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
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