June 4, 2016

Hope you all had a great week!  Each week passes so quickly as I am sure it does for each of you!  I'm sure this is a busy time of year  with outside work and all the summer activities you are involved in now that school is out.  

 We have been busy with the usual;  indexing for myself and getting the trailer and food ready for the arrival of Elder and Sister Child  this next week.  Kevin has been busy mowing  lawns  along with his director duties. It has also been a sad week thinking about Art and Mel and family moving to California. 

Chyllia, Melanie, Kensley, Art7 and Rylyn

 It has been nice to live so close, to see the kiddos and be able to participate in their activities. We as a family will miss them!  We are excited they can be together as a family though and know they will have many wonderful experiences and fun times ahead!

A few weeks ago one of the missionary sisters lost her thumb drive while on a four wheeler with her husband by one of the ponds.  Her story was a miracle and Kevin told of her experience to the missionaries when Elder and Sister Christensen were here last.  All the missionaries wanted him to write up the story and give them a copy.  He is letting me share it with you this week.  Hope you will enjoy...

Parable of the Lost Thumb Drive

Sister Cox holding the Thumb Drive she lost

Parables have been used by teachers as tools to help those familiar with commonly known occurrences understand other significant principles or truths by relating such material examples to them.  By setting them side by side in comparison, the latter is better understood by those acquainted with the former.  The Savior, for instance, utilized the parables of the “Lost Sheep”, the “Lost Coin” and the “Prodigal Son” to teach those who could relate to such examples eternal truths.  In this spirit, those serving at Adam-ondi-Ahman during the month of May, 2016 will relate to the discovery of a thumb drive near one of many ponds located on the large property.

The missionary couples, with other invited guests, met at a local restaurant in celebration of Mother’s Day the evening of Saturday, May 7^th, 2016.  Following the meal Elder Nilsen handed to Elder McCracken a small “Thumb Drive” computer storage device that had been found near a pond by Steve Adkison as he dismounted his all-terrain vehicle.  Thinking that perhaps it had belonged to one of the missionaries who enjoys fishing the pond, he was hopeful that it could be reunited to its rightful owner.  After mentioning to several its discovery, Sister Lora Cox claimed the object – thrilled to once again have the very device which housed many treasured photos and much other important material.  She was extremely grateful for Steve’s vigilance – spotting so small an object in the tall grass of such a large area.  It was definitely (as the often used cliché states) “finding a needle in a haystack”

It should be noted that Sister Cox had been retracing steps, searching methodically for the misplaced preserver of special memories.This happened during another special search for the family history of another Cox family who lease and farm portions of the Adam-ondi-Ahman site.

Under assignment she had been ably and tirelessly seeking ancestors of this choice family, often with other miraculous assistance and encouragement.  The joy she felt in the discovery of that which was special to her would soon echo in the sentiments of those who would likewise be grateful for what her excellent efforts would provide to them

To greater appreciate the marvel of finding so tiny an object within so many acres of property consider the following.  The size of the devise was 1.375 square inches.  A square foot is comprised of 144 square inches.  With 43560 square feet in an acre, it would include 6,272,640 square inches.  A continuing multiplication, divided by the size of the “thumb drive”, reveals that (laying side by side) 15,855,840,000 drives of the same size could fit within the confines of the property.  That is 15 billion, 855 million, 840 thousand – a graphic illustration of the very minute compared with the extraordinarily enormous.  One can therewith extrapolate how small the likelihood of such a find. 

Upon contemplation, the descriptive words “miraculous”, “divine intervention”, “tender mercy”, or “intimate involvement of the Savior” come to mind.  He who notices (even) the sparrow falling would surely and compassionately sense the loss of something of value to one of his children. For some, “coincidence” may be the only explanation they might erroneously consider.  To others, who understand that blessings await those who “do” the Father’s will, the promise of “blessings (being) poured down upon the head of (a) Latter-day Saint” appears to have been verified.

The device was found by a man fondly and descriptively referred to by those who serve here as “the fisherman”.  Consider another vast number - those children of a loving Heavenly Father who are thought to have resided upon this earth during its existence.  Those who study demographics estimate that 108 billion people have lived on the earth since its creation.  Each of these souls is precious, beyond common comprehension, to their loving Father in Heaven.  If one of those earthly occupants (a fisherman) could find the small item previously referenced, on such a comparatively immense parcel of this earth, could not that perfect being who calls upon the balance of his spiritual siblings to “come unto (him) and be (made) fishers of men, assist in the finding of those numerous other lost ones? Missing or absent, for whatever reason, could they not be similarly rescued, restored to His fold?  Whether presently living (yet wandering) could they not be found with a more thoroughly sincere search; or, having departed mortality, (through persistent effort in research) lovingly remembered and prepared more fully to be divinely redeemed?  We are scripturally reminded, when referring to God’s covenant children, that “their names were taken, that they might be remembered…”. May we be participants in this most significant search, with full faith in Him upon whom we can most completely rely, even “upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith”.

Remember that which was lost for a period of time (yet), with a watchful eye, found here at Adam-ondi-Ahman; and faithfully join the search for those of our Heavenly Father’s family (living or deceased) that He might likewise rejoice in their return to Him.


We are so grateful for opportunity to serve here at Adam-ondi-Ahman.  We never tire of the beauty and sacredness of this special place.  Have a great week.  We love and miss you!