GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66!

MONDAY,  16 February 2015

This is our 66th blog!  We will soon be taking the  Route 66 Mother Road from Illinois to Oklahoma!  This is the nostalgic post!
"Sing your way home at the close of the day".   
         Sing your way home at the close of the day.
Sing your way home; drive the shadows away.
Smile ev'ry mile, for wherever you roam
It will brighten your road, it will lighten your load
If you sing your way home.  1989 IRI


Today is also Elder Bushman's younger sister Maylene Call's Birthday.  They both grew up in Joseph City, Arizona.  Their parents home was on ROUTE 66  through Arizona to California.  We want to wish Arthur's sister Maylene a very Happy Birthday today!  She now resides in Huston Texas.  We lived by them for 5 wonderful years.  Thank you for your kindness to us during that time Maylene.  We hope both you and Darrell have the best year ever.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LENIE!

It was also Elder McGhie's Birthday.  He kept it quiet.  Happy Birthday Elder McGhie.  We thank you for your example and pray you have a good move to Texas.  They leave on Tuesday the 24rd!

We are in charge of home evening tonight.  We needed to go to the store and get some refreshments....so Elder Bushman ventured out and unburied our car.  It was covered with about 6 inches of snow and ice!  We thought we might as well get some snow pictures today...in case we can't get out again tomorrow!  Art put on his ski snow pants and adventured out to the field behind the Inn!  The snow was so deep.  Elder Bushman is looking at the mound of snow by the parking lot trying to decide if he dares climb it.

 I put on the whole armor of snow gear...a man in the Inn told me I look like a caterpillar...so maybe I can be a beautiful butterfly this Spring!

This is what the hill looks like on the parking lot side.  It is up to the second story of the building.

YAY, Elder Bushman is standing at the top of the mound!  Hurrah!

He questioned...now how do I get down?  I said, "You have on snow pants, slide down".  So he did.

Whee!

We drove, on ice, to the only grocery store in Palmyra.  These are some of the scenes on our way.  This is outside the Inn...even the icicles have snow coated on them.

All the houses, along the roadway have icicles.

We liked the look of this home.

 The snow along the road is as high as the top of the car doors.

We started our Home Evening at 5:00 PM.  Brother & Sister Morey were our guests for the evening.  Brother Morey has studied the temple in depth.  He told us what he has learned of the Temple King Herod rebuilt to The Lord and he spoke of other ancient temples. 

 He taught us "a mixture of Temple stuff".

We would have all enjoyed another hour or so as Brother Morey knows the temples, but we all were serving in the Palmyra Temple in the morning.  We listened to him for about 1 1/2 hours.

 Sister Sanders became friends with Sister Morey and visited her about how the Morey's joined the church etc.

The rest of us enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies.

TUESDAY, 17 February 2015

The Temple was very busy, this morning, despite it being -15 degrees when we drove over.  I was blessed to be a bride guide for a lovely lady today.  This is what makes my service so enjoyable at the Temple.  She and the Groom were just lovely people from Canada.  We hope they have the best life ever.  I got towels to place on the ground outside so she could have some photo's of her wedding day.  They have started their new life with the blessings of Heavenly Father being given to them.  Congratulation's to them both and their families too.

I forgot to mention that when I got my coat out of the coat closet, in the temple, the other day, there was a dollar pinned on it.  I looked around and no one was there.  I took the dollar off and pinned it on someone elses coat...kind of pay it forward!  Thank you, to whom ever is doing this little delight. Thank's George, You brightened my day!

WEDNESDAY, 18 February 2015

I had leg cramps in the night.  I decided this was a sign from my legs that they miss swimming.  So I made myself get up and ride the stationary bike this morning...I do not like to do that, but I feel better this morning after having done so. 

Today is the day the Christian world prepares for the celebration of the resurrection of Our Savior Jesus Christ.  It is referred to as Ash Wednesday. This begins the 46 days before Easter. 

