Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Since our internet is so sporadic, we haven't been able to update our blog so here goes.
This picture shows just how close to Lavell Stadium that we parked our 5th wheel & truck while we stayed at the MTC.
Along the way to Sixth Crossing, we came to a monument showing the Parting of the Ways where the trails separated to go various directions:  Pony Express, Oregon, California, & Mormon Pioneers.


Here is the gate into Sixth Crossing.
The first Sunday we were at Sixth Crossing, April 13, we were greeted by a wild snow storm.  Our truck, trailer, & jeep aren't used to such cold weather.  This shows Missionary Village where we all park our trailers.

We've been kept busy moving handcarts and learning about the sites.




This metal building is our trek center where we meet every morning for correlation meeting, do our laundry, & have all get-togethers, pot-luck dinners, etc.
The John Linford Monument is a landmark at Sixth Crossing which is in memory of 9 pioneers who died at Sixth Crossing in October, 1856.

 If you look really close in the background, you can see our local moose resident.
We visited a place called The Sinks by Lander, Wyoming where the river just disappears into the ground, mountain side and about a mile downstream, it resurfaces.



Yes, we look bundled up because it's on the cold side here.
We're all ready to go on our first trek about 5 miles.  Elders Plumhof & Baker in action.  We're wearing our official trail dress.


Having lunch at Willie Meadow and telling pioneer stories.



We visited what's called The Lower Monument at the base of Rocky Ridge.

On April 25, 2014, we got to visit Martin's Cove and learn about their sites there.  Elder & Sister Baker, Elder & Sister Woodbury, & Elder & Sister Anderson.


 We saw our great-great-grandfather's name on the list of rescuers, Gurnsey Brown.
 And we also found great-great-grandma's name in the Hunt Wagon Company, Esther Brown, who was rescued by grandpa & eventually married him.
We thought this was such a unique tree trunk at Martin's Cove.
 We got to go on a 7 mile trek at Martin's Cove with about 200 trek leaders who will be bringing youth groups here in the summer.





Sisters going up the women's pull while the men stand alongside the trail in salute.  Touching!


Monuments representing the struggling pioneers along the trail at Martin's Cove.



Veil Bridge with Devil's Gate in the background.
A tired bunch of missionaries after our trek.  We've seen much & learned a lot.  Elder & Sister Baker, Elder & Sister Anderson, Elder & Sister Schaufert.  Til next time, keep up the good work.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Can you believe it?  We are really missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, called to serve in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission at the Mormon Handcart Historic Sites in Wyoming.  We are assigned to serve at Sixth Crossing for six months.
Elder & Sister Baker
We arrived at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on March 31, and began a new chapter in our lives.



 This is the Chapel just north of the MTC where the couple missionaries attended all their classes.

 Our district with morning instructor Bro Lee; Elder & Sister Bashaw; Bakers; Rollins; & Broadhead; and instructor Bro Rowe.
 Afternoon instructor - Sister Yazzie
 Friday night we made the opportunity to attend the Draper Temple.  That was something we had wanted to do for a long time.




Saturday, April 5, we visited with Mindy's family 
 Here was our view every morning as we left our room at the MTC & walked across the parking lot to our classes.
 Monday, April 7, all the couple missionaries serving at visitor centers or historic sites, went to Salt Lake for a tour of the Visitor's Center on Temple Square.


 The cute sister missionary from Switzerland telling us about the model of the temple.
 Handcart site here we come.

 What a nice picture!  Isn't he good-looking?  Surrounded by all the gorgeous flowers & the fragrance was so sweet.
 Glen & Laurel provided us with some fun entertainment  - we will wear these during class when we can't keep our eyes open.  Thanks, Glen & Laurel.
We are learning a lot and our hearts have been touched by the spirit during our training these past few days!  Love being surrounded by the other missionaries and feeling of their strength & desires to serve.