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.   

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!!  

No Longer the "Newbies"

Dear Friends and Family,

I am sure all of you are basking in the glow of conference weekend, as we are.  There is no way I can pick a favorite talk, all of them were so wonderful.  Now we have our spiritual power boost until next April.  We hope all of you enjoyed it as much as we did.  We did have to work both days, however, we were able to record all the sessions.  We actually listened to the Sunday afternoon session on the radio (that's a blast from the past) while we were working at the Tabernacle.  High Five to the men and women who gave such fabulous talks.

This week we have 3 new couples who are starting their missions.  We are no longer the "newbies". We are excited to get to know them and work with them in the Historic Sites, but it is hard to say goodbye to the couples we have worked with over the last 3 months.  The new "Newbies", have the "deer in the headlights look," that I am sure we walked around with for weeks.  There really is a lot of information that you have to learn in a very short time.  But I am sure they will do a great job and be a great asset to the mission.

In addition to our work at the Historical Sites, we also have collateral duties, i.e. I submit all the events that we do at the Tabernacle to the St. George Visitors Center Facebook page.  I coordinate with SLC any human interest stories that would be appropriate for the page as well.  Bruce was given the assignment of all the statistics for the sites.  He has to collect all the log sheets from the 4 sites and combine them into a report that is submitted to Elder Watkins, President Center and again SLC every week.  But this last week both of us received new assignments.  Bruce is the new assistant to Elder Watkins and I was assigned all the Christmas decorations for all the sites [lets hope they have a big budget], plus I'm helping Sister Watkins with the Missionary Christmas Fireside.  I'm getting a little nervous. (really a lot nervous)  but they tell us that Christmas is magic.  I hope I can find some magic to complete this assignment.  Its really hard without my peeps (my people).  Maybe it would be a good time for some of you to come visit and help me.

We had visitors this week, which always makes us happy.  Dave and Marilyn Watts came to enjoy conference weekend, along with Janet Hancey.  We always have such a fun time when they are here.  There were bike rides, hikes, movies, eating good food, and eating more good food.  How blessed we are to have such wonderful friends.  

Also, last week at Brigham Young's I walked out to take a tour and there were wonderful friends from American Fork.  Mike and Mary Jo Greenwood were visiting St. George and stopped by to see us.  What a joy to be able to visit with them.  Last but not least, today again at Brigham's, out on the porch was a darling family, the Christofferson's.  They were on their way back from conference in SLC to CA.  They are great friends with our daughter Kristi, and stopped by to say hi.  It made our day.  

 

Mike and Mary Jo Greenwood

The Christofferson kids

Well its time to forward this to Kati so I don't get scolded[she acts like I'm a tyrant] for not getting her our weeks adventures.  We love and miss all of you and hope all is well and good where ever you are.  Keep safe!

Love,

Bruce and Dawna

Elder and Sister Borchert

Bathroom Friends

Dear Friends and Family,

Where to begin?  In the movies they always say "the beginning", but I'm not sure the bathroom at Costco is appropriate for a mission story, however, it is where my story starts this week.

 

While at Costco on Wednesday, I ran into the cutest lady in the Ladies room.  We were giggling over a very disgusting potty which we both avoided.  We then went our separate ways only to meet up again at the check out stand.  By then she had met up with her two sisters and two nieces, one who was in a wheelchair.  We started giggling again and she asked where we were serving and where were we from.  She wanted to know where we would be in the morning so I told her Brigham Young's.  She told me her two nieces had contracted Polio when they were tiny and that her sister (BTW, the sister is 88 yrs old) still took her daughters everywhere and wanted to know if Brigham Young's was wheelchair accessible.  It's not, but they still wanted to come and see it.  I said I would be happy to give them a tour if they made it.  Sure enough the next morning I rounded a corner of the house, finishing up a tour, to see the 5 darling women I had talked to at Costco.  We did the tour and finished outside on the back porch and then they told me the story of their sweet sister who had cared for her two daughters with polio and a son who had passed away from cancer.  The sacrifice of this sweet mother and the thousands of hours of care that was necessary to take care of these children was remarkable.  They told me nothing ever stopped her, she just kept going, never feeling sorry for herself and not letting polio stop her girls.  Then they bore testimonies of how much Heavenly Father loved them and how grateful they were for his love and each other. 

Now I know you are asking yourselves, isn't Dawna supposed to be teaching the tourists?  The answer is a resounding yes, however, it was my turn to be taught.  I pray that I will remember these sweet ladies and the example of faith, enduring, and the love that they share with everyone.

On Wednesday morning we decided to take the city tour "Saint George Live".  What a fun morning.  They have volunteers who portray Jacob Hamblin, Orson Pratt, Judge McFarland, Erastus Snow, Brigham Young and Margaret Harrison Parker. (she was a pioneer woman in the Martin/Willie Handcart Company)  They did a wonderful job telling stories and experiences that took place in the early settling of Saint George with no religious overtones.  It was fun to hear different stories that we don't get to tell.  Especially, Judge McFarland.  He did a mock trail of two neighbors who were disputing water rights.  Sister Jones was accused of putting a rock under her water gate, letting a little water into her garden all the time.  Her neighbor had witnessed her doing this 3 times and he was flaming mad.  Sister Jones was found guilty but was given community service because she had eleven children to feed.  Judge McFarland told her if she did it again, she would be put in jail. Don't make Judge McFarland mad.  Here comes da Judge, Here comes da Judge.

Thursday night we had a "Hi Goodbye" party for the Young's who left today.  As you can see by the pictures, old people can have a bunch of fun if you give them hula hoops, bubble gum and jump ropes.  It was a fifties theme and we had it catered by Iceburg.  Hamburgers, fries, root beer floats,what more can you ask for.  What a great group of Sr. Missionaries that we have the opportunity to associate with.  Hope we can keep up with them. 

Also, we were so excited that Kristi, Dave and family stopped by on their way to Lake Powell and on their way home to CA.  They showed us lots of pictures of 45 people, two house boats, four ski boats, 6 jet skies, 5 paddle boards, 1 kayak, a zip line from one house boat to the other and 1 slip and slide down the hill of the shore, cliff jumping, tubing and wake boarding.  Bruce and I were just grateful there were no disasters or injuries.  The best part of a Lake Powell trip is returning home with smiles on faces and great memories. 

We were also fortunate my sister Julie & her husband Ken stopped by to attend their grandson's ordination to a priest. We had a wonderful visit but I'm so sad I forgot to take a picture. This journaling thing is really hard. Trying to remember what happened during the week & taking pictures is a new for me & frankly maybe teaching new tricks to an old dog is true.

Last but not least, we again had friends come visit.  We hiked, laughed, ate, went to Tuachan, gave them tours of the historical sites, ate some more and laughed a lot more.  We love our friends the Watts and Hanceys.  

We love all of you and pray all is well. We continue to love what we are doing and just hope we are doing it right.  Have a wonderful week.

Love Bruce and Dawna