Cherry Creek

Dear Family and Friends,

This week we were Campground Hosts at Cherry Creek so the days were basically the same. Out to the campground at 7:00am, restock the restrooms, help the trekkers get on the trail, greet new arrivals and in the evening on the nights we had square dancing set the sound systems up and help with teach the kids the dances. Every day we were able to get home in the middle part of the day for awhile which was very nice.

This was something I hadn't seen at the campground before...freezers. The Castle Rock Colorado Springs Stake brought five of them plus two generators to run them! The week before we saw a trek arrive with a kitchen sink in the back of a pickup truck.

In the middle of the week we realized the side effects of the medications Elder Lindsey is taking for his PMR were getting to the "we need help" phase so after talking to the doctor it was decided we would make the 700 mile round trip home for an appointment on Monday. We both feel better knowing Elder Lindsey will start feeling more like himself next week.

This week the snakes became very active in areas where they would be a danger to our trekkers so we had to send several to the other side of the veil. My name rose to the top of the list for my own snake so Elder Stimpson gave of of them to me and I with some help from my friends started the process to turn him into a hatband. WARNING for the squeamish the pictures ahead may be disturbing!

Notice he's headless and I'm wearing gloves...I'm only so brave!

First he has to be skinned and since I wanted no part of that Elder Moeser volunteered to do it for me for which I am forever grateful. Like I said my courage goes only so far!

Next you pull the inside out of the skin...more thanks to Elder Moeser. No we did not eat him!

My courage returned and here he is skinned and ready to be stretched. 

Next we carefully stretch him and pin him outside down to a board.

Sister Stimpson helped me with this process.

After stretching we salted him up good. It will be several days before we do the next step so check back next week!

Friday was a wonderful day. After we got our campers out on the trail we went back home and soon were joined by my friend Allison and her friend Angie. Allison and I worked together for about 16 years and I have missed her. Over the years I had heard many good things about Angie so it was really fun to spend time with her too and get to know her a bit.

Allison and I 

Allison and Angie

After filling our water bottles us "girls" took of to trek Martin's Cove. We had a great trek. I told them all the stories and we just enjoyed being together in such a beautiful place. After trekking we headed to the Homestead to have lunch and tour the sights there. Then it was off to Cherry Creek to check in with our campers before heading back to Missionary Village to celebrate the 24th of July with  BBQed hamburgers and Dutch oven potatoes, beans  and cobblers with ice cream. We know how to party!

Elder Lindsey and the Stimpson's sharing good times.

Too soon it was time to say goodby. As they drove away I told Elder Lindsey I had had the best day ever! There is just nothing like some "girl time" with dear friends.

Saturday after getting the last group on the trail and headed for home we came home to do laundry, clean house and make preparation to head to Salt Lake on Sunday. In the afternoon we had a wonderful surprise when Elder and Sister Moench knocked on our door. Since those of us still serving missed their missionary reunion in Utah a couple of weeks ago they decided to come see us. We visited for a few minutes then in the evening all of the second and third year missionaries who could got together in the Gathering Room and visited. It was a wonderful evening.

Elder and Sister Moench aka Mary Ann and Lorin  and us.

Sunday we headed to SLC at 6:30 in the morning and arrived at home just after noon. Tauni has done a beautiful job on our home, everything including the yard looks lovely and it was nice to sit on the deck and have lunch and just enjoy visiting. We went to our home ward and it was fun to  see everyone and get hugs all around. Two months and we will be home! After church we headed over to surprise Ernie with a quick visit. It was good to see him and find out for ourselves that he looks and sounds good. He had some health issues earlier in the month and it was discovered that the seizures he had as a child have returned but he's on medication and doing well.

He towers over his parents!

After our visit with Ernie we headed to Ken and Sue Larsen's our dear friends who always open their home to us at a moments notice. They have been such a wonderful support to us as we've served our mission and we love them like family. 

Remember John Cooper "We can't always expect everything to run smooth." well that's how I feel about this week...actually this month but through it all we have felt the love and guidance of our Heavenly Father. He has answered prayers and comforted us. Our leaders and fellow missionaries have also blessed our lives in untold ways and we feel blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.

Our love and prayers are with each of you,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Time Flies

Dear Family and Friends,

The weeks are flying past. It seems I barely finish one post and it's time again for another. Instead of our usual Monday preperation day we were assigned to Welcome Post again. It was a busy day with many visitors arriving plus three treks with busses, vans and support vehicles. Two of the large treks arrived later than expected and wouldn't you know they arrived at the same time which kept everyone running for awhile. Time truly does fly when you are busy though and the end of the day arrived very quickly.

Tuesday was our preparation day so after doing laundry and some house and yard keeping chores we headed off to Rawlins. When we finished our shopping and errands we met our good friend Dennis Hendriksen in Sinclair at Su Casa a Mexican restaurant we enjoy. Dennis was working in the area and called to see if we could get together. We had a great time visiting with him and then after lunch heading home with him to show him around Missionary Village. It was hard to say goodby. We do miss our friends!

