Can't believe Christmas has come and gone and we are ready to begin another year.  We have especially enjoyed being a part of the nativity display as it helps us to remember the true reason for Christmas and the great gift of God's son to us and all that He did and continues to do.  We loved our contact with all of our family, both skype and phone.  You are all growing up so fast but please remember our love for each of you. 
We had snow the Friday before Christmas so it was a white one.  Then the day after was another big snow and again the next Friday.  We even had some this morning but the roads were not too bad as we traveled to Rootstown for church.  The snow makes it beautiful and I wanted to take some pictures this morning but forgot my camera.  Next Week!
We had a special dinner with our friends the Holtry's and played games.  Then Christmas morning was a slow one with special memories.  That afternoon we rode with the Holtry's up to Kirtland for a dinner with all of the missionaries.  They sure do know how to make good food and lots of it.  Was fun visiting with all of them.  Then the sister missionaries did a talent show.  We thought, singing, etc. but no it was a funny one.  They did skits, danced and made us all laugh until we had tears.  It was so fun and we all loved it.  Then Elder and Sister Edman bore their testimony since they will be leaving us in January.  The Sr. missionaries had done the 12 days of Christmas for them and they had no idea who had done it.  Sister Edman even went home early one day to try to catch somebody but fell asleep and when she woke up, there it was.  It has meant so much to them and made Christmas special for everyone.  They thanked whoever had been involved and said there would never be another Christmas like this one.  It has been a special one with lots of special happenings. 
The furnace is still out at the Johnson Home so we appreciate little space heaters, makes it okay.  We had several tours this week.  One day we had a tour of 4 at 9:30, 15 at 11:30 and 8 at 12:30.  Wow, how exciting for us and each was so very special.  Loved it!!!  Another day we had a Spanish family and it was another special one for us.  Sister Miles, a FM missionary, had translated the tours into Spanish and made a book for each of the sites.  We were able to use that book for the grandma.  At the end of the tour she told us, "my testimony is much bigger now".  They shared an experience of healing by the priesthood.  Their young son has seizures and has to have medicine to bring him out of them.  Well on Thanksgiving Day, he had one and the medicine did not work.  The father gave him a blessing and he was able to come out of it.  They all recognized that the blessing had helped him.  A beautiful young family. 
We love these special moments and are still learning about all of the history of this area.  We do love it.  We send our love and best wishes to each for a Happy New year, may it be great for all.

Can't believe it has been another week.  What fun it is!!!  Tuesday we drove to Rootstown for a baptism for Anna Bin Liu, a Chinese sister.  The sister missionaries have taught her and it was a very special meeting.  The talks were good and then she bore her testimony.  She had written it out so she would say it right.  Her mother had cancer when Anna was very young and her father had a picture taken of the three of them. She says that now she can look at that family picture with a different view and know they can be together.  She has a strong testimony and a great desire to learn more.

 

Wednesday we drove to Kirtland to the dentist.  I had a tooth break off so needed to get it taken care of.  However, he couldn't do what was needed so referred me to a specialist.  I can't get in there until the 31st so still have that to look forward to.  He was a good dentist, a member of the church from Salina and most of his workers are LDS.  He didn't charge me anything for the visit or x-ray so that was good of him.  Since we were out and about we went to the Koehn Home in South Euclid.  This is a picture of the outside of the home.  No photo were allowed inside but it was filled, every square inch, with Christmas of every description.  Was really a special visit seeing all of those special things.  He is the one that did the big nativity at the Center in Kirtland.

Thursday was the Holtry's p-day so we were at the home all day and ended up doing two tours so it was a great day.  We love it when people come so it is not so lonely but mostly because we are able to tell them about the special things and people of the Johnson home.  These are pictures of the Kent and Ravenna Sisters that are assigned to the Rootstown Ward that we work the closest with.