"Soon after Jesus was baptized, He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights to be with God. After that, Satan came to tempt Him. Jesus firmly resisted all of Satan’s temptations and then commanded Satan to leave. (See Matthew 4:1–11; see alsoJoseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1, 5–6, 8–9, 11.) Jesus Christ remained sinless, the one perfect being to ever walk the earth (see Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21–22)." 

For three days the tomb was sealed shut and on Easter Sunday the Angels rolled the rock away from the opening and Jesus's body was gone.  He was with God! 

We have 55 days left before this Palmyra New York mission concludes.  Today is a sobering moment for us to ponder this Route we have been taking.

We are so thankful to be able to serve Him, Our Savior Jesus Christ.

We went out to the parking lot after temple service this evening and there was 4 inches of new snow on the car...crazy, snowy, weather.

THURSDAY, 19 February 2015

We had four more inches, of snow, on our car this morning....We serve morning and evening shifts today.  Sister Call, the sister that gave me the F R O G was there this morning.  She told me she has 6 daughters and 7 step-children.  She has 49 grandchildren and 85 great grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren.  They all smile and get along great because they "Fully Rely On God" like they have been taught!  It was so good to get to know her better.

FRIDAY, 20 February 2015

Our day of rest...ha.  We did laundry...cut Elder Bushman's hair, fixed a cabbage stew (which Elder Bushman refuses to eat!) and blogged and rested and read and rode that torturous stationary bike!

I read a thought by Elder David A. Bednar

"The Temple is a point of intersection between heaven & earth".  Are each of you traveling the correct Route?  This is the route view from Temple road.

Are you getting your KICKS ON ROUTE 66, and also learning to fly?  "Some of us are nice enough to get upgrades, and some unfortunately are constantly on standby".  comment by Ann Smith  We pray you are enjoying your own tour along the way.

SATURDAY, 21 February 2015

I served in the office most of the day.  The Cortland Ward came for baptisms and Elder Bushman and I served in the Baptistry while they were there.  It was a great day.  We came home so very, very tired.  It snowed all day while we were in the temple....snow, snow and more snow...Ugggggg.

SUNDAY, 22 February 2015

Happy Birthday to my niece Isabella!

We decided we could drive to Cortland Ward if we took the freeway, so we did so.  The roadways are covered with mound of snow on the sides of the road.  Also the parking lot at the church had snow mounds, but someone had cleared places to park and we had a most pleasant three hours of church.  The members told us this is the coldest February on record for New York....nice.

MONDAY, 23 February 2015

Today and tomorrow are our days to clean in the temple.  It is closed for two weeks for an early Spring Cleaning!  I hope this brings on an early Spring.  Our baptismal font heater has a leak and the water is freezing.  Some of the youth were shivering when they were baptized by proxy on Saturday.

We will relish having the baptismal font ready for the Summer rush!

Of course we won't be here after the middle of April, but we can vision the joy of it all. 

"Hosannah In The Highest" 

"It was the New Jerusalem that would not pass away...."

Whatever mode of travel remember to plan your ROUTE with care...please remember we have been counseled to stay in the boat and hold on.... by Elder Russell M. Ballard

"Given the challenges we all face today, how do we stay on the Old Ship Zion? Here is how. We need to experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and our faithfulness to His gospel throughout our lives—not just once but regularly. Alma asked, “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren [and sisters], if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?”  “Keep the eyes of the mission on the leaders of the Church. … We will not and … cannot lead [you] astray." Brigham Young
Drawing of the "Old Ship Zion" in Jerusalem by Marco Antonio Giustiniane Venice, 1545-52
"CE3K"

This is the Dome of the Rock picture by Andrew Shiva.  Watch for any supernatural activity surrounding the monolith dome! 

"CE4K"

I must say it has been an exhausting day.  We changed all the lightbulbs in the crystal chandeliers and cleaned them all among other things.  The House of The Lord is shining this afternoon!

So whatever Route you decide to travel know we are getting our kicks on Route 66!
We are going to do some traveling to Long Island NY to see another Elder & Sister Bushman for a few days....then we are going to Oklahoma for our grandson Leif's baptism.  We hope the weather cooperates so we can enjoy these travels!  We will enjoy the break and the visiting with many of our family.  Everyone stay warm...it is still snowing outdoors as I write this. 

