Greetings from beautiful Adam-ondi-Ahman. The sky is crystal clear this morning and the view of the valley is magnificent. The forecast suggests a very warm week. Surely we will be busy, as Thursday through Saturday we will be with Elder Christensen in Nauvoo. That implies that we will have to get five days’ work completed in three. Some of the missionaries have begun the huge project of painting fence posts. They hope to be completed by the end of July. After the first day of painting they estimated the amount of paint that would be needed. Another 250 gallons was purchased.
Crops surely grow fast with this heat and frequent heavy rainfall. Our corn is now at full height, in tassel, and with ears and silk. The peas and beans are done.
Cucumbers are bearing heavily now, as well as summer squash. The cantaloupe plants are loaded, with some nearly ripe. We dug one hill of red potatoes (had not ever seen any blooms) and had a good amount although they were quite scabby. We wondered if the soil is too moist.
Wildlife flourishes too. It seems that there are always a fresh population of baby bunnies. With so many ponds on the property there are lots of frogs to serenade in the evenings. Huge populations of the next generation are everywhere.
Who knows how many have fallen prey to the lawn mowers. One of our sister missionaries even found and photographed one within the blossom of a day lily. We have enjoyed watching new fawns (one single and a set of twins). We have really enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings, with such an abundance of flora and faun.
While on a walk early Saturday morning, we encountered a set of only two footprints.
There were only one set, and quite a ways from the side of the roadway. Not only did we not know what animal left them, but where he came from nor where he went. Strange.
Each missionary couple is assigned to provide a fireside and a family home evening on a rotating basis. We had invited our stake patriarch (who also serves as a sealer in the Kansas City Temple) to speak last night. He had previously served in the temple presidency in St. Louis where he worked with Bruce Hemming. His wife introduced him and shared some thoughts. They shared life experiences, including their courtship and marriage, his involvement in the military (stationed with the Navy on an ice breaking vessel in both the Arctic and Antarctic), and their conversion stories. He spoke of temple blessings. One interesting statement he shared, relative to our Heavenly Father’s love was that “He does not care nearly as much about what we have done as what we have become”.
Last week we shared some of the activities we enjoyed over the 4th of July weekend with Andrew and Kaydyce and boys. As Marilyn wrote the letter, I don’t know that she mentioned her own catch of four fish on two casts.
In Missouri the fish and game regulations permit up to three hooks in the water at a time per fisherman. Both she and Grant reeled in doubles. And, as we are “hook and cook” sportsmen rather that the “catch and release” type, we enjoyed a nice meal during the week of the blue gill fillets.
The time is passing so rapidly. The couples who have mentored us will be completing their missions in just a few weeks and returning home. We will surely miss them. They are all so talented, as well as more acquainted with the many tasks they have performed so well for the past year and a half. We have developed close friendships with them. As they leave our group will shrink to only six couples. The gatherings will be much different when smaller and quieter. Some of the newer couples are hoping for certain homes that will be vacated upon their departure. All of very adequate.
We are both enjoying our assignments and are so grateful for the privilege of serving in this sacred spot.
Special feelings come often which bring a tear to the eye and a lump in the throat. A night last week was rather hot making it a little more difficult to sleep. I noticed that the living room was much cooler, then discovering that the fan was not turned on to draw the coolness our way. With a small effort of merely flipping a switch a refreshing breeze began. As I lay there awake I thought of how similar a family is to our little apartment here, all within a structure but with partitions separating portions. We are separated temporarily but can be refreshed and uplifted by each other with the relative ease of a phone call, e-mail or text, or letter. These we appreciate receiving. We think of each of you often. We hope you are well, and that you feel of our interest and love. We hope you have a great week!
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