Rasmassen & Bell                                                                                Maynard & Palmer


Thursday was the day of the big snow.   It started about 5 am and was still snowing when we went to bed that night.  In the morning we had over 8 inches of snow and lots of wind to go with it. Wondered if we could get into the parking lot at the home but made it just fine.  However, no visitors.  Below is a picture of the first snow.  Tried to get dad as he was working and you can just barely see him at the back of the car.  Was a fun day.

 

 

Today in church they did a special Christmas program and we decided they have some very good musical talent in this ward.  The organist used to play in all of the churches around and was paid good money for it.  However, he now is happy playing for the ward.  Really an awesome musician.  The choir leader has an amazing voice and knows his music so together they had a great choir along with other numbers, the flute, solos, and even a professional xylaphone, primary and YW.  Was very nice.

We hurried home, ate a bite and went to the Johnson Home.  After arriving back at our apartment the door bell rang and guess who came to see us.....

 

 

We promised him that we had been good....

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE

We send our love

 

 

Sorry all of you snow people, we had 57 degrees here today.  A bit of rain last night and over cast today but very pleasant.  We are sure it is coming and will probably happen all at once. 
We just completed our first week here at the Johnson Home with a total of 2 tours and lot of studying and a bit of indexing.  We have enjoyed the slower pace so it has been nice.  We have worked at getting things organized and put away and are feeling comfortable and at home.  Below are a couple of pictures, one before and one after. 

 

Last night, Saturday, we went to the Rootstown Ward Party.  They had a big crowd and lots of great food.  They also did a program which was really good.  They then presented each of the missionaries with gift bags.  We have Sisters living in Kent and another set in Ravenna and then us that serve with that ward. In our bag was crackers, cheese, choc milk mix, candy, cookies, apples, oranges and pears.  Yummy!!!  They are so good to us.  Then of course today we got our loaf of warm bread.  We think we like this ward and the great people.  Will be nice when we get to know all of their names better but they are patient with us.  We have been given the assignment to call each of the members on their birthdays so that should be fun.  Called our first ones today.  At first the sister I called was rather hesitant but when I told her 'Happy Birthday' she laughed and told me thanks for calling.  Will be nice and a way to let them know we care about them.

 

These are a couple of pictures of the Johnson Home.  It was built in 1828, New England Style and very well preserved.

 

 

 

Thursday we had the special experience of an open house and tour of Lorenzo Snow's home built in 1816.  A couple who are not members purchased it because they love old homes, especially those with history.  They knew it had connections with the Mormons and so involved historians from our church in the history of the home.  They were so very gracious and love to have members come and tour the home and take pictures of it.  I forgot my camera, can you believe that.  I won't next time.  It was all decorated for Christmas and just beautiful.  He took one group and she took the other and they told all about the history of the home and the Snow family that had lived their.  They also believe that Eliza Snow is close by watching over the home. They also served sandwiches and a light lunch.  We then all gathered and sang songs and they told us more of their history.  It was truly delightful and they invited us back at any time, especially bring our families they said. President and Sister Valinga, Elder and Sister Edman, most of the couple missionaries and sister missionaries were there and it was a really special evening.  We definitely plan to go back.   

This next week will prove to be a wild one so will see how it all plays out.  We are taking it one day at a time, learning to get around and finding things.  We did break down and buy a GPS and that certainly makes things easier.  Have a great week,will check in again next Sunday.  LOVE YOU!!! 

 

