Dear Family,
We are happy to report that most of the missionaries are
feeling better and beginning to return to more normal work schedules. Both of us worked the full week. Most regularly scheduled meetings were again
held, although some elected to stay away from group settings a little longer to
avoid sharing bugs. I believe that, as
last reported to us, all but three of the twenty-four assigned here had
suffered through some sort of infection.
Elder and Sister Christensen had anticipated arriving tomorrow evening
for their usual visit but, learning of the contagious nature of the illness,
wisely cancelled their flights. We are
glad they’ll not risk exposure. We will
look forward to being with them again in July.
Elder and Sister Child will join us in early June.
Most days were dry enough that we were able to mow the
rapidly growing spring lawns. I spent
nearly all of each day on a mower. One
interesting use I put to it was not what I had expected. While mowing the sides of the road leading to
the Tower Hill lookout I noticed in the distance a stray calf. Somewhere he had found a spot to work himself
under the barb wire and he was now separated from the heard. And so I was off to the roundup on a riding
lawn mower. I found a gate in the far
corner from where the rest were grazing.
(The cattle are certainly in plush, green conditions) After opening the gate that I felt would not
be approached by the content remainder of the herd I circled beyond the calf
and eventually had him back through the opening and off the roadway.
One morning, with rainy conditions, I was able to treat
four more pond for moss. The sister
missionaries, under Marilyn’s supervision, planted all the flower beds Tuesday
morning. Nearly all look very nice, with
the exception of one that is quite isolated which has been invaded by deer or
squirrels or rabbits (or all). We are
treating it with animal repellants.
Hopefully we can change some grazing patterns and soon re-plant it. Each couple has a flower bed to maintain
during the summer months.
Other projects are progressing. The re-tiling on the restroom near the East
End Valley Overlook is nearly complete.
Larger groups of tourists are coming each day (even busloads) so two
restroom buildings back on-line will surely help. The second building also needs to be re-done
but will have to become one of our fall projects. Work on the water plant pressure tanks is
underway, soon we will begin installing a new large door on the end of the
mechanic shop, and then perhaps begin with the base building for the new
greenhouse. Much depends on the weather.
We had been assigned to speak in Sacrament Meeting today
in the Far West Ward and so late in the week we spent some time preparing. Friday afternoon heavy rains and strong winds
passed through. A lightning strike
completely skinned the bark from an 80 foot high Hickory Tree and split it
clear to the ground. Saturday morning we
took pictures of the damage. You could
see a crack for nearly the entire height large enough to see daylight
through. Amazing power. Chunks of bark were thrown for a long
distance.
Saturday evening the weather turned even more
violent. Several weather notices and
watches blared from the radio in our apartment throughout the evening. Finally at about mid-night a tornado warning
was issued. We were notified and passed
the message on to the next on the list we had been given. Within a few minutes all were in the tornado
shelter, many drenched. Fortunately the
tornado did not set down on the property, but consider damage was noticed along
the roadways on the way to Sunday morning meetings. Streambeds and drainages were beyond their
banks in several areas, particularly at Shoal Creek near Hamilton. Lots of farm fields were under water. We received about four inches of
rainfall. That is a lot for a few hours
to those of us from the arid intermountain west where only about twice that
amount comes in a whole year. It will
likely be a few days before farmers will be able to get back in their fields to
complete the spring planting. Some are
quite concerned. During one night a
large group of neighboring farmers joined forces to help plant soybeans in the
fields below us in the valley, but we think they still have many more acres to
plant.
Friday afternoon Elder and Sister Whipple road with us to
Chilocothe for grocery shopping. It is
about 45 minutes away and is a clean and relatively modern city of about
10,000. Beautiful murals are painted on
some of the older business buildings downtown.
They are so lifelike that they appear to be yet another inviting city
street from an earlier era. This is the
town in the country where baked bread was first commercially sliced prior to
sale. There are lots of interesting sites close
by. One couple visited the Pony Express
museum in St. Joseph yesterday and reported that it was a very interesting
stop.
We will leave in just a few minutes for a Sunday night
fireside. We don’t recognize the
visiting speaker. Monday night for
family home evening a non-member historian shared his research on the expulsion
of the Saints in the 1800s from the other settlers’ viewpoint. It was very interesting. Much misunderstanding prevailed in those
days, as well as terrible violence. We
are grateful the neighbors are more cordial and accepting now.
Back now from the fireside; at which Brother and Sister
Patterson spoke of General Alexander Doniphan and of his defense of the Prophet
Joseph and his associates. Both
presented very inspiring messages. On
the way home we drove by the tree which was struck by lightning. The next day’s wind storm broke it
completely, with much now toppled to the ground.
We feel so blessed to be here and are enjoying each
day. And yet we think of all of you
often, always with tenderness and great appreciation. Please keep in touch with us, and know of our
love.
Love,
Marilyn & Kevin, Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa
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