HAVE A HOPPY DAY AND A TOPPER OF A LIFETIME!

We are thinking of our two Birthday grandchildren today.  Happy Birthday to Jacob and Brenna!  We spoke with them both last evening as we are serving in the temple all day on this Saturday, 8 November 2014.
Jacob

Brenna

We looked out the Inn window this morning to this beautiful sunrise.

We were driving the streets of Palmyra yesterday and ran across this beautiful tree...there are still some gorgeous trees here and about.

 Elder Bushman decided we need to plant some maples in our OK yard when we return next Spring.

 It was my Mother Fay's birthday on Friday, 7 November 1926.  I remembered this picture of her I received from my Aunt Loraine. According to my Aunt, this is Topper.  My grandfather, Ford, trained horses for some movie stars.  This is a white stallion owned by William Boyd who played Hopalong Cassidy.  He is the fictional character created in 1904 by Clarence E. Mulford.  Hopalong and his horse Topper caught many bad guys with Red Connors for many comic relief.  It was also a TV series from 1952-1954.  

This is William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy, and Topper the great horse my mother rode!  Just a little history trivia for the family memories.   Once Topper got out of the barnyard he cleaned up nicely don't you agree?  Who is catching the bad guys now Topper?  Topper has gone to the great beyond with others in his cast.  I wonder if my mother Fay has ridden him through the fields of heaven yet? 

We opened the Church News to read on Saturday morning and we found Elder Bushman's brother and sister in laws photo.  They are the new Martin's Cove Visitor's Center Directors. "Blaine Jay Bushman, 66, and Margene Bingham Bushman, eight children, Midland 1st Ward, Odessa Texas Stake: Mormon Handcart Historic Site (central Wyoming), succeeding Elder Lorin L. Moench and Sister Mary Moench. Brother and Sister Bushman recently served as senior missionaries in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission. Brother Bushman is a former counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, stake Young Men president, bishop and missionary in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission. Retired owner, Y’all Haul Trailers. Born in Winslow, Arizona, to Elwin Ewing and Genevieve Tanner Bushman.

Sister Bushman is a former stake Primary president, ward Relief Society president, counselor in ward Primary and Relief Society presidencies, and seminary teacher. Born in Vernal, Utah, to Victor Lester and Marjorie Olson Bingham."  They will be serving in Wyoming for two years, two more cold winters!

We went to the Kruckenberg's for dinner on Saturday night.  Of course I forgot to take pictures again!  It was a lovely dinner and we thank them for their kindness to us.
Sunday we had a great lesson with our youth Sunday School class.  I was asked to work in the Nursery rather than attend Relief Society which I did.
Before leaving Sister Roberson gave me a "dimeond ring" for saying I would serve in the nursery.  Now that was worth it, right?  I will treasure this awesome ring!

 Sister Hutchinson was in there also.  She was much more agile than I.  She got down on the floor with the children.  I just tried to help control the masses!

 Eve was concerned that I had such yucky soars on my nose.  I had a little girl tell me that I looked like Nanny McFee!

 These children are delightful.

After Church, Elder Bushman and I again went to the Carman's to give them the Sacrament.  The kitten's love to climb into the motor of the car, so we had to shoo some out again before we could leave.

There were kittens everywhere!

 They were cute.

Monday began with a Doctor apt. with Dr. Nickell.  She kindly gave me a B12 shot.  I learned I now have an "old heart" and have a leak in one of the valves that gives me a slight heart murmur.  She doesn't seem worried about me having it, but told me to call if I need her.  It's awesome to have a doctor married to my cousin Bruce.  I made another appointment with them both for December to go to dinner together...they are very busy at the clinic.
Later we drove to the Palmyra Cemetery to have another tour with the newer missionaries.  President and Sister Broadbent were kind enough to give us a tour.  It was about 50 outside and a beautiful sunny day.

 The Rogers built the building behind the missionaries in honor of Major Rogers.

 Can you find Grandpa Art in the pile of leaves?

For our bonus today, our daughter in law put this great picture of two more of our grandchildren.  We love Tanner and Elizabeth Bushman.  Good looking Bushman's don't you agree?  We are blessed grandparents.

We close this blog on Veterans' Day.  We are thankful we can serve in the temple on this day when so much of sacrifice relates to a holiday.  We pray for our men and women in the U. S Armed Forces services and for their families.  Thank you for the service you have given to Our Country and we the people.   We pray that your service will bring about peace to this Nation and the World.  Thanks to each of you for your efforts in behalf of each of us.  "God Bless America".

"We are as the army of Heleman
We'll Bring The World His Truth."

1. We have been born, as Nephi of old,

To goodly parents who love the Lord.

