Dear Friends and Family,
Another week has flown by and if they keep going as fast as
the first 4+, it is like we are being twinkled from one week to the next. It
has been more than a month since we left Mesa and started this journey,
"May the Force continue to be with Us." (Love a good Star Wars
line)
Since it was the week of the 24th of July, we had an army of
visitors through the Historical Sites. Yesterday from 10 am to 2 pm we
took 175 people through the Brigham Young home. Its not a record, but
pretty awesome. Bruce had a young man who was baptized a member but had
fallen away and had a lived a pretty hard life. He was recently released
from prison, is currently homeless and was very depressed to the point of
taking his own life. He told Bruce that he hit bottom and now is trying
to make things right. He was walking by the BY home and felt a desire to
come take a tour. He wanted a Book of Mormon to carry in his pack, and
when he left he told Bruce the spirit have given him answers to what he needed
to do next. Bruce gave him the phone number to the transient Bishop and
pointed him in the right direction. We pray for this young man to be able
to make changes so that he can find the happiness his Father has in store for
him.
I gave a tour at Jacob Hamblin's home earlier in the week to
a father and son who were Jewish. They were from California and the
father had been to the historical sites several times and wanted his son to
hear about these Mormon Pioneers. I began telling Jacob's story and
Frank, the son, kept asking, how did Jacob know these things? Part of
Jacob's conversion is after hearing Lyman Stoddard preach the gospel, Jacob
walks up to Bro. Stoddard and asks for the book that he was preaching from.
Bro. Stoddard handed Jacob a Bible and Jacob responds, "No not that
book, the other book". Bro. Stoddard then handed a Book of Mormon to
Jacob. After explaining this to Frank, he wanted a Book of Mormon.
He tried to pay me for it and I told him the only payment I could take
was his promise to read the book. His father kept saying these Mormons
have more truth than other religions. I offered him a Book of Mormon as
well, but he already had one. He then explained that he loved the
Mormon's and more people should try and be like them, but he didn't believe in
organized religion and most didn't have all the truth. I promised him if
he would read his copy of the Book of Mormon he would find all the truth that
God had given man. He thanked me for my sincerity, but I didn't get the
feeling I had changed his mind. "We'll see."
So as you can see from the pictures, we again had a
wonderful surprise visit from Dave, Logan, Noah and the rest of Dave's Venture
Scout Troop. Dave secured a reservation at Zion's Canyon for the boys to
hike three different trails. One was Angels Landing, which I think is 9+
miles. Oh to be young. On the way back they stopped at the VC for a
short tour. It was our "P" day so Elder and Sister Watkins gave
the tour. Their son-in-law and grandson were also there. They are
in Dave and Kristi's ward. What a great bunch of boys. They were so
respectful and listened to everything that was said, even though I'm sure they
were ready for junk food and pop. (Three days in the woods will do that
to you)
My mom, sister, niece and her son also came to visit.
What a fun experience to give a tour to family members. We were
able to go to Tuacahn to watch the Wizard of OZ performance, which was very
good and then we drove up to Duck Creek to "Duck Days". I think
Duck Dynasty was conceived here. I have never seen so much camouflage and
four wheeler's in my life. They have a parade and decorate their 4
wheeler's with lights, banners, streamers etc. (We didn't make the
parade, our niece has a cabin here and described in detail) Yes, I was
out of place but whats new. I still had my badge on and had just pulled
jeans on with the same shirt I had worn earlier at work. What a hoot!
People were looking at me like I was from another planet and no one asked
me any questions. Of course Bruce had taken his badge off---yup didn't
notice that. The people were a "hootin and a hollerin" and having a
great time.
Well, the Jacob Hamblin home awaits. We are schedule
this afternoon from 2 to 7. We pray all is well with you and yours and
will continue to keep you up to date with what's happening in Beautiful Dixie.
Love Bruce & Dawna
Elder and Sister
PS Happy Birthday to our other beautiful, smart,
charming daughter Becky. Please go to Tia Rosa's for me. Haven't found a good
Mexican restaurant yet.
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