Fun Times

August 31, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,
What a fun week we've had. Elder Lindsey finished the Yearbook and DVD on Thursday so he is feeling a great deal of relief. Monday I served in the Visitors' Center in the afternoon but things were so slow that I left at 6:00pm and got to got to FHE for the chili cook off and talent show. Fun times...we have some very talented (and funny) missionaries.

This group wrote new words to two primary songs. They had us laughing and crying!

Tuesday was Sisters Day Out in Casper. This is an annual event the end of August where the Christopher and Banks store at the mall opens an hour early just for us. It is an opportunity for everyone to get a new outfit for going home or as in my case some warm clothing for the winter in South Dakota.

Some of the Sisters had already moved on to other stores but by our shopping bags you can tell we had a great time and by shopping smart saved our companions a lot of money!

After checking out a few other stores in the mall we headed to our favorite second hand store. I really scored here, finding six new winter skirts all half price! Two of them still had their original tags on them. I was one happy shopper. Everyone met for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant then after a quick stop at Walmart we headed for home.

Sister Ormsby, Sister Paulsen, me, Sister Rollins and Sister Smith headed for a fun day of shopping. I love these ladies and have had so much fun with them these last five months!

The first thing I had to do at home was clean out my closet...out with the old and in with the new! Yes Elder Lindsey still has half the closet!

The rest of the week was spent on work crew. Thursday a bunch of us Sisters went out to Handcart Parking to paint some benches that were moved in late in the season and to touch up the picnic tables under the pavilion. On the way our I talked Sister Bingham into driving the rover over to the river so I could see the rocks that I've been too chicken to walk over to. (Tall grass equals snakes).

The beautiful Sweetwater River. I'm wearing my well used painting coveralls!

I only painted until 11:30am as our district was having a dinner and I had been asked to smoke baby back ribs on the Treger. The ribs turned out great and the party was fun. Good food, good friends and games make for a great evening. 

Early Friday afternoon I got a call from Elder Lindsey, who was still at the Homestead, telling me that my friend Debra Jones and her husband were at the Visitors' Center. They followed Elder Lindsey out to Missionary Village and we had a fun visit. It was only after they left I realized I didn't get a picture! I guess they will just have to come back!

Friday afternoon we headed to the mountains with the Paulsens, Ormsbys, Smith's and Blacks. We Sisters walked the last 2 plus miles into the picnic area (uphill). It was beautiful and great to stretch our legs. We BBQed hamburgers and hot dogs and had potato salad I had made after work and we had an assortment of chips. Another good meal shared with good friends in a beautiful setting.

We can see clear to Martin's Cove from the top of this mountain.

On our way up the mountain we stopped and watched these two beautiful wild horses play. 

Saturday Elder Lindsey was up early and out repairing the roof of the motor home. We had gotten a small leak this week and when he checked it out realized the whole roof needed recaulked. Since he was on the roof I did a clean up of the inside and then fixed breakfast. When Elder Lindsey went back to the roof I went into the Sewing Center at the Homestead and worked on hemming the skirts I bought last Tuesday. It's so nice to have a place to work that has everything you need organized and within easy reach.

Saturday evening we had a swing band come out and we had a fun evening dancing, visiting and of course eating...root beer floats and watermelon!

The Band!

Sisters Line Dancing!

Today was another wonderful Sunday. It was announced today that Elder and Sister Bushman who have been serving here at Martin's Cove for the last 18 months will be our new Directors as of January 2015. They will leave for home this coming Saturday and then return to their new position in January. The Bushman's are well loved here at MMHS and will make wonderful directors.

Many of the Sisters were sporting their new attire bought on our shopping day last Tuesday. Sister Cherry and I had great taste in jackets.

Elder Lindsey and I served the afternoon shift at the Visitors' Center after church today. Most of our early traffic was from family and friends who were visiting missionaries for the holiday weekend. Things quieted down for awhile and then we got two tour busses. The first one had mostly Asian tourists from Toronto Canada. They are always great fun, they love to take lots of pictures and any literature we have in their language...they love to have copies of the Book of Mormon. Right behind them was a tour full of Russian people who now live in New York and New Jersey. A tender mercy for me was visiting with a couple from Kiev who immigrated to the USA in 1994. I told them about my granddaughter Kati serving a mission in Kiev and how much she loves the people and the beautiful country. The woman told me that the things I was telling her lightened her heart as they worry so about the things that are happening back home. She gave me a big hug and he told me how much they admire the Church and our commitment to helping people and supporting families.

