Blessings

July, 27, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Since we've been on our mission we have been more conscious of the blessings in our lives or perhaps I should say more aware that everything in our lives is a blessing from  our Heavenly Father. This week has been a good example of that.

Monday we started the week off in the Visitor's Center. We always serve with two other couples and this week we were excited to serve with Elder and Sister Judd. They are second year missionaries and in charge of the Visitor's Center and we love serving with them because of the goodness they exude that rubs off on anyone that is with them. They are also just plain fun to be with! What a blessing they've been in our lives as missionaries here at Martin's Cove as they have led us and taught us.

Elder and Sister Judd

Monday evening we had a going away dinner and program for our Ranch Family, the Seely's. We will sure miss them. They have blessed us with their friendship and their talents and with their sweet little boys that we've all gotten to be grandmas to. We had a fantastic dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, watermelon and chocolate cake with ice cream...yummy! The program was a hoot. We have some very talented missionaries here. Elder Lindsey had prepared a video that touched all of our hearts as we watched it together. He might argue with this, but I know these videos he's done have blessed  and will continue to bless the lives all of our missionaries who we are serving with.

Elder Lindsey and I with Jeff and Trinity Seely

Tuesday we served at Veil Crossing Bridge. What a lovely day we had greeting visitors as they started their trek out to Martin's Cove or Devil's Gate. I was able to tell the Ellen Neibar story of charity to two families focusing on the little children and stressing to them how happy Jesus is when we share what we love with others. We also had an arriving trek come through and they asked to be told the legend of Devil's Gate which is always fun but then I also told them that as they crossed the bridge and went through the "veil" into 1856 and as they walk the trails they should listen to the spirit of those who sacrificed so much here so that their own lives could be forever blessed because they have spent time on this hallowed ground.

Wednesday we served our first day at Welcome Post. Fun times and blessings. First the fun. We greet the people as they arrive here and give them directions suited to their needs. I loved telling the people who were not of our faith why they were seeing all the busses full of young people. They all thought it was a wonderful thing to have them come here and for just a couple days get away from their electronic devices and focus on the blessings Heavenly Father has given them. Now the blessing. The Stake President from the Salt Lake Valley View Stake arrived to meet his trek and as we talked we found out he was married to the oldest daughter of Rudy and Carolyn Zander. Rudy and Carolyn were not just friends from our ward, we had served in callings together and as our home teachers we shared some sacred times together especially concerning our son Jonathan. Since they have both passed away we have missed them dearly. 

On Thursday we trekked with the Valley View Stake. It was a great day full of blessings. Not only did we have a connection with the Zander's we met a man who serves in the Salt Lake Temple with our other dear friend  and home teacher from our ward Limi Ontiveros. And then toward the end of the trek I was talking about Elder Lindsey having served as Branch President of Highland Cove when a sister in front of me says "my mother lived there" and it turned out to be one of  our sweet sisters who has since passed away. 

During the trek Elder Lindsey and I were privileged to tell some of the stories of faith, courage, sacrifice and charity of the Martin Handcart pioneers and the rescuers. We also shared with the youth the love the pioneers had for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and their desire for eternal families, pretty much the whole reason why they did what they did. I was blessed to be able to share the Cyrus Wheelock story in the Dan Jones Amphitheatre. I can't wait to some day shake that man's hand and thank him for blessing my life!

Elder Lindsey and I with President Simpson and Karen Zander Simpson

Tuesday and Thursday evening this week we square danced with trek groups. Sometimes after a full day of work it is hard to find the energy we need to do these extra assignments but then we arrive and the enthusiasm of the youth catches hold and we find that we are blessed with energy and when the hour is over we drive home with big smiles and renewed energy. Wednesday evening we were assigned to do the Ephraim Hanks Thisbe Read presentation to the Valley View Stake but when we arrived at the campground we found that because of bus problems they were behind schedule and needed to cancel. 

On our way home this was our view and we knew if we hadn't driven out to the campground we would have missed it. Blessings!