Blessings and joy to each of you.  Think Spring and remember to tell your children you love them. 
Elder and Sister Bushman
Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene

                

WINTER HEART BEATS

MONDAY, 9 February 2015

This is the day that the First Presidency agreed on a temple in Palmyra New York and later, on 21 February, it was announced in 1999!  It was dedicated on April 6, 2000.  Thank you,  Joseph Smith, for praying.  Do you think the Sacred Grove looked like this in April in New York?  I'm sure the heat of The Father and The Son made it a glorious visitation!  Can you feel Joseph's heart skip a beat?

TUESDAY, 10 February 2015

I braved the snow and went swimming this morning.  It was so cold in the water, at first, but had a great swim.

Then off to the temple to serve this morning.  Elder Bushman served in the office and did a sealing session also.  I served in initiatory and did a endowment session.  I was proxy for Icie Mae Wells from Kansas! Ha, this was a perfect day to serve Icie.  She was born in the 1800's and is a relative of The Mortensen's.  Their grandchildren have been getting names off family search and sent them 100 names they had already done the baptisms for.  That is so wonderful...what happy grandparents they now have.
 For those of you that know the Kerr family in Syracuse, their two daughters are now ordinance workers.  The oldest daughter just returned from the Oregon mission.  The younger daughter is leaving soon on her mission to Louisiana (I think).  Their father is the Patriarch in the Syracuse NY Stake.  The Johnson's who served here last summer knows this family as they served in their ward.  This is going to be delightful to be with these young women for a few weeks before they take off on their next adventures.
I thought you might enjoy some photo's of the snow again this week...since it keeps snowing here.  This is a picture of Elder Bushman just before we entered the temple this morning.  The snow

is a bit higher than last week!

 After our morning shifts we walked back to the car.  Elder Bushman had on slick shoes and almost fell!

We arrived safely to the car. 

 The mounds are starting to look like the Teton's in Idaho!

 The icicles on our windows are so icy!

Drip, drip drip drop.

 They are even thicker on the window's by where we park the car...when melting it is dangerous walking!

Grandpa Arthur had fun cleaning off the overhang in our room!

WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015
I swam for a glorious hour this AM!
I was looking at a facebook page this morning and my niece put on some information about the gold leafing she does in the temples.  If any of you are interested in learning more about the temple, I think you will find this article interesting.  This is an article about the Salt Lake Temple.   I hope you can find the time to read this.
In His Holy House - Liahona Nov. 1993

http://www.lds.org/liahona/1993/11/in-his-holy-house?lang=eng 

THURSDAY 12 February 2015
It snowed all night so didn't go swimming today:(  We served in the temple for the Morning and Evening shifts.  I was in the office in the morning...with Sister Nabrotzky...she is from England and Elder Bushman and I love her accent.  She also has the cutest personality ever..thank's for being such a good example Sr. Nabrotzky!
It was freezing when we left the temple last evening!  BYU warmed our hearts with a win over St Mary's 82-60!

Because we like you!
FRIDAY 13 February 2015
Did you get that?  It is Friday the 13th!  When we awoke this morning it was snowing and -25 wind chill outside.  I'm doing laundry this morning and the warm clothes from the dryer are so comforting!  The weather is insane in New York and on the East Coast today....Burrrrr!  This is cold enough for the winter heart beats to quiver.  The sun has been shinning all day but the icicles are not melting.
We went to lunch with the Mortensens and Chamberlains.  We drove to Rochester NY to the Red Lobster and had ourselves a Valentine's feast.

This is my attempt at taking a "crabby selfie" in the fishy restaurant.  Ha!

SATURDAY 14 February 2015 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!
We served in the temple all day.  We had two couples who were sealed and one had a 19 year old son who was sealed to his parents too.  It made for the best Valentine's Day ever...and the storm raged outside.  As soon as we finished our shift we went to President Brighton's where The Neeley's put on a Valentines Party for us.  We all enjoyed our time together.  Thank's to the Neeleys', Brightons and Broadbents for a most memorable evening.
Brightons held this dinner in the basement of The Presidents home.  Sister Brighton cooked ham & scalloped potatoes...yum!

