Goodby Martin's Cove...for now

September 21, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

It seems absolutely impossible that six months has passed and we are leaving Martin's Cove. Even though we are excited for our transfer and new challenges that lay ahead there is much we will miss. Number one on that list are the thirty seven couples we have served with. When we get to Rosebud it will be just Elder Lindsey and I and I know we will both have moments when we wish we could hop next door or a couple trailers down and visit with our friends.

Monday and Wednesday were regular work days and Tuesday we took our last shift in the Visitors' Center. Tuesday afternoon we drove to Riverton picked up a few groceries then met many of the missionaries from Martin's Cove and Sixth Crossing at the Sundowner Station Restaurant. We had been told they had good food and they sure did. Elder Lindsey and I had the best chicken fried steak we'd ever had. We shared and still couldn't finish. After the early dinner we all headed over to President and Sister Lorimer's home for a fireside. As you remember President Lorimer was President of the Riverton Wyoming Stake when it was discovered the Temple work had not been done for most of the Handcart Pioneers who had perished on the trail. The Riverton Stake finished the year long project completing these ordinances in 1992 (The Second Rescue). President Lorimer also negotiated the purchases of all the Mormon Handcart Historic Sites under the direction of President Hinckley. As you can imagine he is a wealth of knowledge and has many wonderful experiences to share. We have heard him speak three times and he has never repeated himself!

President Lorimer. We met at his home in his beautiful yard.

Relaxing while we waited for the fireside to begin. Elder Ormsby is especially relaxed!

Wednesday evening was our farewell dinner and it was wonderful. Pork Loin with mushroom sauce, baked potatoes, steamed carrots with butter and dill, garlic breadsticks and bread pudding for dessert. After dinner we had entertainment and a slide show of a few of the 70,000 pictures Sister Moench has taken over the last 18 months.

It was a dressy affair.

Elder and Sister Paulsen shared our table.

Everyone had formal pictures taken with Elder and Sister Moench.

To end the evening we had a performance of almost original music from the "Poison Spider" Boy Band.

I'd like to share what I wrote for this years Remember Book which tells some of my memories of serving at this wonderful sacred place.

I Will Remember

I will remember being on work crew one day and having the strong impression that the physical work we do here at Martin’s Cove is very important to the Lord and those we honor here so I have felt it a privilege to help maintain these sacred grounds.

I will remember walking on a trek with the mother of a severely autistic boy and of sharing our shared experiences raising these special but sometimes challenging children.

I will remember silently watching a river crossing where six Aaronic Priesthood holders carried one of their leaders over the river in a rickshaw.

I will remember bearing my testimony to a young girl in the Visitors’ Center and watching the tears run down her cheeks as I asked her to always remember how much Heavenly Father and Jesus loves her.

I will remember a mother turning around as her family was leaving, throwing her arms around me and thanking me for my testimony of the Gospel.

I will remember a five year old boy wondering if perhaps I might have been here when the Handcart Companies came through.

I will remember wonderful spirit filled Sacrament meetings and strong and powerful testimonies.

I will remember lively and fun Sunday school classes and Spirit filled Relief Society meetings.

I will remember the best neighbors anyone could wish for, ones that loved like the Savior loved.

I will remember great food and lively conversation.

I will remember beautiful music, wonderful art and Firesides that were a spiritual feast.

I will remember the peace I felt every time I was privileged to trek into Martin’s Cove whether with a trek or with my eternal companion.

I will remember leaders who led by the spirit, and were kind and loving to everyone.

I will remember the spirit that could be felt by everyone who drove through the front gate and which I was privileged to feel every day.

 I will remember the angles round about…

Thursday afternoon our friends Dave and Jan Harris along with their friends Ronda and Paul arrived on their motorcycles. We were their first stop on a motorcycle trip to the Black Hills. We had dinner in the pavilion then because Elder Lindsey was sick he went home and crashed and I took them on a tour of Martin's Cove, the Visitors Center and the buildings of the homestead. On Friday morning we had waffles, sausage, eggs and bacon in the pavilion and were joined by Elder Paulsen who helped cook and then did the major part of the clean up!

Paul, Ronda, Elder Lindsey and I with Dave and Jan

After breakfast the bikes took off for parts east and Elder Lindsey and I with help from our friends finished loading the car and after many good byes and hugs we took off for Salt Lake City. Since Elder Lindsey had all the signs of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (tick fever) and was miserable our first stop in Salt Lake was the Instacare connected to our doctors office. After ruling out other possibilities the doctor decided to go ahead and treat him for tick fever. I am happy to report that he finally got a good nights sleep Friday night and that he was feeling much better on Saturday. Prayers and medication work every time!

We stopped at the house and unloaded the car then headed to Ken and Sue's, our home for the week. We are so grateful for good friends who love and support us. It was fun to spend the evening together, share a good meal and just enjoy each others company.

Saturday our first stop was to get the car washed! It's nice to be able to wash it and not drive down a dirt road right after. It might actually stay clean for a few days. We took the Tahoe to our mechanic for the safety inspection and licensing and to have the heater thermostat repaired and will pick it up on Monday. Elder Lindsey replaced the motor on the swamp cooler then was able to take a nice long nap while Tauni and I ran a few errands. 

We are experiencing a bit of cultural shock...traffic...we don't like it and we are missing our beautiful clean clear air. Friday night we showed Ken and Sue part of the DVD Elder Lindsey made and it made me homesick for beautiful Martin's Cove.

Sunday we were blessed to attend the Rededication of the Ogden Temple. It is always a sweet experience to attend a temple dedication and today was no exception.

After the dedication we went and picked up Ernie and went "home" for a lovely Sunday afternoon of relaxing and enjoying a delicious dinner of turkey and all the trimmings.

A Lindsey family portrait.

Elder Lindsey is still not feeling in top form so it will be nice to see our regular family doctor tomorrow.

Our love and prayers are with you,

Elder and Sister Lindsey