Friday we were on work crew so we went in at 7:00am to work on patching the road before it got too hot. We planned to work until 11:00am then be done for the day but many hands make quick (and fun) work and we were done by 9:00am.  It was a beautiful morning, cool and clear. Today was the day I've waited for for weeks...I got to drive the roller and pack down the patches. It was the closest I'm going to get to an open air vehicle while on our mission and I loved it!

Here is a short video of my new skill!

Since we got off early I spent time in the sewing room making a new pioneer apron. It's the first sewing I've done in probably 25 years and I think it turned out cute. 

Saturday we donned our pioneer clothes and headed for Fort Casper with Elder and Sister Ormsby to participate in the Fort Casper Days festivities. Our booth was right beside the replica of the Mormon ferry and just a short distance from the spot where the Martin Handcart Company crossed the North Platte River for the last time on October 19, 1856. We took two full size handcarts, one little handcart, a TV and DVD player on which we showed a short video Elder Lindsey had made of the scenery of and around Martin's Cove, trinkets and candy for the children and cards with our Facebook page so we could ask everyone to "like" us. We had over 600 people come past our booth and as we visited with them we invited them to visit us at Martin's Cove. We met people from all over the United States as well as many families from the Casper area. 

Elder and Sister Ormsby and us in front our display. Notice my new pioneer apron that I made on Friday.

A particularly sweet experience for me was being able to testify about eternal families to a man who lost his son in a car accident last year. We invited him to our upcoming movie night and Dutch oven dessert cook off next Saturday. We would love it if you'd join with us in praying for Scott and his family.

Throughout the day the Cavalry would shoot off a small cannon. The first time it went off I wasn't expecting it and about jumped out of my skin. 

Wait for it.....

What a blessing this whole day was for us. We are so grateful for all that our Heavenly Father has given us. When 5:00pm came and we began to pack up the High Councilman from the Casper Stake who is assigned to Martin's Cove arrived to help us take down and load the truck. What a wonderful and unexpected blessing. What a great example of how to magnify your calling. 

It was great to hear at potluck today (from the couple assigned to morning Visitors Center) that a woman who we met yesterday at Fort Casper took our advice and stopped this morning at the Visitors Center and took the tour, accepted a Book of Mormon and committed to read it! We are blessed.

We love you all,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Tender Mercy's Week

July 20, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Another busy week has passed. Monday we had RRA (restroom cleaning) and were finished up by about 11:00am so we took the opportunity to go into Casper to get Elder Lindsey's knee checked out. He had pretty bad pain that we suspected was tendinitis in his left knee. He had been icing it and wearing a brace but it wasn't getting better so we thought we should get it checked out. As we were walking into the clinic a doctor coming out stopped us and introduced himself as a member of our Church and asked how he could help. (First tender mercy) We explained the problem and he took us onto the Instacare and checked with the PA to see if they were able to treat the problem or if we should try getting into the Orthopedic doctors. We were able to be seen at the Instacare by a PA who was also LDS and understood our mission and how active it was. (Second tender mercy). The PA agreed to give Elder Lindsey a cortisone shot if Elder Lindsey promised to stay off his feet the majority of the time to give his knee a chance to recover. ( Tender mercy three). Long story short, Elder Lindsey is doing much better and can now walk without a lot of pain.

Tuesday Elder Lindsey stayed home and off his feet while I did work crew. We got brand new much needed chairs for the Trek Center so we spent the morning making the switch. Tuesday evening we had Square Dancing which I went to and represented both of us. Five hundred kids all at once...it was crazy fun!

This little guy lives just outside our trailer and I finally got close enough for a good picture.

Wednesday we had morning Visitor's Center. Elder Lindsey spent most of his time sitting since everyone wants him back on his feet by next week. It feels like almost everyone who comes to the Visitor's Center is either on their way to or from Mt Rushmore. We are thrilled the stop into see us.

