The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Dear Friends and Family,

I bet you were wondering if I was ever going to post again.  Not that it's a big deal, or that you are waiting with baited breath for my next epistle, but I really do need to do better.  This is a wonderful way to journal our experience and if I wait too long between posts, I forget.  Number 1, I'm old and my brain doesn't retain details, names or numbers like it used too.  And number 2, I'm blonde.

The past two weeks have been filled with exactly what my subject line says.  "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.  I am sure every missionary goes through these experiences, but I was hoping to avoid the bad and the ugly.  The good I'm OK with.  (I know, I'm a coward)  It started out with the wonderful visit of Bruce's brother and his wife Sue.  They walked into the VC on Friday night, Feb 6. It was such a wonderful surprise.  We did not know they were in St. George. I took them back to see Bruce in the Annex who was in a very interesting conversation with a gentleman.  It was only Bruce, the gentleman, Ken, Sue and myself.  As we stood there listening, it became very clear that this dude was very anti-Mormon and also Atheist.  He was raised as a Mormon, but left the church when he was 19-20 years of age.  He attended Cal-Berkeley and believes himself to be the foremost authority and historian on Mormon history.  I have dealt with other guests that have been rude, confrontational and down right ornery, but this one takes the cake.  He mocked the Prophets, ridiculed the Book of Mormon and basically laughed in our faces.  But what I still can't figure out is, he told us he has visited every Visitor Center from Palmyra to LA.  Bruce asked him why and he says he is doing research for a book he's writing on "What People Believe The After-Life Will Be." By this time I'm totally confused. He doesn't believe in an After-Life, or God, but he spends his time traveling from Visitor Center to Visitor Center, asking people what they think will happen to them when they die.  Go Figure!!!!! Finally, I told him it was closing time and Security would be coming to lock the doors. Wish I had thought of this about 1 hour earlier, but I guess it goes back to the beginning of this post. #1. I'm old and #2. I'm blonde.  But if any of you are interested in corresponding with him he gave us his email address and wants us to write to him and let him know what we think will happen to us.  Let me know if your interested. 

The ugly-----Now this is rather misleading.  Its not a bad thing but it was ugly.  On Sunday, the 15th, we gave over 590 tours at the Brigham Young Home.  We were the mid-shift, in other words we over lapped the morning shift by 2 hours and the afternoon shift by 2 hours. We finished our shift at 3 and I looked at the front porch to see at least 40 people waiting.  Both Brother and Sister Kaona had groups of 20-30 and I couldn't find Bruce.  I went around the house and Bruce had another group of 40-50.  I looked at Bruce and told him we had to get organized or we were going to have Mutiny on the Brigham Young grounds.  We lined up Bruce's group at the front door and gave them all the History then told them to line up and we would take them through the house in groups of 10.  One "Old" man ( I can say that, because I'm old---remember) came up to Bruce and said his group was there first and what was he going to do about it.  Bruce explained that he had just come around the house to find this group waiting and he would do the best he could. "Old Man" was not satisfied, he got in Bruce's face and challenged him again as to what he was going to do about it.  Now you all know the Holy Ghost works in mysterious ways and I have to say, this is one of my favorites.  Bruce did not loose his cool.  He simply told the "Old Man" that he would be happy to give him a full refund.  "Old Man" was not impressed but was flustered enough to turn around and walk away.  We then lined them up, and I took 10 at a time through the house.  We got Bruce's group through, then did the same thing to the next group of 40.  After we finished up these two groups, I walked out the back door and Sister Kaona had 70-90 out under the tree in the back yard.  I told her to give the history then line them up and Bruce would stay downstairs and move them through, then send them to me upstairs..  It was UGLY!!! By The Way, Elder Kaona had another group of 20-30 in the office.  Needless to say, Bruce and I did not leave.  We did a double shift and by the time we got home, we just sat and looked at the wall.  We were so tired we couldn't take our clothes off.  We had both lost our voices and after ascending "Step Historic Steps" 20 times we hurt every where.  OK enough of the UGLY.

