500 MILES

Sunday morning we picked up Sister Lorraine Sawyer in Moravia, NY and took her to meetings with us.  She had gone to the Women's conference the evening before where this photo was taken of she and another faithful Sister Lucille Hapgood from the Cortland Ward.   Sister Sawyer is a tiny women and sort of reminded me of my mother Fay.  It was a delight to visit with her.  We hope we can take her to church many more times as we travel to Cortland.  They were passing out chocolate cheese cake after church and she insisted we stay until she got some...that was cute and she enjoyed it.

MONDAY MORNING IN THE ADIRONDACKS

Elder Bushman just couldn't wait to see the leaves turning, so he drove us up to the Adirondacks after we left Church on Sunday.  We spent the evening in Watertown and then drove into the Adirondacks on Monday morning.  I got me a good book and was hunkerd down to read all day....we saw some pretty sites right off and then the book was put away and we experienced Indian Summer in the Adirondacks!  This picture is when I laid down the book and got the iphone out...isn't this beautiful!

 All the hills were covered in oranges, reds and yellow and green.

 A memorial to those killed in the wars.

 This is for my grandson Cannon to see this cannon from World War II.  I hope he never has to use one of these guns for war.

 Elder Bushman could hardly contain his excitement as we passed lake after lake of beautiful fall colors.

 We found a swinging bridge, which we crossed...and of course a board broke at the end and I fell flat on my face...so was a little more cautious walking back...I wouldn't trade this experience for anything, even though I will have a black and blue shin for a few days...wouldn't you know...

 See this awesome swinging bridge!

 These trees were along the banks of the river.

 Elder Bushman was grinning from ear to ear all day.  We went on the most perfect day and the sun made the colors of the leaves shine.

By the time we returned to Palmyra Inn, we had traveled 477 miles.  The song "500 miles" came into my brain and I have been humming it every since.  " 500 miles, 500 miles...You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles."  We are going on a train ride on Thursday through the Adirondacks again with the missionaries...guess that is where this thought comes from.  Toot, Toot!
The folage is spectacular!

 I quit getting out of the car as every corner we turned was another beautiful scene.

I did finish the book I brought along and it was fabulous also:
"New, from the bestselling author of the Niederbipp Trilogy. Ben Behunin's newest book, Borrowing Fire, is the story of a former funeral crasher (Paul Shafer) who spent a year of his life attending the funerals of strangers in search of answers to life's big questions. When his journal from this year of discovery is unexpectedly returned to him, his seven-year-old daughter, Eve, begins asking questions. A road trip back to where the story began enables Paul to share the past he's tried so hard to protect her from, as well as giving him a chance to finally tell his wife, Rachel, the truth that has been waiting many years to be told. And though the road home is familiar, the contents of the journal carry them all to a place they never could have imagined, filled with friends they've never met. A tale of hope and redeeming love, Borrowing Fire, shares the joy and transformation that stems from putting off fear, and embracing life, love and light."

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" p 301 in the book.
"Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I come
And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home."

"Samuel placed a large stone at the place where this restoration began. He publicly dedicated it as a monument to God’s help, God’s faithfulness, God’s eternal covenant. And as the people got on with their lives, the stone stood there, visible to all who passed that way, a reminder of judgment and repentance, mercy and restoration.

The Ebenezer stone represented a fresh beginning, a reversal of course for God’s people. It also said something important about God: his mercies are everlasting; his covenant is forever."  1 Samuel 7:12  I highly recommed this book if you are discouraged with where your life is heading.  I am sure we all need an "Ebenezer" to help us on our travels home!  Thank you Ben Behunin, the book writer potter for an excellent read!

I guess with all the pictures this blog should end...I hope you enjoyed our 500 miles of trees as much as we did!  Have a good week everyone.  Oh, read the Book of Mormon too...remember Samuel The Laminite!  I'm sure he traveled 500 miles too!

INDIAN SUMMER

INDIAN SUMMER

We are experiencing great warm, beautiful days and cool evenings.  I think we are having an early Indian Summer.  I went to the pool to swim on Tuesday morning and there was no life guard that showed...so drove back to the Inn and my key wouldn't let me in the door...so had to walk around to the front entrance...interesting beginning for that day.  Patty let me into the spa and I exercised in there.  Tuesday we served in the temple in the office...our experience was much better in the temple than my morning had been, we came out to these beautiful trees.

