Rain, rain and more rain!

Dear Family and Friends,

Just like much of the country we are getting saturated with rain. If I didn't know the Lord keeps his promises I might think we need to start building another ark. Monday was our preparation day so we headed into Rawlins to do a little shopping and get some chicken at KFC to satisfy Elder Lindsey's craving.

Tuesday we spent the day chinking the back side of the barn. We finished, now we just need another drier day to put the mud on and then the chinking project will be complete.

This little guy lives under the barn but was brave enough to come out a check our progress on the chinking.

This beautiful moth spent the day watching our progress.

After we got home we noticed the cowboys outside doing a mini roundup of a few cows so we went out and watched and of course took a couple of pictures.

This is Moroni, the summer intern on the ranch.

This view of the cattle heading to the trailer for transport is very different than anything we would see out our windows at home in SLC. We are going to miss the country life.

Wednesday was a fun day. It was Sister's Day in Casper. We headed out at 8:00am and went first to Christopher & Banks. They opened an hour early for us and we always make it well worth it for them. After checking out a couple other stores at the mall our group headed to our favorite consignment store, Posh, where we all found some great bargains. We met at an Asian buffet for lunch then it was off to check out more thrift stores...we just love bargains. On our way home we stopped at the Homestead where I dropped of dinner for Elder Lindsey  (Olive Garden). He was assigned to afternoon Visitors' Center so was working until 9:00pm.  After putting things away at home I joined Sister's Brandon and Stimpson at Sister Paynes where they taught me to play the card game hand and foot. I sure do love all these Sisters and we all love the opportunity we have in May and August to get away for "girl time". If the truth be told I think the Elder's enjoy their men's day just as much even though it involves all the work of keeping the sites maned. They always manage to squeeze some fun in along with the work.

Thursday Elder Lindsey and I were assigned to Handcart Parking, a post we love during trekking season because it is so busy and you get to interact with all the treks both before and after their experience in Martin's Cove. Unfortunately there was only one small family trek on the trail so we had to entertain ourselves in different ways.

Elder Lindsey on snake watch.

This is the blow snake we were watching. Until he came out from under the restroom we didn't know if he was dangerous. He was actually quite beautiful and docile having had a nice meal of tiny baby bunnies.

Finally we can say we saw the deer and the antelope play...up to  this point we'd seen only antelope but today at Handcart Parking we watched this small herd of deer pass by.

We did get an opportunity to share a couple of rescue stories with a family that treked. That is something we always love to do.

Friday  because of the rain we did some inside work. One crew did a deep cleaning of the barn and got extra tables set up to prepare for the guests of the missionaries who join us for Sunday potluck. 

Saturday we and the Smiths left early and headed to Casper with three large and one child sized handcart to participate in the 2nd annual gumbo cook off sponsored by the Interpretive Trails Center. In addition to the handcarts and other activities for children there was a car show, a carnival and of course free gumbo. We had a good time helping people with the handcarts and enjoying everything else the festival had to offer. In the afternoon two other couples came to take over and after a quick stop at Walmart we headed home.

Sister Smith an I in front of our favorite truck...a bread delivery truck from the 1950's.

When we arrived back at the Homestead Elder Lindsey and I did some baking. He made three pies and I made rolls for Sunday's potluck.

Sunday was wonderful for Elder Lindsey and I because one of our Rosebud families came to visit. The Barker's were heading home from a visit to their families in Utah and Idaho so they came to spend Sunday with us. They arrived just before Church started and were able to attend all the meetings with us plus potluck. It was so great to spend time with them and the kids. Pictures tell the story.

Mikashia and I showing off our lip color with a selfie.

Mikashia and I taking pictures of each other.

The Barker kids...sure do love these guys!

The whole Barker clan.

Elder Lindsey and I both got lots of baby holding time with Savanna in addition to playing with the other kids and visiting with Ryan and Laura. We told all the other missionaries that we've adopted this family as one of our own.

Another week has flown by and the one ahead is already filled with many new experiences. Our prayers go out to the family of Elder Perry as they mourn his passing. Our love and prayers are with each of you.

Elder and Sister Lindsey

CES Tour/ Parable of the Sower

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday was the first day of the annual CES tour. Most of the missionaries left early in the day on two buses to travel the route of the Martin and Willie Handcart companies. Elder Lindsey and I and Elder and Sister Smith stayed behind to fix the dinner for everyone when they returned about 5:00pm.

