Horse Shoe Point

On Memorial Day we took a hike down to the Horse Shoe Point.  This is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area the Colorado river takes a 270 Degree curve.  It is a beautiful spot.  It is a short half mile hike from the road to the point.  Mom made it.

It is interesting.  We work, sweat, shower, take nap and then go visit people.  We met two ladies today that are not members of the church but are interested in planting a garden next year.  The church provides posts, fencing, drip tubing and wind screen.  The church also provide all of the seed.  They give each participant a timer so the watering can be set to occur each day at a set time.  We helped Kassandra set up her garden. 
These are pictures of today's activities.  We helped Kassandra Yazzi set up her garden.  

Elder Gardner, Alfonzo and
Tristhane

Jimmy Holmer home

Dalgai home-1 Counselor in Branch Presidency

These people do not have many material things and are perfectly
happy.  The road to their house is similar to the road
 to Jimmy's house.

Road to Jimmy Holmer home

We went to deliver a Book of Mormon to Jimmy Holmer. He requested it from one of the people that he worked with. He is in Phoenix visiting family members.

Our home is trailer on the right

Sister Gardner in front of Hogan

Inside of Hogan

Ward Building

We are finally getting settled in.  We live in the mobile home in the back. It is big and very nice. What is not so nice is the 95 degree heat the the every present blowing wind. They have us working in the branch already. We only have a 2 hour block in our meetings. Sister Gardner teaches primary. There are about 20 kids but there only 3 sisters. Sister gardner and the Branch Presidents wife and Sister Kidman ,an anglo that comes from Page each week. Her Husband is the Branch Clerk. Our closest neighbor is about 1.5 miles down the road. That is Brother Begay the first counselor in the Branch Presidency. There is nobody to borrow a cup of sugar from. Brother and sister Kidman came down and took us around for several hours on Tuesday. We went up hills and back into canyons that you did not think cars or trucks should go. Roads is giving the cow trails the benefit of the doubt. We are going to use our GPS to get around. It is funny because on our ward list the address is" 4 miles past Mile marker 515, turn left and go 5 miles up the road",. The building was dedicated in March this year. We had a couple from Germany stop by the chapel in disbelief that there was an LDS church out in the middle of nowhere.

During the "growing months" we work with the people to set up gardens. (so much for the suit. It is levi and keds) Gardens are big here. They fence off an area that is 30 x 30 feet and install a drip system and plant gardens. We will be helping with these. The church gives each member the materials, seed, fencing, and drip system for each garden. They have to fence them because the cows, sheep, chickens, cats and dogs are ever present without and fence. Boy do we count our blessings each and every day. We have gone into houses? and Hogans that have dirt floors and clutter that you cannot believe. The wind never, never, never stops. But the people are humble and happy. One couple moved from Flaggstaff back because they loved it here. We have included a picture of one member's Hogan. He lives there. He is inactive and we will be working with him. It is cool inside both in site and temperature.He is very nice and receptive

Sister Gardner in Hogan

in front of Hogan

inside Hogan

Chapel from Highway coming

Chapel rear

Mom at Door

We are getting settled finally. We met several families with the Elders working our area. We met with the Branch President last night. He is a great person. In the meeting we had the entire Melkezedek priesthood in the group.  3 people! This is an eye opener! These people really live in houses with dirt floors. Mom insisted that we wash the car before we go to our Zone meeting tomorrow. After today it is filthy.  These are great people.  We have met a few. 
The Time Zone thing is confusing.  The Navajo Reservation is on one time, the Suni are on a different time.  Several years ago the church decided on Page Time.  We are going to Palaca and they are one daylight saving time.

We have our car packed and ready to go.  I hope the car can take the load.  Every nook and cranny is filled with "something".  We have been blessed by having the opportunity to spend Mothers Day with the children and even added # 21 grandchild to the fold. Now we will be off to Bitter Springs and our trailer!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

It is Thursday ! What a great week. We got a chance to test our skills on camera again today. Glad that is over. We also had a couple talk to us that has been on four missions. She had a stroke between #3 and #4. The still went after a short time to recover from that event. Mpm and I seem to be the youngest ones here.  There are several in their late 80's. 
Seniors who are afraid of serving a mission  should rest assured that they do not leave you without extensive training.  The spirit in the MTC is one that cannot be matched or duplicated. It is hard to explain.  There are 2,500 elders and sisters that give off so much energy that they seem to glow.
Tomorrow we get to work on presentations to inactive members.  That includes having an inactive that we can make our presentation to.  The presentation is video taped and then we get a chance to review and critiqe ourselves with our instructor.

MTC Bookstore

MTC

Day Three

Another day down. We had the opportunity to make a presentation to a "voluntary" investigator. They video tape/record the presentation and then they give you suggestion on what you did that could be improved. We have another presentation tomorrow with a different factual background. The teachers are great!
Mom has indicated that her cup runneth over! Our room is in the Jacob Hamblin Bldg. It is like a motel room. The building is new. Mom\'s only complaint is a lack of TV. However when we finish for the day a TV would be useless because she is asleep when her head hits the pillow.

Day One and Two

The Mission Home is fantastic!  We started our day with an orientation.  There are three other couples going to the Farmington, New Mexico Mission.  We have talked to each of them.  The McBrides are going to Sheep Rock Canyon (end of civilization).  Ricks are going to Sheep Springs (30 miles south of Farmington).Our destination could be more remote. 
The food at the MTC is plentiful.  Mom and I generally ask for half portions. There are some Elders that ask and get dourble portions.  They are growing in many directions.  Mostly out!  It would be fun to "people watch"  They even had a group of Elders unload our car and carry our Stuff to our room.  It took 5.  There was one other couple that requred 7 Elders so we were not the worst.Our time here will be mostly becoming familiar with "Preach my Gospel.  We will meet our "grandkid" teachers tomorrow.

Tuesday May 8, 2012
We had an intensive training day.  We spent the day learning how to use "Preach My Gospel".  It is amazing to think of the amount of learning that they attempt to cram into our brains.  They have to be reminded that we are "senior" missionaries.  I continue to be amazed at the number of missionaries.  The facilities are great.  I compare this to my mission home expeerience in 1960 and you cannot even start to believe the difference.  We used flannel boards and drew stick pictures of the Godhead.
We did a lot of role playing today.  Tomorrow we get live "investigators" to practice on. They bring volunteers in from the community and they take the role of Investagator. They film our presentation and the we can critique our methods after.  This event happens tomorrow and Friday Morning.  I think they are serious about learning our roles.
Mom feels like her brain will not hold any more doctrine nor her stomach any more food.  Even half portions exceed our past daily food intake.    More tomorrow