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.   

Historical Sites

Dear Friends and Family,

Another two weeks have passed and I just realized that I have never posted anything about the sites were we serve.  So I decided that I would tell a brief description about each.

First we have the Tabernacle.  The construction of this structure is really what saved St. George. Brigham had sent 309 families to this area to grow cotton in 1861.  They planted and actually were successful with the cotton, but they spent so much time growing it, that they did not have time to build homes, churches, schools etc.  Brigham came back in 1862 to visit and Erastus Snow told him that they were not going to make it.  A number of the families had already left and returned north, but Brigham was determined that this area would be a successful community.  He told Erastus to ask the remaining families if they would support the building of the Tabernacle.  They agreed and Brigham then dedicated the tithing from Cedar City South to the building.  The men and women who worked on the building were then paid in tithing script which they could take to the Tithing Office and buy needed supplies to put food on the table.  Plus this endeavor brought these men and women together for a larger purpose and created unity.  The building took 14 years to complete and today is used extensively.  The Sr. Missionaries are responsible for 3 events a week, then the community holds concerts, lectures, recitals etc. in the building.  At Christmas time there are programs from the 1st until the 31st.  It is a beautiful historical building.

Brigham Young's home was purchased by Brigham in 1870 and then had a large addition constructed.  It was finished by 1873, but Brigham spent the last 7 winters of his life here.  The original home was built in 1866 by James Chesney and sold to a Mr. Lawrence then to Brigham Young Jr.  Brigham brought it from his son.  We have several original pieces of art work, furniture and two traveling chests built by Brigham.  But one of the major features of the home is all the different faux finishes on the door cases, stair cases, floor boards, furniture etc.  Brigham didn't like pine and that was all that was available.  He had them put 7-9 coats of paint on the pine then use feathers, pine cones, any implement they could find to paint the grain they were trying to imitate. Pretty amazing that we see oak, mahogany, walnut, birds eye maple and other finishes.  Its crazy. His wife Amelia Folsum accompanied him 6 of the 7 winters he spent in the home.  He then built an office on the property in 1876 and in this office codified or standardized the ordinances we do in the Temple.  Joseph Smith had told Brigham to standardize the ordinances and make sure there was a working Temple on the earth.  Brigham came back to St. George in 1871, knowing that the SLC Temple would not be finished before he died, and told the saints in St. George that they were going to build a temple and do it in 4 years.  It took 5 1/2 yrs but the Temple was dedicated April 6th, 1877 and Brigham died Aug. 29th, 1877.

The Jacob Hamblin home is in Santa Clara.  The home is wonderful, but the story is about Jacob Hamblin and the 21 other men who were called by Brigham Young to establish the Indian Mission in 1853.  Those men came down to Santa Clara and first built a fort which was washed away in a flash flood in 1862.  Jacob then moved up on the hill where the home sits today.  It has a living area and two bedrooms on the first floor and then a big room on the second floor where they carded cotton, wool, spun it into thread and then wove it into cloth.  His 2nd wife, Amanda taught school here and they held church, parties etc. in this room.  The home was the largest and nicest in the area after the flood.  Jacob sold the home in 1869 and went to Kanab and eventually Alpine AZ, and ended up in Pleasanton NM.  He died in 1887 in Pleasanton and was buried there, then the family moved his remains to Alpine AZ.  Jacob spent his whole adult life serving the mission that Brigham called him to.  He traveled over 30,000 miles going from one Native American camp to another, trying to elevate their lives by trying to teach them to plant crops, irrigate, build permanent homes, and prevent disease by personal hygiene.  He learned 6 of the Native American dialects, taught them the gospel, mediated disputes between the settlers and Native Americans and signed numerous treaties.  He was the first man to circumnavigate the Grand Canyon and he negotiated with a hostile tribe to let William Powell complete is expedition down the Colorado River.  He had four wives and 24 children.  He was a man with unquestionable integrity and courage.  His complete story is remarkable.

Well, those are the sites along with the Visitor Center that we serve at each day.  We have learned to love these sites and can't believe the sacrifices of these pioneers.  This was an incredibly difficult place to make blossom like a rose.  The nickname was "The Lifeless Valley of the Virgin."  We will always hold a special place in our hearts for these people and their devotion to God and to a prophet of God who directed them.  "Love St. George!!!"

We've had a great two weeks of teaching a lot of people about the gospel.  Both of us have given several discussions along with Books of Mormon and other literature.  We know we might never know what happens to these people when they leave the sites, but we hope and pray they will read and think about what we have discussed and want more.  Ya never know:-)

Well its time I stop and get a few things done today.  We love our mission and wouldn't change a thing.  We hope all of you are good and most important - - happy.  We love and miss ya all!  Be Safe

Love, Bruce and Dawna

(Elder and Sister)

PS,  Happy Birthday to my cute, smart, wonderful husband Bruce.  His day wasn't very exciting but when you get this age, excitement might be over rated.

PSS, Also, congratulations to our grand son, Logan.  He received his mission call to Warsaw, Poland.  We couldn't be prouder or happier.  He is a wonderful boy and will make a wonderful missionary.  

Two in one week...WHOA!

Kati here..not sure if this was supposed to be part of the previous post or what. AND who knows if I've mixed up the pics.  I'm not the best at managing the blog or coordinating with my mom.  Take it at face value...they had a great day :)  

 

It was our p-day today and we headed up to Kolob lake.  We tried a couple of weeks ago and was stopped by snow.  There is another road from Zion Natl' Park so we decided to try the back way.  But when we turned off the highway, it was under construction.  Maybe the third time will be the charm. So we decided to keep going and drove up over Zion through the tunnel, then came back and went to Grafton, a ghost town.  From Grafton there is a road called the Smithsonian Back Byway.  It was the first road into Zion and goes over the mountain into Colorado City.  It was a lot of fun.  There is a hill called "cry baby hill".  Very steep and very rocky.  I didn't cry, but I yelled.  I think it should be  named "mad as he-- hill."  But as soon as you reach the top of the hill, the road was great.  Just that darn hill.

 

Here are a few pictures of our fun day.  Not sure why this part of the country holds so much magic for us, but we love it and love discovering more and more fabulous places to visit.  We are headed to Kodachrome Canyon next p-day with the Burt's.  Stay tuned for the narrative and pictures.