COLUMBUS DAY

Today is October 13, 2014.  It is the official National celebration of Columbus Day.

"In fourteen hundred ninety-two/ Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

"He had three ships and left fromSpain/ He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain."

-- Source Unknown...and thus began the history of our ancestors traveling to America!

We have been blessed to have company here in Palmyra with us this weekend.  We were honored that Kenneth and Karen Hutto took time to travel here to visit with us.  Elder Bushman's brother Blaine and his wife Margene also came to check out this area with Elmer and Sandra Cherry whom are being called on a FM mission for the church and were checking out Harmony, PA and Sharon, Vermont to see if they are interested in either of these beautiful areas.  Below are some of our fun experiences we have enjoyed and been blessed to experience with all these wonderful couples.  Karen could fly if she only had the leg power!
We were at the Glen Curtis Museum.

This waterfall was a delight to see again with the Hutto's. We were in the village of Montour Falls, NY.

 Right across the street was the library...of course Madam Librarian Karen Hutto located it!

 This is Karen under the beautiful window with the lamp of learning.

We both purchased book bags with this lamp on them.

There are a bunch of little baby ducks in this picture...they just look like white dots in this pond.  We hope they grow and not freeze this fall.  We were walking along the sulfur creek in  Clifton Springs, NY

We took Karen & Kenneth to the toothpick museum in Phelps, NY.  Here we are visiting with the artist that created all the toothpick buildings.

We walked the dock of the Erie Canal by Palmyra.

This caterpillar was walking in the temple parking lot as we walked around the temple grounds.

Silly Blaine when I gave him a "kiss".

Margene Bushman with Elmer and Sandra Cherry (from Idaho Falls)

Margene and Blaine up on the hill by Alvin Smith grave.

We all went through the Grandin building where the Book of Mormon was printed.  This is pictures of Mormon and his son Moroni.

We had a fireside in the Sacred Grove on Sunday evening.  Elder John Neeley told of the First Vision and all the marvelous happenings with Joseph Smith.  He did such an excellent characterization.  After the presentation he gave all the missionaries keepsake photo's...which we will cherish always. 

The Sacred Grove was so beautiful at dusk.

We all enjoyed being in the area with the benches where we could witness the beauties of the Grove.

I shared the book A Lion and a Lamb with our visitors.  Karen read about the King's Daughter's Library and how the head of the board refused to put "Mormon" Church Books in the Library.  Willard Bean thanked them and said someday it would be a good thing for the library to do and that the Church would like to donate several.  Well there were about two shelves of books in the Library, thanks to the Bean family.  We held them and pondered how blessed we are in this generation! 

 This is a picture of Karen opening the books and marveling what Rebecca and Willard Bean had done for this community and for the memory of Joseph Smith & The First Vision.  I was very touched that I could share this moment with a wonderful friend.  

We went on a bike ride down the Erie Canal Path.

 This tug boat was at lock 29.

 Thank's to the Christensen's we all had bikes to ride!

 We drove to Bristol Mountain and rode the chair lift to the top.

 Ken & Karen Hutto and Elder and Sister Bushman on the top of Bristol Mountain!

On this Columbus Day weekend Todd, Heather and Ryan's children were able to get together.  Elder Bushman and I love these pictures of our grandchildren!

Hug's to each of these sweet grandchildren and their parents!

Uncle Paul's funeral will be on Friday the 17th.  We will miss his humor and warm smile.  Our love and prayers are with all the Peel children this week.  We love this picture.

We have had a good week.  Thank you Hutto's, Bushman's and Cherry's for visiting us.  We enjoyed eating concord grapes...and making sour faces, eating grape pie and smiling.  Thank you, each of you, for being you.  Thank you for sharing this marvelous part of The United States of America with us on Columbus Day Weekend.  We declare Holiness To The Lord.  We will dedicate our service, the remainder of this week to The House Of The Lord.  My mind has drifted to this beautiful fall photo of The Idaho Falls Temple shared on Facebook.  Safe travels to each of your homes.

President Cahoon loaned me "Seven Miracles That Saved America"  Why they matter and why we should have hope by Chris & Ted Stewart.  "At Critical times in our Nation's history, God provided miracles to save us.  And there are miracles yet to come.  Why?  Because America Still Represents something important to Him."  This is a good read for October.  Today is Tuesday, October 14, 2014.
May we each be blessed with peace in this lifetime.
God Bless.