I didn't get their name but I asked if I could take their picture so Kati could see her Grandma was also working with wonderful Ukrainian people on her mission.

We love our Heavenly Father, we love his Church and most of all we love serving this mission. We are richely blessed.

Our love and prayers are with you always,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Fall Work

August 24, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

You are probably looking at the title of my post and saying what does she mean fall, it's still in the 90's here. Well here in Wyoming summer is the shortest season of the year and winter is a daily possibility so I'm calling the weather we are having now fall. Cool mornings and evenings and in the 60's and 70's during the day with a few maybe creeping into the low 80's...yep it's fall!

Our ten week trekking season has ended and now we are working to get everything ready for winter. We still have yard work and flower gardens to tend and the willows we planted in the spring are growing by leaps and bounds. We are feeding them with Miracle Grow every couple of weeks. This week on Thursday Sister Paulsen, Sister Petersen and I did that job before lunch. Lunch on Thursday was FM (Facilities Maintenance) appreciation day. Elder Cherry fixed us a feast of steaks, potato salad, French bread, beans, watermelon and ice cream sundaes for dessert. It's a good thing we had the afternoon off because we practically had to roll home. Everyone who comes here remarks on the beautiful and well cared for grounds and that makes us feel good because we take great pride in honoring the pioneers who sacrificed so much here by keeping the site beautiful.

Another thing that has slowed down is the people coming to the Visitors' Center. We had the afternoon shift on Wednesday but had no visitors between 3:00pm and 6:00pm when the supervisors sent us home early.

Elder Lindsey is working with several others to get the Yearbook to the publisher by Friday the 29th of August so his time has been spent taking pictures and then working on the computer doing lay outs. He also needs to get the DVD of all the videos he's done this season sent to the printer.

Friday I got my first opportunity to chink. We are rechinking all the original Sun Ranch buildings including the barn, wash house, bunkhouse and blacksmith shop. Chinking is the process used to fill the space between logs in buildings. The Church History Department sent out some people a few weeks ago to teach us the 1872 method for the final layer of chink. So far we have removed all the old chinking and are almost done putting a modern product in to seal the cracks. When we finish this project we will do a mixture that replicates what they used in 1872 when the buildings were constructed. That mixture consists of cement, local dirt and straw. We mix it up and apply it by hand....mud pies anyone?

Here I am on my way to becoming an expert chinker!

About six weeks ago Elder Lindsey decided to grow his hair out. He was finally ready for a haircut and since I only use the clippers to buzz Sister Erickson agreed to give him a proper haircut. She even makes house calls!

Looking good!

Saturday morning we were on the road to Casper before 8:00am. Our first stop was for breakfast at McDonalds. We then visited a couple thrift stores where I scored on four new winter skirts and a sweater for $28.00. Thank you Heather for teaching me how to really shop! Then it was on to Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Target and Home Depot. After shopping until we dropped we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for a late lunch.

Sunday morning we had our friends Elder and Sister Paulsen over for omelets and hash browns. It was Elder Lindsey's turn to show off his skills as a chef and he did fantastic, everything was yummy. After church instead of staying for pot luck we were still feeling quite full so we came home. We had district meeting at 4:00pm and after that I fixed a quick stir fry meal with fried rice which we shared with the Paulsens. It's going to be strange when we get to Rosebud next month to not have neighbors to share a meal with. Hopefully we will be so busy we won't have time to miss everyone.

Our Sunday school lesson today was on Job...probably just like yours was. Sister Paulsen asked some very thought provoking questions...the same ones the Lord asks Job. Where were we (you and me) when he created the earth? Were we part of the heavenly choir that was singing praises? When Heavenly Father and Jesus talk about us (individually) what do they say? Something to think about.

It is strange to think that we've been on our mission five months today and that our first season here at Martin's Cove is coming to an end. We have been so richly blessed and are getting more excited every day for the adventure that lies ahead. I bought us an electric mattress pad and since the temperatures are in the 40's here at night we are excited to try it out. I'm still waiting for the flannel sheets to arrive. Have a wonderful week everyone...do a little missionary work Remember all you have to do is open your mouth!

Love,
Elder and Sister Lindsey

Rock Creek Hollow/Home Again

August 17, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

We were at RCH until Wednesday afternoon. Since we had no treks this week it was very peaceful with not alot to do. Monday morning before Elder and Sister Bearry left I fixed breakfast burritos for all of us so they could concentrate on packing and cleaning their trailer. Elder Lindsey and Elder Bearry took care of some Badger holes that needed filling in. Those critters sure like to dig and the holes can be dangerous to visitors. We only saw one badger during our stay and he moved too fast to get a picture.