Wednesday evening two hispanic women pulled into the parking lot with several children in their car. They spoke minimal English and the missionaries spoke no Spanish but right behind them came a LDS family that the husband had served a mission in Madrid, Spain and he kept up his language. He was able to assist the missionaries in translating. He also taught the plan of salvation, presented the sisters with Spanish Book of Mormon's and got their information to pass on the the missionaries in Rawlins. (Tender mercy four)

Thursday afternoon we always have a bus load of Asian tourist come in. They love to take pictures of everything western and are thrilled if the Elder's wear their cowboy hats. Most speak no English so communication is minimal but they take whatever pamphlets we have in their language. This week a young LDS family arrived about the same time the bus did and the husband spoke Chinese so he talked to several of our guests and was able to teach a little about the Gospel and hand out several Book of Mormon's. (Tender mercy five)

These are a few of  the antelope that cross our path as we trek. The young ones were as fascinated with us as we were with them.

Sister Smith, Sister Ormsby and I spent Thursday afternoon in the sewing center making the medallions that we hand out to the children who come into the Visitor's Center. It's almost a full time job keeping up with the demand. This year we feel very lucky that the prison inmates in Gunnison Utah made us about three thousand of the lanyards that we attach to the medallions themselves. 

Friday I worked in the garden's around the Visitor's Center while Elder Lindsey went to Sixth Crossing with Elder Stull. You can't get much more off your feet than driving! We have several Elder's who love to fish so Friday evening we had a "fish fry". I'm not a big fan of trout but even I had to admit it wasn't bad! It was especially fun to catch up with everyone and enjoy dinner as a group.

Saturday we had another enjoyable relaxing day at home. We cleaned house, did a little laundry and organized the trailer. I baked a cake for pot luck and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for our lunches this week. For dinner I roasted a chicken on the Traeger and we had our friends the Paulsen's over.  

Sunday we served in the Visitor's center from 9am to 2pm. We started getting visitors just before 10am and it was non-stop the whole shift. One of the families I took through felt really bad that they hadn't arrived in time to attend Sacrament Meeting when half way through our tour the Elder's brought the Sacrament over for the missionaries. I invited them to participate with me and they were very grateful. (Tender mercy six) It led to an extra abundance of the spirit for the remainder of our time together. 

After Potluck we had a Fireside with Julie Rogers. She does the beautiful art work of the pioneers that hangs in many of our buildings. She shared with us the stories of her experiences as she does these paintings. We feel so very blessed to be able to serve this mission and are so grateful to heavenly father for all the blessings he so abundantly gives us. (Tender mercy seven)

A shout out to Ernie...he turned 38 yesterday! 

We love you all and pray for you always,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Casper Parade and Trek

July 13, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been a busy week. Monday we had afternoon Visitor's Center. I've gone from marginally enjoying serving in the Visitor's Center to really loving it. I've tried to find ways to bring the Savior into every part of my presentation so I really can do the work of a missionary while also being a tour guide. I find that even our non member guests respond well to me expressing my love for Jesus Christ and his Church. I want everyone to understand that the handcart pioneers did what they did because they loved God and followed a Prophet. Elder Lindsey has been able to develope a  great rapport with guests and he (and they) really enjoy the time they spend with each other.

Tuesday morning we were up and out the door early. We headed to Casper with three other missionary couples to pull four handcarts in the Casper Day's Parade. We arrived at about 8:00am unloaded the handcarts and got the covers put on.

One of the missionary couples, Elder and Sister Ames, have a daughter whose family lives in Casper so their daughter brought her Achievement Day's girls plus three 12 year old boys to help pull the handcarts. Everyone was in pioneer dress and they were a good looking group!

The parade route took less than an hour to walk but it was very crowded. This is one of only two parades Casper has every year so it is very well attended. We felt  lucky that we were entry number thirty one because there were almost two hundred entries. When we finished the parade and were loading up the handcarts the later entries still had not started out and it was getting hotter by the minute.

After loading the handcarts on the trailer we headed out to lunch. Since we live so far out from everything it is always a treat to eat out. This time we went to Golden Corral. It was great because we could make a huge salad, something that I don't make at home, then enjoy a variety of other items and end our meal with ice cream! It just doesn't get better than that.

