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
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
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