women across the river then came back and got the handcarts and pulled them across. They had a woman leader who was injured and rode in a rickshaw all day. Six of them carried her and her rickshaw over the river...not an easy feat. They did all of it with such reverence.

Carrying the rickshaw across the Sweetwater

At the statues the Aaronic Priesthood holders talked about the rescuers and then Elder Lindsey told them about the statues and also about the difference between sacred and hallowed ground. This group went into Martin's Cove with reverence. We stopped at the Lower Cove Amphitheatre where they put on a short spiritual program including a talk from their Bishop. Then they silently walked up into the Cove and when they reached the top they sat and meditated and wrote in their journals. As I watched them I realized I was seeing our prayers answered as we pray every day for the youth that come here to feel of the spirit of those who sacrificed their lives here.

After lunch at Handcart Parking we headed to the Men's Call Out and Women's Pull. Just like every place else the leaders had prepared talks and music to set the tone for what was about to happen. Instead of sending their strongest girls first two leaders started to pull their handcart up with others following. Soon it was evident they wouldn't make it without help so without a word the girls left their handcarts and helped pull each cart up the hill one by one until they were all up at the top. As the sisters pulled the young men and leaders stood silently with hands over hearts watching as they represented the husbands and fathers who either died on the trail or were called away from home on missions or other assignments. These young women learned that they can do hard things and the young men got to see first hand how strong the young women really are.

This was the organized chaos at Handcart Parking when you have seven treks out on the trails.

Before we parted they thanked us for our help by giving me a shawl that they had crocheted. I was really touched and told them I would treasure it always.  By the time I was walking up that sand hill behind the handcarts I was in pretty rough shape as I have developed a horrible cold. I wouldn't have missed any of that very special day but I was down for the count!

Showing off my shawl.

Friday Elder Lindsey spent the day getting the slide show for Fast Sunday ready and I spent the day in and out of bed and being otherwise miserable with my cold. Hopefully with a couple of days to recover I'll be mended by Monday. I have been grateful that Friday wasn't our trek day as it has rained almost the whole day.

Saturday dawned clear and windy. Elder Lindsey and Elder Paulsen (our next door neighbor) left early to watch the cattle round up and branding of the calves that the ranch was doing. They had a great time and Elder Lindsey got some fantastic pictures for the slide show. I spent the day resting and smoking ribs for dinner which we shared with the Paulsen's.

Sunday meetings were good as always. We had a full house as several of the missionaries had family visiting. Elder Lindsey and I had Visitor's Center from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. along with two other couples. We were busy with many people stopping in. On Sunday we only open the Visitor's Center and not the outbuildings which include the fort and museum. Visitors may walk to Devil's Gate and Martin's Cove but we don't send handcarts out on the trail. I lasted until 6:00pm when my voice gave out so I came home and Elder Lindsey came home with our neighbors an hour later.

 We can hardly believe that on Thursday we have been here three months. The time is flying by and we are having some amazing experiences. We feel blessed to be part of this work and to be able to testify of the Savior both to members of our faith and to those who are not. The work is hastening and we are a part of that, what more could we wish for.

Love and prayers to all of you,
Elder and Sister LIndsey

Pony Express and Company

June 30, 2014

Dear Friends and Family,
Our weeks are getting busier as more people are traveling and stopping by the Visitors Center, either for an hour, or for the day. In addition we are full swing into the trekking season with square dancing going on every night in addition to the assignments to visit the campgrounds and tell the Ephraim Hanks, Thisbe Read story or bring the mail into the camp via the Pony Express (minus the horse...darn!). After working our assignments during the day we rotate the evening assignments but we are finding that even though sometimes tired when we leave to assist with Square Dancing or tell the Ephraim Hanks story we come home revived and happy that we were able to spend an hour with the youth of the Church.

 Tuesday the Pony Express Reenactment Association of Wyoming rode through Martin's Cove on their way East. Because for the first time in years they were early (like two hours early) they reached Martin's Cove before everyone was up and about. Elder Lindsey and I got up at 4:00am and when we learned they'd already passed through we decided to follow them to get some pictures.

First surprise for me was that 75% of the reenactment riders were women. They rode in pairs and did five mile stretches at a time. Most did several stretches. These women were just about to hand off the mail pouch to the next rider.

The mail pouch being transferred.

Mail pouch transferred and ready to ride. The association does this ride from Sacramento to St Joseph Missouri every year using 100's of horses and riders but still making the trip in 10 days. The horses no longer gallop full out but usually cover their five miles at a trot. Here in Wyoming much of the ride is over or close to the original trail unlike in other states where it becomes harder to stay off the freeways. This year they started in Sacramento and traveled East. Next year they will start in St Joseph and travel West. 