We just came from a most amazing Christmas Program sponsored by the Kirtland Stake.  They had special instrumental numbers, a choir, organ and it was so very nice.  Of course we think that the star of our show was our own Sister Wygant from the Provo area.  She plays the flute like no other.  They have an arts college here in Mentor so there are a lot of talented young people and that showed tonight.  We wished it could have gone on for longer.  With the nativities, and special programs like this we are loving this Christmas season.  So blessed to be here. We have also had some special groups come into the Center and perform and that adds to the spirit of Christmas.
Since we are soon leaving here we had the two couples that were with us in the MTC over for dinner Friday night.  We then went down to the center for a program and came back here to play games. It is so good to be able to spend time together and we just love being together sharing silly stories, special moments, etc from our families.  If your ears were ringing we were probably talking about you.
Saturday we were invited to Elder and Sister Riches for dinner. The Jones are coming from Johnson Farm and we are going out, and the Riches served there for 7 1/2 months so we had lots to talk about.  Was another special evening.  We have also been packing and have most things ready to just put into the car tomorrow.  Will do a shift tomorrow afternoon at the center and then pull out for Garrettsville Tuesday morning. 
We started that new adventure today.  We drove to Garrettsville to the apartment and cased it out, went on down to Rootstown for church, came back to the apartment for lunch and then served the afternoon at the Johnson Home in Hiram.  Put over 100 miles on our car today and even drove 55 part of the way.  That is new for us....  The ward was great, lots of new friendly people.  I think we will love it.  We were handed a loaf of warm bread from the sister that does the sacrament bread and that will be a weekly thing.  Yummmm.....  Dan also found a cousin.... a brother Lisonbee that is a descendant of Coker Lisonbee the same as us.  What a small world! We went to the home and decided to do a bit of studying on our tour dialogue and in walked a sister from Utah, come for a tour.  Her name was even Annette so we hit it off right from the start.  So our first day at the Johnson Home we did a tour.  In fact that was the only one for the whole day.  It was so fun and we felt good about it all.  Yes, we will keep studying and get better but it was great.  Now we have that first time over with and know we can do it.  We came home and went to the program and are finally home for the evening and tired after a really very nice day.  Yeh....
Didn't take time for pictures this week, sorry.... but next week we will share some of our new things with you. We can hardly wait to get ALL unpacked and organized to hopefully find the things we think we brought with us.  Hope everyone has a great week.... remember we LOVE you all....

This has truly been a whirl wind of a week.  Tuesday was our Zone Conference.  Half of the missionaries met on Monday and the other half on Tuesday.  We all gathered in the Kirtland Temple at 10 a.m.  President Valinga spoke, along with Elder and Sister Edman, a stake President and Brother Karl Anderson.  It was truly amazing and we loved it all.  One of the sisters played a flute duet with an Elder on the violin.  The acoustics in the temple are truly amazing and it sounded really special.  We were all divided into districts into each of the four corners of the temple (choir seats) and everyone had the opportunity of bearing their testimony in the Temple.  Such a great spirit!!!  We gathered in the stake center for lunch and another meeting and then at the Historical Center to view the nativities and a closing program.  Truly a wonderful day.
We have been getting more and more busy at the center as people come into view the nativities and they all love it.  It is really something to behold and we love the spirit it brings.
Friday was our training meeting and the training sisters asked Elder Edman if they could do something fun for the training and he gave permission.  What he didn't know is that it was a surprise for them.  After the introduction they asked that all who had been asked to help with the training to go out into the gathering room. This left Elder and Sister Edman alone and they began to wonder.  Well, it was a live nativity and we all put on our costumes.  As they read the nativity from Luke in came all of the bleating sheep, donkeys and even reindeer.  Mary and Joseph and the baby, the shepherds and finally the wise men.  It was so fun but so very touching.  Sister Edman had tears.  It was amazing the costumes the sisters had put together but it turned out so good and we all loved it.  Below is a group picture of all the group. 

After the training meeting we drove out to the Johnson Farm and visited with the Jones who we are replacing.  They did a bit of training and answered a lot of questions and then did a tour for us.  We then went to their apartment which will be our apartment, had lunch with them and then he showed us around town so we could find things easier.  We then went back to the Farm Home and met with the Holtry's who we will be serving with and they did some more training and also a tour for us.  By then it was getting dark and we came home.  It had been a full day but a truly special one for sure.
One day we were able to do a tour for 7 non LDS.  They told us they were Methodists and Luthuren.  What a fun group, full of questions, receptive but not acceptive.  It really turned out good and we were glad we were able to have the time with them.  Special People!
Today was our last day at the Chardon Branch.  Things seem to be improving and the missionary sisters are more enthused and getting more help with things. We had a dinner at the Palmers tonight and the Jones were there.  They had been to their Rootstown Ward and it seems they have set us up.  The ward is anxiously awaiting us and are going to put us right to work.  Should be fun!
We were also able to attend the First Presidency Christmas Devotional today at the center and really enjoyed that.  What a way to begin the Christmas Season!!! 