Off to do badger hole battle!

Elder and Sister Anderson arrived in the afternoon and we said goodby to the Bearry's. After helping the Anderson's unpack we had a quite afternoon and then in the evening had the Anderson's to dinner. They are from Alberta, Canada and had worked in the Addiction Recovery Program up there so we had a good visit and they gave us a lot of useful information.

The Anderson's and us. They were fun and they taught us how to play Rook.

On Tuesday we went to the Grubstake for lunch...it was so good. After lunch we went exploring at South Pass City.

If you ever get to Atlantic City don't miss this place!

South Pass City is an old mining town that has been restored to show what it was like during the gold boom of the 1870's. It was great to go in the old buildings and read the history of the area. We even found a cute little Wyoming rug for the motorhome.

Thursday we had late Visitors' Center. A tender mercy; I was taking a couple from SLC through and she looked so familiar to me so I finally asked if she'd come to the Church Office Building. She told me she'd worked there for Food Services for eight years. Then it clicked. She was the accountant that retired the week I started working for Food Services. Her name was Carol and she had come in to visit a few times over the years and was always spoken of so fondly by everyone there I always felt I knew her too. What a fun time it was for both of us as we shared memories of  mutual friends.

Friday we were on work crew. We spent the morning hauling away the dead willows that had been pulled out around the staging area where the busses park.

This job required heavy equipment...and this is one machine I don't want to even try to operate!

Saturday was not our P day because we came home from RCH and the travel day is considered your P day. We had RRA and so we started early and finished with enough of the day left to have some fun. We took a day trip to Grand Encampment, a town 60 miles Southwest of Rawlins. It was a copper mining town in the 1800's and they have a wonderful museum and interpretive center with many old buildings that have been restored. We had a fun tour of the grounds and buildings.

One of the favorite buildings is this two story out house. In the winter the snow would get so high they'd close the bottom, lift the seats and use the top.

I was grateful that RRA for us does not include highrise out houses!

Wagons, Model T's, old gas pumps and an old guy!

On our way home we stopped in Saratoga and walked their quaint main street, browsed in the shops and got an ice cream cone. I was a great day, a get away of sorts. In the evening I watched the movie in the Pavilion, "Emma Smith, My Story". I really enjoyed it. Elder Lindsey stayed home and puttered around. 

We are starting some training through email and phone for our new assignment. Right now the plan is to arrive in SLC on September 19th and head back to Martin's Cove to pick up our motorhome on September 29th. Then head to Rosebud. Our friends Ken and Sue will put us up. We are hoping to attend some ARP meetings while we are in SLC so we get some first hand knowledge of how they are run. We are also excited to go to the Temple, see Ernie and attend the Ogden Temple Rededication. 

We had a wonderful Sacrament Meeting today. Elder Evans from the Seventy and Executive Director of The Missionary Department of the Church was here with his wife. He gave a wonderful message about the "last wagon"; those in the back that can't see the leaders but who forge ahead with devotion, loyalty and most of all in faith. He also told us that as missionaries we can ask for the assignments we would like to have but we must be available to serve wherever the Lord wants us. 

One of the most valuable things he said today for Elder Lindsey and I was that we are all Shepherds and that a good Shepherd prays to be taught how he can help...he tells the Lord, "if you will teach me how to help, I will do it." Great advice as we pray to understand and implement our new calling.

One last thing he told us was that being a missionary means that we are rescuers. I surmise that that in turn means we are rescuing our brothers and sisters for our Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ. 

We love you all and as always you are in our prayers,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Rock Creek Hollow/Transfers

August 10, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Surprise! The people we are serving with here at Rock Creek Hollow have a mobile hotspot and are willing to share it so I decided to continue with my weekly postings.

Monday and Tuesday were very busy days what with our regular assignments (Welcome Post on Monday and Visitor' Center on Tuesday) and getting ready to move a weeks worth of stuff to Rock Creek Hollow.

Elder Lindsey working hard at Welcome Post.

 A highlight of the Visitors' Center for me was the opportunity I had to show a young man from China around and tell him the story of the Martin Handcart Company and also tell him a little about the restoration of the Gospel. At one point he put his hand over his heart and said, I am feeling something here when you tell me these things. He was in San Francisco on business for three weeks then was taking a week to go to Yellowstone and the Tetons then to Martin's Cove and Salt Lake City on his way back to San Francisco to fly home. He happily accepted a Book of Mormon in Mandarin and was excited to know they would have Mandarin speaking missionaries on Temple Square. A coincidence he chose to travel to the places he did...I think not. To me it is another example of how Heavenly Father orchestrates things for our good.

Wednesday morning we left home just after 7:00am and headed for Sixth Crossing for our orientation. When we arrived their Trek Center was full of young people and leaders as they had had a huge storm the night before that flooded the campground. After orientation we headed to Lander for a little sight seeing, grocery shopping and lunch.

Our first stop was The Sinks State Park. It was just a few miles out of Lander and absolutely beautiful.

This is where the river flows into the underground cavern.

This is the pool the water flows into from the underground river...no fishing allowed!

We arrived at RCH about 12:30pm unloaded and got settled into our trailer before the first group of trekkers arrived. We welcomed them into camp and helped them get their handcarts cleaned and loaded on the trailers to be taken back over to Sixth Crossing.

The young men love using the power washer!

Load them up!

Sister Berry fixed us a wonderful meal of steak, potatoes, corn on the cob and green beans. We  were in heaven! After dinner we took our chairs down to the amphitheatre to listen to the youth bear their testimonies about their experiences at Martin's Cove and Sixth Crossing. For us it was wonderful to hear as we always wonder when they leave us if they felt the spirit of these sacred sites and did it make a difference in their lives. After listening to them for three nights we know with assurity it did and it does. It was a gift and a tender mercy from Heavenly Father for us to learn this. 

Friday afternoon Elder Lindsey and I drove into Atlantic City ( 9 miles, dirt roads, tiny town) for lunch. The Sixth Crossing missionaries had been telling us about the Grub Steak and they were right. Lunch was wonderful. We hope to sneak over there again next week.

Elder Lindsey commented Saturday morning as we watched our last trek group of the season pack up for home that we've had the special experience of being trek hosts to the first trek of the season at Martin's Cove and RCH hosts for the last trek of the season. We truly have been blessed.

RCH is such a special place. The Willie Handcart Company lost 15 people in this spot after crossing Rocky Ridge in 18 inches of snow and blizzard conditions. The stories of courage, faith, obedience, sacrifice and charity are life changing to those who visit here. We know we are truly blessed and it is an honor for us to do this small service to honor them.

Rock Creek, looking into RCH.

RCH is under the direction of the Sixth Crossing missionaries so every Monday a new couple arrive to spend a week. Then on Wednesday a new couple from Martin's Cove arrive to assist them. There are two church trailers parked side by side that each couple occupies for a week. It gives each of us from the two sites the opportunity to get to know the missionaries from the other sites on a more personal level. While at RCH we greet visitors and if they'd like share stories with them. We make sure all the areas are clean and well cared for including the rest rooms and when we have treks we act as campground hosts.

Elder Lindsey got this picture of Sister Bearry and I in front of our trailers. We were headed down to the flag pole to raise the flag, say the pledge of allegiance and have prayer.

Elder and Sister Bearry with us in front of the now empty campground. They are from Auburn, California and we have loved serving with them at RCH.

Saturday evening we roasted hot dogs over Elder Bearry's propane fire pit, ate dinner outside then sat around the campfire and visited until it was time to retire the colors. Sunday morning Elder Lindsey and I attended Sacrament meeting at the Windriver Ward in Lander. The people were friendly and we felt very welcomed. On our way back to RCH we stopped at Red Canyon Overlook and took a few pictures.

Friday morning we received the call we'd been anxiously waiting for from President Anderson (our mission president). We have been assigned to serve in Rosebud, South Dakota for six months. We will start up an Addiction Recovery Program for the Sioux and Lakota people in that area. President Anderson said this is a pilot program for this area and we will be the pilots! You all know from reading this blog how much I wanted to remain at Martin's Cove for the winter yet the moment President Anderson issued the call both Elder Lindsey and I knew immediately this was what Heavenly Father wants us to do. We are very excited for this new opportunity. We will take our motorhome and most likely park at the church for the six months we are assigned there. The plan is to return to Martin's Cove in April and serve as second year missionaries for another season before going home in late September 2015.

We will be making a quick trip home in late September to trade the Toyota for the Tahoe and pick up a few of our winter clothes. We are really looking forward to seeing Ernie and attending church in our home ward, probably on September 28th.

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

Finding Joy

August 3, 2014

Monday we had afternoon Visitors Center and we both enjoyed spending time with and sharing testimonies with the great people who stopped by. Some come knowing why they are here and others turn in because they had a feeling they should. The highlight of my afternoon was taking a family with four children on a tour, two teenage girls and two boys, nine and five. The five year old, Cameron  quickly became a friend sharing with me his five year old wisdom which I found delightful. The highlight of the tour was when I was showing the family a replica of the odometer built by William Clayton when Cameron looked up at me and said "You weren't here then...were you?" His mother was mortified but I thought it was the cutest thing I've heard in a long time and our friendship was firmly cemented.

Cameron and his "not that old" friend Sister Lindsey.

Tuesday I did a school group while Elder Lindsey did lawns; mowing, edging and getting the baptismal font ready for a Sweetwater River baptism. My school group didn't start until 11:30am so I spent the morning in the Sewing Center. I trimmed two quilts to prepare them to be bound and I added pockets to my new apron something I didn't have time to do last week. Todays school group were Jr High kids from Casper. It was different than taking the fourth graders we usually have but they were a great group of kids and their teacher was really nice. 

The kids are inside the blacksmith shop getting their "Prairie Diamonds"

Wednesday we did morning Visitors Center then after our neighbors, the Paulsen's got done at Veil Crossing the four of us took off for the mountains. Because most of our driving would be on dirt roads we took their truck. We went to the top of the mountain just west of Ranch 66 and the view was spectacular. We could even see Ranch 66 way out in the distance. It was easily recognized because it was the only spot with trees in the whole valley. We roasted hot dogs and just had a delightful time enjoying the trees, the cool mountain air, the view and the company!

Our friends, Elder and Sister Paulsen

Thursday we had work crew. Elder Lindsey, Elder Paulsen and Elder Taylor Jr spent the day replacing part of the facade on the restrooms with new logs that have been made to look old. After Sister Taylor Jr and I finished weeding we helped the guys load the truck with the debris and take a load to the dump (located on the ranch). I want to be there when they have that bon fire.

Off with the old...

Elder Lindsey sometimes gets to drive heavy equipment too!

On Thursday afternoon my sister Patty and her husband Gene came to visit. They were on their way home from visiting Gene's family. We had a lovely visit. The weather was perfect for a BBQ and then after dinner we took a rover up to Martin's Cove. There were lots of antelope and other animals out so Gene was able to get some nice pictures.

Patty and Gene with Elder Lindsey and I

On Friday morning after breakfast I headed out to work crew while Elder Lindsey who was on another assignment took Patty and Gene on a "deluxe tour" of the Visitors Center and the Homestead. When I got done on road crew I was able to join them for awhile before they headed to Independence Rock and then home. It is wonderful to have family visit!

Friday while Elder Lindsey put the slide show for Fast Sunday "break the fast breakfast" I made a potato salad and got ready for more family visits. Elder Lindsey's brother Bob and Bob's son Brad arrived in the afternoon to spend the weekend with us. After resting up a bit we took them to see Independence Rock and then did the "deluxe tour" of the Visitors Center and Homestead. We had another nice evening for a BBQ so we ate hamburgers and potato salad outside. 

Saturday morning after breakfast we headed off to Martin's Cove. Elder Lindsey waited for us at Handcart Parking so as to not aggravate his knee while Bob, Brad and I hiked Martin's Cove. I hear the story they are telling is that I made them run the loop around the Cove...twice!

Me, Brad and Bob off the hike Martin's Cove

Saturday afternoon we relaxed and cooked Dutch oven ribs. After ribs and potato salad we headed for the Pavilion for movie night and Dutch oven desserts. I made a chocolate pudding cake and put together an apple dumpling dessert for Sister Smith who was serving at the Visitors' Center. We had a great turn out, all the desserts were yummy especially topped with ice cream! Scott, the man we met last week joined us for the movie and requested a Book of Mormon. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to testify of Gospel truths. 

Church was great, as always. Bob commented on the strong spirit that was there. Bob also commented that until people come to Martin's Cove they don't understand the spirit that you feel the moment you arrive on the property. I've tried to convey it in my blog posts but the truth is the only way to know it is to come here and walk the trails yourself. I hope each of you can do that someday.

Bob and Brad headed back to Ogden after church. We really enjoyed their visit. It's wonderful to serve a mission but nothing beats visits from family and friends. We will be thinking of our granddaughter Hannah this week as she marries Nathan Taylor in the Gilbert Arizona Temple. 

Don't look for a blog post next week. We will serve at Rock Creek Hollow from Wednesday,  August 6th to Wednesday, August 13th and will have great cell service but no internet. I'll write all about our adventures in two weeks.

This has been another week in which we've found joy in so many things; our work as missionaries, visits from loved ones, messages from friends and family and answered prayers. We love you all.

Elder and Sister Lindsey