Last week was filled with the usual weekly
work assignments and group scripture study during a couple of the
evenings. Kevin mowed most everyday getting ready for the 4th of July weekend as we did not have to work on Friday. He came home one day last week, his face covered in mud and so Elder Miles took a picture as he was leaving work. (Just to prove he had been working!)
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| Just al little mud on that face! |
4th of July is one of the busiest weekends with tourists here at AOA. There were 8 buses at one time parked at the overlook with many cars, etc. (That was a good weekend not to have Bathroom duty!)
We were excited to have Andrew, Kandyce, Grant and Hayes come for the weekend. They arrived Friday afternoon and we drove them around Adam-ondi-Ahman property. Later we visited the community of Jamesport where the Amish live and took them to some of our favorite places.
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| "An Amish Boy" |
That evening at dusk Dad drove Andrew, Kandyce, and Grant to Tower Hill. Grant got to stand on “Preacher’s Rock” and talk to his mom and dad that were way out in the Pecan Orchard. They could hear him perfectly. They were able to see some wildlife and feel the spirit that is so strong there. Afterwards Andrew and Kandyce got quite a hike back as Andrew was trying to get so many steps in for work. They saw many Fire Flies that lit up the sky for a preview of the 4th of July!
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| Thumbs up, we're off! |
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| New Friend Elder Toone |
On
the 4th we got up early as our apartment complex was in charge of the
morning breakfast with all the missionaries.
We had a flag raising ceremony, delicious breakfast and a patriotic
program. One of the couples brought
their Razor with them and Grant got to have lots of rides. There was one Elder that talked like Donald
Duck that Grant hit it off with. He made
Grant a little finished log carved with Grant’s name, a heart, and carved his name
(Elder Toone) and also DD for Donald Duck.
Grant thought that was pretty special. The
Toone’s live not too far from Andrew and Kandyce and DD said Grant hasn’t seen
the end of him. All the couples were so
happy to see the kids!
Saturday afternoon our next door neighbor that is “The Fisherman” offered to take us fishing. There are over 40 ponds on the property all with fish and no license is required or limit on the amount you can catch. Altogether we caught 26 Blue Gills. Grant kept calling Elder Nilson “Mr. Fisherman”. He said he could not have been given a greater compliment ever!!! We had a great time!
Saturday afternoon our next door neighbor that is “The Fisherman” offered to take us fishing. There are over 40 ponds on the property all with fish and no license is required or limit on the amount you can catch. Altogether we caught 26 Blue Gills. Grant kept calling Elder Nilson “Mr. Fisherman”. He said he could not have been given a greater compliment ever!!! We had a great time!
In
the evening some of the “Old Codgers” lit off quite a fire work display. Andrew and Kandyce thought that was the BEST
west of the Mississippi! We have never
laughed so hard. The men would bend over
trying to light their fire crackers and then another missionary would come up
behind and light a fire cracker behind them and they would jump a mile high and get the giggles. They were throwing fire
crackers into the fire pit, etc. It was
quite the night! Hayes slept through
most of it until the end when he woke up to light sparklers.
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| Hayes with his first sparkler! |
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Ride 'em Cowboy! |
Sunday we went to Sacrament meeting in our Far West Ward and then toured some of the church history sites. We went to see Far West, the Kansas City Temple, Liberty Jail, Independence Visitor’s Center and then across the street to the Community of Christ temple.
Andrew
and Kandyce had to get up to catch their plane in Kansas City at 3:30 the next
morning so we said our goodbyes at their motel late in the afternoon and headed
back. It was a great weekend!
We are looking forward to more visits from
family and friends. You are always
welcome!!!
As I was talking to Grant last weekend and
telling him how proud I was that he had learned to ride his bike all by himself;
I asked him how he liked to ride, and he said, “I’m struggling” I said struggling??? He said “yes, it is too hard to go up
hills.” I have thought a lot about his
comment. Hills are hard and we all have
them from time to time in our life, some steeper than others. We have to push a
little harder to get a little stronger even when it is so hard. When we coast at a steady pace we aren’t
getting stronger to climb that mountain ahead.
I am grateful for some of the experiences
here that have made us push a little harder.
It is not comfortable going out of the “comfort zone” but hopefully in
the end it will be worth it!
Love you all! Thanks for your love and support. Appreciate so much your letters, texts, and
calls. Have a great week!
