Sunday, January 29, 2012
Whitmer Farm & Fayette New York
Yesterday we had the opportunity of returning to Fayette, NY to take a formal tour of the Whitmer cabin, the visitors center, and the Chapel. We had been there several times, but had not had the time for a formal, uninterrupted, tour. The McVeas went with us. They are now into their last month serving here and we wanted to have a little trip together. We were blessed to have Sisters Tirrell and Fetuli conduct our tour. Sister Tirrell is a very accomplished ice skater from Idaho Falls. She will be returning home the first part of February. She is just one example of the excellent missionaries that we have here. Her companion, Sister Fetuli, is from Tonga. They sang some songs for us in Tongan.
It was wonderful to sit in the beautiful chapel again. It was built in 1980 and is a colonial design. It was built and then dedicated on April 6th, 1980 by then President Spencer W. Kimball. The Whitmer cabin was rebuilt, after much research, on the same spot where it had stood in 1830. Like the Smith log cabin in Palmyra, "It was built in the same air space as the original." These projects were completed so that the prophet could conduct the Sunday morning session of General Conference, while sitting in the very room where the restored church was first organized 150 years earlier. We remember well that event and thought how marvelous it was that, via satellite transmission, he could conduct conference from that faraway location.
The last portions (from 1st Nephi to the Words of Mormon) of the Book of Mormon were translated in the upper room of the cabin (home). It was another case of the last shall be first, since the book of Lehi, with its lost 116 pages, was not re-translated. The cabin is fairly small, but when Joseph lived there to complete the work, there were 11 people staying in the home.
It is go great to be here in the midst of these great sites. We look forward to sharing them with more family and friends this year. It is our hope that the Lord will bless each of you to better appreciate our LDS heritage.
It was wonderful to sit in the beautiful chapel again. It was built in 1980 and is a colonial design. It was built and then dedicated on April 6th, 1980 by then President Spencer W. Kimball. The Whitmer cabin was rebuilt, after much research, on the same spot where it had stood in 1830. Like the Smith log cabin in Palmyra, "It was built in the same air space as the original." These projects were completed so that the prophet could conduct the Sunday morning session of General Conference, while sitting in the very room where the restored church was first organized 150 years earlier. We remember well that event and thought how marvelous it was that, via satellite transmission, he could conduct conference from that faraway location.
The last portions (from 1st Nephi to the Words of Mormon) of the Book of Mormon were translated in the upper room of the cabin (home). It was another case of the last shall be first, since the book of Lehi, with its lost 116 pages, was not re-translated. The cabin is fairly small, but when Joseph lived there to complete the work, there were 11 people staying in the home.
It is go great to be here in the midst of these great sites. We look forward to sharing them with more family and friends this year. It is our hope that the Lord will bless each of you to better appreciate our LDS heritage.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A Quick Review of our Days of Service
We are six months into this mission already. It is so amazing how fast time passes when you are busy. As mentioned before, we serve in the mission office from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Sometimes the days are a little longer. Elder Servoss pays the bills for the mission and tries to keep everyone happy. Generally as long as he makes all of the rent payments before the first of the month, things go smoothly. He often does the paperwork to open new apartments. Sometimes he deals with billing errors and other financial matters. SAt times there are special projects with the cell phones. Usually the only requirement is the monthly review of the cell phone report.
Sister Servoss is constantly working on letters. She does sets of letters for each arriving and departing missionary. The parents are informed, the Stake President, the Bishop and sometimes others. She is very thankful for the computer and the things she is able to do with it. Once a month she also does the newsletter, complete with color pictures and graphics. She works on travel arrangements for the departing missionaries. She must coordinate the departure date and the city that they will return to. She then sends the information to Salt Lake and they do the flight reservations and scheduling. Every six weeks we have new missionaries arrive. She is involved in planning, preparing and serving meals to those arriving. Then the next day she does all of that for the departing missionaries. On the arrival night, each of the office staff makes a short presentation at the new missionary orientation meeting. It is so great to be able to get to know most of the missionaries and see some of the perspective of the mission president. Sister Servoss is usually the first one to be notified of the callings of new missionaries. We have a great life here and are happy to serve and help to lighten the load of the mission president and his wife.
