May 17, 2015

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

May 10, 2015

Dear Family,

We are happy to have spoken over the phone with several of you today, or shared messages by other means; and are hopeful that mothers have had a special day.  Thanks for kindnesses extended to Marilyn.  She appreciated the cards and gifts and phone calls.  I remember a college professor commenting, when only positive could be found of a topic, “well that’s like motherhood, nothing bad can be said about that”.  And I would add, not enough good either. 

The sacrament meeting program today honored mothers, with the customary singing by primary children.  It was very nice.  Many wonderfully faithful members attend this ward.  We are enjoying the association and are learning from each meeting and acquaintanceship.  So many travel such great distances for each meeting.  Perhaps it is that they are in such a minority in each community that binds them together so closely within their “ward family”.

I have little to report regarding work progress this week as I was (along with about 80 percent of the other missionaries in our group) ill, and eventually quarantined.  Most meetings that would gather us in a small room together were cancelled for the week.  The sisters did not go to the indexing center, rather worked from their home computers.  Still many are not feeling well.  One couple has been diagnosed with walking pneumonia.  Others, who have become discouraged with the length of their illnesses, are going to clinics for help.  We are hoping the bugs will soon fly away and leave us alone. 

Jobs (especially maintenance projects) and stacking up.  Depending on weather patterns we may get to some this coming week.  One more urgent need is a repair to a leaking pressure tank in the water treatment plant.  I think this is a priority.  I believe I mentioned a week ago of some of the other projects.  Parts are here for many, just waiting for time.  Between rainstorms it is usually back to the mowers – necessary to not get behind.  It would be awfully difficult to catch up if the grass got too tall.   I am anxious to get the ground work ready and begin constructing the greenhouse. 

Marilyn has been doing so well with her indexing.  I know of her concern before coming and her feelings of apprehension.  She had not done very much before coming.  Now she is genuinely immersed and really enjoying the assignment.  She is still doing obituaries.  We joked the other day that one of the incentives to my eventual trip to the doctor was her indexing an obituary of an individual whose services were conducted by the McCracken Mortuary.

We had a surprise visit from an old missionary friend from Guatemala years.  Although we had never been companions we were friends and have had occasional contacts in recent years.  He had been travelling on the east coast for several weeks, visiting the communities of his ancestors.  His family has been very involved over the generations in leadership of the church.  Two of his cousins and his older brother either are currently or formerly of the Quorums of the Seventy, his grandfather (LeGrande Richards) an Apostle, both his Great Grandfather and Great, Great Grandfather Apostles and Presidents of the Quorum.  His Great, Great Grandfather’s brother was Willard Richards who accompanied the Prophet Joseph to Carthage Jail and was the only unwounded after the terrible attack by mobs.

Our garden, planted only a week ago tomorrow, is surely sprouting quickly.  So far the fence we erected is keeping out the critters.  All is so green and lush around the valley.  The farmers, crops, planted just below our apartment have immerged very uniformly (and quickly too).  The new born calves are romping in the fields close by.  The songbirds, so vividly and uniquely colored are delightful to watch.  Little hummingbirds are just outside our windows on the columbine plants.  Spring here is just beautiful.  We understand from those who have been here longer that each season is likewise glorious in its only special way.

This week will mark two months here.  The time is passing so remarkably fast.  Busy days and pleasant association with those whom we are blessed to be with help with this.  We both feel so very grateful for this wonderful blessing we have been given to be involved here.  As the summer travel season begins we assume we will see even more visitors from our home town.  It amazes us so often how many drive up to where we are working and strike up conversations, which usually lead to the discovery of common friends somewhere previously known. 

We thank Marsha again for the blog she has been so faithfully and proficiently been sharing.  We encourage you to follow it.  We sense its great potential to bring our family ever closer together as we become better acquainted with those whose placement in our family tree has made ours not only possible but our present standing also more easily understood.  We owe them tremendous credit, gratitude and honor.  We feel that Marsha deserves our repeated thanks for her effort; and we suspect she would appreciate input in terms of stories we are aware of too.

Please keep in touch, and know of how much we admire and love you all.  Until next week, hopefully with more to report of resumed activity in what we have enjoyed in previous weeks’ involvement.

Love and best wishes,

Marilyn & Kevin, Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa

May 3, 2015

Dear Family,

The wind is really howling this afternoon, and the air is dryer and warmer than we have experienced here in Missouri since arriving.  Yesterday (with other couples of the housing unit) we fenced a small area and planted a vegetable garden.  We began the day with a breakfast that Marilyn prepared for all and then went to work.  I had previously rototilled.  Soon the rain started.  By the time we finished we were really drenched; but the garden was in – a common area with sweet corn and a plot for each of the couples with tomatoes, peppers, squash, peas, beans, carrots, etc., etc..  As the plants were a little lanky with small root balls, they are struggling in this warm, dry wind.  And so I have just given them a good spraying.  Once they are established (we are told) little irrigation other than that nature provides will be needed.  But till then we will watch all closely and hope that the fence will keep out the deer, raccoons, and rabbits away from our little farm.