Well, things just keep rolling along and we seem to keep busy.  Monday we were at the Kirtland Elementary.  We have been assigned each a third grader to help with reading.  Cute boys and it is fun to be there.  That evening we attended an Empty Nesters/Singles FHE at Chardon.  They have a potluck dinner and lesson once a month.  Dinner was good and it was fun getting to know them better. Thanksgiving was great.  All of the couples of the mission came to the center for Dinner, games and movies.  The sisters joined us after their dinner appointments.  Lots and lots of great food and good friends.  I made pies in the morning and then went down about 1.  By 8 that evening we were tired so came home.  Friday was our big opening for the nativity and the lighting ceremony.  It was one wild day and we were kept hopping.  Lots and lots of people and excitement.  One of the big nativities was brought in by an artist of the area and he did all of the set up, took him about 7 hours.  Below is a picture of him in the beginning and another of the final.  A definitely beautiful setting.

 

 

The one big room upstairs if full of nativities.  Below is picture of most of the room and then some of the individual nativities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a full wall display of all the different aspects of the Savior's Life. In the middle is the last supper, one side is the crucifixtion with the crown of thorns, empty tomb, etc. The other has to do with the birth with the gold, frankincense and myrrh. swaddling cloth, cradle....

 

Out in the little school house there is a big display of international nativities.  Below is a sample...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The BIG news this week is that we got our first transfer.  We are moving about the 10th of December to Garrettsville and will be working at the John Johnson Farm in Hiram.  We will be working with one other couple so it will be trading with each other, working the schedule between us.  Of course there is not too much happening during the next few months so that should work okay.  We will be learning and testifying of different things so we have more to learn.  Everyone that has worked out there say it is their favorite place so we are looking forward to that.  It is a much more rural area.  We will also be assigned to the Rootstown Ward.  They love the senior missionaries and want us to help them lots so that will be fun to work with them and help them to build the ward. It will be a bit more traveling in the car because our apt is 5 miles away and the ward about 30-45 minutes away.

Each week has new adventures and excitement and we love it.  We had three couples and Elder Crowley, a young elder with the PM group, over for dinner last night in our little apt.  We ate and visited for almost 4 hours.  Sometimes we were laughing, other times, crying and other times crying because we were laughing so hard.  FUN!!!

 

 

This week has gone by really fast.  Tuesday was our P-Day so we went out into Amish country, visited several stores, had lunch at the Dutchman's Restaurant, stopped at the White House Chocolate Factory and tasted all their samples.  Course then we had to buy some.  We also went on out to the End of the Commons General Store and purchased a bit of bulk items.  Was a fun day and we saw new country.  Tours were really slow this week so we did quite a bit of studying and visiting.  We also drove out to Lake Erie.  Was a beautiful sight and sooo big.  One gentleman stopped and was visiting with us and told us that the Canadian border was 90 miles across. 

                                                
Lake Erie with the Geese                                                                     Fairport Harbor Lighthouse

This harbor was where many of the missionaries left from headed into Canada and the Eastern states.
It is a museum but we didn't take the time right now to go inside.  Another time.....

As we were driving down to our Chardon Branch on Veterans Day, they had the big hook and ladder truck out over the highway in the middle of town and it was so neat to see the flag waving.

We also had the opportunity to go with Elder and Sister Miles who are FM missionaries to go into the Joseph Smith home and Joseph's variety store that the church has recently purchased.  The Church of Christ have had some of their missionaries living in the home so it isn't as it was and has a lot of work needed to be respresentative of that time.  The old store is really in disrepair.  The historical people from SL have been all through it but there is still lots of old 'stuff' in there and we were able to wander around and look at it all.  Below are some of the photos.  Owen probably would have loved it all and packed it home in a heartbeat.  The building has had several businesses in it since the time but was quite interesting.