Elder Lindsey and Dennis enjoying our yard.

Wednesday morning we along with some others painted the porches for the permanent trailers.

When we arrived to paint this family of Quail were making their way over the lawns and porches. 

The painting crew hard at work...thank you Elder McCray for doing the kneeling work!

After lunch Elder Lindsey and I headed back to the Homestead to meet with our arriving trek group from the Ft Union area of Salt Lake.

Thursday we had a great day trekking with the Union Park Midvale Stake. They were a wonderful group with well prepared leaders and youth. Elder Lindsey was asked to talk at the Statues and I told the Cyrus Wheelock story at the top of Martin's Cove.

Gathering at the Sweetwater River

Hearing one last story at Veil Crossing bridge.

On Friday we were up and out the door by 6:00am as we had RRA and needed to get the restrooms on the trail and at Outfitting cleaned before the treks arrived. After we finished we headed to the Barn to make rolls. I made 24 dozen rolls and put them in the freezer just before baking so on Sundays I just pull them out early and they thaw and raise before church is over and we have fresh baked rolls for potluck. After lunch we headed for home and shortly thereafter the wind started blowing and it blew hard for hours...I wasn't sure when I went to bed that we wouldn't wake up in Nebraska. We have had our share of pretty violent afternoon and evening  thunderstorms these last couple weeks. I always say a little extra prayer for our campers who seem to brave everything cheerfully.

Saturday morning Elder Lindsey and I spent painting with Elder and Sister Moeser. We were finishing the trim on the Sewing Center.

Elder Lindsey and Elder Moeser

After painting was done I made Deviled Eggs for tomorrow's potluck then after lunch we decided to do some off road exploring on our way home. This is such beautiful country and you don't have to get far off the main road to see the land as it has been for eons of time. It was a fun couple of hours.

The first road we explored took us past one of the watering troughs for the ranch cows.

This is the name of the Church ranch

These two old building are on the part of the ranch that also has the home for the ranch manager. Luckily their home is a much more modern building!

Sunday as always was great. We had well prepared speakers whose testimonies were spirit filled and our Sunday School and Relief Society lessons were well taught. After potluck we had a fireside.

Mike Ericksen joined us to share his story of writing this book about his ancestors Ole and Ane Madsen who traveled with the Willie Company.

Mike had very generously donated hardback copies of his book to all of us missionaries. I was able to read it and loved the story which weaves a tale set in the past and the present. He also gave us CD's of his music and today he wove music and story into his presentation. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful Sunday.

Today is Ernie's 39th birthday...so happy birthday Bernie Boy, we love you tons!

Love you all,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Family & Cooler Weather

Dear Family and Friends,

The wind, rain and cooler weather has been a nice change for all of us this week. It is so much easier to trek five to seven miles with temperatures in the 60's 70's and even low 80's rather than the high 90's. Jim and Jenni arrived Sunday evening and seemed to bring the cooler weather with them. We had dinner and then watched the movie McFarland which we loved. We highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

On Monday morning after breakfast and packing a picnic lunch we headed into the Homestead to start our tour and trek. After touring the Wash House and Bunkhouse we toured the Visitors' Center then got our handcart and hit the trail. Since we have a scheduled trek later in the week Elder Lindsey saved his back and waited for us at Handcart Parking. The boys loved the wildlife, trying to catch lizards along the trail and we all saw a good sized rattlesnake just as we entered Martin's Cove. I told them the Cyrus Wheelock story at the top of the Cove and we all enjoyed the peace and beauty found there.

The Ford family at the top of Martin's Cove...we missed Kati!

Grandma and her boys...sure do love these kiddos!

After lunch back at Handcart Parking we headed to the Statues and then to the River Crossing.

The whole family had the experience!

We then headed back the Sand Trail and when we got to Veil Bridge Grandpa and Grandma decided to sit in a nice comfy chair while everyone else went out to Devil's Gate. After Devil's Gate Jenny rode with us back to Missionary Village while Jim and the boys (who never get tired) went to Independence Rock so they could climb to the top. After dinner we went to FHE for a rousing game of Bingo in which Parker got the best prize...a bowl full of chocolate kisses! By 9:30pm Elder and Sister Lindsey were worn out so we all headed to bed.

Tuesday morning after breakfast the family got back on the road to head for Michigan and home and Elder Lindsey and I did our laundry, went to Rawlins for groceries and gas and worked the late shift at the Visitors' Center which made for a very full day!

Wednesday we were on Work Crew with three other couples. We spent the morning weed eating and raking the fields behind the Visitors' Center. We took two trailer loads out to the dump and were finished by lunch. Elder Mellor gave us all a rare treat...the afternoon off. We used our time to rest and do some chores around the house.

Thursday we were the Trek Hosts for the Logan Central Stake. We had a great day with perfect weather...temperatures in the 60's and 70's. The Stake came well prepared to teach their youth and the youth were prepared to feel the spirit  and those two things make for a wonderful trek for all involved. 