BLOOD MOON WEEK

Sister Cahoon made the best deep dish apple pie to share on Sunday.  She made it with Sweet Tango apples,  here is a picture of one they shared with us.  It is very tart and crisp and yummy!

So the fall harvesting is in full force in this area.  I find it awesome that the blood moon will be during the harvesting of all these red apples in this area!  There will be a total lunar eclipse on Wednesday morning at 6:25 Eastern time...should be very interesting.  Scientist declare that it should be a coppery (apple) red.  The view on Wednesday is called a "selenelion" as the eclipsed moon and the sun rise are simultaneous. "To Dream The Impossible Dream".  I hope we aren't covered in clouds in the morning in Palmyra.  "Total Eclipse of the Heart"!  Well, that was a disappointment.  To make up for not seeing except a sliver of a normal moon...Thursday morning we are having a bus load of Korean saints who do not speak English, nor do they have their own clothing...now it could be a "Blood Moon" for us on a Thursday, Korean, Temple Day!  Bow!  Do you think our common smiles will get us through this experience?

We had an exceptional home evening, Monday evening, in President Brighton's basement.  President Broadbent gave a lecture on this, 77th dedicated, 100th announced temple that we serve in.  He taught us so many interesting facts.  We rejoyced in the fact that we are serving our mission in this hallowed area!  "There's a House of the Lord in Palmyra...Sacred blessings which save both the living and the dead."

 Elder and Sister Weaver and The Bushman's were in charge of the refreshments.  We had molasses, ginger snaps, and snicker doodle cookies with a pumpkin spread to top them with from Sauders (an authentic Mennonite) Market.  We also had "fresh" apple cider, yum.  Sister Weaver had fun decorations to put on the table.  Our efforts were declared delicious!  Thank's to the Weaver's for their great idea's.  

We served in the temple, Tuesday, from 12:30 to 5 pm.  Tuesday was also President Thomas S. Monson's 66th wedding anniversary to his wife Francis Johnson who passed away May 17, 2013.  Our love and prayers are with him on this important day.  We are thankful for Elder Oaks talk in conference  and know we can look to President and Sister Monson for a good example of how family life should be.

Elder Bushman's older brother Darrell & his wife are serving a mission in Alabama.  They sent us a picture of some persimmons that an investigator shared with them.  Art's younger brother Jeff and his wife Wendy just got called to Long Island New York CES Programs mission and report in December.  Art's other younger brother Blaine and his wife Margene have been called to be the directors of Martin Cove Wyoming's mission for two years.  So as of January Elwin & Genevieve Bushman will have four son's & their wives serving missions!

 I was excited because we have persimmon's out by the home Heather & Mike built in Oklahoma.  The middle of the seed has a folklore that weather can be forecast for the winter by it.  Jacob & Heather cut open a seed for us and there is a spoon in the center...what do you think our winter weather is going to be?  Google folklore of the Persimmon seed...study and enjoy! 

It is Thursday as I write this.  We served in the temple this morning from 8 AM to 1 PM.  The Korean group were to be there at 11:00 AM.  They phoned they were arriving late.  Elder Bushman and I were to serve during their session, but because they were late we conducted the 11:00 AM session, so we missed even seeing them as they were on their session when we finished.  All the temple workers who were serving them were mesmerized with them.  We are so glad they came to America to tour the Church Sites and that we were a part of their tour.  We wish them safe travels as they move on to other Sites. 하나님 속도 (god speed)

The Korean Children's Choir sang for the General Women's Conference. You can watch it at:

www.lds.org/general-conference/music/2014/10?lang=eng&session=6&song=2&media=video#watch=video

Maybe someday we can visit the Korean Temple.  Who knows what our future travels may entail!

