October 2008

Elder Hansen is ready to start his missionary work for the day. Our chitolpa tree (behind him) bloomed all summer long. We put another one on the other side of the front yard....they have been beautiful this year. He keeps our front and back yards well groomed and cared for even with all the hours we spend doing missionary work every day.



Elder Hansen uses his 'down-time' at Jacob Hamblin's to study. They keep reference books at all the sites for us to study. We really like the Jacob Hamblin site---it is more like the 'every-day' pioneer homes. They were industrious and persevering and never lost faith.



It's a slow day at the Visitor Center.....however, Elder Hansen wakes up quickly when someone comes in. He is very good at getting to know people quickly and being able to teach them what they want/need to know. He is getting the reputation among the missionaries as the one to go to when you need facts and details---about anything.

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October weather is the reason people live in St. George---the weather is beautiful, the temperature is perfect and there is so much to do here! It is Cultural Month and we have 15 EXTRA events in the Tabernacle. This community REALLY works to keep everyone happily busy and united in good things.

We just finished the 26 mile Marathon on the 4th of October. It is the first time in 25 years that it rained on the runners the whole day. Many people came into the Visitor Center to get out of the rain and chill. The finish line for the race is a park one block away from the Temple Visitor Center. There were over 5,000 runners who actually finished. One fellow I talked to has run three 100 mile races....I don't know how many 26 mile ones he has done. It must take alot of time.

Then we have two weeks of the Huntsman Senior Games in October. There will be more than 7,000 athletes---and they all have support teams. We think there will be an increase of visitors at our Center and the Historic Sites.

The past couple of weeks I have met two different couples who knew Gail and/or Gary. One was Richard Peterson's scoutmaster in Inkom. Richard Peterson was Gail's first husband. The other knew Gary when he was a chiropractor in Pocatello.

We had General Conference Broadcast at the Visitor Center. A few guests came but mostly the missionaries enjoyed the sessions. Every time we listen to Conference we all say--'that is exactly what we needed to hear.' It will be great to read the Conference Ensign.

We are getting excited to go to Salt Lake for Anna and Darrin's wedding. We got permission to go from the Mission President---because it is out of our mission. He is fine with our attending to family. It will be wonderful to see the family again and to celebrate together!

I want to thank you for your encouragement on our mission. We are glad it is a happy experience for you, too. We love you all!

September 2008

July brought the HOT weather....usually in the high 90's up to 105 degrees. That didn't stop people from coming to St. George.

One group we especially enjoyed were about 15 orphans from Kenya. They were between 10 to maybe 15 years old. They were traveling around America trying to get donations to help the orphans in Kenya. They anticipated their trip through America would take about 3 months.

One of their traveling-leaders was a LDS Branch President in Kenya. He had personally adopted many orphans, though he is not well-to-do. They had contacted Church members and were referred to places where they could perform and they usually stayed with Church members, though most children and escorts were not LDS. Arrangements were made for them to stay with members of our home ward in Ivins. Their Branch President was escorted throughout their stay by our good friends, the Boyles--with whom he also stayed. He kept saying---'this home is like a king's palace.' BrotherBoyle took him to do Temple sessions and they took a private tour of the Temple. He was so thrilled with everything!

The children were given a chance to perform at the pre-show at Tuacahn a couple of nights. They sang beautifully!!

We were going to be at the Brigham Young Winter Home when they planned to take a tour there. So, Elder Hansen and I decided to be prepared. I made little snack-sized packets with a flower of Dixie cotton( grown at Jacob Hamblin's), a pamphlet of the Brigham Young Home and a note of encouragement and love for each of them. Elder Hansen decided to share the almonds from the little trees in our back yard.

So, when they arrived, Elder Hansen explained about Brigham Young and the Cotton Mission pioneers. They sat with their arms folded and listened intently. Then Elder Hansen took them into the Brigham Young Home. In the parlor he asked the children to gather under the picture of Brigham Young that was made for his 75th birthday, which he had celebrated in St. George. He told how the people of St. George had a parade and sang two songs especially written for the occassion, and how the children dressed in their best and sang for their prophet. Then he asked them if they would sing for Brigham Young in this same room where the children had celebrated him so long ago. The children sang 'I Am a Child of God'---all verses, in English. It was a very touching moment for the missionaries---we hope for them, too.

Then, he took them outside to continue the tour. One of the nut trees the pioneers grew in Dixie were almonds. On the back patio, near the almond trees, he explained how to get the almonds out of the pod and crack the shell. He had picked the almonds that morning, so they were fresh---you could open them with your fingers. He had a five gallen bucket of nuts and an empty one for the shells. They gathered around and ate every nut---in a very short time!

When they had to go, we handed them the packets and shook hands and gave hugs as they climbed back onto their bus. It was a happy day for us!

It made me think again of what we choose to do with the precious time we have to live here on earth. Some people have spent their lives in unselfish service to others--it doesn't matter how much money they have or how smart they are. These are the people who can smile and be at peace because they know they are doing what God asks us to do---love one another.