On the weekends we are busy with the local Ward. Last Sunday we taught the Sunday School class. Sister Servoss used a great object lesson to illustrate our agency and ability to make choices. She displayed a brownie mix box, an egg, oil, and measuring spoons. She told the class what the instructions called for, but illustrated how she could change the mix of ingredients if she wanted. By making changes the end product would be different. Our choices in life are much the same. We can follow the "directions" and get a good end result, or not follow the directions and end up with something less than desired. In the mission field strict obedience is required and it brings great blessings. The positive attitude reaches new heights when everyone is obedient. One of the rules is for the young missionaries to arise at 6:30am to start their day. One of the Elders, who is an Idaho farm boy, said he is happy that he gets to sleep in until 6:30.
Sister Servoss is constantly working on letters. She does sets of letters for each arriving and departing missionary. The parents are informed, the Stake President, the Bishop and sometimes others. She is very thankful for the computer and the things she is able to do with it. Once a month she also does the newsletter, complete with color pictures and graphics. She works on travel arrangements for the departing missionaries. She must coordinate the departure date and the city that they will return to. She then sends the information to Salt Lake and they do the flight reservations and scheduling. Every six weeks we have new missionaries arrive. She is involved in planning, preparing and serving meals to those arriving. Then the next day she does all of that for the departing missionaries. On the arrival night, each of the office staff makes a short presentation at the new missionary orientation meeting. It is so great to be able to get to know most of the missionaries and see some of the perspective of the mission president. Sister Servoss is usually the first one to be notified of the callings of new missionaries. We have a great life here and are happy to serve and help to lighten the load of the mission president and his wife.
On the weekends we are busy with the local Ward. Last Sunday we taught the Sunday School class. Sister Servoss used a great object lesson to illustrate our agency and ability to make choices. She displayed a brownie mix box, an egg, oil, and measuring spoons. She told the class what the instructions called for, but illustrated how she could change the mix of ingredients if she wanted. By making changes the end product would be different. Our choices in life are much the same. We can follow the "directions" and get a good end result, or not follow the directions and end up with something less than desired. In the mission field strict obedience is required and it brings great blessings. The positive attitude reaches new heights when everyone is obedient. One of the rules is for the young missionaries to arise at 6:30am to start their day. One of the Elders, who is an Idaho farm boy, said he is happy that he gets to sleep in until 6:30.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Our First Family Visit Here in New York & FHE
Last weekend we had the opportunity and the joy of having our daughter, Kierstin, her husband Matt Pierce, and Matt's mother, Vicki stay with us for a day. The couple flew to New York City last Sunday night. After a few days in the city, they headed west in a rental car towards Ithica, NY. They stayed a couple of nights with an uncle, then attended a cousin's wedding Thursday in Geneva, NY. Finally on Sunday afternoon they made it to our place in Mendon/Honeoye Falls, NY. We enjoyed some great conversation and viewed pictures. After a great lasagna meal, we went for a ride. We took them to see some of the surrounding area, including the very unique "Mushroom house" in Penfield (near Rochester). You can google it, or follow this link: http://jhjarchitecture.com/MushroomHouse/pictures.html. It is a very unusual home that is built on a sloping hillside and is supported by single steel supports. It really reminds one of some giant mushrooms.
We next drove around our local Ward church building and past the Mission Office. As the sun was setting we returned back to our missionary home to relax. We had a great time playing a game and chatting. It was all too soon time to retire for the evening. Monday morning we enjoyed a nice breakfast and then it was time for them to depart. They had to return first to Ithica and then on to NYC for an 8 pm flight. It was great having them visit us. We really look forward to having more family visit us later this year.
Monday night we went to the Welcome Center at the Smith Farm for a special FHE. A new couple have arrived to be the Directors of the Church Historical sites here. Elder and Sister Searle have served as the Mission President in NY NY North. It was nice to meet them. We also had a great activity playing "Jeopardy - General Conference edition". The McVeas had prepared questions that we tried to answer after selecting a category and dollar amount off the displayed chart. It was a good review of the Conference talks that we have been reading the past few months. It is so nice to be with the other senior missionaries.
