Bushman's Mission to Palmyra: OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

The baptistry in the Palmyra New York Temple is bursting at the seams. We had two different sessions this morning on July 4th 2014 for youth who are touring the area. There were over 100 youth who came to the temple on the 4th of July. Our Presidency is very accommodating. I respect all the parents who take time from their vacation to bring their children to the temple to do Proxy baptisms. This is something I never even thought of when our children were young. They missed out on a marvelous activity. We have begun to be very busy in the temple as the Hill Cumorah Pageant begins. Last evening over 30 young men who had put the stages together came to do proxy baptisms. It was almost overwhelming to see these young men enter the temple together. We commented that "The Sons of Helaman" were in the temple. I'm sure they enjoyed their experience in the baptistry.

I have been a proxy a number of times this week in initiatory. We have been doing peoples names from Hungary, Germany, France, Spain and New York! I have a difficult time pronouncing foreign names and so have been feeling sort of silly for my pronunciations. Anyway, in my sleep I dreamt that these sweet ladies were all coming up to me and thanking me for the experiences they were having. There was this one beautiful woman, only about 5 feet tall, that announced I had really made her mad at the way I had pronounced her name. She then doubled her fist and slugged me and I went down. When I came to she helped me up and said, "That was for the way you pronounced my name". She then hugged me and said, "That was for helping me receive my temple blessings." I awoke and immediately thought of Dr. Seuss. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.”

Thankful that I have read to my grandchildren. They helped me interpret my nightmare dream! Temple work for me is helping me move mountains!

We had a fun 4th of July. I finally took pictures of President Brighton's garden. They were not even home and we had a lovely time using their back yard and kitchen for our missionary picnic on the 4th of July. The weather was perfect and there was a slight breeze that just kept us all comfortable.

The whole garden is fenced in to keep all the wild critters out...I'm sure that means hungry missionaries who love home grown tomatoes. President has quite a task ahead to be able to enjoy the work of his labors.

There is also a pond by the home. There are some missionaries and the President who fish in this pond.

Many of the missionaries anticipating the grilled delectables awaiting us from the barbecue.

Sister Neeley with her soft cast. She spent the whole day with us despite having had surgery a couple days before. She broke both her bones above her right ankle.

Our picnic without tents to protect us from the heat...which was quite bearable. It was just very comfortable in Palmyra New York on the 4th of July, good food and good company. Happy Birthday to The United States of America!

I don't have a lot to say about the miniature golf tournament. We all enjoyed trying to get a hole in one. A couple missionaries did achieve that goal. I had fun but played lousy...Elder Bushman, of course, won in our foursome.

Then we concluded the evening with a base ball game Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh ValleyIronPigs. Rochester Red Wings won 12 to 6!

This horse made out of baseball gloves greeted us as we entered the stadium.

We had excellent seats behind home plate! There was the largest crowd of the season in attendance.

President and Sister Broadbent had received a care package from their eight year old grandson Josh. They put these glasses on, that glowed in the dark, and sent him a photo. President Broadbent wore his the whole game and probably on his drive home...too fun!

We sat behind a legend fan of the Red Wings...see his fun hat..with the wings attached. His right arm had the logo for the team tattooed on him. As he left the game, he acknowledged that our being there helped the team win. He was surrounded by angel missionaries...I hope someday he can join the "real" team of cheering fans!

He made the game so fun with his "Moroni" horn and his bells that he would ring. Do you think we were placed in his section because he is an angel? He definitely was rooting for the "winning" team! After all the Doctrine and Covenants 88:107 convinces us that we can all be winners if we choose to be angels on the "winning" team! Hurrah for baseball and angel's wings and players that choose to be winners here and hereafter! Go Red, White and Blue Wings!

After the game there was a awesome display of fireworks put to patriotic music. The fireworks commenced with a old clip of John Wayne narrating a photo video of wonderful sights in this the United States. We got home way after curfew for a set of old missionaries. We had a grand ol' time.

July 5th

We found a market place close by where we can buy the best strawberries, fresh peas, and cherry's.... we will be heading back there for corn and tomatoes before summer is over. The people in the picture went into the fields to pick their own strawberries. We just purchased them. We devoured a pint of cherries on our way home. Had a feast when we arrived home and have begun our fast for tomorrow, and for the many people who we are so concerned about that have health & other issues.

We drove to the top of the Hill Cumorah on our way back to Palmyra. The rehearsals for the pageant have begun:

The people are in their groups learning their parts.

These are the three crosses they must be using, for the crucifixion scene, at the top of the hill.

If you look closely across the road, the hay has been cut and bailed. This will be used as a parking lot beginning next week.

I made a sister cry in our Relief Society lesson today. I asked why she continues to bring her children to church when they misbehave & make her so stressed out. Her two littlest boys were full of energy today. Here are my little darlings from the 1980's. I sat by myself when they were this age because Elder Bushman was in the Bishopric. Why did I continue to struggle alone with them each Sunday? Those of you that have or are in this position know that "Conversion and Commitment" the lesson for today helped me to "Carry On" as those who have gone before us. Be strong dear Sisters and someday you will once again sit alone with your husband and smile at the little ones in front of you that are performing for their anxious parents! Be committed and know you are loved.