We have been taught, and we understand,

That we must do as the Lord commands.

2. We have been saved for these latter days

To build the kingdom in righteous ways.

We hear the words our prophet declares:

"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."

3. We know his plan, and we will prepare,

Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.

Daily we'll learn until we are called

To take the gospel to all the world.

We are as the army of Helaman.

We have been taught in our youth.

And we will be the Lord's missionaries

To bring the world his truth.

Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938

HAVE A HOPPY DAY AND A TOPPER OF A LIFETIME

LOVE, ELDER & SISTER BUSHMAN

Grandpa Art and Grandma Gene

IT'S A BIRTHDAY WEEK!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JACOB AND BRENNA!!!!!

Life has been pretty good in room 201 of the Palmyra Inn since BYU beat Tennessee 27-7 last week.

Thank you BYU we knew you could do it!

They must have some help from heaven as they were playing on the "day of the dead".  Ha.  We now must wait till 15 of November for the UNLV at BYU game.     Because we love you!

I wonder if anyone has blue marigolds that could be sprinkled on the field?  Here is a yellow one to wish BYU good luck!

Sunday 2 Nov. 2014 we had a good Sunday School class and then a lovely dinner with The Carmack family in Rochester, NY...of course it was fast Sunday and I totally forgot to take pictures.  The Carmack home, backyard, looks right into Erie Canal!  Richard said his boys had boats they used on the canal and they fished, but never saved what they caught.  He said there was no swimming in the still water as there were too many plants etc. in the water.  They drain the canal every winter so all the plants and other detriments freeze down.  Then in the spring it is refilled...something else for us to watch! 

Well, it is getting cold in the mornings, when I go swimming.  I now wear my wooly coat, socks and warm ups and my ol' skii hat.  Sure am glad I kept it all these years...it keeps the wet head warm as I drive back to the Inn.  Do I look as refreshed as I feel?  Ha! Burr....

Verl & Peggy Christensen left the mission this morning.  We visited with them last evening and they brought us their last tomato this morning as they were leaving Palmyra.  Their car was packed to the top and they had 3 bikes on the fender...It was very, very sad to see them drive away...sob!  Art got his thumb in the picture, but you can see behind Verl the car is packed to the top!

And off they drove into the Sunrise!  We sure are thankful we were blessed to serve with so many wonderful people.  We miss the summer missionaries and those others who have finished the works they came to do!  "Parting is such sweet sorrow".  Farewell dear friends.

Monday we drove to Clifton Springs Hospital where I met with Dr. Brown, a dermatologist, about some brown spots I have on my nose.  They are actinic keratosis..pre cancerous sun damage.  So he performed a little Cryosurgery on me.  He put liquid nitrogen on the surface of each brown spot...and O' did I cry!  Now I have a blistered nose that is bulbous and looks like Rudolph!   I know my children really want to see this so am including the photo below!  Hopefully it will heal quickly and the spots will drop off and be gone.  I'm to return to him in March before I go back home.

Isn't growing old fun?  We got a phone call from Pres. Broadbent on Monday evening.  He asked if there was a possibility that we could serve at the 5:30 AM session on Tuesday...so of course we did...bulbous nose and all.  We were already serving on that morning shift anyway, so just needed to be there a few hours earlier.  Of course life has to be interesting, so my glued tooth came off and I almost swallowed it.  As soon as we returned to the Inn, I called Dr. Woodworth's office and they told me to come in on Wednesday at 10:15 AM.  So this morning Elder Bushman and I drove to Phelps, NY and the dentist cleaned up my repair job and shined up my crown and replaced it with the real dental cement...hopefully it will stay on for a long time.  Thank you Dr. Woodworth for rescuing this missionary twice now with tooth repair.  Elder Bushman went ahead and made an apt. to get his teeth cleaned in December...he gets a plaque buildup quicker than me!  Hurrah for my Golden Crown!

I am about finished with the book President Cahoon loaned me.  I have prolonged finishing it because it has been so good.  This book has made me so thankful that I was born and raised in America.  I just have been so blessed and have not pondered these blessings till reading this marvelous book.  “No man is perfect,” write the authors. “And neither is any nation. Yet, despite our weakness, we are still, as Abraham Lincoln said, the best nation ever given to man. Despite our faults, this nation is still the last, best hope of earth.” In short, God still cares what happens here. This reassuring message is a bright light in a world that longs for such hope."  Thank you to both Stewart's for writing such a fantastic history of the miracles that saved America.  May God continue to Bless America!

Elder Bushman wandered over to the Sacred Grove today and took some pictures this Wednesday afternoon.  It is a stark contrast from a month ago.  I would say the trees are ready to slumber through the winter.  The ground is definitely covered in a blanket of leaves.  I suppose we should be thankful they "leave" the Grove in its natural setting...or the Elder's might have been called upon to rake all these fallen leaves away!  Ha.  