An old drill press

Things gathered in a pile

 

 

All of us standing in the basement of Joseph's Variety Store

 

It is amazing as we learn more of the area all of the preparations made for the church to be in this area and all of the building of the basics of the church that took place as the saints were here.  This area had definitly been prepared for the gospel and when commanded to gather to the Ohio, here they were promised strength and power and knowledge.  They did not question but did as their prophet said because they knew he communicated with God the Father and Jesus Christ.  Many of the programs and basics of the church began here, the foundations, and  when their purpose was accomplished, they moved on.  What a blessing it is for us to be here, to walk in their footsteps and feel of their spirit and gain a resolve to do better!   Another Great Week!!!

 



Well, here is another Sunday and wow has this been some kind of a week.  Really a highly spiritual week of some really special happenings.  First of all on Tuesday we drove down to Cleveland to the mission home for a dinner with Elder and Sister Valinga and the other new missionaries of the mission.  Had a very nice dinner, did some visiting and bore testimonies.  We really enjoyed getting to know everyone and feeling of their spirit and love of the gospel.

 

This is us with President and Sister Valinga

in the mission home.

 

 

Wednesday morning all of the new missionaries met in the Kirtland temple.  We were given a tour by the man that is over the temple from the Church of Christ.  We also had Karl Anderson who really knows all there is to know about Kirtland and the happenings here.  He was able to give us some insight into some of the revelations that took place in the temple.  Very informative and very spiritual.  It was really an opportunity to be in the temple.  Love it!!!

 

 

This is a photo of all of us on the front steps of the temple. 

Brother Anderson is on the far left with his wife directly in front of him. 

 

We then met at the Whitney Store and went into the School of the Prophets.  Some very sacred and special revelations were received there including the visitation of the Father and the Son.  We were again taught and spiritually fed.  Then we were left alone to review our feelings and our desire to serve our mission with the goals that we might have.  Again it was a very special time.

 

 

This is us again in front of the Whitney Store.

 

 

Then on Thursday which was our P-day, Elder and Sister Crump invited us to ride to the Columbus temple with them.  They have just given us permission to attend the temple twice during our mission time and so we were excited to be able to go.  It was so good to be in the temple and we truly enjoyed our time there.  It took us almost 3 hours to drive down so it was nice to have company and to become better acquainted with the Crumps.  Another beautiful day!!!

 

 



 

 

 

Friday we had the opportunity to do a tour with a young family from Brisbane Australia.  They were really special and it turns out that they knew Josh Woodfield from Townsville.  Josh's mother was the RS President, his grandmother lived with them and he went out many times with the elders. We even had Christmas breakfast with them. They said he is now married and has a little boy.  They took a picture of us to share with Josh so that was another special day.

 

Sunday we were able to give a lesson in Sunday School to some new converts and investigators who were there with the Sister Missionaries.  Turned out very nice and we enjoyed that.  Came back to the center and were able to do a tour with a young couple (we think they are newly engaged) and a young man who had just been baptized in June.  He came with a non member friend and we were able to tell about Kirtland and bear testimony.  Hopefully he felt the spirit and will have a desire to know more. 

Think that is one full week, full of special and spiritual times and we love it.  



Well, we survived Hurricane Sandy.... Monday morning when we went into the center, Elder Edman told us to go shopping to be prepared for whatever.  Then that afternoon the power went off for 5 hours.  One couple still had power so 4 couples of us got together and played games. The sister missionaries were all grounded until at least Wednesday and we were told to stay close.  Later about midnight the power went off again but we were snug in our beds.  Got up late but stayed wrapped in quilts.  We finally went to a sporting goods store and found an indoor propane heater.  Warmed things up to 65 before the power came back on at 7 that night.  We have had lots of heavy winds and rain.  Some of the houses have had water in their basements, up to 2 feet.  However, we are on a hill and have no basement so we are great.
Wednesday night we had a Halloween dinner with all of the couples and sisters.  I made a big pot of cheddar Chowder and it was all gone. Made a hit.  The sisters left to go to work after the dinner and the rest of us did a get to know you activity.  Was a nice evening.  We came home and I did a trick or treat to the sisters across the driveway.  They gave me hugs and I gave them a cake.  Works for me!!
Friday morning we had a transfer testimony meeting for the 4 sisters and 2 couples that are going home.  Was a very spiritual meeting.  They all expressed their love for the mission and for the spiritual things that they have learned and felt as they have served.  Afterwards we had a breakfast with everyone.  Another great day. One of the couples got a phone call of a family emergency at home so they left early Saturday for home.  They were supposed to be released the first of December so it was only a little bit early.  We will miss them.  In between all of the extra things we were able to do tours at the center.  We had talked about the things we say on our tours and decided to try a couple of new things and were very pleased with the results.  Made things much more spiritual as we were able to bear testimony of some of the special things that have happened.  We are loving it more and more as we feel more confident in the things we do. The ones we work with are so special, loving and willing to help out.  Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.......

Well, it has been another week and we have filled it to the fullest.  Tuesday the sister missionaries had a 'silent training meeting' and it was really special.  We quietly went in and things were given on a power point presentation.  We recorded in our journals our feelings toward the Savior and goals we have for ourselves.  It was very spiritual and we enjoyed it. 
The center has a big nativity display for Christmas and are in the process of accepting items from the wards and other churches and the community.  They say over 650 come in so it is a BIG thing.  We are excitedly looking forward to that. 
We drove into Amish country and bought a nut apple pie and shared with two of the couples.  Also ate dinner there and it turned out good.  We drove out to the quarry where they got the rock for the temple.  Below are a couple of pictures of there. 

 

 

 

We also drove out to the Johnson Farm where Joseph Smith lived for about 1 1/2 years and received some of the revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants.  This is a photo of us standing on the steps where the prophet talked to those gathered in front of the Johnson Home.  The home has been restored and is about 80 percent original.  Was a great day.  

 

Got lots of activities planned for the next week so will report another day. 
                         Have a Happy Halloween everybody. 

Sunday 21 October 2012
This has been a great week.  We are feeling more confident all the time with the tours and have been able to meet with some wonderful groups.  They are all so eager to learn about the history of Kirtland and the strengthening of the church in this area.  It is special to bear testimony of the events that ocurred in this area.  On Thursday we walked up to the Kirtland Temple and were able to go on tour with a gentleman of the Church of Christ.  Some of the couple missionaries had dinner with him on Tuesday and so we sort of requested him to be our guide.  He might be a member of that church but he knows the history of the Mormon Church and bore quite a strong testimony of authority, temples and leadership.  When we came out of the temple, it was raining elephants, too heavy for cats and dogs.  No Umbrellas!!  Three young girls in the tour group offered to bring us home, so after running in the rain to get to their car, we came home rather wet. 
Friday we were alone at the Morley Farm for tours all day.  We were able to do 5 tours.  One group was three sisters, two of which had served as missionary companions in Chile 38 years ago.  The one did not understand English so we spoke a phrase at a time and they translated for her.  It was a spiritual experience and so special.  Today in conference they were there and made sure we saw them and said hi to them.

This is a picture of what we call the Kirtland Sacred Grove.  It is the possible site of the Morley school house where several revelations were given.  As we tell of those happenings you can really feel of the spirit.  It is especially beautiful now with the leaves. 