Now the Good, and there was soooooo much good.  You already know Ken and Sue, Bruce's brother and his wife, visited.  The first night was rough, but we got together with them again on Saturday night and had a wonderful visit with them and Sue's brother Brent and his wife Ellen. We are so blessed with wonderful extended family, and love visits from them.  Then the next weekend, Valentines Day/President's Day weekend, the Phantoms gathered for their annual V-Day, Parade of Homes, Hiking and Biking weekend.  We had dinner on Friday night, the 13th and their were 18 of us.  Richard and Dana Christensen, and Steve and Joan Burke joined us for the first time. Richard and Dana were leaving on Monday for Bulgaria.  They are serving an 18 month CES mission.  They have been working very hard with the MTC learning Bulgarian for the past 6 months, and Dana was able to give her testimony in Bulgarian.  I was impressed, since I took 3 years of Spanish in High School and can count to 20 and ask where the bathroom is.  I think they are very brave and can't wait to hear how things are going.  Steve and Joan Burke have moved to St. George so now we can visit with them all the time.  This was the first time we had seen Richard and Dana in over 30 years.  It was such a wonderful weekend.  I know laughter is the best medicine and all my aliments are cured for a few months. Then last but not least both my sisters and my mother were here for the weekend.  Julie and her husband, stayed with their son Brett and attended about 6 soccer games, a couple of cheer leading competitions and a few other events.  Linda, my mom and my niece went and  scoured all the garage sales,then went to the Parade of Homes.  (The Parade of Homes brings in 30,000 visitors each year) 

Both of us had wonderful teaching moments with visitors from all over the country.  Bruce had a couple from England who could not get enough.  They just wanted more and more and more. They kept asking him," why haven't we heard of this doctrine before". " It just makes sense".   These moments make all the BAD experiences disappear.

Last but not least, we had our Hi-Bye Party for the Leishmans who are leaving and the Burts, the Fullers and the Cleverlys who have just arrived.  We had a wonderful night getting to know them and you can see by the pictures that we had a carnival.  Foot-long hot dogs, coleslaw, chocolate fountain, caramel popcorn, lemonade etc.  What a wonderful group of people we love 'em all.

Well its time to close.  We survived "The Good", "The Bad" and "The Ugly".  We are sure we will have all of the above again, but hope we have learned something to turn it all GOOD!  We send love to all.  Please be safe.

Love, Bruce and Dawna

(Elder and Sister)

Happy Birthday to our beautiful, talented, pregnant daughter, Jodi.  We hope your day was filled with all your favorite things. 

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!!  

I've Been Bad

Dear Family and Friends,

I own it, I've been very bad on keeping up on our blog and now two weeks have passed and things are happening so fast that every minute I procrastinate puts me farther behind.  So here goes.

The Monday before Thanksgiving started our decorating marathon.  We started at 7:00 am at the Visitor Center.  We have 9 Christmas trees, a nativity display with over 60-70 nativities from around the world.  We have beautiful art work by Julie Rogers of Mary and the Christ Child and a beautiful enormous painting of the Shepard's looking up at the Star.  It is truly magnificent.  All the Senior Missionaries worked for over 2 hours but we finished and it looks beautiful.

Tuesday morning we met at 7:00 am at the Tabernacle and hung garlands all around the balcony, hung wreathes, put up two 12' trees plus a few other touches to prepare the building for all the events that will be held during the season.  On November 29th we started with the Temple Lighting Ceremony and will have events every night, except Mondays, through the first of the year.

Wednesday morning we met at 7:00 am at Brigham Young's to dazzle the visitors with garlands and bows.  Lots of wreathes and candles in windows and Poinsettias on the piano.  And last but not least was Jacob Hamblin's home.  I decided that I would decorate it between tours.  It took me about 3 days, but another couple, the Ercanbracks put up the two trees and decorated them.  However, Sister Ercanbrack caught her toe on a loose thread on a rug and fell.  She received several nasty bruises and the jolt was so hard, her diamond came out of her ring.  I felt so bad, she was so nice to help us with the house.  There is lots of burlap and muslin garlands, red bandanna bows and sleigh bells.  