We are blessed to work with wonderful people.  All are very dedicated and faithful.  They are all thoughtful of the rest of the group, ever helpful and encouraging.  There has been a little bug floating through the group that we hope soon moves elsewhere.  One man has been away from meetings where he might share the illness, and a sister was unable to attend church meetings with the rest of us today.  As we are all on the “older side” (depending on the jobs assigned) new muscles, not used for a time, remind us the next day or two of limitations.  But smiles and good natures usually prevail.  We are very blessed, and very grateful.

The Far West Ward that we have been assigned to attend is a large ward (both in members and area covered).  To give a feel of the size of the ward area, our visiting/home teach assignment took two trips to complete, and about 160 miles.  Many of the members are farmers, and there are those who are life-long Missourians as well as a substantial percentage who have moved here from the Intermountain West.  I was amused with a discussion that followed an introduction of a fellow high priest.  The instructor mentioned that he had heard that he was a pig farmer.  This accusation was followed by a quick rebuttal that he did not raise pigs, rather hogs which was followed by a lesson on the distinction.  After the block of meetings I overheard the same man making arrangements to join a friend early the next morning for the beginning of the annual turkey season.  He explained to me that they call the birds in and that he would be carrying a 12 gauge shotgun, with a potent pack.  He said that his gun is big enough to cause great harm at each end of the gun, to the operator with an awful kick as well as the game at the other end of the shot.  He said “it’s a gun that kills at both ends”.

We had several dry days this week which provided an opportunity to catch up on the spring mowing and weed spraying.  I was on the tractor each day, feeling more at home and covering lots of acres.  One morning was spent rebuilding a diverter valve twice.  First I sealed each joint with pipe compound which lasted only a couple hundred yard path before shooting streams in every direction.  And so the next rebuild incorporated Teflon tape which seems to be holding much better and keeping me considerably drier. 

Friday, the work day ended at noon for the annual fish fry, sponsored by a neighbor who stocks the ponds on Adam-ondi-Ahman property.  He is an avid fisherman.  We don’t know how many pounds he provided, but it took a large, large pot to carry them all in.  They were breaded and deep-fat fried – really tasty.  Other famers who lease parts of the property were with us – all very hardworking men, and very pleasant to converse with.  Brother Atkinson, the fisherman, showed pictures of a 70 pound catfish that he caught last summer.  It lapped over both sides of the pickup that it was hoisted into by a backhoe.  And imagine this, it was caught on 17 pound test line, with a large hook loaded with calves’ livers. 

Marilyn is doing very well with her indexing and growing to enjoy it a great deal.  I am very proud of her determination.  She was fearful when anticipating the assignment but has surely become much more adept and involved.  Nearly every day she shares the names or circumstances found in the records before her.  One day she excitedly informed me that she had extracted from his own obituary the name of the man who had entertained children on the television years ago, know to his audience as Captain Kangaroo.  Several of his quotations regarding the importance of the family and children were included.  One was “play is the work of children, it is important business”.  Another, speaking of the parental role, eluded to the fact that there is no adequate substitute.  Marilyn recorded his actual words – “Parents are the ultimate role models for children, every word, movement and action has an effect.  No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than a parent” which, we felt, paralleled the “Family, A Proclamation to the World” remarkably.  We are both very grateful for our parents.

Two other interesting experiences we had this week were 1) encountering a shed full of artifacts found either on or near the property by former missionaries, old farm implements, etc. and 2) having to dispose of a large turtle that walked much slower than car traffic.  The former sighting was, understandably, much more pleasant that the later.  There are so many different critters here.  This last week others have mentioned seeing deer, raccoons, a bobcat, turtles, and lots more.

A wonderful spirit is present on this sacred parcel of land.  Great event both have and will occur here.  You can sense when the noise of the mower or tractor stops for a moment and reflection begins.  When we notice someone close to where we are working we try to pull out of sight and stop the engine so that we don’t interfere with the silence allowing them to meditate or read uninterrupted.  And then you can think also and usually feel as they must also be feeling.  On an early morning this week I went to the overlook at Tower Hill to check on a project underway before any others would be there.  It was so nice to be there alone for a few minutes of thought and private prayer – a great way to start a day.  We hope that all whose situations permit will come for a visit and be exposed to this same spirit.

I thought this afternoon that although it is nice to walk where Adam and the Savior walked, it is so very much more important to walk, “as” they did, Adam in obedience and faithfulness, and Jesus in perfection and purposefulness that includes and reaches each of our eternal lives.  As you will recall from the lyrics of one of our special hymns, “remember what was done”.  And, of course, the sentiment that should follow is one of gratitude and resolve.

Well I did not intend to preach, but I do hope that you can feel what I am inadequately attempting to express in a spirit of love and encouragement.

We have surely been enjoying Marsha’s blog entries.  If you haven’t accessed them, you should.  They are very interesting and can be found at www.kindredtales.blogspot.com.   

We will, time permitting, try to include a few pictures.  Please keep in touch.  We look forward to each phone call, text message, and letter.  Aaron has reported that the Nursery’s spring season is in full swing and doing well.  We are so thankful for his efforts.  We would not be able to serve without his involvement.  Nor could we leave home again for a period of time without the reassurance that our entire family is protected and guided in their lives by a loving Heavenly Father.   Please stay close to one another – be with and strengthen each other.

Love,

Marilyn & Kevin, Mom and Dad, Grandma & Grandpa

April 29, 2015

Dear Family,

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