 
Friday evening the senior missionaries, the FM group and others from the Mission Office all went to an Amish Dinner with the Joe Miller Family.  They cleared out their work shop, spread out tables and served us all there.  (40 of us).  What a feast... mashed potatoes and gravy, cole slaw, creamed peas, carrots, beef and chicken and warm home made bread and jam.  Then came the good stuff, pies of any variety and a real cream and chocolate cake pudding.  YUMMMYY!!!  They were so gracious and told us about their way of life and sang songs for us. The whole family worked together in preparing, serving and cleaning up. Was fun to watch them as they worked. Joe and his wife are 70 years old celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.  He had a brain tumor and an aneurism which was corrected with surgery and then had a massive stroke and was completely paralized on his left side.  With much therapy and work he has come back and you could never tell.  He has a window making business and works every day.  Was a great Evening!!
Saturday evening was stake conference with Elder Ellis of the council of the 70 and then again today.  He is such a good speaker and we were taught much, things to help us be better as families, and come closer to our Father in Heaven.  We then rushed to the Visitor's Center and were able to do a tour.  Each group are so special and we really enjoy visiting and telling them of the history and then bearing testimony.  So spiritual, such a special thing to be involved in.  The Gospel is true and Heavenly Father blesses us so richly if we but allow Him to do so. 

Just thought you all might like to know we are really where you think we are.  The flowers are beginning to freeze but some like these are still very nice.

Today, Monday the 14th has been a special day.  We were at the VC at 8:45 for prayer meeting and had a bus of 30 people at the door at 9.  The sister missionaries were not there yet and so it looked like we were going to take them out on tour.  However, they did show up and were able to take them.  Then when the next group came in, we were assigned to take them out.  This was our FIRST!!!
It was a family with 7 kids from Arizona.  We felt really good about what we were able to do and explain and they seemed to really enjoy it and asked questions and participated in discussions.  They thanked us again and again.  We really enjoyed them and their special family.  Below is a picture of the Crook Family from AZ.

 

The next picture is for Owen. This checker board is in the Newell K. Whitney home. 

The checker pieces are cut slices of corn cobs.

 

 

 

 

 

It has really been a special day. We were able to teach and bear testimony and discover that we can really do it.  After doing our first tour and feeling good about it and loving the cute family, we did a bit more training and then came home and had lunch with Elder and Sister Peterson.  The Petersons and us then did a drive around and spotted some of the shopping areas.  Found some of the more important spots like Joann's, Kohls, Target, Dillards, Maceys, Penneys and of course  the super K-Mart and Super WalMart.  Oh and we did find the grocery store, Giant Eagle.  Now we just need time and money to check them all out.  We finished our drive with a Blizzard at DQ.  Yummy!!!   We went back to the VC to check on things there and for the guys to be trained on closing the sites and in walks President Valinga, his wife, son and family.  What a joy to meet them and we could really feel of their love and excitement at having us here in 'the best mission in the world'.  We then received more training on the desk and returned home to a cold cottage.  Got to have our furnace checked.  It has really been a glorious day.  So glad to be here and be able to share the history and our testimonies.   



 

Packing was quite a project.  When all was said and done we were sort of like a jar of marshmallow creme.  If you opened a door, things sort of just expanded and out they came.  It took some doing but they were finally able to get it all in and on the cargo carrier on the back.  We did take more than we might have needed but wanted to have some bottled fruit, jam, sewing machine, tools, pans, and some of the things we might feel were important for the next two years.
    When we got to Grand Junction, we felt that the cargo carrier (Pauline calls it a back porch) was sagging a bit so we purchased some ties and secured it to the rails on top of the car.  Much better!!!

 

 

We stayed in Limon, CO the first night and then Cameron, MO the second.  As we pulled out from Cameron the sun was just coming up and there was big fan shaped clouds.  A beautiful morning....