All in All the sites are very festive and the visitors keep coming.  Bruce is in charge of the statics for all the sites and we are on track for over 300,000 visitors this year.  Over 2,500 came to the lighting ceremony and we have between 300-700 come to the events at the Tabernacle each night. Busy, busy, busy.  Now, all the stockings are hung and we begin to "Share The Gift" with all those who come.  

Our Thanksgiving was filled with good friends, wonderful family, and fantastic food.  We started the day by gathering all the Sister Missionaries, plus other Sr. Missionaries who are serving in the Temple, or Family History Center, along with a few homeless men and women who come to the Visitor Center and served them dinner.  We fed over 70 people turkey, ham, dressing etc. etc. etc.  We ended with pie and a talent show.  So glad Bruce and I don't have any talents.  Elder Watkins showed us his mad yo-yo skills and dry jokes.  Sister Nicholas and Sister West made us smile with a version of Part of That World, from Little Mermaid with the words changed to what they are looking forward too when they go back to" That World",after their mission. ( So Cute). Those who  speak French, entertained us with "I Am a Child of God" in French.  They did a wonderful job.  Then Sisters' Hansen and Martin played a Viola, Bassoon duet. We ended with Sister Kaona doing the Hula. (Why won't my hips move like that?)

Part Two--We met all my family at a church for Thanksgiving Dinner. (Here We go Again)  There were 50 of us with only Krisit, Dave, Jake, Tiffany and Kade missing.  My mother was in heaven and we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at the church, eating, playing Chicken Feet (dominoes) and a wicked game of soccer in the gym.  Not sure that was kosher but they were having such a wonderful time, I decided I would ask for forgiveness if the soccer ball went a-wry and broke something like a nose or arm or leg.  We have some competitive family members but no worries, all is good.  

We were able to spend Friday with family as well, since it was our P-day.  Hung out at the pool, took my mom on a tour of all the sites, played Pickle Ball, Volleyball, then ended the day with left overs in our club house.  The kids were in the theater room watching a movie while the adults enjoyed the relative quite of the great room.  We love our family.

This week has been filled with our shifts at the sites, along with attending the events at the Tabernacle.  Since we sponsor three of the 6 nights, we are asked to attend as many as possible.  They are all very good, but, night after night is exhausting.  That's why my Diet Coke habit comes in handy.  Right now I could use and IV in my arm with Diet Coke running 24-7.  But again, not complaining.  Keeping busy is a blessing that I love.  We are so busy that I loose track of what day it is.  It really doesn't matter because each day is filled with work that we enjoy.

I've rattled on long enough, but hope I haven't left anything out.  If I have you won't know, so doesn't matter. We send our love to all and pray your Holiday Season is filled with Peace, Love and Joy.

 Bruce and Dawna

Elder and Sister

PS  Happy Birthday to our beautiful, kind, funny grand daughter, Rubie.  We got to celebrate while she was here. 

JINXED

Dear Family and Friends,

Never again will I suggest we had a quiet week.  It has been non stop for the past 7 days. Yesterday we were up at 6:00 am left the condo at 7:00 am walked back in the condo at 7:00 pm and then had several collateral duties to take care of.  Went to bed at 11:00 and I don't remember closing my eyes.  I really think I jinxed our slower winter schedule.  But what a week!  

We had a new Sr. Missionary couple arrive and it just happens to be Susan Easton Black and George Durrant, who are now married to each other.  Along with their shifts at the sites, one of their collateral duties is a lecture series at the Tabernacle.  They will be presenting every Sat for the next 3 months.  The first month is about Joseph Smith, the 2nd is about Christ, the 3rd will be about Brigham Young.  The Sr. couples had a training meeting with them last Thursday and they did a run through of their 1st lecture, and it is going to be amazing.  We attended last Saturday with 560 other interested locals and visitors.  Our Director, Elder Watkins, is now making arrangements for a larger venue.  We are pretty certain that we will be well over 700-800 people in attendance by the time this is over.  Yea for us, I thought I had read and studied everything Brigham, and I can tell you, I don't know 100th of the information that is in Sister Durrant's little pinky. Pretty sure she has a photographic memory.  What a wonderful gift that she is willing to share with anyone who cares to come and enjoy.  Elder Durrant is a kick.  His quick humor and wonderful stories are fun to hear. We are truly blessed to be serving with them.

We had transfers on Saturday and our transfer meeting on Tuesday.  I can't believe it's so hard saying goodbye to these Sisters.  Those who are from a different country, we will probably never see again.  Sister Calves was returning home to France.  We love these wonderful girls and their shining examples.  We also had to say goodbye to another Sr. Couple.  The Collins were released and headed back to SLC.  They have a home here so we hope to see them often.    

Yup, as you can see by the picture its that time of year.  We are in the middle of putting up Christmas lights at the Temple, Tabernacle, and decorating all the sights.  I think I mentioned, that one of my collateral duties is to decorate all the sites.  I have been going through all the old decorations, throwing out, and creating new.  Bruce tells me I got this assignment because I have plagued him our entire life with putting up 9 Christmas Trees at our home.  But I don't think anything can prepare you for this assignment.  There will be 7 trees at the VC, 2 trees at BY's, 4 trees at the Tabernacle and 2 Trees and Jacobs'.  Then there are all the garlands, wreathes, bows etc., etc.  I get exhausted just trying to organize the Sr. Missionaries for their assignments at each site.  I'll send pictures.  (If it turns out cute.  If its ugly you won't see a thing)

We had a great surprise by Marlin Snider (our son-in-law, Eldon's father) stopping by and having lunch with us.  It was wonderful to be brought up to speed with all the Snider news.  Thanks Marlin.  We love visitors and hope to continue to see those of you who pass through St. George.

 We had the wonderful opportunity of attending the sealing of my Nephew and his cute wife, Jake and Tiffany Cook.  They met in St. George and decided they wanted to be sealed in this Temple. Good for us, we were able to visit with family.  We had pizza, pizza and more pizza.  They had a pizza party and ordered a few too many, but lucky for us, I didn't have to cook.  YEA for me!!!

We continue to try and enjoy the great out-doors of this beautiful part of the State of UT.  This week as you can see, we took a different mode of transportation.  Yes we are on a motorcycle, however, my mamma didn't raise no dummy.  The motorcycle isn't running.  I tried to do a "Hang Loose" hand sign and ended up doing "Go Toros."  (I am a fan, buttttt...)  Its a good thing I don't belong to a gang, I would get myself killed doing the wrong gang signs.  But don't you think I make a great "Biker mamma missionary?"  Can't you just picture us out knocking on doors on one of these bad boys?  We could appeal to a whole new group of people who might be interested in the discussions if we showed up on this.  (Just kidding)

We cannot wait to see the grand kids this weekend.  We will leave Fri, after our shift and drive to Las Vegas to catch a flight to Phx.  We will attend Max's baptism on Saturday, then head back to St. George.  I can't wait for hugs and kisses from all the kids.  I really can't believe its been over 4 months since we have seen them.  I could hardly go a month without heading to CA to see those boys, then hurry home to see our AZ kiddies.  They are such a joy for us and truly enrich our lives.

Need to bring this epistle to a close.  We have a program at the Tabernacle tonight so need to get on our way.  Things are going great.  We are busy sharing the gospel with anyone who is willing to hear.  We pray we have planted a few seeds that will bloom.

We send love to all, please be safe.

Bruce and Dawna

Elder and Sister 

Beautiful Week in Dixie...and some visitors!!

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.