My daughter sent me the memory book from our Idaho Falls High School 50th year reunion.  This book is most impressive.  Thank you to the committee that did this extraordinary task.  Elder Bushman and I have so enjoyed reading through this book.  I still can't believe 50 years have passed, time flies when we are having so much fun.  "Thank's for the memories."  Not only does this book have many of our classmates greetings in it, but we have extensive pages of those who have passed and moved on to the future life.  This memory book is so informative, thank you again.  

Saturday is the 8th of November.  This is our grandson Jacob Hansen's 13th birthday.  It is also our granddaughter Brenna Bushman's 11th birthday.  Happy, Happy Birthday to two of my most favorite grandchildren!  Love them both so much!  Having Grandchildren is the best gift ever in this life.

It is now Thursday afternoon.  We served in the temple all morning and are serving again this evening.  As I served in initiatory this morning, the patron was a 95 year old sister, she was my inspiration for this mission.  She loved receiving ordinances for her deceased ancestors.  Every time we completed an ordinance she would say, "Thank you, Oh, I know she is so happy, I look forward to meeting her soon."  What a great example to us all.  For those of you who have not gone to the temple I just would like to explain a little of what I am talking about.  

What do people do in the temple?

"In the temple we are taught, we make covenants , and we are promised blessings.  We receive ordinances that enable us to live in the presence of God.

One ordinance we receive in the temple is the endowment which includes the initiatory promises.  The word endowment means "gift" or "bestowal".  As part of this ordinance we are taught about the purpose of life, the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father's plan for His children.  We gain a glimpse of what it will be like to live in His presence as we feel the peaceful atmosphere of the temple."

We serve in the most wonderful environment, where everyone that is in the temple, chooses to be there.  We have learned to keep our baptismal covenants so that we are ready to receive and help others receive the higher covenants of the temple.  I hope each of you can find time to serve in the temple.  Being a patron, like our 95 year old sister today, is a good service project for all of us! 

Happy Birthday to all the November Birthday Children...especially Jacob and Brenna.  Remember Elder Packer's quote.  Those of you who have temple recommends..."Pack" up you temple clothing and visit the temple...

Hug's always,

Elder Arthur & Sister Gene D W Bushman

Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene

ENDING OCTOBER - BEGINNING NOVEMBER

ELDER BUSHMAN could not sleep when we moved to room 101 in Palmyra Inn, so on Monday, 27 October 2014 we packed up our belongings, again, and moved back up to 201.  We are hopefully now settled for the winter.  Instead of living in one room we now are in a suite with three rooms!  We also have an hdtv which makes us both thankful.  I've seen lots of birds fly by the window's.  Perhap's Peter Pan will show up this winter!

This is a view out our window to the west.  The path leads over to the Stake Center.  We are in walking distance to the temple and church if the snow prevents us from traveling to Cortland Ward.

We served in the temple on Tuesday morning.  Tuesday afternoon we went over to the Christensen's for our last outing with them.  They will be leaving next week to go back to their farm in Preston, Idaho.  They had already sent one bike home with some other missionaries, so that left us one bike short.  The two men rode the Canal path first and then we girls rode after they returned.  While the men were riding Peggy and I went over to the Alling Coverlet Museum behind the Christensen's apartment.

"The Alling features the largest collection of American hand woven coverlets in the United States. It is named for Mrs. Merle Alling, Rochester, New York resident and coverlet collector, and is housed in a 1901 newspaper printing office. All styles of hand woven coverlets from 1820 to 1880 are represented in an extraordinary collection, which takes over six years to rotate through public display. The collection also includes a Quilt Room, looms, spinning wheels, and other assorted weaver’s tools. The Alling Gift Shop features woven goods, books, puzzles, and unique gift items."  

This is an amazing display.  

This is a picture of the Erie Canal when Sister Christensen  and I rode the path.

Sr Christensen and I enjoyed one of the last Indian sunny days.  Thank you Elder and Sister Christensen for the fun adventures you have shared with us.

Sr. Parron encouraged me to keep my hair short as she was telling me goodbye.  As I went swimming this morning my hair was blowing everywhere, so I went to Penny's Beauty shop in Marion, NY.  Penny serves in the temple with me on Thursday Evenings.  I love driving up to her place.  She has her beauty shop in her garage.  This is the view of her bird feeders outside the shop window.  I have seen so many beautiful birds there.

I went inside and waited for her to appear...

 

As I was looking around the shop I saw this photo.  Penny turned 70 last year and her children held an Elvis Presley party for her.  They had an impersonator at the party.  She said, "That was the best present I have ever gotten...I had so much fun at my party"!

