Red Letter Day at the Fort (Mike)

Today was a great day for missionary work. I had a couple from Kentucky that stopped at the fort early this morning. They were a mother and son who had just been to California. He was probably in his forties and she in her seventies. They were country people at heart and really appreciated the artifacts in each of the rooms. They loved everything about the fort including what I told them about the church. They had some family who were members and a new LDS church had been built just down the street from the Mother. The spirit was strong and they wanted to know more about the church and have the missionaries come to their homes plus The Book of Mormon and Together Forever videos. As they left, they told me that the tour of the fort was better than anything they experienced in California.

My next tour was a father and son from Medicine Lodge Montana. They were headed for Flagstaff AZ. They were checking out a job contract there and decided to stop at the fort. They also had some members of the church in their family, but didn’t know much about it. The son played college football in Montana and was quite big guy, but soft spoken and humble. As we went on the tour, they were also touched by the spirit and they told me that the son had just been in a bad accident and come out without injury. They gave credit to God for that. As I told them all about the church, the restoration, temples, families, etc. The father said, “You know, The Lord sent us here” I have heard that so many times. It is neat when people recognize that prompting and where it comes from. I bore testimony of the truth of what they were feeling, and they both filled out a card for the missionaries to come and teach them. Both requested the Book of Mormon and Videos. It’s possible for me to put a trace on these referrals and find out what happens. I’m going to do it in both of these cases. It would be neat to know.

Apple Cider / Surprise Special Guest - Lynda

This is President Leonard and his wife, and Elder Richards of the 2nd Quorum of 70 and his wife. They surprised us and caught us making Apple Juice with the Cove Fort Cider Press.

Making Apple Juice / Special Visitors - Lynda

Today after our shift the morning crew decided to pick the apples before they froze and make Apple Juice. The Elders started the picking of the apples and picked about 10, five gallon buckets of apples. We were going strong so we decided to pick the rest of the apples. Elder Mike shook the trees and the Sisters gathered the apples as they fell on the ground. We picked about 15 more buckets full. So we had plenty of apples. We were in the middle of the final round of pressing the apples when a car pulled up. It was our Mission President, President Leonard his wife and Elder Richards from the 2nd Quorum of 70 and his wife. They were coming from a Zone Conference and decided to stop at Cove Fort. They enjoyed a taste of our apple juice and took some apples and juice home. I was given the task of taking their pictures in front of the Cabin. Well we needed a picture of our Mission President so I excused Elder Richards and told him I didn't need a pic of him alone. Then I realized I had just told a G.A. to take a hike. So I appologized and offered to take their picture also. He just laughed and said they really didn't need their picture taken again anyway. Boy did I feel stupid. It was such a fun day. Check out the pics.

Fence Runner

The other day I had the opportunity to take a fence runner through the Fort. Those that park outside of the parking lot and come by the fence toward the Fort are Fence runners.  Well this fence runner was a truck driver from Florida.  He likes to stop at historic spots as he travels.  He had a thick Polish accent and has been in the country since 1996.  He is a brilliant man. He has two degrees in Mechanical engineering. One in Poland and one here in the States.  He lived in Chicago for quite awhile and that is where he went to college.  Anyway he had had an experience with some company  that was less than honest and so he said he couldn't work for a company that was that way so he quit. Then he moved to Florida and ended up as a truck driver doing long hauls because of the economy and no one hiring in his field. 
He let me know up front that he was Catholic. I told him I like people of all faiths.  He is doing a picture journal and writing a book about all the chapters in his life that have meaning.  He chose to stop that day at Cove Fort. So he took tons of pictures. As we moved from room to room the Spirit got stronger and stronger.  As we got to the Lady Travelers room or "light room" we talked about the Book of Mormon. I asked if I could give him a book and he said sure.  Then as we talked in the "best room" I bore my testimony of Eternal Families and temples.  He just kept asking more and more questions.  I'm not sure I know what I said but when we got to the Book of Mormon display he wanted a copy and a Restoration Video.  He said that God had brought him there today. He couldn't quit thanking me for sharing the feelings and love of the Gospel  with him.  When I gave him the toy he told me he would treasure it as much as the time another person had given him  their Rosery beads. On the white card he even called me an angel.  This was one of the neatest tours I have taken.  The gospel can bring happiness and peace to everyone. 

Tonight I called on another Buff Card that Bryson, my grandson, had given me. The dad gave permission for the  Missionaries to come to bring some videos to their family.  I love my grandkids. They are such great examples of Missionary work to their families.

Beaver Mt. P-Day (Mike)

For my birthday we spent one day fishing on Beaver Mt. and took some beautiful fall pictures after our shift.  The next morning, went to St. George to check out the power steering on the car. They have to order a new pump, so we will have to go back on Tuesday. While we were waiting in St. George we went to The Bear Paw for breakfast, what a feast! Then we did some grocery shopping at Costco and other places.

The next day I had some great tours. In both cases they were non members, and after the tour both young couples requested to have the missionaries come and bring a Book of Mormon and teach them more.

The weather turned nasty today Oct. 24. We are gearing up for snow tomorrow night. Our visitor numbers are holding at just about one hundred a day.
On my birthday, we had a dinner, for the missionaries who are leaving from the last of the summer help. It was a nice time to say good bye to them.

We had thirteen non member referrals that day. The director, Elder Baldwin asked jokingly if we would try real hard to get ten.

Today was rainy and windy but still we had 151 people stop by. I had one nonmember tour with a mom and college age daughter. The mom commented on the strong peaceful feeling she felt in the fort. She let me know that she already knew plenty about the Mormons, Probably a lot of misinformation, and would not take a Book of Mormon or a video. She did take a packet of information. We are having a great time here and enjoying every minute.

Beaver Mt. was beautiful yesterday. The fishing wasn't up to much, but the scenery and fresh mountain air made it a great afternoon.

Fall is Here (Mike)

It looks like the weather is going to keep getting cooler and rainy with a little snow in the higher mountains. This is my kind of weather. As I watch the hunters coming through, it makes me a little itchy to join them.....maybe in another year or so .........

Our Little Cove Fort House (Mike)

This is our little home for the rest of the mission. It's nice and warm and fully furnished. It's great.....we love it here. Today we had some awesome tours with people who want more out of life.....and have just found it, here at Cove Fort......they want the missionaries to come and tell them more. The last few days have been out of this world. We have less visitors now.....less than one hundred a day most days, but people who are searching and finding. We have more time to share what we have.

Great Teachers

Great teachers: Mr. Anderson, AG Nilson, and Mr. Brough

We had a great time at the class of 65 reunion. This is number 45 and don't we look good! Mr. Bough, AG Nielson, and Mr. Anderson, were there. It was good to see them again and remember old times. We graduated with 105 class members. Maybe more will show up for number 50.

Rainy Days and more success (Mike)

A couple of days ago, we awakened to a downpour of rain, I was on the early shift so I put on my hat and long raincoat and started opening the fort and buildings for tours, not expecting to see anyone that morning. As I went around turning on the caution lights, opening the gates and other buildings, a car parked along the fence and a man got out with an umbrella and walked toward me. We met and talked in the rain for a while. It turned out that he was a member who had been to the fort before, and loved the place. I asked him to wait a few minutes while I finished opening up and I would take him on a tour. Also along the fence was a small motor home with a man just coming outside with his umbrella. He explained that he was a newly retired Merchant Marine sea captain, heading for New York, and he would like a tour. We joined the other man and I started them watching the Cove Fort movie  in the theater  while I finished opening. After the movie, I took them on the tour and explained the gospel to Patric, the Sea Captain, who was Roman Catholic. As we finished the tour, Patric requested the Book of Mormon and the Missionaries to come to his home to tell him more. The spirit was strong that cold rainy morning. It rained all day and we only had about 75 visitors.

I had a second tour that day that was quite interesting. It was a member family from Sandy UT who had been at the fort earlier this summer. As we finished the tour, I gave them the usual opportunity to fill out a member referral form for a nonmember friend or relative. The mother said she wanted to fill one out. As she was writing, she said that when they were here earlier this summer, she had filled out a card for a neighbor, and that she had already been taught by the missionaries and had joined the Church. Now she was filling out a card for another neighbor. It's nice to see that our efforts here at Cove Fort are rewarded.


Today we had P day, I took my ten mile bike ride. What a beautiful morning it was! Some of the missionaries have been hearing elk bugle and I saw a big bull a couple of days ago grazing along the road as I was riding my bike. We did the laundry and just worked around the apartment still putting things away. We went to the trailer and got it ready for the winter, then traveled to Beaver for some groceries. When we returned, the Halls joined us at our apartment for dinner.

Trip Home to get ready for Winter (Burr) - Lynda

Well we just got back to Cove Fort from a fun fast trip home to get things to do us for the next year and the Winter. It was fun to see family and friends. The weather was beautiful all week. We have the best friends and family a person could ever have. On the way home we stopped at Burlington Coat Factory in Orem to get me a winter coat. I was able to find two winter coats and a light jacket. Mike also found a light weight

coat to wear bike riding.

Sunday morning we met with friends at Church. We didn't get to talk to all we wanted to but that is because they were busy in their callings. Way to go!!!
Sunday evening all the kids and grandkids came up to see us. It was so fun to have the house full again.

On Monday, after we got our Flu shots, had Mike's Dr. appointment, then got the oil changed on the car. We then took a detour up to Yellowstone. It was a beautiful afternoon. The elk were bugling and rounding up their cows. It was as much fun to watch the rangers trying to keep the elk away from the public. What a fun diversion.

On Tuesday we did the Eye Doctor thing, and helped JoAnn who was at the Hospital for a test.The rest of the day was cleaning around the house and yard. Steve had done a great job with the house and yard. But you know how there are always extras to do to get things ready for fall .We also found ourselves in Shelley doing the car registration thing.

Wednesday was shopping day and more shopping. I was able to have lunch with Linda Krupp, Julie Staley, Marcell Baker, and Michelle Hallam for Linda's Birthay. It was fun to get caught up on what is happening in the Stake and with this amazing women.
Wednesday was also the day for  more details to take care of. I spent part of the evening with Belva and getting stuff for her camping trip. She is such a great friend.

 Thursday more shopping and details to take care of. While at the post office I met up with my friend and ex -co-worker Carolyn Harding so I got caught up on my School Friends. I watched my grandson Tyler at his Karate class. He is very good. It was fun to see him perform. That night Belva had some of our friends over for dinner. It was great to see the Crockets, Escotts, Neitzels, Kitty, and Poulsens. We have such great friends and we all shared some very special spiritual experiences. I love getting with them I always leave feeling sooo good. It's wonderful to have such great friends that are spiritual giants. I'm just sorry the Andrus' couldn't be there. They were in route from their mission in Kirtland and we missed them by one day. They are such great examples to us.

Friday we spent finding a winter hat for Mike, and packing part of the car.  Jo Ann and Andrea and family came up to spend the evening. I will miss my grandkids and love each one of them sooooo much. But I know that this is where my Heavenly Father needs us to be and has blessed our family because of our service.

Saturday morning we drove back to Cove Fort, It was like coming home. As we listened to General Conference and Pres. Monson talked about how there was such a great need for Missionaries and Senior Missionaries, I knew that we are where we need to be at this time. We are loving our Mission and know that our Heavenly Father loves us is watching over us and our family. We sure appreciate our Director for letting us go home for a short time.

When we returned. Dave and Family stopped by again to stay with us again. They had a wonderful trip.

Now it's time to get back to work serving the Lord at Cove Fort.
Today when we finished our shift we made some calls on our member referral cards, one that Dillon, our grandson gave us, turned into a Yes! card. Thanks Dillon for being such a great missionary. Another one that Mike had was also a "Yes".
On Mike's tour today the people had been to Cove Fort earlier this summer. They told him that they had given us a member referral (buff card) on that trip, the person they had referred, to the Missionaries, had been baptized. Those names you give to us, that we send on to the Missionaries, are very important. If you are thinking about them when you are here then you are being prompted to give us their name because they are ready to receive the gospel.
If you come by this way. Stop in and say hello! We miss you all. Thanks for making our short trip home a fun and memorable one.

Some great friends that have stopped by! (Lynda)

We have had some great friends stop by to see us this summer. Here are just a few. I wish I had had my camera to get all of them. My friend Lynette Cowley - She is just one day older than me, stopped by the other day. It was so fun. The Trosper Family came by on their return from their trip to California. It was great to see Kristen, Greg and family. Sorry I didn't get a pic of them. I hope Dave and Jenni will send me a pic of us with them. I already had my camera packed to go home when they came. We did get pics of these friends. This is Olin Barkdull, The Crockets, the Hansen's from Shelley - They brought us some Potatoes !! Yum! and a newly found cousin from Canada. He is related to Sister Johnson and me on the Esplin side, thru the Orville Southerland Cox family. My extended family thinks I am on this mission to get info from all the relatives that stop. It's been amazing how much I have really gotten. This kind of geneology and family history is fun to do. I don't know why part of this is underlined. Oh well I'm still learning about posting.

Testimony Trip / Baptism Trip - Lynda

I've been meaning to share an experience with you. A few weeks ago (Labor Day Weekend) a family stopped and wanted a tour. The girls wanted to change clothes before the tour.  They came out wearing Pioneer clothes.  This was a Baptism Trip for their eight year old before her baptism.  They were from Grand Junction, Colorado. This family takes a testimony trip each year to a Church History site with their family. When one of their children turn eight they take that child and the sibbling just older on a Baptism trip.  This eight year old chose Cove Fort and the sites around St. George.  It was so fun to take her and the family, she had many questions because the family hadn't ever been to Cove Fort.  We had a great time both in the Fort and in the outbuildings.  She got to experience a fun pioneer day.  Their family has been to Nauvoo, Palmara, Kirtland and now Cove Fort.  It was so fun for me to participate in this family event. They took many pics of us doing all the fun things. I wanted to share this idea with all of you, along with a pic of this cute family. It is fun to see families doing what they can to stay close to family and making lasting spiritual memories.