Count Down

Dear Family and Friends, 

Count Down is here.  We have 20 days left of our mission.  Where has it gone?  We don't know, but we have loved every minute and will treasure this experience and hope we have done what our Heavenly Father wanted.  We are committed to finishing strong and hopefully introduce a few more souls to the gospel in our time remaining.

It has been a crazy few weeks.  We have experienced another transfer, another "Night of Music" and another "Investigator Fireside," along with our regular shifts and our Grandson's HS Graduation.  The sites are experiencing tons of visitors.  We are starting with family reunions and will take two different Romney families through the Tabernacle on Friday.  Miles Romney was the construction supervisor on the Tabernacle and Temple, along with helping Brigham Young with the addition to his home.  Mitt and Ann Romney brought 10 of their grandchildren through the Tabernacle about 1 year ago to show them what their Great- great- great grandfather had built.  He designed and built the free-standing spiral staircases in the Tabernacle, which are true works of art.  We have families, of the early pioneers, who bring their children to the sites to see and feel the spirit of their ancestors and hear the stories of how they built this city in the middle of "The Lifeless Valley of the Virgin." (nickname the early settlers gave this area).  Wouldn't the early pioneers be surprised to see what St. George is now.

On the 28th of May, Logan, our oldest grandson graduated from HS.  What a treat to see him complete this part of his education.  He graduated with Honor's and we couldn't be more proud. We know he will continue with his education after his mission to Warsaw Poland.  BTW - he will be a terrific missionary as well.  We are looking forward to watching him grab this adventure by the horns, hold on, and conquer. 

Our investigator fireside was very successful.  The VC was packed with the missionaries who are currently teaching investigators. The missionaries put beautiful music to a narrative detailing the restoration.  A few of the Sr. Missionaries were asked to sing "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning."  It didn't sound to bad, if I say so myself, but we have a couple of sister's who have beautiful voices and a couple of Elders who can carry a tune.  The investigators loved it and hopefully their hearts were touched and will continue their journey on the path to baptism.

The VC hosted a "Night of Music," Fireside last Sunday night.  The theme was "I Love To See The Temple."  We had a primary children's chorus and then performers from the community who sang and played music about the Temple.  There were about 350 people who attended and it was a beautiful night.  Part of our mission is to invite all to come to the VC and feel the spirit and hopefully prayerfully consider someone we can share the gospel with.  It was very successful and we will continue these firesides once a month.  (only we won't be here for the next one.  boo hoo) 

Wow, another transfer.  These are such bitter-sweet experiences.  We have sisters who we have become so close too, go home or go out-bound and this transfer will be our last.  Some of these sweet girls we will never see again.  But boy am I grateful for social media.  I am friends with most of the sisters on Facebook who have left and gone home all over the world.  England, France, Samoa, Canada, Australia  Mexico etc.  I love seeing them start their lives, post-mission.  Some are returning to finish school, but many have already graduated and are teachers, nurses & professionals.  It is so wonderful to see what a mission does for these young Sisters and Elders.  There is nothing to compare to this experience.  The growth and maturity is amazing along with Testimonies that are so strong.  We just pray they remain strong.  

And now P-days.  We are cramming as much as we can in these last few days.  We went to Kodachrome State Park,Grosvenor's Arch and Willis Creek.  These are in the Escalante Staircase.   I about killed Bruce on the Willis Creek Hike.  I just couldn't stop.  It was one slot canyon after another and I just kept going and going and going.  I think it ends up in Kanab but I finally got worried about the weather.  The clouds gathered and they were black and we are in the creek, in slot canyons, so I turned around.  By the time we got back to the car there was more water running down the creek so apparently it was raining up stream.  But oh my, what a great hike and I was enjoying every minute.  Then this last p-day Bruce's group of friends, the Phantom's, met in Moab and road 4-wheelers for 3 days.  We joined them on their 2nd day and rode up Hurrah Pass.  This was a magnificent ride and we ended up at the Colorado River where we ran into an unexpected Adventure Lodge.  It is out in the middle of no where and only accessible by the Hurrah Pass narrow, dirt road or the river.  Some really steep narrow places on that road.  But we get down there and their is a company holding its annual retreat with their employees in SUV's.  We talked to the owner and he explained that the BLM got into trouble about 15-20 years ago and sold off 300 acres along the river.  This guy bought 50 acres, his neighbor bought 150 and then there is another owner who owns the other 100 acres.  His neighbor was there and invited us over to his place and you wouldn't believe it. Its run with solar power, rain collection provides a lot of the water, but he has built actual Indian Hogan's that are amazing.  One as a bedroom and another as a gathering place with Indian rugs, drums, blankets etc.  What a treat to see some peoples vision of a vacation home.  They did have satellite and indoor plumbing.  Truly magnificent.  Great P-Days.  We continue to be awed by Southern Utah and the Arizona Strip.  There is so much to do and so little time.  We will be coming back here to play again in Mother Natures play ground.

Its time to quit.  I have rambled on long enough.  We send our love to all and pray for your continued health and safety and Heavenly Father's blessings on all.

We Love You,

Bruce and Dawna

Elder and Sister

PS  We feel so sad that we are unable to attend McCall's (our niece's daughter's wedding) but know her day will be perfect.  Shannon is the supreme wedding planner.   

Leaf Peeping

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I have been thinking we  haven't told you much information about the Historical Sites where we serve.  So I'm going to highlight each site so that you will know the devotion, faithfulness and sacrifice that these pioneers endured during the early years of settling of St. George and the surrounding communities.  This week we will focus on Jacob Hamblin, since it is Santa Clara Swiss Days.  The Hamblin home is in Santa Clara which is a settlement that was actually settled before St. George.  A group of Swiss settled in Santa Clara, hence, Swiss Days.

In 1853 Brigham Young called 22 men to the Indian Mission.  Jacob Hamblin was one of those men who left everything in Tooele and moved to Santa Clara.  The men built a fort and moved their families to Santa Clara in 1854.  They lived in the fort while traveling throughout Southern Utah trying to make friends, teach the gospel, elevate their living conditions and basically try to create a peaceful environment where the new pioneers and Native Americans could live together.  In 1862 a flash flood washed out the entire fort.  After this event Jacob moved up the hill and built the current cabin for his family.

Jacob Hamblin joined the church in Wisconsin, moved his family to Nauvoo, served a mission, came home when the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred and then moved his family to Far West.  His first wife, Lucinda Taylor,  left him with four children which left Jacob a single father.  He met and married Rachel Judd and eventually moved his family (his 4 children and Rachel's 2 from a previous marriage) West and eventually to Tooele.  When the call came to serve in the Indian Mission there was no doubt in his mind he would go.  His conversion to the gospel had been nothing short of a miracle, having had the Book of Mormon placed in his hands by Lyman Stoddard and knowing of its truthfulness immediately.  There was opposition from his wife, in-laws and his own family, however he would not be deterred from being baptized.  From that point until his death, he depended on prayer and faith to guide his life.  His contribution to the settling of the southern part of Utah, northern parts of Arizona and parts of New Mexico is remarkable.  He served as president of the Indian Mission and served as a missionary over 32 years in this calling.  He had four wives, Lucinda Taylor, Rachel Judd, Priscilla Leavitt, and Louisa Bonelli and fathered 24 children.  He adopted a Native American Son and 3 Native American daughters.

This is such a cliff-notes version of his story, but it gives you an idea of his love of the gospel, his love for the prophet, Brigham Young and the Native American People.  It has been stated, "that he lived with the Indians, ate with the Indians and starved with the Indians.  He spoke over 9 Native American Languages and before he died, traveled over 30,000 miles in his saddle.  He was originally buried in New Mexico and then eventually moved to Alpine AZ.

We had to say good bye to one of our wonderful Sr. Couples, The Dewitts.  But as you can see we had a fun time doing it.  We wish them well on their next journey.  We will be loosing another two couples, the Child's and Drolett's next month.  We will remember all these couple's as they so sweetly trained and put up with us newbies.  What a wonderful example of service and testimony they have each shared with us.  Transfers are coming up this Saturday and we will loosing some of our sweet sisters as well.  Six of them will be returning home next Wednesday and I think I may cry.  What capable strong young women they are with limitless futures.  We love them all.

P-dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!  We got up early last Friday morning and drove up to Beaver and across Hwy 153 and 137.  We went leaf peeping and wow we peeped a lot.  The leaves were beautiful and the weather perfect.  We stopped at Cedar Breaks and hiked the Spectra​​​​ Point trail.  This is a trail that goes right along the horse-shoe shaped canyon out to a 1600 year old Bristol Cone​​​​​​​​ Pine Tree.  The elevation was over 10,000 feet and it felt like we were sucking air through a plugged straw.  It was fantastic but rather challenging.  The forest ranger said it was a moderate hike and then I read the description in the guide book and it was listed as a strenuous hike.  It was a good thing it was only a mile out and a mile back, but wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Saved the best for last.  Our wonderful friends who continue to visit us.  Roger and Elaine Christensen stopped by for dinner and the production of Joseph at Tuachan.  We laughed all night and shared mission experiences.  Roger and Elaine served as Mission Presidents in the Long Beach Mission and loved every minute and we know their missionaries loved them.  Friends and Family are our greatest treasure.

We send love and happiness to all,

Bruce and Dawna

(Elder and Sister)

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