 

 

 

We had quite a bit of head wind coming across Kansas but did okay.  The third night we were in Richmond, Ohio.  We thought we were stopping a bit earlier but soon realized we had passed into the eastern time zone and it wasn't as early as we thought.  Thursday we were a bit slower getting started because we didn't want to run into rush hour traffic in the big city but were still able to get to Kirtland just after 1 o'clock.  We were met by Elder and Sister Edmun, the visitor center directors.  We visited with them and then they took us to our new home.  They call it the Honeymoon Suite because it is so small.  No it is not large but very comfortable and we are mostly settled in.  It has two bedrooms and the kitchen table is in the living room but it feels home to us.  We didn't unpack some of our things because they said that we would be moving the first part of December because getting up the hill to our cottage is too dangerous in winter.  Two couples leave in December so we should be getting one of their homes.  Following are pictures of our house, inside and out. 

 

 

 

Elder and Sister Johnson are our trainers and they were serving out at the Morley Farm so they could not be here to greet us but they had left milk, margarine, freezer jam, bread and cereal here for us.  They then came about 6 and took us out to dinner, filled us in on scheduling and some of the things that we will be involved in.  Interestingly enough Elder and Sister Johnson are from CLEVELAND ENGLAND!!!   Can you believe that, you would think we were somehow tied to Cleveland.  Australia, home and now here and then them. 

We went to the visitors center this morning and went on a tour with the Sister Missionaries, had lunch with the Petersons (one of the couples from the MTC).  Dad helped set up their printer so they fixed us all a sandwich.  We then had the special opportunity of going out to the Morley Farm and listening to Bro Anderson talk about all the things that happened in Kirtland.  He is amazing and only does special tours but knows all there is to know.  Fun to listen to and such a special spirit.  Only thing is we were freezing.  The thermometer said in the 50's but with a bit of a breeze and humidity it was cold.  We then went back and watched the video at the VC and came home for supper, reading and whatever.  Everyone is sooo glad to see us and it is amazing to see and hear all of the special things that have happened here...a truly spiritual high for us and we are so looking forward to knowing and understanding all of it.  Below is a picture of Bro Anderson as he was talking to us.  Been a great day!!

 

 

 

 

    Well things are finally beginning.  We entered the MTC in Provo on Monday 24 September 2012.  We stopped in Price to do a last check on my new glasses which by the way after two tries still are not right.  That put us a bit later than we planned.  However, we did arrive at 10:59 (we had been told to check in between 10 & 11).  We were warmly welcomed as Elder and Sister Wells.  When asked how come they knew our names, we found that we were the last ones not checked off of their list.  We were then welcomed by about 10 elders waiting to help us carry our luggage to our room.  We were in what some called the pent house, the 3rd floor of the Jacob Hamblin Building, very nice.
    After a quick tour of the area we went to lunch in the cafeteria.  It was a sea of white shirts mixed with a splash of color of the sisters.  We didn't know much about how it all worked but finally stood there with our trays wondering where to sit.  We sat by 2 senior couples and much to our joy, one of them was also going to Kirtland.  Instant friends!  It was orientation and then to classes.  Our instructors were super, fun and informative.  They are returned missionaries and students at BYU.  We were in class at 8 each morning and usually finished about 4:30 in the afternoon with breaks and lunch in between.  We were taught and then practiced what we had learned and our focus was on becoming acquainted with the book Preach My Gospel and how to use it in our mission. 
   The second week on Monday we traveled to Temple Square in Salt Lake for tours with the sister missionaries that serve there.  Actually being on a tour and watching them helped us to know our role as visitor center missionaries.  Then for two more days we focused on our callings as visitor center missionaries and shared many special, spiritual experiences.  We became very close as a group, there were 14 couples, and truly felt the strength of each as we prepare to go to our assignments. 


     

 

 

Kirtland, Ohio is the place....see right there.

 

 

 



This is the four couples that will be serving in the Kirtland Visitors center. 

They are:  Palmers, Holtrys,Wells, Petersons 

 

 Sunday afternoon between meetings we decided to take a ride around the Alpine Loop.  It was a beautiful day and the leaves were so bright and colorful. 

 

Dee and Marlynn Peterson from Firth, Idaho



                                                                                     View of the back side of Timpanogas

Elder and Sister Wells on the Alpine Loop 



 



 

More of the Alpine Loop