Well, Thursday October 9th, our evening was most distressing with BYU tying the game against Florida and then loosing in overtime 31-24.  Elder Bushman was so upset that he couldn't sleep.  I just wondered if our boys discovered a Persimmon patch in Florida and partook?  Because now they are going to have to live forever in their loss!  I would like to suggest that Coach Mendenhall get a couple cases of Wheaties cereal and have the team partake the morning before playing Nevada.  I believe it is "the breakfast of champions" and we do have champions on our team...I think they have just forgotten who they are!  Anyway, good luck BYU Cougars...we cheer you on!  Become the champions you are.

Because we like them!

We also got some sad news yesterday. Elder Bushman's Uncle Paul Peel passed. We know he is thrilled. We all will miss him.  We know Ruth is pleased to have her Daddy with her again!

This is a recent picture of Uncle Paul with his daughter Sylvia. Once when we were visiting with Uncle Paul he pinned a miniature lucky horse shoe on Elder Bushman's tie (he made it on his mission in Nauvoo, IL). We look forward to a reunion with him.  We send hug's to his family at this time of sorrow.

On Friday we had a wonderful adventure with Kenneth and Karen Hutto. We drove south of Palmyra and took them to several sites that we have enjoyed. Then we met up with Elder Bushman's Brother Blaine and his wife Margene and their friend's The Cherry's. We introduced them to Doug's Fish Fry in Skaneateles.  On Saturday we are going to the sites around Palmyra.  Thank you, so much, for visiting us.  We just love being with each of you.  We feel so honored they all would take the time to come see us in this beautiful area.  We feel blessed to have such marvelous friends and family.

We are off on many adventures today.  Everyone enjoy this Columbus Day weekend.  God Bless America!  Hug's to each of you.

IT'S CONFERENCE TIME!

IT IS CONFERENCE TIME THIS WEEKEND!

LET ME HIGHLIGHT OUR WEEK 

Tuesday afternoon we both served in the Palmyra New York Temple office and had a unstressful, peaceful, day.

Wednesday we were both Ordinance Workers in the temple, in the morning and I was assigned to a sealing session where Elder Bushman presided.  I served in the office in the afternoon.  While serving in the office this week I was able to get several batches of indexing and arbitrating done in Family Search.  That always makes me feel like I am succeeding in my Family History.

Thursday Elder Bushman and I got permission from the temple co-ordinators and skipped a day at the temple and joined the summer missionaries in their excursion on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad.  Twenty two couples met at Palmyra Inn at 6:30 A M and drove to Utica, New York where we got on a train and traveled the scenic route to Thendara, NY. 

We watched the sun rise.  We drove with Elder James and Sister Karen Dean as our passengers.  We are so glad they rode with us.  We got to know them both so much better.  They are from San Diego, California and reside in the Inn with us presently.

 Union Station was beautiful with all the marble pillars.  From this Station we boarded the train and were off on our great adventure.

 A scene from the open car of the train.

 Another scene from the train.

 A scene from out the train window.

 My entertainment this whole train ride was this door between cars.  The train porter kept coming in and shutting the door.

 It would stick shut and people would really struggle with it to get it open.  The refreshment car was in the next car over, so this was a busy door!  Elder Wheeler is trying to open it here.

 After several tries he bursts it open!  Yay, success...then the porter followed and shut it again...Ha!  This scene played over and over on our travels.  I know, I am easily entertained.

 We all arrived at Thendara, NY Station and then we took a shuttle to the waterfront in Old Forge, NY.

 Our shuttle driver had on a shirt that said Wade Tours CNY!  He drove us to Old Forge where we had a quick lunch...of clam chowder.  He then shuttled us to the McCauley Mountain Scenic Chairlift.

We enjoyed getting on this chairlift and remembering our fun days of skiing together when I was healthy enough to join Elder Bushman...

There were lots of boulders under this lift...not so good.  I would call this the mogul hill!

Our selfie on the lift!

Our neighbors, Elder & Sister Bardo are on the chair behind ours.

 This is the beautiful lake from the top of the ski slope.  The colors of the leaves have already passed their peak.

 Elder and Sister Bushman are enjoying being at the top of the mountain!

 A zoom lens lets us see a boat and the islands in this beautiful lake.

 I have always wanted an Adirondack chair...we had this photo taken so we could remember sitting in one at least.  It took all we had to stand back up and remove ourselves from this lowly seat!

 Another view from the other side of the mountain.

 All our friendly missionaries at the top of the mountain!