Tuesday evening we had square dancing with the Provo Tongan Stake of 500 youth. They were a lot of fun and after we taught them the Virginia Reel they taught the Sisters a Hula and the Elders the Huka. It was great fun!

Lined up and ready to hula!

The boys thought the Elder's were quite funny!

Two tender mercies for me this week. Tuesday evening there was a young man with Down Syndrome in the group we square danced with. His name was Johnny and he gave me a high five! Then on Saturday there was a small trek that passed by us with a young man who had Down Syndrome riding in a Rickshaw. He looked very much like Jonathan. What a sweet spirit these two young men added to the groups they trekked with.

On Friday we had the morning Visitor's Center shift, we had a busy morning with many visitors. Close to the end of our shift our friends Ken and Sue Larsen arrived to spend the weekend with us. It was so wonderful to be with them. We've missed them. After we finished our work we took the short hike to Devil's Gate. We had just enough wind to keep the mosquitos at bay.

Ken and Sue Larsen at Devil's Gate.

After our short hike we took them on a personal tour of the Visitor's Center and Museum, Bunkhouse, Wash House and Blacksmith Shop. Since Friday was the day our Mission President and his wife came( with 10 senior couples who serve in the mission) to speak to us. Ken and Sue came with us to the fireside. President Anderson and his wife are special people who bring with them a very special spirit. After the meeting Elder Lindsey took pictures of all the couples in our mission with President and Sister Anderson.

Elder and Sister Lindsey with President and Sister Anderson.

President Anderson left us with a beautiful blessing which touched our hearts. In part he said that our families will be watched over and blessed as we serve our missions.

After the fireside we headed home to grill flank steak and enjoy good food and good friends! Saturday Elder Lindsey and I took Ken and Sue on a trek of Martin's Cove. We had a lovely, peaceful morning where we were blessed to be the only ones in Martin's Cove. We also made sure we told Ken and Sue the stories we tell the trekkers so they could have the full trekking experience! In the afternoon after a short nap we headed into Casper. On the way we stopped at Bessemer Bend to share the pioneer experience that occurred there with Ken and Sue. Next stop was Walmart to pick up a few things we needed then on to fill the gas tank (thank you Ken and Sue for that and other tender mercies). We had dinner together at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Casper then headed to the Rodeo. We had great seats and a great time at the National College Finals Rodeo. This was my first real rodeo and I loved it.

The four of us enjoying the rodeo.

It was a late night but fun. Today Ken and Sue attended church and pot luck with us before they headed for home. We had such a great time with them and look forward to more visitors over the course of our mission. 

We continue to keep all of you in our prayers.

Love,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Campground Hosts,Sunday Blessings and Mormon Messages

June 15, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,
This has been a VERY busy week! We were Campground Hosts at Cherry Creek Campground. Cherry Creek is the campground that is three miles from the homestead where most of the treks stay while visiting Martin's Cove. This week we had seven different treks spending anywhere from one night to four nights with us. Our job as hosts is to welcome them, show them their campsites, restrooms and fire rings and explain the rules...and then make sure the rules are followed.



We also kept the restrooms stocked, the water buffalo filled, and just helped the visitors in any way we could. Before the groups leave they clean the restrooms and do a sweep of the area to pick up all trash, we then check to make sure everything is taken care of before they leave.

A view of the South side of the campground.

Often the groups will invite the missionaries to dinner. We had some excellent dinners and even a breakfast. Everyone is very kind and respectful of us as missionaries and we observed some great young people which leads us to believe the Church of the future will be in very good hands.

One of the Stakes hired a Chuck Wagon catering company to do their meals.

In the evenings we assist with square dancing and we help the missionaries who do the Ephraim Hanks story and the Pony Express where the missionaries deliver the mail that the trek leaders provide. In the five days we provided services to over 1,000 people! Our day at the campground started before 7:00am and several days didn't end until 9:30pm. Friday since we had no arriving groups we got to go home while the treks were out. We took advantage and enjoyed nice naps!

 Elder Lindsey as a Pony Express Rider bringing the mail.

 Elder and Sister Stull as Ephraim Hanks and Thisbe Reed.

 Square Dancing in the corral.

On Saturday morning we assisted the four remaining trek groups do their clean up and get on their way. After they did their work we restocked all the restrooms, filled the buffalo with water, filled the generators and rover with gas, restocked the missionary cabin with supplies and that was all before 9:30am! The rest of the day was our "P" day and we spent it relaxing and working around home. I made banana bread and in the evening we went to movie night in the pavilion and watched "Secretariat".