We started the day at the barn by fixing ourselves a big breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes which we shared with Kati and Russell before they headed for home. Then we got to work making the fixings for Indian tacos. The Elders browned the meat while Sister Smith and I made pineapple upside down cake. I also started the beans. Sister Morris and Sister Layton came over from the Visitors' Center and set the tables for us then we all took a break for lunch. In the afternoon we chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes and onions and got the olives, cheese, sour cream and salsa into bowls Next we started the dough for the fry bread. We set up a system where the Sisters prepped the dough and then the Elders did the frying and it worked great. We managed to fry 120 pieces in just 45 minutes and were ready to serve just as the buses arrived back at the Homestead.

Sister Smith and I got the dough ready.

Elder Smith and Elder Lindsey manned the hot oil!

We got rave reviews for the meal and the pineapple upside down cake with real whipping cream was a major hit. It was a busy day but a fun day working with the Smiths and the other Sisters who helped out where they could. Clean up was fast because everyone pitched in and helped and we were done in no time.

Tuesday we joined the CES tour and drove over to Sixth Crossing to follow the journey of the Willie handcart company. Unfortunately because of the heavy rains we had to learn of the challenges they faced by lecture rather than following the trails. It was still a wonderful morning as Kyle, Clint and Jonathan taught us with words that filled all of us with the spirit and and the desire to impart that wonderful spirit to the youth and leaders we will come in contact with this summer.

By the time our meetings were over the rain had turned to snow but we and the Smith's decided to go to Riverton to do some shopping and get lunch. We had fun browsing a large flea market and a small thrift store. We ate lunch at the Sundowner where we enjoyed delicious chicken fried steak. After shopping at Walmart we headed for home. It was still snowing at Sixth Crossing but as we neared Martin's Cove the snow turned to rain.

Wednesday morning we woke to 1/2 inch of new snow but it quickly melted as the day warmed up. We spent Wednesday morning working in the kitchen. I made and froze the dinner rolls for Sunday potluck, three loaves of bread for us and taco soup for our District Meeting in the afternoon. When everyone was finished with their assignments we took a rover and headed out on the trail to do some training with the first year missionaries in our District. 

Elder and Sister Hoskin and Elder and Sister Henningson.

When we got in from the trail we had taco soup, fresh rolls, salad and cake for dessert. The soup helped warm us up from the cold rover ride.

Thursday we spent the day putting the perma chink on the unfinished portion of the barn. We will follow this with the authentic mixture of mud to give it an authentic 1872 look. It was great to have a beautiful sunny day to work outside in.

Elder Lindsey filling the caulking gun.

We had a fun little diversion in the afternoon when three of the Wyoming Pony Express Association riders rode thru the ranch in a pre ride for the upcoming re enactment that will occur in June. I took a break from chinking to take a picture.

Friday was our preparation day and we had company. The Barker family from Rosebud were on their way to Salt Lake to visit family and they stopped to have breakfast and spend a couple of hours visiting with us. Elder Lindsey and I fixed French toast, sausage, bacon and eggs. It was so fun to see them. When they pulled up and the kids saw us Mikashia who is three said "hey, I like her!" When they left we heard a little voice from the back of the van call out "I love you." It about melted our hearts. We are excited that they will stop again on their way back and come to church with us.

It only took Savanna a couple of minutes to warm up and then she was mine for the whole visit!

We spent the rest of our day cleaning, doing laundry (Sister) and sorting out tools and repairing little leaks (Elder) in one of the outside compartments of the motor home. After dinner we watched a movie and generally just enjoyed a relaxing evening at home.

Saturday we had the afternoon shift at the Visitors' Center. That shift runs from 2:30pm to 9:00pm. It was a busy day and our last visitor left the parking lot at the same time we did, just a couple minutes after 9:00pm.

Sunday as always was wonderful, with great talks and lessons, wonderful music and delicious food at potluck.

On Wednesday when we had District meeting I gave our home and visiting teaching message on the talk Elder Oaks gave at Conference on the Parable of the Sower. That message has weighed heavily on my mind all week as we found that one of our Rosebud members has left the Church. It has made me especially sad as I loved this Sister and had great hope for her to be the instrument in helping her family find the Gospel. I guess her seeds were planted on soil too rocky to take root. I so want to ask her if when she made this decision was she reading her scriptures every day? Was she praying at least twice a day? Was she pondering her Temple Covenants and expressing constant gratitude to Heavenly Father for her blessings? I think I know the answer to these questions and that is a great reminder to me of what I need to do every day so that my Gospel seeds remain on fertile soil. It is up to each of us individually to nourish our testimonies so that they will continue to grow and we will be strong in the Gospel.

We love and pray for each of you,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Happy Birthday Elder Lindsey/Proud Grandparents

Dear Family and Friends,

Warmer weather arrived! Yea!!! We did have some rain but no freezing temperatures which made us very happy. Monday I had school group and Elder Lindsey was on work crew. I had a fun group of ten fourth graders from Lander, Wyoming.