We had a "presently not attending member" take our group photo...he did a great job!  Isn't this the most awesome group of Temple Missionaries this mountain has ever experienced!  We should have shouted for joy!  We felt the peace of this temple mount.

I share a thankful smile to Elder Bushman before we travel back down on the tram.

We waited at the base forever before our shuttle returned and took us back to the depot...where we boarded the train and back to Utica, NY we traveled.

A view from the open air box of the train.

A final view taken inside the train.

This was, indeed, a lovely day.  Thank you, Elder John and Sister Lynette Neeley for all the planning  this excursion took.  "Thank's for the Memories!"  We arrived back in Palmyra long after the sun had set in the West.

Friday evening we were ordinance workers in the temple.  Then we rushed home to watch the BYU Football game against Utah State.  It didn't even start till 10:30 PM...I should have been concerned at this point as we were taught in our youth that "Nothing good happens after 12:00 Midnight".  This was the ultimate nightmare scenario.  The star quarterback Tayson Hill was tackled and fell and his left leg was fractured.  He is out for the season.  We lost to Utah State 35-20 and the game ended so sad for us at 2:00 AM and so joyfully for Utah State.  Congratulations Utah State...my daughter, Heather and her husband Michael, are thrilled with this outcome...Elder Bushman is in mourning for this conference weekend..and it is raining in Palmyra, and life goes on!  We will still be fans and cheer on as BYU plays Central Florida this coming Thursday evening in Florida!  Go BYU!

As the 184th Semiannual Conference began on our little IPad, in room 232, of the "Inn" Elder Bushman and I settled on our couch to share an intimate two hours on the small screen of our mobile device.  In the middle of the two hours the sun slipped from the clouds and began to shine!  "The Morning Breaks" was a good song to open this session with!  Thank you, President Monson for being the first speaker.

Elder Bushman decided to upgrade his Safari Page and he lost all connection to the Web on Saturday morning.  That is why we watched the first session of General Conference on the ipad.  He made frantic phone calls to our son's Eric and Ryan.  Have I told you what blessed parents we are to have these two son's in our lives?  Well, we are and I thank you both for being so patient with your dad as he gets so frustrated on his computer!  Eric had him download a whole new operating system.  It took till Sunday Morning to finish downloading.  I think the "Inn" doesn't have the speed on the internet required to do a faster job.  We are so blessed that our room has the internet...I'm not complaining here.  Elder Bushman said his computer now works faster, too, with this upgrade.   Anyway, there was a Yahoo shout from Elder Bushman this morning as he was able to again get "on line"!  Eric suggested I should probably upgrade too...but suggested I wait till I return home, next April, and he can help me...sound advice I would say!  

So bring on Conference we are much more ready to be in tune with the speakers on the Sunday Sessions...now that we have experienced a rescuing by our son's!   I am pondering this...on a glorious General Conference weekend.  Hurrah for Israel! 

President & Sister Cahoon had compassion on Elder Bushman's hearing problem and invited us to their quiet, beautiful, peaceful home to listen to the Sunday sessions.  This weeping willow is along their driveway to their home.

 President and Sister Cahoon dressed in regular clothing...we usually only see them in their white temple clothing.

 President Cahoon and Elder Bushman by Cahoon's dahila flowers.  They are just beautiful...good job President Cahoon at gardening.

 A garden of winter pansies.

This is a picture of the Presidency of the Palmyra Temple.  President & Sister Brighton, Broadbent & Cahoon.  I hope each recommend holder in this area get to know this great Presidency.  Elder Richard G. Scott counseled all of us to go to the temple during his conference talk.  I look forward to studying all I learned in this great 184th Semi Annual General Conference.  I hope each of you were able to listen and learn.  I am so thankful to Our Savior Jesus Christ for all of our leaders and those who give of their time and energy to make our lives better.  We are truly a blessed generation to be alive in this last dispensation.  May each of us stay on "ye old ship of Zion" as Elder M. Russell Ballard counseled us.

Elder Bushman wanted me to include his favorite leaf photo from last Monday.  This shot is fantastic!  New York State is beautiful.

We close this 43 blog with special thank's to Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for the opportunity to have direct communication with them through the Prophets of this time and season.

"GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN"