Today was another great day at Cove Fort. There were not very many vistors only 78, but some awesome experiences. I sat on the chair for two hours. This means that I watch for cars and assign missionaries to go meet the car and take them on tours of the Fort. I got assigned the last tour of the night. It was three gentlemen from Bakersfield California. They have been working on the geothermal drilling going on just south of the Fort. They were leaving to go back to Bakersfield tomorrow and wanted a tour before they left. It was an awesome tour. None of the men were members of the Church. One had never even heard anything about the Mormon Church or Joseph Smith. As we worked our way around the Fort we talked about families, mine and theirs. One was married and had children and a grandchild on the way. Another was single and going to college there in Bakersfield. The third man was married and had a little boy his wife is expecting twins. I bore my testimony in the "Best Room" about families and I told them that I was so grateful that I have my family forever. That I am married for eternity and not just for time. I love my family and am so glad that I know that I will be with my children and grandchildren forever. I also told them about the Book of Mormon. Well when we finished the tour I offered them all a copy of the Book of Mormon and a video. Two of them declined. But the man with the one boy and twins said "Yes" I would like to know more. So he filled out a white card and now the Missionaries will be able to share the Gospel with him and he can have the same happiness that the Gospel brings to my life.
The director challenged the Missionaries yesterday to work on their buff cards and white card referrals. They did and hit a new record. They got 30 referrals in one day. The record last year was 21. Cove Fort Missionaries rock!!!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Kimberly Ghost Town and Cedar City Fam. (Mike)
The other day, I took a young guy from Nebraska on a fort tour. He had been in California and was returning home toward evening. He liked the tour and the history, and gave me a white card so he could receive a Book of Mormon and a video of the restoration to learn more . He said he had been passing by for years, and today the thought he would stop and check it out.
All the missionaries were invited to Frank Thomas’ house in Holden for a Dutch oven dinner. He has a real nice place, and we had an enjoyable evening with great food. For our P day, we traveled to Cedar City, and last night we went to Rusty’s Restaurant up Cedar Canyon for dinner. We were joined by Lynda’s brothers and sister for a birthday dinner for Sharon and anniversary dinner for Karl and Sue.
At our family reunion in Kanosh, I was talking to my cousin Frank Paxton, and he told me about a book called “Ghosts of Gold Mountain” which gave the history of Kimberly, an old gold mining town, which operated in the late 1800’s. I went on line and found that I could get a copy at the country store in Joseph. A couple of days ago we went to Joseph and I was able to get a copy. As I have been reading it, I found out quite a bit about Great Grandpa Cummings. After the Gold Mountain mining district was formed, William Cummings was the first to file a claim, along with his three partners. The name of the mine was the Snow Girl. It also mentions that he established three more mines called the Cummings group. He sold the Snow Girl to the Kimberly mining company, and the Cummings Group to the Anny Laurie mining Company. He also had a slaughter house located below Kimberly at Cress Creek and provided all of the meat for the town of Kimberly. He also partnered with a Mr. Watcott, and opened the butcher shop on Main Street of Lower Kimberly. I’m still reading, but it seems that grandpa was quite a business man. Now that I have this Info, I’ll have to get with Ross and his Jeep and look for these sites and take some pictures.
This morning I took my ten mile bike ride and about froze my fingers even with gloves on. Fall is definitely in the air. I'll have to bundle up a little better on these cool mornings.
All the missionaries were invited to Frank Thomas’ house in Holden for a Dutch oven dinner. He has a real nice place, and we had an enjoyable evening with great food. For our P day, we traveled to Cedar City, and last night we went to Rusty’s Restaurant up Cedar Canyon for dinner. We were joined by Lynda’s brothers and sister for a birthday dinner for Sharon and anniversary dinner for Karl and Sue.
At our family reunion in Kanosh, I was talking to my cousin Frank Paxton, and he told me about a book called “Ghosts of Gold Mountain” which gave the history of Kimberly, an old gold mining town, which operated in the late 1800’s. I went on line and found that I could get a copy at the country store in Joseph. A couple of days ago we went to Joseph and I was able to get a copy. As I have been reading it, I found out quite a bit about Great Grandpa Cummings. After the Gold Mountain mining district was formed, William Cummings was the first to file a claim, along with his three partners. The name of the mine was the Snow Girl. It also mentions that he established three more mines called the Cummings group. He sold the Snow Girl to the Kimberly mining company, and the Cummings Group to the Anny Laurie mining Company. He also had a slaughter house located below Kimberly at Cress Creek and provided all of the meat for the town of Kimberly. He also partnered with a Mr. Watcott, and opened the butcher shop on Main Street of Lower Kimberly. I’m still reading, but it seems that grandpa was quite a business man. Now that I have this Info, I’ll have to get with Ross and his Jeep and look for these sites and take some pictures.
This morning I took my ten mile bike ride and about froze my fingers even with gloves on. Fall is definitely in the air. I'll have to bundle up a little better on these cool mornings.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
People with Problems
August 16th, 2010
Yesterday, I took a nine year old girl and her grandparents on a tour. As we began I told them to be thinking of a nonmember friend or relative that we might send a copy of the Book of Mormon or a video to. The little girl asked," could we even send one to my mother…she’s in prison." I said that we could and that missionaries are allowed to teach people in prison. She was really smart and asked so many good questions on the tour. As we progressed on the tour I was able to teach her object lessons on how people can change their lives and repent…..(The fort tour has several items or artifacts that lend themselves to good object lessons on the atonement) It was a memorable tour…maybe I do miss teaching kids her age.
We were able to send her request to her mother by way of the mission home in the area, complete with the message of love from the little girl to her mother.
August 22, 2010
Yesterday, I took a man in a wheel chair on a tour, who was accompanied by his son in law and two grandsons. He had been recently released as a Stake President in Mississippi. I found that they were returning from the Mountain Meadows Massacre site where his ancestors had been killed and they wanted to stop at Cove Fort for a more positive experience. We talked a little about what happened at Mountain Meadows and they left me a referral. It did turn out to be a good positive experience for them.
Yesterday, I took a nine year old girl and her grandparents on a tour. As we began I told them to be thinking of a nonmember friend or relative that we might send a copy of the Book of Mormon or a video to. The little girl asked," could we even send one to my mother…she’s in prison." I said that we could and that missionaries are allowed to teach people in prison. She was really smart and asked so many good questions on the tour. As we progressed on the tour I was able to teach her object lessons on how people can change their lives and repent…..(The fort tour has several items or artifacts that lend themselves to good object lessons on the atonement) It was a memorable tour…maybe I do miss teaching kids her age.
We were able to send her request to her mother by way of the mission home in the area, complete with the message of love from the little girl to her mother.
August 22, 2010
Yesterday, I took a man in a wheel chair on a tour, who was accompanied by his son in law and two grandsons. He had been recently released as a Stake President in Mississippi. I found that they were returning from the Mountain Meadows Massacre site where his ancestors had been killed and they wanted to stop at Cove Fort for a more positive experience. We talked a little about what happened at Mountain Meadows and they left me a referral. It did turn out to be a good positive experience for them.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Visit to Capitol Reef (Mike)
Lloyd and Kathleen Chadburn came by to see us today. It's always great to see our friends from home. We had a good rain storm today. It caused us to close the fort down early, but we needed the rain. Hopefully it put out the forest fire that has been going on all month.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Fishing / Kimberly Trip / Luau
This week has been a very busy one. Some of the days were slow so not many tours to talk about. One day I didn't even get a tour. Because of the rotation, meetings about Cove Fort, and sitting on the Chair these things happen. Lisa Huntsman Hong and family stopped to see us. It was fun to have a touch of Shelley this week.
On Saturday and today we are doing tag calling. Where we all take turns on the phones to get addresses and phone numbers for our Buff Cards. We have quite a few to call on from Cove Fort Days and want to give all the people referred, a chance to hear the messages of Love and the Gospel. It is fun and most times rewarding. We had one sister who called on a Buff card and the person was quite bitter. She had lost a son in an accident and had turned away from the Church. She was even listening to the Jehovah's Witnesses now. Well this sweet sister had also lost a son in an accident (just a week after returning from his Mission) so she could relate to the feelings of the referral. In talking to her she expressed her love and understanding. They wept together and now that referral wants to have the gospel back into her life. The Lord knows who needs to call on these referrals, and who needs to take certain people on tours. I have been matched up with people who I needed and they needed me. I love the Gospel and the Love of our Heavenly Father for each of his Children..
On Saturday and today we are doing tag calling. Where we all take turns on the phones to get addresses and phone numbers for our Buff Cards. We have quite a few to call on from Cove Fort Days and want to give all the people referred, a chance to hear the messages of Love and the Gospel. It is fun and most times rewarding. We had one sister who called on a Buff card and the person was quite bitter. She had lost a son in an accident and had turned away from the Church. She was even listening to the Jehovah's Witnesses now. Well this sweet sister had also lost a son in an accident (just a week after returning from his Mission) so she could relate to the feelings of the referral. In talking to her she expressed her love and understanding. They wept together and now that referral wants to have the gospel back into her life. The Lord knows who needs to call on these referrals, and who needs to take certain people on tours. I have been matched up with people who I needed and they needed me. I love the Gospel and the Love of our Heavenly Father for each of his Children..
This week was also a eventful week of fun, fun, fun. On our Preparation Day we went fishing. I had trouble with my reel more times that I want to even count. But we still managed to catch 6 fish. Aftrer fishing we went to dinner with the Lewis's and Warburtons as they also showed up at the favorite fishing spot. We brought 3 home and gave them to our neighbor. The Little Kent Lake, up Beaver canyon, is beautiful.
On Wednesday there were a group of us, about 20, that went up over Beaver Mountain to Kimberly, an old mining town where Mike's great grandfather had a gold mine. We looked for Mountain Goats but didn't see any. We did see some beautiful deer and gorgeous sceanery. It was such fun to be with the Missionaries. There is a fire in our area. We could see the smoke pretty good from the Fort. Even better from the Mountain top.
Then on Friday was our Luau. We have date nights twice a month and so this was a farewell dinner for the Lewis', we will really miss them.I don't think I have laughed so hard as when we watched the FM missionaries do the 'Hacuka'(sp ?) in their garbage sack attire. It was quite the scene when Sis Baldwin tried to teach some of them a Hawaiian dance also. She is very good and has even given Hula lessons professionally. It was great food, and a tearful send off as we all gave a lei to the Lewis'.
The Bartons surprised us all with a homemade table and salt and pepper shakers. They are beautiful and today we are taking them to the MOR to have everyone sign them. We are making such lasting friendships it will be hard to see them leave and go home.
Yesterday was the sibling reunion for the Cummings boys. It was wonderful. Thanks Star and Marve for making it so special and comfortable. It was nice to get together and see Ross and Terri and family, Dennis and Marian and family made such an effort to come from Idaho, and several of Marve and Stars's kids were there. What a great afternoon of reminising it was. I was a little sad to have missed my Chamberlain / Esplin family reunion but hopefully Karl will fill me in. We hope all of our friends and family are having a wonderful day. We miss and love you very much. (got to go to work will put other pics soon.)
Cummings Family Reunion (Mike)
We had a Cummings Family reunion, for my brothers and wives, and any of our kids and grandkids who could make it. It's always good to get the four brothers together and talk about old times, but we need to get more of the kids and grand kids there. It's a long way to travel, but it's important for kids to get to know their cousins. We are planning the next get together here at Cove Fort, during Cove Fort Days which is the first weekend of August. So start making plans, it will be a great time for everyone and we will be in an apartment then so there will be more room for everyone to visit.
We had a good time visiting and eating. Our cousin Frank Paxton stopped by to see us. It was good to see him again. Thanks to Marv and Star for putting it together.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Cove Fort Days
Cove Fort Days is over. What a great time we had, but we are tired today. We had over 4,600 visitors those two days. People had a great time. The entertainment was awesome, even better than I could have ever expected. I contacted them having never seen or heard them before. We had Frank Thomas here, the artist that is becoming famous for his church history related art. We even had CNN stop in to see what was going on...you might check their website; I haven't yet. We had several teams and wagons giving rides, Twelve different entertainers and groups on stage, an authentic pioneer village, and many people selling and demonstrating everything from making arrowheads and blacksmithing to pottery and art. Everyone had
a super time while missionaries in the fort were busy giving tours and teaching people about the church.
(Mike)
My brother Karl and his wife Sue and family were having their family renion this weekend. They came to Cove Fort Days. It was fun to have all my neices and nephews and familys there to share this with us. Mike's brother Ross and wife Terri and grandchildren came on Friday. I was busy in the garage most of the time feeding all the presenters and missonaries. We fed about 160 - 180 each day. I did have a chance to get out and take a ride in the Stage Coach and every once in awhile to see what was happening at the Fort. It was amazing to watch the Potter make small vases and tell a gospel story as he did so. The same was true of the blacksmith as he forged the iron into wonderous shapes. It really brought the pioneer feeling alive in this little oasis in the desert. It is amazing the talent that these artisins shared with all who came. The hair weaving and bobin lace was amazing. I loved watching all the Missionaries as they greeted and shared the message of Cove Fort with each person they came in contact with. We ordered 4,700 hot dogs and used 4,550 of them. As Sister Lewis (the person in charge) said.." If I don't see another hot dog in my lifetime it will be okay with me." The Lewis' leave this week. It will be hard to see them go. They have been wonderful missonaries.
My last two tours before Cove Fort Days were awesome. The Grandmother in the family stopped me as we got to the Kitchen and said. " I love coming to the Fort. There is such a special spiritual feeling here. The next family I took through were so excited about what they saw they wanted to share it with their friends and they gave me 3 buff cards with names of non-members. The one girl even called her friend and told her she was sending her a video and the missionaries and she wanted to make sure it was okay. She came bouncing back and said "She said "Yes" ! I love the Gospel it brings such happiness into peoples lives. Cove Fort is an awesome place to serve the Lord. It's always a "GREAT DAY" to be at the Fort! (Lynda)
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