Every Sunday we say, on our way home, how can this get any better and then the next Sunday comes and the Spirit flows and we are blessed once again. Today Elder and Sister Clark of the First Quorum of the Seventy were with us. They attended our meetings then enjoyed pot luck with us. After pot luck we all went back to the trek center for a 90 minute fireside in which they both taught us.

First a picture of us with Elder and Sister Clark

Sister Clark spoke for a few minutes on the power of being a missionary and that we as missionaries need to be aware of the power we have as missionaries to have the Holy Ghost with us as we meet with people and that we will be guided in what we should teach. She also taught that if we do what we should as missionaries the Savior will walk beside us. What a blessing that is!

Elder Clark was mesmerizing to listen to. He started off by giving some instruction never given to young missionaries...ten kisses a day! Elder Lindsey and I are happy to comply...his call sign when we were boating with friends wasn't "Pucker Lips" for nothing! Elder Clark told us that when we are released from our mission we should go to the Temple and sit in the Celestial Room and review our service with the Lord and that we will feel of his love and appreciation for that service.

Elder Clark had us read D&C 100:1-3. He told us that if we serve faithfully we have a right to ask the Lord to bless our families that those who might be less active will be brought back into activity. This was a true answer to prayer for many of the missionaries serving here. He also admonished us to look at our name badges every night and do a little mini report on how we represented the Savior that day. We must always remember it is his name with ours on those badges.

He urged us to serve a Christ centered mission and to remember how much power is in the Book of Mormon. He said the trails we walk are powerful but that if we walk them with the Book of Mormon they will be even more powerful.

We feel so lifted and blessed.

Last fall Elder Lindsey participated in the filming of a "Mormon Message." It came on line this week and we thought you might enjoy seeing it. He plays Walter and he says it was type casting. You can find it on lds.org under True Christianity or on U tube under the same name. I have it linked to my Facebook page also.

We love you all,
Elder and Sister Lindsey

Snakes, Trekking & Stake Conference

June 8, 2014

Dear family and Friends,
On Monday we were originally assigned to Welcome Post where we would greet all visitors coming to Martin's Cove but a last minute switch put us back out at Handcart Parking where we had a great day greeting visitors and telling pioneer stories. The day was beautiful and we had visitors from as far away as South Carolina. We also had a couple from East Mill Creek in Salt Lake City who know our friends Doug and Carolyn Tebbs (she used to run with Carolyn until her knees gave out). Small world! Since I wore one of my thrift store outfits I insisted on a couple of pictures.

First one with Elder Lindsey. This is called trail dress and is what we wear to do anything other than work crew including going to town or on treks.

I had to make sure you saw the red boots!

Monday we had a special FHE with Richard Benedict who played the senior Ephraim Hanks in the movie Ephraim's Rescue. He gave a great presentation on finding your purpose and taking the correct fork in the road the one that allows you to rescue and be rescued. After we watched the movie he answered questions about the filming. Anybody else out their recognize that beard from another film he might have done? When I saw this picture I realized I looked like I'd been out in the wind most of the day...I call it my Wyoming windy allergy look!!! Yuck! 

Tuesday was a work day for us. We helped finish the painting at Cherry Creek Campground. The missionaries have been painting benches, outhouses and a water buffalo out there for at least the past six weeks. It was a huge undertaking to get everything from a redwood color to BLM brown and we are very proud of the results. While most of us were painting several of the  Elders were weed whacking under benches and around fire pits so that those sneaky little snakes can't sneak up on our trekkers.

Elder's Lindsey and Grover weed whacking away!

Speaking of snakes, on our way back out to finish our projects after lunch we came upon Elder Ormsby trying to take down a rattlesnake who thought the camp host cabin was a good place to hang out. Since we are the Camp Hosts next week I was all in favor of removing him from the premises.

My heroes Elder Lindsey and Elder Smith! The snake minus the head which we buried. The rest of the snake we gave to Elder and Sister Stull who are currently curing the skin.

Wednesday morning we worked with two other couples in the morning to remove all the old carpet from the Visitor's Center in preparation for the carpet layers who arrived that afternoon. It was a big job but we finished it before lunch.

When I come home I can hire out as a day laborer!

In the afternoon we put a boarder around some lawn that needed help, then raked it to get it ready for seed and after that we raked the rocks to pull them back up to the edge of the lawn. The rocks have a tendency to travel. While working on the lawn project we met some of the leaders for our trek group who in turn invited us to dinner!

We do great work! It still amazes me what a bunch of old folks can do.

After cleaning up and changing into trail dress we headed to Cherry Creek Campground for dinner and after dinner square dancing. Our group was so much fun. They were a ward from Almo, Idaho 125 strong so they had babies to seniors. It was so much fun to watch the little ones square dance.

I love this picture of these boys. There was no way they were going to dance but they seemed to have a great time watching. 

Thursday morning we met our trek group on the trail at 9:30am as they trekked in from the campground. Our first stop was the river crossing where they reenact the November 4, 1856 river crossing in a snowstorm. I set the stage with a couple of stories from the pioneer journals and talked about the difficulties of that day for the Martin Handcart Company. The river was pretty high and swift so even though the weather was warm the crossing was a bit difficult which gave them a sense of what the pioneers experienced.

After the river crossing we went to the Statues that depict the Valley Boy's helping the people across the river. It really is all about the Aaronic Priesthood and Elder Lindsey gave a nice presentation there. Next we went to Handcart parking for a restroom break and to fill water bottles before we headed into Martin's Cove. As we traveled Elder Lindsey was at the front of the group and I traveled at the end so we could make sure no one got lost. We had radios to communicate with. 

Before we headed into Martin's Cove we stopped at the Dan Jones Amphitheatre where Elder Lindsey and I each share a story about something that happened at Martin's Cove in November of 1856. After a family musical number we headed up into Martin's Cove in three separate groups. It was a lovely peaceful day, a perfect day really to look around and try to picture just where the 20 person tents could have been setup and imagine people huddled around fires trying to stay warm. Next we returned to Handcart Parking for restrooms and lunch. On the way back to Staging to return handcarts I walked with two little girls who were maybe 5 or 6 years old. They were walking in memory of a pioneer and were quite knowledgeable about them. What little troopers, they had walked about 6 miles and were happy and full of energy. 

All in all, our first trek (and the first major trek of the season for Martin's Cove) was great; great people, beautiful weather, a perfect day really!

Friday we had afternoon Visitor's Center ( so we used our free morning to do laundry, ironing and give the motor home a good cleaning inside and out). I did the inside and Elder Lindsey did the yard and cleaned the outside windows.

The new carpet in the Visitor's Center looks very nice. We had quite a few guests, many of them not members of our faith. I took a family of three from Boston through. They were so warm and gracious. They were doing a cross country tour to take their daughter out to do her medical residency in the Oakland, California. They were from India and were Hindu. They also wanted to know what to see in Salt Lake City so I sent them straight to Temple Square telling them if they went to Rome they would want to visit Vatican City so in Salt Lake they must visit Temple Square. I felt impressed to give the daughter a BOM and she accepted it graciously. I told her it would add to the scriptures she has.

Elder Lindsey spent about an hour with a couple from Santa Fe, New Mexico who were traveling and wanting to know all about the history of the area. They sure seemed to have a good time together and really that's what it is all about, making friends that you might only meet for an hour but who leave with a warm feeling and good impression. Then they in turn carry those good feelings about us into good feelings about our Church.

Saturday was of course our "P" day and it was also the Casper Stake Conference so many of the missionaries (including us) decided to stay overnight rather than drive back after the evening meeting and return again in the morning. We made our usual breakfast stop at McDonalds then found the Salvation Army Thrift Store to drop off the old bedroom TV from the motor home that we removed so as to have more storage space. After that we went to see the new Tom Cruise movie "Edge of Tomorrow." We really enjoyed it; non stop action, great acting and no raunchiness. Next it was Walmart for groceries then to check into the motel before meeting 16 couples for dinner at Outback before going to Conference.

In the meeting President Paris the second counselor in the Stake Presidency  made a comment that really stuck with Elder Lindsey and I. He said that if when you are serving a mission you will realize that it is not your time you are donating but that this period of time in your life belongs to the Lord you will be a better missionary, one who is willing to do whatever you are asked.

I had dreamed for a month about sleeping in a king size bed and having a long shower but alas I'm already a "ranch gal" because I had a hard time going to sleep with all the noise and the bed was too big!

Sunday morning session of Conference was good. We got back home by 1:00pm and after putting the groceries away and unpacking we are spending a relaxing afternoon...a nap might even be on the schedule. We have a full week ahead as we are Campground Hosts and we have 10 of the 17 treks coming in staying at our campground! Read all about it...next week.

Wyoming weather update: After most days this week being sunny and warm (70's and 80's) today the high is 45 and rainy. Proves the saying that  "in Wyoming Winter is not a season but a possibility" is true!

We love you all so much, you are always in our prayers,
Elder and Sister Lindsey

Ready to Roll

June 1, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Everything changed around Martin's Cove last Friday with the beginning of Memorial Day weekend. The weather changed to mostly warm and sunny (a bit windy at times but hey it's Wyoming) and with the holiday weekend the visitors arrived. We went from having maybe 20 people a day visit to 200 people a day and this is just the beginning.

On Monday Elder Lindsey and I were assigned to Handcart Parking. Handcart Parking is where the handcarts stay while the people who pulled them go up into Martin's Cove. We had a great time visiting with the families who pulled handcarts from the Visitors Center. When they reach us they have walked 1.2 miles and the walk into Martin's Cove and back to us is 2.4 miles. We try to make sure everyone is prepared for the walk with plenty of water and sunscreen.

This picture is looking toward the little cabin that we use to keep supplies in and get out of the weather if need be at Handcart Parking. We park the handcarts on the grassy area. Can you imagine just how wonderful it is to spend your day surrounded by this beautiful scenery. On a busy trekking day we could have more than 100 handcarts parked here.

I saw my first rattlesnake on Monday. I was driving Elder Lindsey slowly across the footbridge when I spied him slithering along the side of the bridge. I stopped the rover and let out a squeal but by the time I told Elder Lindsey why I was squealing the snake was gone and Elder Lindsey was not happy to have missed the opportunity for a picture. Tuesday the first people over the footbridge saw two more snakes and on Thursday Elder Lindsey found two large bull snakes on the bridge and they refused to move so he could drive the rover across. Elder Cherry saved the day with a snake catcher which he used to separate them and toss them into the river. Here at Martin's Cove we send rattlesnakes to another realm and bull snakes to another location.

Tuesday was a day of trek training. The treks start next week and Elder Bushman wants to be sure we are ready. After going over the various responsibilities in the morning we went over to Fort Seminoe to hear a couple stories and have lunch.

I decided the surry (which I helped put the top on last week) was a great place to listen to the stories and eat my lunch. Lucky for me the "do not climb on" sign wasn't yet in place.

After lunch we headed out on the trail. The highlight for me was that several of us decided to do the river crossing. The water was waist deep and cool but the day was so hot that it felt really good.

Those are my shoes around my neck. The river bottom was sandy and mushy but it was a great experience and I'm glad I did it because as the season progresses the water will be very shallow. I was totally dry before we got back to the Homestead about two hours later. I also got my first tick on Tuesday but lucky for me I felt him crawling on the back of my neck before he took a bite! Hopefully that will also be my last tick!

This sunset over Split Rock was our view out our window tonight...this is one of the reasons we love Wyoming.

Thursday was a fantastic day. It was a Sisters shopping day in Casper. We carpooled and shopped at various spots all over town then met for lunch at Olive Garden. I really scored at two great second hand stores where I got western jackets and vests, just the type of things I need for trail dress. My favorite item was a pair of red cowboy boots that I got for $10. I had to come home and rearrange our closet to fit my new clothes. Yes, I left Elder Lindsey some space and if he tells you differently don't believe him! 

No need to feel sorry for the Elders. While we shopped they had steaks and baked potatoes for lunch and their work day ended after lunch. Plus they had very happy wives and we all know "happy wife, happy life!"

Friday we had a practice session on arriving treks then Elder Lindsey and I and two other couples went out to Cherry Creek campground and finished up some painting. After Lunch we came home and cleaned the car (it's already dirty again) and organized the storage trailer.

For our "P" day  after doing some housekeeping in the morning we went to Independence Rock with another couple.  Elder Lindsey and Elder Rollins climbed to the top of Independence Rock and they saw many pioneer names carve into the rock. Sister Rollins and I walked around the base. The climb up didn't look too bad but the climb down looked terrifying! A thunder storm passed through in the afternoon and it became the perfect time for a nap! It was movie night so we got together in the pavillion and watched "Lake House" , a strange but sweet love story. Elder Lindsey is campaigning for an action movie next time.

Sunday was again wonderful. The testimonies born were heartfelt and the spirit was strong. Our classes are well taught and we come away from our meetings spiritually fed and prepared for the week ahead. Since it's Fast Sunday we have break the fast pot luck at 5:00pm. Breakfast is the theme and tonight I'm doing waffles.

A side note for those of you with trailers. You can now get full hook ups (electric, water and sewer) at Missionary Village for $20 per night with a three night maximum stay. It's always good to call for a reservation. Camping is still $10 per night with pit toilets available. Very clean pit toilets, I might add!

We want you all to know you are in our prayers.
Love,
Elder and Sister Lindsey