Here we are in the sewing room where we talk about pioneer clothing and why they wore the type of clothing they did. We also have a bin of hats, bonnets, aprons and vests the students can try on. 

Elder Lindsey spent the morning clearing snow off walkways and roof ledges. Tuesday the weather cooperated and we were finally able to do our yearly highway cleanup. I still don't understand why people throw trash out the windows and don't even get me started on what truck drivers throw out their windows...disgusting!

Finally Sister Bigler, Sister Cook and I reached the end of the road!

Elder Lindsey and Elder Jensen emptying the trash bags out of the back of the pick up. We managed to finish the clean up (a mile on either side of the entrance to Martin's Cove both sides of the road)  in the morning and after lunch we headed home.

Wednesday morning Elder Lindsey and I raked gravel to fill in bare spots around the Homestead. After lunch we headed to town with Elder and Sister Stimpson. Because I still haven't been feeling in top form we stopped at Instacare first. This time they did some blood work and discovered I had an elevated white count indicating an infection so he put me on a different antibiotic and I'm hoping to be on the mend soon. Next we went to Sam's Club to buy groceries for a dinner we will be preparing for CES training next Monday. Then it was on to Walmart for more groceries. After a quick stop at Great Clips for a bang trim for me we headed over to Outback Steakhouse to celebrate Elder Lindsey's birthday. The food was great, the company fun and we all left with take out boxes and very full tummies.

Elder Lindsey shared his dessert with all of us!

Thursday Elder Lindsey went into  Correlation meeting without me since I still wasn't feeling well. They sang "Happy Birthday" to him. After doing a few thing around the Homestead he joined me at Missionary Village to help get ready for the welcome dinner for the last of our remaining missionaries. Thursday evening we had dinner for our last five arriving missionary couples. We are so excited to have them here!

Friday morning dawned wonderful...I felt good for the first time in three weeks and our Granddaughter Kati and her boyfriend Russell arrived in the evening to spend the weekend with us. In the morning we had school group. I took one of the four groups around and Elder Lindsey did the tour of Fort Seminoe for all four groups. After lunch we worked with the Christensen's and Elder Jensen to do the weekly deep clean of the barn then we headed for home to fix dinner and await Kati and Russell's arrival.

Here we are dressed in our pioneer clothes waiting for our school group to arrive.

Saturday was our preparation day so after breakfast we headed into Martin's Cove with Kati and Russell. There was a large trek from Canada on the trail so our first stop was the footbridge to watch them cross the river. 

Kati and Russell

We stopped at the statues and told them of the Valley Boy's and their rescue of the Martin Company when crossing the Sweetwater River. Next we trekked into Martin's Cove where because we were protected from the wind we were much warmer. On our way back to the Homestead on the front trail we stopped at Handcart Parking and Veil Bridge where we and the missionaries assigned there told the stories of the pioneers. 

At Veil Crossing Bridge Elder Burdette asked Russell about his mission and in the small world department discovered Russell served for a short time with the son of a close family friend of both he and President Bushman. After eating lunch we toured the Visitors' Center and the other buildings on the Homestead then it was home where the kids took a nap and I wrote my talk for Sunday. We BBQed flank steak for dinner then watched Ephraim's Rescue since neither Kati or Russell had seen it.

It's not easy to push a handcart!

Sunday was a busy day. Elder Lindsey and I were one of the two missionary couples to talk in church and Kati played a violin solo;For the Beauty of the Earth. It was beautiful and we were very proud. Everyone loved it and she and Russell were surrounded by Senior Missionaries, some who served in Ukraine and many who were interested in Russell's missionary experiences in Vietnam. After potluck we took a mission picture. Elder Lindsey setup the camera and Kati and Russell took the pictures.

Fifty one couples strong!

After pictures we gathered in the Trek Center for the CES fireside. 

It was fun to see Clint and Kyle again and to meet Jonathan.

Proof the wind still blows in Wyoming! We sure do love these kids and are so grateful they chose to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa!

Two cuties! So fun to be with them!

Another week has ended and as always it seemed to fly by. Being able to spend time with Kati and Russell this weekend just reminded us of the importance of families and why family is central to Heavenly Father's  plan. We love our family so very much and are so proud of them and we rejoice in the good and righteous choices our grandchildren are making in their lives.

Our love and prayers are with each of you,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Done with...Winter!