 This tree really shines.  We drove to Chill and Grill and had our last ice cream cone till next spring.  The fast food place closes for winter on Thursday.

 We served in the temple the first two shifts on Wednesday.  I helped a new missionary get her endowment in the early morning hours and then served in the office in the afternoon.

 I was assigned in the office all day on Thursday.  Several people have gotten colds and fevers this week...so far Elder Bushman and I are hanging in there and feeling well.

 These vines are in the Sacred Grove.

We began Friday by exercising and then doing laundry, getting flu shots and just tiding up our room and getting ourselves organized for next week.  We are serving in the temple tomorrow, Saturday, for another couple so we can have some time off when our Oklahoma and Texas friends visit in October.  I have been thinking of all this fall festival happenings around here.  It reminded me of Homecoming at BYU in the fall.  During my Sophomore year I was asked to be the head of the dorm parade float.  I lived in Deseret Towers in Q hall at the time.  We were to combine our float with the boy's dorm at R hall.  So we had our meeting and came up with building a pyramid with a Cougar on top of a Y.  We had lots of co-operation from everyone in our dorms...I worked till past midnight for several days in preparation of the parade.  This is the float as it went down University Avenue in Provo, Utah.  The boys from the dorm were the Israelites who pulled the Egyptian Pyramid!  It would not fit under the electric lines, so we had to have the power company lead the float and lift the power lines for our Cougar to go under...my math still calculates this way!  Ha...This is just a fun memory from the around 1965-66 that I had the opportunity to experience.  Was anyone around at BYU Homecoming that can remember this great float?  "Those were the days my friend...we thought they would never end!"

It has been almost 50 years since I helped organize and build the above float!  My grandchildren have told me that my hands look old and wrinkled.  I have thought about all that my hands have accomplished in this lifetime and am so thankful that I have had "Two little hands.."! These hands created that big pyramid above! 

 

I don't know if you can see it clearly, but the veins on my right hand spell HI & the veins on 

my left hand spell M.  So I believe I am reminded of HIM because I carry Him on the veins in my hands.  

So even though these hands are "old" they have reminded me of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ since I was very young.  I have tried to use these hands to do good works...and as you can see I have about worn them out!  I hope these graphic photo's don't make you think too much of Halloween!  Ha!

Elder Bushman and I got our "super flu" shots...after 65 they give you a more powerful dose because of our low immune system...yah another benefit of being over 65.  We both think our arms are soar this afternoon...so we relaxed and went on a 100 mile ride to look at leaves in Naples, NY.  It felt like we drove to Naples, Italy!  We stopped at Joseph's Wayside Market and got some really good Honey Crisp apples.  They are really crisp and yummy!  

These brussel sprouts reminded me of our Edmond Sunday lunches with family.  These brussel sprouts were as big as the apples.

 You can't tell in these pictures but the cauliflower and cabbage heads were way, way bigger than our own heads...they were huge!  They were the size of basketballs.

So for lunch I had a grape bar, grape licorice twists, fresh apple cider and fresh cheese curds....yummy!  Of course, Elder Bushman had a crisp, crisp apple, crackers and half my grape bar.  I served in the office on Friday evening at the temple.

For our family and friends that are leaf peepers, who are coming in October, the leaves on the hills around Naples Valley are starting to turn...we hope to have an awesome view for you to see...and another 100 mile drive, Ha!  The view at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort has great promise...it was already beautiful as is.

 The reds and oranges on this hill are just beginning...should be gorgeous soon!

I hope all my daughters and granddaughters are able to attend the Women's Conference this evening.  Sister Neeley is hostessing the sister missionaries at Zion's Camp and we will be watching together outdoors, the old fashioned, beginning of time, New York way, via the internet that is!   Hurrah for Israel! 