The Broadbents graced us with their company and Sister Broadbent made her yummy homemade rolls!  Thank you, thank you!

The Neeleys were responsible for this Valentines celebration as directed by President.  This was a great party.  Thank you Jon and Lynnette!

The David Neeleys helped set this all up too.  Thank you!

We played the "Old Married Wed" game.  The Jon Neeleys set out the questions...and then they won the game...Ha!  They relenquished the prize to the McGarrys.

Elder Bushman signed us all in with his "funny, funny fingers" hand.

The Chamberlains were there looking like Snow White and Her Handsome Prince.  Sister Chamberlain said, "If we are going to have snow, lets have snow!"  I think she got her wish.

Elder Kruckenberg came alone as Sister K was not feeling well after serving all day.  We hope you feel better now Janet.  Thank you for the delicious cake and pudding. You both are awesome.

The McGarrys won the prize for knowing each other best!  Congratulations!  Sister McGarry keeps me supplied in books, which I am forever grateful.  They are from Pingree Idaho and I feel a love for my former home when we are with them.  Thank you for your faithfulness.

The McGhies won the boobie prize and received bandaids for their boo boos.  They are in the process of purchasing a home by San Antonio TX.  We wish them luck forever.  They are the best couple ever....and Elder McGhie looks like an angel with his white hair.  Blessings as you depart and head to a warmer climate. 

Elder Mortensen took these pictures for me.  He and his wife are the best people ever.  We are so thankful we now know them.  Thank you for being so true and faithful and such good examples for us to look to.

 
The Sanders almost tied the game.  They know each other well and are a delight to serve with.  We enjoy their faithful examples also.

The Roundys are the true missionary couple.  Sister Roundy can convince anyone that they need to learn more about this glorious gospel.  Elder Roundy is a former Fire chief with an obnoxious horn on his truck that he delights in sharing!  Thank you for your examples.

I need the memories of these delightful missionaries.  Our time is drawing to a close and they are the Winter Heart Beats of this "Cradle" Mission.   May The Lords Blessings and Peace rest upon each of us as we continue in His Service.
We got back to the Inn in time to watch BYU win over Pacific 84-59!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ELDER ARTIE!

BECAUSE WE LIKE YOU!

SUNDAY, 15 February 2015
So here we are on Sunday morning.  Church has been canceled in Palmyra and in Cortland, so I am blogging.  There are snowflakes falling outside as I write this and it looks like a real winter wonderland in February.  We awoke to this scenery.  Even the rabbits and deer are not visible.   It is a peaceful Sabbath day at the Inn.   Elder Bushman has the whole day to plan his days when the temple closes for two weeks the last of this month and the first week of March...we will be worn out with what he plans, I am certain of it.  We hope each of you enjoy getting close to The Lord on your Sabbath Days.

MONDAY, 16 February 2015
No swimming this week, Winter break for the young people here...they probably gave up on Spring breaks here eons ago!  Ha.  So I am doing laundry instead of swimming.
This is a picture of the Winter Heart Beat of the Palmyra Inn.  I always think I will sit on that couch and read, but of course I never do.  I love to stand and look at the fire as I pass by daily.  There is something soothing about a hearth in the home.

Grandpa Arthur can't reach these icicles on the 2nd floor...they just keep growing.

Here are just another couple pictures of our view this Winter Morning.

Snow, snow and more snow.

We hope you all stay toasty warm in your areas today.  We read that Oklahoma is having an ice storm today....stay safe everyone.  Our sky is looking blue today so we will get some needed sunshine.  Right now the temp. is -1 outside...not warm to say the least.  But, it is warm in the Inn and our Winter Hearth Beats warm too.  Hug's to each and every one of you.  Have a good week and remember to hug your family members often.
Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene
Elder & Sister Bushman