Wednesday we did the morning shift in the Visitor's Center. I really enjoyed taking a group of three ladies through. They were each from different areas of California on a road trip to Mt Rushmore. It was a daughter taking her mother and aunt on the trip. They knew nothing about Martin's Cove, our Church or the history of the area but they were so thrilled that they had discovered a beautiful oasis in the middle of the wilds of Wyoming (their words). Besides giving them a short history lesson on the West I was able to also give them a bit of information about the restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I took their picture in front of one of the handcarts and felt good that they left us with a positive view not only of Martin's Cove but of our Church.

Tuesday and Wednesday evening we had square dancing at Cherry Creek. Wednesday evening was especially fun because all the youth came prepared to dance and we didn't have to pry people off the fence or beg them to join in. Everyone, youth, leaders and missionaries had a great time.

Thursday we were again at Handcart Parking. We had a very busy day with seven treks on the trail but it was fun to see everyone as we interacted with them. As one group left a young woman turned around and shouted back at us "thanks for making this such a great experience!" I know she was thanking all of us missionaries and it felt good to know that we are impacting these youth in a positive way.  It was an early and long day for us as we got out there at 8:00am and didn't get done until after 6:00pm but it always feels good at the end of a day like that to know that you've been productive. We had some wild weather with a few rain showers passing by but it was hot enough that everyone dried quickly once the rain stopped. Elder Lindsey was able to trek into Martin's Cove with one of the groups as Sister Ames needed a less strenuous activity so she stayed with me while he went with Elder Ames.

Friday was a trek day for us. This was our third trek but at the end of the day I realized that even if we do a hundred treks everyone of them will be different, with different experiences and challenges. This was a group from Sandy, Utah. They had about 450 people so were divided into three groups of 150 each with three different sets of missionaries as trek hosts. They were very well prepared with beautiful programs both in the Dan Jones Amphitheatre and at the River Crossing.

Elder and Sister Rollins, Elder and Sister Stull and Elder and Sister Lindsey trek hosts for the Sandy, Crescent Stake at Handcart Parking for lunch.

We also had a bit of wild weather but it was hot so the little bit of rain was a relief. When our group stopped at Lower Cove Amphitheater I was able to tell the Cyrus Wheelock story. It is a special feeling to tell that story in the area that it actually took place. I was also able to testify of the Savior and the love he has for all of us. When I am in Martin's Cove I feel like I am in an outdoor Temple as the Spirit there is much the same.

Saturday was rest and recovery. We slept in and I fixed a nice breakfast. The rest of the day was spent puttering around, visiting with neighbors, reading and napping. I baked a chocolate cake for Sunday's potluck and we watched a movie on TV in the evening.

We love 11:00am church because on the Sunday's we don't have other assignments we can sleep in and I can fix a nice breakfast and we can just take our time...and that's a rare treat. As you know if you've been following our blog Sunday's at Martin's Cove are spirit filled and just plain wonderful and today was no exception. The missionaries who speak are a wealth of knowledge and full of the spirit and we always learn so much from them. The Sunday School lesson was well prepared and fun (remember we're talking Old Testament here) and we had many visitors in Relief Society whose comments added to Sister Miller's well prepared lesson on Baptism. If that weren't enough today we had a fireside with the Pay Sisters (Sister Hinkley's younger sisters). They told the story of their grandmother, Mary Goble Pay who traveled to Salt Lake in the Hunt Wagon Company (they followed the Martin Company). They spoke with humor and love and when they sang a little song it reminded me of the times Elder Lindsey's mother and her sister would sing their little songs.

They also told the miraculous story of recovering the grave marker from their grandmothers baby sister who died in this area when she was only six weeks old.

Elder Lindsey and I with the Pay Sisters and the grave marker.

Our grandson Jacob arrived safely in Mexico City and will be in the MTC there for six weeks before heading to Tampico, Mexico. Our grandaughter Kati is doing well in Ukarine and yesterday we received the wedding invitation for our grandaughter Hannah's wedding soon to take place in the Gilbert Temple. We are blessed and every day we express our gratitude to Heavenly Father for each of you.

