Dear Dad and Mom,
We are grateful for
telephones and the frequency and convenience of contact they allow. Thank you for your call earlier today, sorry
that we were not here when called and glad that you left a message so that we
could return the call when we got home from church. Ward conference was held at the Gallatin Ward
(just 7 miles away) today. We are in the
Liberty, Missouri stake – the stake center being about 70 miles away. Planning for Sunday activities (and all
others) will require much more travel time than we are accustomed to. I believe we have not only been blessed by
the proximity of our church buildings at home but spoiled too. Considerable sacrifice of time and means are
required of the Saints in many other parts of the county and world (just) to
faithfully attend their meetings.
We had initially been told
that we would attend the Chilcothe branch, then advised we would attend much
closer in Gallatin. Upon arrival here we
were informed that the Brethren had reassigned us to the Far West ward, about a
half hour away beginning next Sunday. We
are told that we will be given Sunday callings there, and probably
home/visiting teaching assignments.
Interestingly, just yesterday, while shopping in Jamesport a man
approached us who wondered if we were the travelers with the 8B Idaho
plates. Introductions elicited my first
name and his response, “Oh, I know you, we attended junior high together in
Idaho Falls”. His name is Doug Hansen,
originally from Osgood; and he has lived her and taught school for many
years. He and his family attend the same
ward that we have been assigned to attend.
Small world, isn’t it?
Perhaps a summary of
activities, day by day since leaving home, will be in order. As you know, immediately prior to our staying
with you we were set apart for our missions by President Manwaring. We are grateful for the blessings and
promises he made. Early Monday,
following a great time with you (for which we are very grateful) we were on our
way, travelling though familiar country – past Palisades reservoir – up the
River Road to Hoback Junction- and then through Pinedale – on through Rock
Springs –spending the first night in Rawlins.
Monday we were on the road again for a long ride through pretty desolate terrain on through Wyoming and into Nebraska (where for miles and miles we drove through rolling hills and eventually into pretty flat land). The wind began to howl and, with the dryness, lots of dust blew along with some smoke later in the afternoon. Stops were infrequent, as we pushed on to stay that night in Grand Island, Nebraska. We passed by one sign for Archer and joked with one another that we must have made a wrong turn and were again closer to home. Monday was the longest travel day (time and miles spent).
Monday we were on the road again for a long ride through pretty desolate terrain on through Wyoming and into Nebraska (where for miles and miles we drove through rolling hills and eventually into pretty flat land). The wind began to howl and, with the dryness, lots of dust blew along with some smoke later in the afternoon. Stops were infrequent, as we pushed on to stay that night in Grand Island, Nebraska. We passed by one sign for Archer and joked with one another that we must have made a wrong turn and were again closer to home. Monday was the longest travel day (time and miles spent).
On Tuesday we were on the
road again, this time crossing into Iowa for a few miles, then heading
southeast into Missouri
and (for a short distance into Kansas (due to a missed
missed turn made) and back into Missouri and on to the general Adam-ondi-Ahman area, arriving at the Bed and Breakfast Tuesday afternoon about 4:00. It was a very pleasant stay. Some of the people who both owned and managed the facility were from Blackfoot. They were very pleasant and accommodating.
The proprietor was from Blackfoot, his wife from New York City. Upon retirement from a legal practice in the
east, they determined to locate halfway between their previous homes and bought
700 acres from an Amish farmer for their new home which was large enough to
rent out several suites to travelers. He
is presently a candidate for President of the United States on a minor party
platform, a very well versed and experienced man it seemed, but (from my
perspective) with little of hope of getting elected, yet anxious to have important
substance debated. We are glad we got to
meet him and that we will again, as he and his wife have been invited to a
dinner with Elder Christensen soon after he and his wife arrive tomorrow
evening.
missed turn made) and back into Missouri and on to the general Adam-ondi-Ahman area, arriving at the Bed and Breakfast Tuesday afternoon about 4:00. It was a very pleasant stay. Some of the people who both owned and managed the facility were from Blackfoot. They were very pleasant and accommodating.
At the appointed 9:00 hour
Wednesday morning we arrived at Adam-ondi-Ahman and were very warmly
welcomed.
