TEMPLE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

TUESDAY, 24 February 2015

I went swimming today.  Yay!  However, it was -12 degrees when I drove to the High School.  It was even colder driving back to the Inn after I had finished.

We cleaned and cleaned at the temple today.  We scrubbed down the front coat closets and the entry way wood and then waxed it all down.  I helped Sister Cahoon do tons of laundry.  We did the shower curtains in the locker rooms for both workers and baptistry patrons along with about 5 loads of other washing.  I did more chandelier sconces and cleaned up wheel chairs. We scrubbed 10 shoe mats that were full of snowy salt where patrons leave their shoes before entering the temple, on snowy days.  Elder Bushman washed and wiped down the marble surrounding the lower part of the baptismal font.  We ate donuts and cake and sandwiches and just had a great time Spring Cleaning  The House for The Lord. I helped clean out the umbrella stands and checked to make sure all the umbrellas were workable.  We threw two away and put about 10 in the give away bag.  It was a fun and exhausting day.  It really brought back memories of cleaning house for my Nana.  She taught me how to work hard and see great results.  Thank you Nana!  We returned to the Inn and I did laundry here while Elder Bushman went and gassed the car for our drive tomorrow.  Now it is vacation time, in the cold!
MONDAY, 2 March 2015
Things to remember from last week.
  We went with the Roberson family to Doug's Fish Fry in Cortland, NY.  It was yummy and so fun to be with our Sunday School Student Katelyn and her parents and 4 siblings.  They are the nicest family and we are going to miss them terribly.

We traveled to Long Island, NY to visit Elder Jeffrey & Sister Wendy Bushman.  They were so kind to us.  We watched movies, played cards, went to Institute class,  Played Ping Pong with the champ...Elder Jeff Bushman, Relief Society evening activity, Jones Beach, Copenhagen Bakery and Cafe and to the American Airpower Museum where Josie the Riveter worked past her 90's!  Thank's for the great visit.  I will forever be grateful that I watched "Ephriam's Rescue" this weekend.  I have hope again.  It snowed most the time we have been gone, but it wasn't as cold in Long Island.  Elder Bushman taught about the Atonement in Institute.  Both Elder Bushman and I learned again from his knowledge.

Aren't they a cute Missionary Couple?

It was interesting to be on tour where so many planes and war decisions were made in this area of the United States.  This Museum was very informative.

Elder Arthur Bushman would make a great pilot!

 Elder Jeffrey Bushman looks a little calmer...this plane was so noisy inside.  As you can see on the side 12 targets were right on during WW II.  Sad part of war memories.

 This poster took my breath away for a minute.

Wendy was a great hostess and took us to Jones Beach so I could get some sea shells...we had to pry them up from the icy sandy beach, but I got some fun shells & we got to see the Atlantic Ocean and the sun shone and the wind blew.

My Dad's sister Idona lost her husband, Scott Gene Nickell on February 26th.  They live in Roy, Utah and have been married almost 58 years.  Bruce Nickell, their 2nd child, lives here in Palmyra, NY.  So sorry for your loss Bruce.  We hope all goes well at your Dad's Service and that you all have peaceful memories.  Our love and prayers are with each of you.

March 1 was my little sister Cindy's Birthday.  We hope she had the best birthday ever.  She lives in Pocatello, Idaho and we understand it was snowing on her birthday there too.  Love you Cindy!

We had a great Sabbath Day in Cortland Ward yesterday.  Of course it snowed all day yesterday.
Brother and Sister Lawrence invited us to their vintage home for dinner.  They have a lovely home and fed us a great supper.  Their home is over 100 years old. They have the Elders residing in an apartment in the upstairs of their home.  That was fun to learn.  Brother Lawrence will be retiring soon and their lives will be changing.  They have a 5th wheel that will soon become their second home as they travel the US.  Thank you for your kindness and friendship.  We are so thankful we have gotten to know you two better.  They are an awesome couple.

Brother and Sister Leyburn surprised us with a departing gift.  We have had their two daughters in our Sunday School class and have loved getting to know this family.  Their son is hoping to have Elder Bushman perform his marriage before we leave.  His fiancee lives in Cape Verde, Africa and has applied for a visa several months ago...so far she has not made it here to begin her new life.  We sure hope it happens soon.  Thank you, so much, Brother and Sister Leyburn for the gift.  We will treasure these items always.  Doesn't Michael do such beautiful work...love these pens and vase.

We took a detour on our drive Saturday and went past Harmony, NY where the Church is building a new visitor's site.  This is where Emma and Joseph lived when times got difficult in Palmyra.  They lost their first child here.  Joseph had several revelations here and kept translating the Book of Mormon.  They are rebuilding the home that Joseph and Emma purchased for $200.00 on 13 1/2 acres of land.  The Aaronic Priesthood was restored on the banks of the Susquehanna River here and JOHN THE BAPTIST directed Joseph to baptize Oliver Cowdery, and then Oliver to baptize Joseph & to bless each with the Aaronic Priesthood.  Before John left he explained that the Melchizedek Priesthood would also be restored again soon.  From this site the blessings of The Lord were restored.

The new visitors center will be built in the new Harmony Ward Building.

The sky was a beautiful blue as we drove here.  It was still about 20 degrees outdoors, but we were thankful the sun was shining as we looked at the Priesthood Monument...just in case we never return to see the end results of this site.

As we drove home yesterday the sky was gray and it snowed all the way back to Palmyra...and is snowing as I write this.

If our plane can leave Rochester, NY, in the morning, we are on our way to our Grandson Leif's baptism.  Oklahoma is cold too, so I guess I will wear my snow boots home!  We hope each of you have a great week.  We are so thankful that the temple is getting cleaned up and prepared for another 6 months of service.  It is quite the experience to help clean The Lord's House.  We are grateful for all these experiences.

We received a beautiful picture of our Granddaughter Hannah with her Dad Troy on their Daddy-Daughter dance evening.  Love you both!

Remember to tell your children you love them.  Be kind and remember who you are.  Hug's to each of you.

Elder and Sister Bushman

Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene