We hope you have all had an enjoyable week. We have appreciated the telephone contact had
with you since being here. It is nice to
keep in touch; always uplifting and encouraging to us. We are glad that you are doing well.
Arthur sent us a picture by text of his patio blanketed
with fresh snow. We have evidently both
experienced unstable weather conditions.
Rain fall came intermittently during our week, which altered our work
plans to a certain degree. It seemed a
little warmer on average, and considerably more humid. Buds on trees and underbrush have really
opened up during the last few days.
Everything is so green and fresh in appearance. New calves and colts follow larger animals in
the fields. All has a sense of refreshing
newness.
The acres of lawn which seemed only verdant green are
beginning to be spotted with a plentitude of bright yellow flowers and other
plants encroaching upon unplanned for territory. This is going to change my work assignments
for some time. After a little time on a
mower Monday morning, my seat assignment was changed from a riding lawn mower
to a larger tractor hoisting a large tank sprayer filled with herbicide
intended to kill the grass and weeds that were spreading into the graveled roadways. For the rest of that day and nearly all of
Tuesday I stayed with that job, making slow but steady progress. You can’t travel very fast and coat the weeds
with enough poison from the small hand nozzle I was equipped with.
We both were asked to take a break from our assignments
Tuesday morning for a brief interview with Elder and Sister Child who had
arrived late the evening before. It was
so nice to become better acquainted with them.
During that time together (as well as during all interactions later)
they were very kind and pleasant. After
hours we gathered with them and all the assigned missionaries at the work
center for a dinner and instruction.
Sister Child quoted President Uchdorf’s teaching about creativity and
compassion, using very interesting stories.
Elder Child spoke of some of the history of Adam-ondi-Ahman found in the
History of the Church writings. The sisters had prepared a real feast. We are certainly well fed by very good
cooks. Unfortunately the bathroom scales
are beginning to show ample, but not welcome evidence. We both need to work on self and portion
control.
Tuesday afternoon we all witnessed the big burn of the
season. One eleven acre parcel near the
east-end valley overlook remains in native prairie grass and had been left
un-bailed. Winter storms left it matted
down. It was dry enough to burn (with
neighboring fields green enough not to) and the wind was coming from the right
direction. All the men were around the
perimeter with shovels ready, two water trucks loaded as back-up when two of
the Elders started running in opposite directions with torches. The ladies, director, and the Childs looked
on from a safe distance. All had cameras
available to document the event. Soon
the field was in flames. In less than 6
minutes all the area was blackened to the ground. The heat was intense and scorched a little of
lawn close by which is now beginning to green up again. The next morning revealed one hollowed out
tree that evidently caught a spark which ate away at the core until it topped
sometime during the night. I don’t think
one could have ran fast enough to escape such a rapidly progressing rage.
Each day Marilyn is feeling more comfortable with her
indexing work. She looks forward to each
new session and has continued working on obituary records. She has already submitted over 4000
names. I was amazed at the number of
names that are often drawn from each obituary.
Not only is the deceased person’s name recorded but also all whose names
are listed as related or associated in any way.
Although her work goes on, regardless of conditions outside, mine is
determined by the daily weather conditions.
And so Wednesday, because of the forecast, I moved from the tractor to the
trenches, helping Elder Urie extend a drain line from the shoulder of the road
to an existing line further out in the field.
It has been interesting to be exposed to different types of work. I haven’t tried the larger back-hoe yet but
did operate the smaller one for a few minutes Wednesday to push the burn pile
together a bit better.
Two of the missionaries with whom we work were assigned
to lead a Church History tour for the rest of us and the Childs Thursday. After meeting at our usual morning-prayer
meeting, we carpooled first to the site of the preserved cornerstones of the
planned but uncompleted Far West Temple. The Spanglers had prepared well, even
giving us each printed material to read between stops. The explanations were very informative and
inspiring. The background material they
included set each monument, etc. within a context that brought all alive. Although we had seen some of the sites before,
their explanations were certainly helpful in learning much more. From Far West we travelled to Liberty Jail
for a tour given by the missionaries assigned there. We gained an even greater appreciation for
the Prophet Joseph as we learned how, even within such inhumane and abusive
conditions, he maintained the worthiness that brought sweet and powerful
revelation and reassurance even when incarcerated. The Sister Missionary guides spoke of the
surroundings as a prison – temple.
We then visited the monument (also in Liberty, Missouri)
erected to remember the eight witness to the Book of Mormon. While there we heard of non-member families
who had permitted Saints to live in their midst when expelled from Jackson
county. I was pleased to have read that
one of such families are among our ancestors, who (exposed to the influence of
the Saints) were soon impressed, taught and baptized. The next and final stop of the tour was at
the Independence Visitors Center. This
was a choice and tender experience, one enjoyed last fall too but that we will
hopefully enjoy with all of you who can come this way. Elder and Sister Child were then off to the
airport for their return to Salt Lake City and the rest to dinner and to needed
shopping and the return to our homes. A
great day with great friends.
Friday we were back to normal duties, I to more spraying
and Marilyn to her history keeping assignment which is done on Friday
mornings. Men return a bit earlier than
usual to the shop, and the ladies to the indexing center, for what is called
“Tidy-Friday” for a little deeper cleaning, mopping, etc. Late that evening we went to each flowerbed to
see what plants were needed and what work was needed to get them ready.
Saturday morning we got up early for a stroll which ended
up being a four mile hike. We saw lots
of wildlife and enjoyed beautiful vistas.
Marilyn encouraged me to try to get a close-up photo of a skunk walking
ahead of us on the trail which I resisted for understandable reasons. Farmers are now in the fields all
around. The soil is dark and productive. Soon crops will begin to emerge and the
circle of life resume. While searching
for some hardwood and visiting a greenhouse operation where bedding plants will
be purchased we took a side trip that led to a creamery owned by a Mennonite
family and through beautiful rolling hills.
We saw many horse-drawn carriages driven by Amish people and others at
work hand planting in the fields – all so very picturesque and orderly.
Today we attended church services in the Far West
Ward. We are enjoying getting acquainted
with more of the members there. One of
the couple missionaries spoke and we were all advised that soon we may also
have a turn at that and to receive callings.
This evening we are invited to a fireside. The week ahead is very full of activities,
culminating next Sunday at a Stake Conference which is to be held at an outdoor
amphitheater (weather permitting).
We miss you all; and we appreciate any and all contact
and communication. Please know of our
love and that our prayers include you each morning and evening.
Until next week.
Love,
Kevin & Marilyn, Mom & Dad, and Grandpa &
Grandpa
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