Although we had met some of the new missionaries the night before and the director last fall, many others were met for the first time. All, however, appeared as those whom we had somewhere before known, with friendships now merely renewing. Those who have been here for a year (and who will be leaving in September) have been very kind to us “new kids”. They escorted us to our apartments and helped us carry in our belongings. We were amazed at the volume that somehow had been miraculously crammed into our small car but now had expanded again to fill rooms and help make a house into our temporary home. Our fridge had some supplies already in it. We were soon off to the work center for a nice lunch; and, following time to unpack, back for an equally delicious dinner.
Although we had met some of the new missionaries the night before and the director last fall, many others were met for the first time. All, however, appeared as those whom we had somewhere before known, with friendships now merely renewing. Those who have been here for a year (and who will be leaving in September) have been very kind to us “new kids”. They escorted us to our apartments and helped us carry in our belongings. We were amazed at the volume that somehow had been miraculously crammed into our small car but now had expanded again to fill rooms and help make a house into our temporary home. Our fridge had some supplies already in it. We were soon off to the work center for a nice lunch; and, following time to unpack, back for an equally delicious dinner.
We rested well that night,
glad to have arrived safely and grateful for the warm welcome. Thursday morning we were again helped by our
mentors as they drove us around (first) the property and then to a shopping
center about 30 miles away in Bethany. I
don’t remember ever buying the number of bags of groceries needed to supply the
pantry. And then, the next day or two
found us filling in the blanks with additional items. We took for granted how easily it was to step
down a few stairs to restock from our storage.
As a group, we met at a restaurant in Cameron (further south) for
dinner.
All of this eating will
not continue (we hope) or new, longer belts will soon be needed. But the times together have been a great means
of getting acquainted with wonderful people.
Friday morning saw us back at the work center for a morning devotional
and a period of training. We were
cautioned about snakes and ticks and chiggers.
Later we drove to other new and interesting areas: to Hahn’s Mill where
the awful massacre took place, to Hamilton for dinner (the home town of J.C.
Penney and location of his first store) and to Jamesport, the home of the
largest population of Amish people in the state. It was so interesting to see these people who
still move about in horse-drawn buggies and who do not use electricity or many
other modern conveniences. All we met
were very kind.
Saturday we were left to
ourselves more to get settled and take care of personal needs.
We explored the property
for a couple of hours, seeing some of the sites that were not available (due to
the heavy undergrowth) when we were here last fall. There is a noticeable sweet spirit present. Tears come easily, as do lumps in the
throat. We will send pictures as we
can, with explanations of each. Later in
the day we re-traced some steps to try to find our way around alone before
forgetting landmarks. I dug a little of
the garden up, washed some dust and bugs off the car and even went fishing at
dusk (but with no luck although another caught a large mouth bass that he
shared with us when cleaned and cooked).
Very good. By then we were ready
for bed.
When getting showered and
ready for church, Marilyn noticed an unusual mark on her shoulder that she
asked I look at. Sure enough, it was an
imbedded tick we had been told would become a concern when it warmed up this
spring. I guess he was warm enough to
move and she followed her home. We got
her extracted somewhat as we had been advised to do and identified it as a
female (but not one known to transmit Lyme disease). Then we were off to church where we met many
great saints. The Whipples from Arizona,
who are the director and his wife and our mentors, had us over afterwards for
dinner. They have really taken these two
new chickens under their watchful wings.
We have very quickly grown to love and appreciate them both. The surroundings are beautiful and tranquil. Wildlife abounds. We have seen coyotes, many deer, (along the
way) elk and moose and antelope, rabbits, signs of a large population of
raccoons, etc., etc., etc., and one troublesome tick (who is no more). Judging by the nighttime noise billions of frogs
live close by.
Tomorrow the vacation will
end and the work begin. We are very
thankful to be involved in a special work at a sacred place. We look forward to visiting with Elder
Christensen Wednesday to learn more of the responsibilities and projects he has
in mind for each of us. Although we miss
you both so very much, we are grateful to know of the source of the call and
feel privileged to have been permitted this opportunity. We are prayerful that we can serve faithfully
and well. We hope to have frequent
contact. Please do not hesitate to call
or write whenever you can. Such will be
highlights of those days.
With love, admiration, and
appreciation.
Kevin & Marilyn