 Till then we are off to serve in the Beautiful Palmyra Temple this day.  This is our very first time serving on Saturday and the schedule guarantees that it is going to be a very good and busy day.  My "old hands" are prepared to do whatever is requested, now if the brain will just work!  There was a small branch group that attend today.  Their branch is about four hours away.  This Branch President has been preparing for this day for months.  They came and did baptism's last evening and did other ordinance work today along with two own endowments.  They had 100% attendance for their recommend holding branch.  That is the first time I have heard of this.  Does anyone else know of a ward or branch that has had 100% attendance for recommend holders?  Congratulations to this New York Branch!  The Salt Lake Temple Grounds Salute you!

Thank You to each of the auxiliary leaders who spoke at the Women's Conference last evening.  We sat at Zion's Camp by the Hill Cumorah and listened to the beautiful chiors and speakers.  We were wrapped in blankets as a chill was in the air, but knew all in attendance in SLC battled a rain storm to attend.  We are and were filled with joy as we listened, learned and pondered.  We felt the love of Our Heavenly Parents and thank President Uchtdorf for his council and prayer and blessing!

We are off to Cortland for church this morning.  We are leaving with the roads covered in fog...so pretty is this Indian Summer!  Enjoy this wonderful Sabbath day and be joyous that we are all "Children of God"!  Hug's to each of our offspring whom we adore and miss.

THE BOOK OF MORMON

Joseph Smith Received The Golden Plates on the morning of 22 September 1827, 191 days from today!

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

Great playing on Saturday BYU...they won over Virginia 41 to 33!  Hurrah.  I heard from Elder Bushman's cousins that not only was it a hot game...but they got sunburned watching it.  We got way too many penalties that game...let's tone it down next game please...you are setting an example, remember!  Another cousin, Craig, posted this view of the game from the KSL Booth, Nice!  BYU's win made for a good weekend for many a fan...thank you BYU Football Team!  We look forward to the rival game with Utah State next.  Ryan & Sarah help prepare Mike and Heather for a BYU win!  Ha!

Sunday was a great day.  In our Sacrament Meeting we were counseled, again, to read the Book of Mormon.  We must be prepared to answer questions about the Broadway Play, "The Book of Mormon" that will be touring the New York area next month.  So Broadway has chosen October to bring this play into the area where the book was published!  Do you think the Script has been following The Book?   I think The Book of Moroni will negate the negativity of this play toward the gospel beliefs...what do you believe?  Also 2 Nephi:14 explains acting and being acted upon...interesting verse and awesome chapter.   May the actors portray their own beliefs in a true and faithful way!  God Bless America.

So with that pondering Elder Bushman and I went on to teach our Sunday School class.  I asked if I could take pictures to put on our blog...so here are the results of our teaching in the overflow of the chapel.  Elder Bushman is teaching from "the script".

 The youth are following along.

Some use paper scriptures, others media copies.

We are enjoying each of these students and their understanding of the scriptures.  They are very knowledgeable.  We have grown to love them like our own and have only been with them for three weeks.  Our prayer is that Moroni will surround them with Angels to protect them from that which would pull them from their understanding of their covenants. 

 May they be protected as they dwell in the "cradle of The Lord's vineyard ".  We left Cortland, NY after our Relief Society and Priesthood meetings.  We ate our crackers and apples on the way back to the Inn.  The apples were not very delicious, but were quite mushy.  I tossed mine out of the window, unfinished, along with Elder Bushman's core.  When we got home we napped for two hours!

At 7:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time, we borrowed a couple chairs from the Inn and drove to the top of the Hill Cumorah.   We, Missionaries, were there to Celebrate and Commemorate Joseph Smith finally receiving The Golden Plates!  Joseph first learned about the Plates from Moroni in 1823.  Moroni met with Joseph, each year on the same day, and tutored him as to what he needed to do before he could accomplish the task of translating The Book of Mormon.  I find it interesting that this week is also Autumnal Equinox.

 We all arrived at the base of the Moroni statue.  We were on the top of the Hill Cumorah as the sun was about to set in the west.  The hill looked spectacular 191 years after Joseph found the rock Moroni had led him to on the west side, at the top, of this grand edifice!

We all were dressed and ready with blankets and coats to keep out the chill once the sun set.

A new missionary couple, The Mortensen's,  arriving from Colorado were introduced.  They are here to serve in the temple for a year.

