Long Day Today

We had a couple hours free time today and instead of resting we played tennis and did some shopping...always on the move, it seems. Elder H climbed a hundred steps today during our temple shift and by the time we came home tonight he was looking a little peaked. Sister JoAnn is radient as always and no worse for wear.

The Seventies Hall

Missionary work is busy...but no so, that there is not time to waltz your sweetheart around the dance floor. The Seventies Hall was used for lots of purposes, besides Priesthood meetings. The bottom floor was used for classes, lectures and worship. The second floor housed the town library. The third floor was often used for dances. It was reported in journals that Joseph and Emma danced on the same original floor broads on which Elder and Sister Howard are standing. He (Joseph), also used those floor boards as drawing pad to describe the route in which the Saints would later follow to the West.

One of our assignments in addition to gardening at the temple, cleaning the interior of the temple, hosting visitors on the steps of the temple and of course ordinance work...is a day at the TAC (Temple Accomodation Center). Its an old (seems like everything is old here...like the missionaries) brick building near the temple where we greet people, answer questions, show films and generally give out good information.

I do a little teaching as well on occasion, but this photo at the Seventies Hall, is posed...besides they must have heard who was preaching and no one showed up!

Trail of Hope

After church we walked the Trail Of Hope and read the placards along the path of some of the Saints who experienced the departure that cold winter and spring of 1846-7. JoAnn and I were comfortable in the warm breeze and partial sun as we looked toward the West across the Mississippi River. Thanks to our ancestors for their sacrifice...may we learn from thier example of faith and hope for a bright future. Have a wonderful week - we pray for each of you.

Mission Highlights

We have had some sacred temple experiences that have blessed our lives these past three weeks. In our spare time we enjoyed dressing in missionary attire and speaking to all we come in contact with, i.e. shop workers, pass-er-byers, bridge toll takers, etc. JoAnn here, despite getting the "cold shoulder" felt a wonderful spirit as she joyfully represented the Savior with a warm smile.

We are happy, healthy and well nourished (spiritually and physically). Thankyou for your prayers and letters of encouragement and news from home.

Tourist Season

We are serving our "regular" shift work now in the temple each day. The session sizes are growing, especially in the early AM...which allows the folks to get to the sites before they get too crowded. On our off hours, we stop by and visit some of the restored homes and stores. Pictured here is JoAnn in the Scovil Bakery. Lucius Scovil wisely positioned his bakery next to the Culural Hall on Main St. He not only made delicious treats that people would buy to take to the performances, he also ran a catering service. His donuts were particularly popular! Ashes from the ovens were used for many things including: cleaners, tooth powder, fertilizer and for tanning hides. The Saints were very inventive. never wasting anything that could be reused. Even though the word, "recycle" was probably not in their everyday vocabulary, it was apart of their everyday lives. It was rumored that Scoville Bakery even found a use for the donut holes!