We next drove around our local Ward church building and past the Mission Office. As the sun was setting we returned back to our missionary home to relax. We had a great time playing a game and chatting. It was all too soon time to retire for the evening. Monday morning we enjoyed a nice breakfast and then it was time for them to depart. They had to return first to Ithica and then on to NYC for an 8 pm flight. It was great having them visit us. We really look forward to having more family visit us later this year.
Monday night we went to the Welcome Center at the Smith Farm for a special FHE. A new couple have arrived to be the Directors of the Church Historical sites here. Elder and Sister Searle have served as the Mission President in NY NY North. It was nice to meet them. We also had a great activity playing "Jeopardy - General Conference edition". The McVeas had prepared questions that we tried to answer after selecting a category and dollar amount off the displayed chart. It was a good review of the Conference talks that we have been reading the past few months. It is so nice to be with the other senior missionaries.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
January in New York
Another month, another year and here we are in the midst of mild weather and no snow in usually snowy New York. We understand that most of the nation is experiencing the mild weather. It is an unusual year. Yesterday it was 50 degrees here. Kent went for a 5 mile bike ride through the hills and countryside. It was a wondrous warm winter day.
Most of our days in the mission office are uneventful. It is nice when we receive visits from the young missionaries. It is highly suggested that they have packages sent to the mission office, since they transfer often. So, those that serve in the surrounding areas often stop by. Once a week we visit the Hill Cumorah and take packages to the Site Meeting (which most of the young sisters attend). It was amazing to see how many packages came at Christmas time. One day we found 30 or so packages outside the locked door of the office, when we arrived.
We have also recently gotten calls from new senior couples, who will be joining us in the next three months. We enjoy telling them the great things about this mission. We know that we are fortunate to have as many senior couples as we do. If we don't count those serving at the sites, we have six couples who serve in Branches and Wards. Three of them are leaving soon and so we look forward to their replacements taking over. The mission force is continually changing, and that is usually good. All of the missions that we are aware of can use more senior couples. It is a wonderful time serving and your efforts are much appreciated.
To get a feel of what mission life is like, we invite any of you to come and visit us here. We are blessed with three extra bedrooms and would be happy to accommodate any of you. This is a new year and happens to be the 75th anniversary of the Hill Cumorah pageant. This year the dates are: July 13, 14 and 17 - 21. We plan on some of our family coming during that time. So as you plan this year, we recommend that you include Church historical sites, including Palmyra (if you can).
It is all true and you can know that too by putting forth the effort. May the Lord bless all of you and your families.
Most of our days in the mission office are uneventful. It is nice when we receive visits from the young missionaries. It is highly suggested that they have packages sent to the mission office, since they transfer often. So, those that serve in the surrounding areas often stop by. Once a week we visit the Hill Cumorah and take packages to the Site Meeting (which most of the young sisters attend). It was amazing to see how many packages came at Christmas time. One day we found 30 or so packages outside the locked door of the office, when we arrived.
We have also recently gotten calls from new senior couples, who will be joining us in the next three months. We enjoy telling them the great things about this mission. We know that we are fortunate to have as many senior couples as we do. If we don't count those serving at the sites, we have six couples who serve in Branches and Wards. Three of them are leaving soon and so we look forward to their replacements taking over. The mission force is continually changing, and that is usually good. All of the missions that we are aware of can use more senior couples. It is a wonderful time serving and your efforts are much appreciated.
To get a feel of what mission life is like, we invite any of you to come and visit us here. We are blessed with three extra bedrooms and would be happy to accommodate any of you. This is a new year and happens to be the 75th anniversary of the Hill Cumorah pageant. This year the dates are: July 13, 14 and 17 - 21. We plan on some of our family coming during that time. So as you plan this year, we recommend that you include Church historical sites, including Palmyra (if you can).
It is all true and you can know that too by putting forth the effort. May the Lord bless all of you and your families.
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