We sang "An Angel From On High" (p. 13) as Sister Nicholas led us all.  We sang all five verses and it was awesome to be singing this song, on the eve of when Joseph and Emma arrived at the base of this hill to obtain the plates.  We felt so at home here! 

 We filled both isles and up and beyond the steps down to the monument.

President & Sister Brighton joined us as we prepared to listen to this presentation and commemoration.

 Elder Bushman sat on one of the steps.

 Elder John Neeley was our speaker for the evening presentation.  He told us of his youth growing up, with a widowed mother, after his father passed away when John was three.  He said, "I learned to be sensitive to the spirit" because of my mother's teachings.  Then he proceeded to remind us, once again, of all that Joseph went through to obtain the plates, translate them, and publish The Book of Mormon.  Thank you, Elder & Sister Neeley for your great presentation and the wonderful spirit we felt as we renewed our dedication to Joseph Smith's faith and Moroni's instructions.  Hurrah for Israel!

From the Hebrew version :

to the translated English version.  

ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST
The 22 September 1827, the very day Israel celebrated the Feast of Trumpets, ⁵Moroni gave the golden plates to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Since this feast was ripe with meaning for the theme of the regathering of Israel, it is unlikely this timing was accidental. (Ensign Jan. 2000 by Lenet Read)

The 21st of September, 2014 was a great day for the church as far as temples go also.  The Ogden Utah temple was "rededicated" by President Thomas S. Monson!  Isn't this edifice beautiful with the mountains in the background? As of the 22nd of September, 2014 the temple is open for operation! In June of 1843 Joseph told the saints: "I am a rough stone.  The sound of the hammer and chisel was never heard on me until the Lord took me in hand".  This beautiful stone temple is an example of how the rough stone has been chiseled.

We went and saw "The Giver" on Monday afternoon.  Did it follow the books?  We loved the sled.  We pondered Joseph and Moroni during this sequel.  It was the perfect day to watch this. I long for a reunion with my Grandparent's in their cabin in the woods!  Merry Christmas every one!

Family home evening was held at 6:00 PM Monday evening.   We met, once again, at the Hill Cumorah, in the visitor's center.   

Sister Read presented her lecture on "How the Golden Plates were received on an Israelite Holy Day and how that Holy Day bore many significant witnesses of the Restoration.  I loved hearing about the Jewish Holy Day's again.  I enjoyed knowing that The Feast of Trumpets and The Golden Plates intertwine in timing.  I look forward to The Feast of the Tabernacles and Jesus's Millenniual Reign.  (The Promised Messiah, P.432-35).  I also look forward to Wednesday, 25 September to Thursday, 26 September 2014 when The Feast of Trumpet's will commence and  then The Days of Awe display their splendors.  Sister Read concluded her remarks and announced that Bruce Nickell would sing the closing hymn, "An Angel from on High".  I listened to my cousin's voice and felt a warm hug from heaven.  I did not know Bruce sang so well.  Thank you, Bruce for accepting this assignment.  Your voice brought a great spirit to the close of this "Awe" inspiring meeting.  Thank you too, Sister Read for your wisdom and knowledge that you shared with us all.  She, of course, always looks like a beautiful angel with her snow white hair!

"And thus we see"...we can dwell in Paradise and still miss our family!  We have placed them in The Lord's care while we serve Him.  We just learned our little Brandt has crohn's disease.  We have not heard if his Biopsy confirms this yet.  This blanket is on the wall of our room.  I tell my grandchildren good morning, good night and I pray for them all day.  These photo's are over two years old now, but this gift, from our daughter Heather,  has brought so much joy into our lives.  We love and miss our family.  

Isn't our Brandt the cutest?  Oh, how we hate that he must suffer so.  

What is the purpose of life?  We think it is to watch our children learn and love through their own children's lives.  Thank you, to each of you, for letting us be the grandparents to such a great group of grandchildren.  We love each and every one of you!

May the Heaven's smile upon each and every one of us as we conclude the awesome days of September and move into the 184th Semiannual General Conference of October.

"An Angel from on High

The long, long silence broke;"

"Oh, What A Beautiful Morning...."

"Watch...your words....." Mosiah 4:30