Dear Family and Friends,

As the title this week implies we have decided we are officially done with winter. As we were driving into the Homestead on Saturday in a snowstorm my mind wandered back to our first snowstorm of the winter which occurred on the weekend of November 8th over six months ago! There are supposedly 4 seasons in a year each lasting 3 months so for my calculations winter arrived way too early and it is staying way too late and we are giving notice that it's time  to move on to spring or maybe even summer...but no more winter!

Monday we had preperation day so after cleaning and doing some maintenance on the motorhome we headed into Casper with Elder and Sister Stimpson and went to lunch at Sanfords and then went to see The Avengers movie. We enjoyed it very much. The non stop action kept us on the edge of our seats. After the movie we all went to Sam's Club and to Walmart to do some grocery shopping arriving home just in time for Family Home Evening.

The weather has been cold and rainy (moisture that is much needed) so that has slowed down the outside work. President Bushman has put the time to good use doing extra training. Tuesday evening he invited everyone to the Pavilion for a watermelon feed and game. It was fun to gather together and visit and the first watermelon of the season was great.

Friday afternoon Elder Lindsey and I went with Elder and Sister Smith in their jeep to try to find the road to Whiskey Gap. Between 1860 and 1863 about 3,000 Mormon Pioneers took this alternate route into the Salt Lake Valley. We got close but didn't make it through the gap and since the weather was getting worse we decided to save that trail for another day but we spent a fun couple of hours on some beautiful back roads.

Friday night was movie night. We watched Old Dogs in the Pavilion...a fun movie.

Ready for the movie!

Saturday we worked in the kitchen preparing for Sunday's potluck. Elder Lindsey baked three pies
and I made rolls.

At FHE Monday we all drew names to do something nice for someone this week. When we arrived home on Saturday this cute gift was on our porch. Yes that's snow on my poor little cactus.

This is our  granddaughter Kendra, she got her mission call this week. She will enter the Provo MTC on September 9th and will serve in the Jamaica, Kingston Mission. We are so proud of her and know she will make a wonderful missionary.

As seems to be the Mothers Day tradition here at Martin's Cove this is what we woke to this morning and it is still coming down! 

Today was a lovely Mothers Day. All of the husbands wrote letters to their wives and as we walked between them as they lined up in the back of the room they gave us our letters and a kiss. At the end of the line we each received a small bag of "rubies". It was very touching and there were many tears shed. I will treasure my letter forever. Because of the snow we met for church out at Missionary Village and held our potluck there also. After our tummies were full we had a special fireside with Jolene Allphin author of the book Tell My Story Too which we rely heavily on as we tell the stories of the handcart pioneers to Trekkers and guests at the Visitors Center. Jolene has the spirit of the Handcart pioneers in her heart and it is wonderful to listen to her experiences.

My letter and "rubies"

Sister Allphin and I

We have another busy week ahead and are hoping for warmer weather to accompany it! Our love and prayers continue to be with all of you.

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Dejavu

Dear Family and Friends,

As per this weeks title much that happened this week was a repeat of last week with some minor detail changes. Monday I took another day off to try to get my health back while Elder Lindsey did work crew. On Tuesday I went into work but did my service in the sewing center while everyone else went out to paint.

Wednesday was a repeat of the week before as we started our day at the Instacare. This time I left with three additional medications to treat the cough and bronchitis that arrived as the throat cleared up. At least this week I was feeling much better and was not contagious!

Next stop was Walmart to shop for Friday's Trek training dinner and our own personal groceries. After shopping we went out to lunch then home to do laundry and get the motorhome cleaned up.

Thursday we and our team did all the prep work for Friday's dinner. This week we served sweet and sour chicken over rice, homemade rolls, garden salad and apple crisp with ice cream. Friday we prepared and served dinner to about 200 people. Again we got a lot of positive feedback on our meal. It was a team effort and we had a great time working together with all the missionaries.

Saturday morning we again headed over to Sixth Crossing early to help with the Trek Training program over there.

Here we are in pioneer dress waiting for the program to start.

In the afternoon we relaxed and did a little work on our lawn. For dinner we treated ourselves to a BBQed steak and then we headed down to the Pavilion where we showed The Avengers. We have great movie nights with lots of yummy treats.

Sunday we were assigned Visitors' Center. We did get a chance to take the Sacrament but were busy the rest of the day.

This couple wanted a picture with Elder Lindsey for their journal so I told them they were going in my blog. They were headed to Mt Rushmore and hadn't realized we were here but were so happy they stopped. We get that a lot!

On Fast Sunday we get together for breakfast at 5:00pm at Missionary Village. We all came hungry and we all left stuffed! It has been another good week...the days and the time are flying by. I am feeling much better and we look forward to another busy week.

Know you are always in our prayers. We love you,

Elder and Sister Lindsey