 This is my selfie after she sheered me!  I won't need another hair cut this winter.  I should be able to handle this hair when I swim.  Do I look younger?   Do you like my new do Sister Perron?

This local gentleman showed up for his haircut just as she finished with me.  She was ready to tip him back in the sink and wash his hair, but I stopped them so I could snap this.  Thank you for the haircut Penny.  You did such a professional cut compared to when I chop on it myself!  I'm glad I took the time to drive up to her farm.  Thank's sister Parron for the encouragement...we miss you already!

Halloween evening at the temple was good.  We only held one session at 6:30 PM.  A large group of Site missionaries attended.  After we closed down the temple all congregated at the Brighton's for root beer floats...yes it was yummy!

As I walked into the Inn I found a new policy.  There was a phone sitting where the bell usually is...we can ring for help if needed...like when my key is shut off before the end of the month and I can't get in my room etc.  Now there is a room number to call if I need help in the evenings.  This shows that there are not many of us renting rooms in the Inn now that winter is upon us.  I just thought the Summer Missionaries might be interested in this change we are experiencing.

We served on our first Saturday shift.  I am so tired this evening.  The morning was a delight as Alison Younes came to the temple for her first time.  She was in our Temple Class in the Cortland Ward.  She said, "It is because of Elder Bushman and you teaching the class that I came today."   She reminded me that when she was sick for a couple of weeks, that we had Sister Moss in the class with her cell phone on where Alison participated via phone!   I was very touched that she attended the temple today.  Our love and prayers were answered with her attendance on this first day of November.   I went on the session she attended.  I served in the office before that.  Congratulation's Alison on attending the temple today 1 November 2014.  Sister Leyburn was her escort.   This is their selfie as they left the temple...love these sisters!

Elder Bushman and I were assigned to the Baptistry in the afternoon.  We had two different Wards attend with their youth.  We had about 30 youth at 12:00 PM and another 20 at 2:00 PM.  Elder Bushman was in charge of the Baptism's and I did all the laundry...we finished about 5:00 PM.
Each youth was dressed in a baptismal suit which they were baptized in and then each used towels... This was a good day for me to be in the baptistry because this is the special day I was baptized when I was 11 years old...on 1 November 1957.  November 1 was also the day we began our three year service in the OKC Temple Presidency several years back...and today I remembered all the laundry that I did each weekend for all the youth baptistry groups in our Stakes there.  I survived those day's and have great memories of my children attending with their youth groups.  Now I have grandchildren that attend in their own youth groups...they all cause lots of laundry...Ha!  This is a picture of the Cardston-Alberta Temple font.  We have the same kind of oxen holding up the baptistry in the Palmyra Temple.  I can't complain that my back hurts tonight after pondering the weight the 12 apostles carry on their backs!  Thank you for your examples.

It is a delight to know of the service the youth do for their families that have departed this life.  They experience being Savior's on Mount Zion.  I'm thankful I could watch them perform this great ordinance the way The Savior, Jesus Christ, taught us to do.  I thank Him also for His example.

So now we are about at the beginning of next week.  Tomorrow is Sunday, 2 November 2014.  We get an extra hour of sleep tonight as tomorrow begins daylight savings time.  Life is good.  May each of you enjoy your Sabbath day tomorrow.  We are under a cold sky with rain trying to turn to flurries this evening.  I guess I will wear the ol' winter coat and clothing to church tomorrow...burr!  We are having lunch with The Carmack Family, who live in Rochester, NY.  We will head there right after our Cortland Ward meetings are finished.  Of course Brother Carmack is related to Elder Bushman.  They have the same g grandfather John Bushman..John is Brother Carmack's gg grandfather.  There is one generation difference.  Isn't Genealogy great!
I guess you will have to look John Bushman up on Family Search.  I tried to copy the picture, we had in our home for years, off that site but couldn't.  Just a highlight.  John Bushman was born June 7, 1843 in Nauvoo, Illinois.  Elder Bushman was born on June 7th also...so he shares his birthday with Grandpa John.  John Bushman's mother, Elizabeth Degen, was born 12 September 1802 in Switzerland.  My birthday is 12 September...so I share my birthday with Grandma Elizabeth Bushman....we will look forward to celebrating with them in the hereafter!  Happy Birthday!   That was my little tender mercy I learned from serving in the temple today.  Family is very important.

Our children are planning on getting together on the Gulf Shores in Alabama on July 4-11, 2015.  This will be our Bushman Reunion.  We will celebrate Christmas in July!  We look forward to being with each of you then.  Hug's now and always.
REMEMBER:

Each of you are loved, now and always!