Love,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Happy Birthday America!

July 6, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday was a fun day. We had RRA (restroom cleaning) and because it was Monday we didn't have to go out on the trails to clean those restrooms (every Monday and Thursday they get power washed by another crew). We started about 7:00am at the homestead and were done working about 10:30am so decided to do some exploring.

Here we are heading out in the "Bumblebee" to clean restrooms.

We went to Riverton, since we had never been there and wanted to check it out. We had lunch at the Dairy Queen and visited Ice Slough and Split Rock Meadow on the way home. In the evening we had another opportunity to tell the Ephraim Hanks Thisbe Read story to a trek group...a wonderful tender mercy.

Split Rock Meadow

Tuesday we were back out at Handcart Parking and with seven treks on the trail we had a very busy day. A tender mercy was that two of the treks had special needs kids with them and  I got to spend a few minutes with each of them and partake of their strong spirits. 

Wednesday we served the morning shift at the Visitor's Center and Thursday we did the afternoon shift. I love the afternoon shift because the morning is the perfect time to do the laundry and ironing and clean the house. This week I also made dinner for The Moench's, us and our neighbors the Paulsens. Sister Moench took a tumble on Sunday afternoon and broke her left foot and right wrist. The wrist needed surgery which she had on Wednesday. She's doing pretty well. Our neighbors, the Paulsen's,  pick things up for us when they go to town then won't let us pay so I like to do dinner for them every once in awhile. 

We celebrated the 4th by only working until noon. We were on road crew, repairing the potholes on the Sun Ranch road. As with everything we do we had a bit of fun on the job.

Elder Cherry's Chain Gang! Notice the ball and chains.

Elder Lindsey's job was to blow the dirt out of the hole before we added the asphalt patch.

I finally got to sit on the roller...maybe next week they'll let me run it!

After a relaxing afternoon we went to the Pavilion where it was party central. Elder Lindsey was on BBQ duty cooking hamburgers.

We also had hot dogs, grilled onions, potato salad, watermelon, and apple crisp with ice cream for dessert. It's true what we say..."no one has starved at Martin's Cove since 1856!"

Sister Seely the ranch cowboy's wife put on a wonderful concert. She is a very talented singer and songwriter and we will miss her when they move to Nebraska next month. Check out her website at www.trinityseely.com.

During intermission we had a flag ceremony with all the Veterans participating. At the end of the concert we all got sparklers and had a unity ceremony lighting them one by one while singing "God Bless America". We ended the evening by watching a fireworks display on the big screen. It was a wonderful celebration of the birth of this country that we all love so very much.

Elder Lindsey found a hat he really liked!

Wyoming fireworks!

Saturday was our "P" day. After our party on Friday night we slept in until 7:30am when we were awakened by the ranch cowboys herding cattle for branding right outside our motor home.  We went into Casper then relaxed at home in the afternoon before we enjoyed dinner with our neighbors the Paulsen's.

Church was very full today, we must have had over a hundred visitors with lots of little children. During testimony meeting I was thinking about how blessed we'd been this last month with visits from President and Sister Anderson our Mission President and from Elder and Sister Clark of the Seventy. I  love that they both emphasised that we are not tour guides but missionaries who testify of the Savior. I've tried to take that to heart this month by taking every opportunity to tell people how the pioneers did what they did and sacrificed what they did because they loved God and his Son, Jesus Christ. I testify to them  that we each have handcarts in our life that we must pull or push and that when the burden gets to be too much Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ will be there by our side helping us just as they did the pioneers.

We will have our "break the fast breakfast" soon, I'm making french toast and Elder Lindsey has this months video ready to show. We have a full week ahead with some new experiences which I'll tell you about next week.

Love and prayers to all of you but this week especially to our grandson Jacob who will fly to the MTC in Mexico City to begin his mission.

Elder and Sister Lindsey