The Stake President gave one of the best talks I've heard in the Dan Jones Amphitheatre before the trek into the Cove. He told them three things to remember 1st the secret which is their Savior Jesus Christ and his Atonement, 2nd the pearl which is marrying the right person in the right place and the 3rd was the  prize which is your eternal family. After his talk he  prayed and gave his youth a wonderful blessing. I was asked to speak at the top of the Cove so I told the story of Cyrus Wheelock and related it to the Atonement. 

This was the first trek we had this summer where the water was low enough to pull the handcarts through.

We said goodby at the Veil Bridge

On Friday we were at Welcome Post greeting all visitors as they arrived. Saturday we had the first shift in the Visitors' Center. We were very busy and enjoyed all of the people we were able to visit with. After dinner we went to the Stimpson's and watched a movie. We all love a good action film! 

 Lindsey and Sister Lindsey!

President Bushman placed this handcart on the island across from the baptistry. It makes for a lovely back drop.

Sunday was especially good because we had four missionary couples from last year that came to visit. They had all gone to the missionary reunion the Moench's  had at their ranch in Utah and then traveled here to spend Sunday with us. It felt so good to see some of the couple we served with and grew to love last year. 

We have another busy week ahead. We send our love and prayers to each of you,

Elder and Sister Lindsey

Happy Birthday America!

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday was a fun day. We went into Casper with Elder and Sister Stimpson planning to see the movie "The Cokeville Miracle" but unfortunately the movie time didn't fit into our schedule so instead we went to the Pizza Ranch for a great lunch before going shopping for ourselves and picking up a few things we needed for our missionary BBQ on July 4th. After shopping we went to the hospital to check up on Elder Cook who has pneumonia. We were happy to see he was doing much better and that he should return to us later in the week. Then we headed for home to set up for a missionary dinner. A trek group had given us pulled pork, french bread, salad fixings and watermelon so we decided to enjoy a quick dinner together instead of our usual Family Home Evening program because we had so many couples who wouldn't be able to be with us as they were square dancing with the youth.

Tuesday we trekked with the Draper South Mountain Stake. It was a good trek on a very hot day. The heat really wore us out but as missionaries we do better than some of the kids. None of us has had to be rescued and on each trek there are several youth who get heat exhaustion and are unable to finish their trek.

Elder Lindsey was asked to give a short presentation at the statues.

He had the Aaronic Priesthood Young Men come forward as he told the story of the rescuers to make the point that they can learn much about honoring their Priesthood from the example of the "Valley Boys".

Wednesday we had the mid shift in the Visitors' Center and we were very busy. It was a fun day talking with many different people and sharing stories and testimony.

I love that we decorate the Visitors' Center for Independence Day.

Thursday we were assigned to Veil Crossing Bridge and again it was a busy day. We had treks going and coming so we had opportunity to tell the stories and visit with many great people. We had a tender mercy when the Castle Dale Stake came to the bridge because we were able to meet family of friends we made in Rosebud and because Montell Sealey's son and daughter were with them. Many years ago we did our first trek in Castle Dale with the youth of our ward and Montell was our trek host. No one loved his pioneer ancestors more than Montell and when he died a few years ago in a tragic accident I'm sure there were many waiting to welcome him home when he crossed the veil. It was very special to meet his children all these years later.

Elder Lindsey storytelling on Veil Bridge

Andrew and Kaitlyn Gilson. Andrew has his brother's smile! Brian Gilson was our Branch President in Rosebud.

Montell Seeley's daughter and husband (Left) and daughter in law and son. I recognized his son instantly as he looks just like his dad. They were Ma and Pa's for their ward and are carrying on their father's legacy.

We had a family trek arrive today from California and before they started out on the trail they held a baptism for one of the children.

Friday and Saturday we were assigned to the kitchen to prepare the food for our Missionary Independence Day celebration. On Friday we made the hamburger patties, the potato salad, macaroni salad, jello cakes and we sliced the onions. After we finished we did our Friday cleaning with Elder and Sister Reeder who were in the kitchen with us and Elder and Sister Smith. Many hands make light work!

Saturday we made the baked beans (from scratch), the frosting for the cake (Cool Whip and cream cheese...yum!), cut the watermelons and the tomatoes and lettuce for the burgers. We then frosted and decorated the cakes to look like American flags packed up all the supplies we'd need and then in the afternoon I caramelized the onions and we headed to Independence Rock. It was a fun party celebrating at the spot the pioneers knew they needed to be at by Independence Day if the wanted to be across the mountains before the snow fell...thus the name!

Sister Mellor and I showing of the cake we collaborated on.

Our church meetings were spirit filled and the testimonies born heartfelt. We are getting ready for our break the fast breakfast and waiting for Jim, Jenni and the boys to arrive. We are very excited to have more family visit and for the opportunity to show our grandchildren the path their ancestors took.

Have a wonderful week. Stay cool, be safe. As always our love and prayers are with you.

Elder and Sister Lindsey