Good Bye, Welcome...Change

 Dear Family and Friends,

Our new directors have survived their first week.  It's a little "doe in the headlights" look, but they are excited and great people.  As we all know change is hard, but good.  Elder Cleverly is an "IT" guy who wants to drag us all into the 21st century.  He had me make a Google Calendar and now wants me to instruct all the Sr. Missionaries how to access it. (now I just have to figure out a power point presentation.)  His plans are to have all relevant information, that we as Seniors share, on Google Doc's and Calendar.  I have my work cut out for me, since I know enough about this stuff to be really scary.  Its totally trial and error------lots of errors.  But I'm muddling through. The Calendar is up and shared with all and I even know how to access it.  ( yea---a round of applause please) 21st Century here we come, whether your ready for us or not.

As I mentioned in our last blog, "Meet The Mormons" has been playing at the Visitor Center since New Years Day.  It is unbelievable, we've turned into a Movie Theater.  We show it every hour on the hour starting at 3:00 pm and both theaters are full most days. We also show it prior to 3:00 pm, on demand, if we have a room.  It is so wonderful that so many are coming to the VC to see the movie, and also a problem that so many are coming to the VC to see the movie.  As I said, "we've turned into a movie theater, without the popcorn and red vines.  The purpose of the Visitor Center is to  invite all that visit to "Come Unto Christ."  If we show a movie or give a tour, it is with this purpose in mind.  The Sister's are to preset any tour or movie with the request that we think about someone we can invite to "Hear Christs Message", but as you can imagine with 100 people standing in line to get into a theater, all wanting great seats, their minds are not thinking about someone they can share the gospel with.  At the end of the tour or movie, again the Sisters ask if anyone has come to their minds to share the gospel with, but as soon as the credits start to roll, most of the guests jump up and head out the door.  We have a problem, but a good problem. We are currently working out the kinks and hope to be able to provide the atmosphere where the spirit can touch, those who come, to think of others who we can invite and share our message.  (Any Ideas are welcome) Come on, I know my peeps are brilliant and can solve this issue.  Looking forward to your ideas

We've had two P-days since my last post--time is flying by. Our p-day on the 19th was very uneventful.  I was exhausted and didn't get out of my PJ's 'til 3:00 pm.  I would have stayed in them all day except we had an appointment to teach.  (Good reason to get up and get dressed) But our p-day this last Monday, the 26th, was another road warrior adventure.  We took off for Coral Pink Sand Dunes.  We headed out through Hurricane, Colorado City and stopped at Pipe Springs.  We've passed Pipe Springs for years on our way to and from Utah and never stopped. Do not make this mistake.  It is fascinating.  It was a tithing ranch for the church for several years.  When members would pay their tithing in cattle they would be sent to Pipe Springs to graze and breed.  They had 10,000 head of cattle there and made 60 lbs of cheese and 40 lbs of butter a day.  They would take this butter and cheese into St. George twice a month for the Bishop's storehouse.  They would take cattle twice a month, as well, to be given to those men and women who were working on the Tabernacle and Temple.  These men and women were paid in "Mormon Script" and could purchase butter, cheese and cattle with this script.  Brigham Young put this system in place to support the pioneers who were here in St. George to be able to survive.  The more we learn about Brigham Young and his ability to solve serious issues, the more we realize he was the "Prophet" who was needed at this time.

After Pipe Springs, we went to Kanab and stopped at the Visitor Center to check out the "Wave" in Paria Canyon.  (Google it)  Since I have learned about this place, I have been dying to go. There is a lottery system which requires you to show up the day before to place your name in the lottery. They only allow 20 people a day into the park so the chance is very low, but soooooo worth it.  I will do this, but not sure I can work it out while we are still serving.  However, we did get information about two other hikes that are on my list of must go's.  We then headed up the road to Coral Pink Sand Dunes.  Again, we have passed this 100 times and never stopped. It is out of the way but if you want to feel like you have gone to the Arabian Dessert, head out there and see for yourselves.  the road actually goes back to Colorado City so we made a loop.  There are very specific conditions where these Sand Dunes can develop and this is one of the places. Another great P-day.  We made it back in time for our Sr. Supper.  We meet once a month to enjoy a night out and each other's company.  Sweeeeeet!

We continue to be keep busy and meet wonderful new friends.  We have decided that St. George is the center of the Universe.  Everyone comes to St. George.  My Sister and her husband Pete along with their daughter Jill and her husband Chris were here for MLK.  We had dinner with my Uncle Richard and his wife Mary and their dear friends.  Our friends, the Biggs, called us as they passed through St. George on their way to SLC.  Janet Hancey was visiting and we enjoyed a bike ride to see the Swans, Herons and Ducks plus great dinners.  This happens all the time.  So please if you come through, call us.  We love it.

Here's to the coming weeks.  It's always an adventure.  Please stay safe and know you are in our prayers.

Bruce and Dawna

Elder and Sister

PS  Happy Birthday to our youngest grandchild, "Ben".  He is going to be two and we love him to death.  We were worried he wouldn't remember us, but when we skype he won't let anyone else talk.  He just keeps saying, Papa, NeMa, Papa, NeMa over and over.  Love It!!