Meadow Larks and Spring (Mike)

 

I have been trying to get a good shot of a Meadow Lark, but they are quite elusive. Early in the morning following a snow storm, I could hear them singing, so I slipped out and caught this one by surprise. They sure cheer up a gloomy day.

Great P-Day and fun tour. - Lynda

The day before our P-Day I had a family from Colorado. They were a very nice family but I didn't feel that they were very interested in the Spiritual parts of the tours but loved the historical parts and the Fort. The one young man did seem to linger longer in some rooms and paid close attention in the light room and the Prophets room. When we came to the Book Of Mormon display I asked if any of them wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon and the mom and dad said "That's Ok" but no thanks. Then the tall young man said Yes! I want a copy of this one. In Swedish. He pointed to a Swedish Book of Mormon in the display. He said I am a foreign exchange student with this family and I want a copy of that book. I had him fill out a white card and we will now send the missionaries to that family. The mom said it was all her fault, pointing to her daughter that loves history and historical places. I told her that they will be blessed for stopping here. You never know how the Lord will get his message to people from other countries. It was fun to be an instrument in His hands today.
On our P-Day I got lots of projects finished. It feels soo good to finish them. I hope all of you have a great day. I'm looking forward to having my grandchildren from Groveland and Bakersfield here in a week or so. I can't wait to kiss and hug them and meet my newest grandson Wil Mathew Langstaff. I love all my chidlren and grandchildren. They are the BEST!!!

Snow Day (Mike)

 

 

 

 

It was our Preperation Day, so I walked around and took a few pictures. This place is beautiful even on a snowy spring day. We are getting busy, and need our spring missionaries as soon as possible. Some of them are in the MTC now. I made a couple of Blue Bird nesting boxes yesterday and attached them to a couple of trees. I hope the Historical Society doesn't object. I made them out of some old barn wood I found in the hills. They should fit right in. There are Meadow Larks everywhere, and they sing all day and into the evening. I will miss that music when we have to leave this fall. There are hundreds of Elk and deer close around, and we see them every once in a while. It's time to go out collecting antlers. I would like to try turning them on my lathe. Last time we went out looking, we found over a hundred, but they were still attached to the animals.

A tender Mercy - Lynda

Today was another great day at Cove Fort. We got 8 referrals (2 white 6 yes) and 7 buff cards. One of the yes referrals came from Brazil. A family from Lehi stopped to see the Fort. The mother, a member, came from San Palo, Brazil. Elder Hall and I were visiting and he mentioned that she spoke Portugeese. I told him I had 2 cards from Brazil since August that needed to be called on. He went out and asked this Mom if she would be willing to call on those cards and she graciously accepted. The Portugeese language is so beautiful. She called on those cards for me. I look at those cards everyday and hope and pray that someone can come to the Fort to help. Well she did call and got to talk to one of the people on the cards. They accepted the message and now Missionaries are going to that family. This card has been in our office since August. The Lord sent her yesterday and now that family will be blessed today!

Wow! what a Fun Week! - Lynda

The week began and I haven't had many cards. So I recommitted myself to try harder to share the Gospel. Last Friday we were ready to close and two cars parked next to the closed gate and fence. I thought maybe they needed a bathroom stop. But I was wrong. It was a mom and her son and another gentleman. They were on their way to St. George and were hoping for a tour. So I invited them in. We completed a flashlight tour and had a wonderful time. Daniel, the son was very attentative. I could tell that the man and woman were dating. The man encouraged them to watch the film so into the Cabin we went. He left and transfered some of their things into his car. When the film was over as we were walking up to the MOR and restrooms the woman opened up. She hadn't known this man only a few weeks. She was taking her son (leaving 5 daughters at home) to get to know him and his son. She was very nervous. She told me "I'm so glad that we stopped here, I needed to see how Ira Hinckley had enough faith to change his direction in life. He had the courage to leave is family and come here and start over and build this beautiful Fort. I know now that I too can change directions in my life and have the courage to move forward." We never know what the travelers who come need. But the Lord helps them and we get to sometimes be that guide or listening ear for just a moment.

The next couple of days I was able to take several tours. Each one was very special. I got two white card(self referrals)- One was a family from Kansas. They were on their way to California to meet family. They had never even heard of Mormons, LDS.I told them I was Sister Cummings and she asked how long I had been a nun! When I mentioned Brigham Young, the father said, isn't that a basketball team? BYU was playing in the WAC tournament and he had watched them play. They were so fun. They had two boys ages 5 and 6. The six year old Blake was like a sponge. He wanted to know everyting. When we got to the Light room he even found the scriptures. He wanted a Book of Mormon. Then in the Prophets room he was so excited about the Temple. When we got to the bookcase I asked if they still wanted a Book of Mormon and they did. Then I aske the boys to choose a DVD. They chose The Lamb of God and Blake wanted Together Forever. I told them I wanted them to be a Forever Family. Blake said,"I want to be a Forever Family too!"
The last white card came from the Parking lot. I met a gentleman coming from Colorado heading home to California. He asked about the Fort and then suddenly looked at my name tag. He said he loved our Choir. He wanted to know if I had any CD's featuring the Mormon Choir. I told him I didn't have any to purchase but that I did have some DVD's that had them featured in them. I told him I would give them to him. He asked the price and I told him FREE. He said this is my best lucky day. So he filled out a White card right then. I had to turn the tour over to Sister Johnson who did a wonderful tour. We got some new part-time Missionaries this week. So I had to do some training. They are going to be great. Every tour I took this week resulted in either a Buff or a White Card. It was a great week!. People who come to the Fort are really touched by the Spirit. We all celebrated with Elder Nelson, he finally got his first White card. The lady was soooo touched she was crying. He was very excited.

Meadow Larks and Spring

 

A couple of great days (Mike)

The last couple of days have been really neat. I had three families who wanted to have the missionaries come to their homes. I had two couples from Louisiana on different days, and one from Fresno California.
A couple of days ago as I was opening up extra early at 8:00 A.m., I saw a car coming in. They went to the gate, which was still closed, and turned around and began to leave. I flagged them down and told them I was just opening and would take them on a tour. They were a neat family from Fresno. They claimed to not be religious, but as we took the tour, they soaked everything in, and felt the spirit. As we ended the tour they wanted a book of Mormon and several videos. They were especially interested in the Book of Mormon once I was able to explain it to them. They will be having the missionaries come to their home now.
The first couple from Louisiana was really interested in the fort and the Book of Mormon. They were a neat family also, and knew some members of the church. The missionaries will be going to visit them.
Today, I took a couple on a tour that had recently moved to SLC to work at the Huntsman’s Cancer Center. They had been sent to Cove Fort by her boss at the hospital, who is a Bishop. As we started the tour, she turned to her husband and said, “There is a real good feeling here, can you feel it.” I told her that it was quite a common experience with visitors to feel the spirit here. She said she had met Pres. Hinckley at the hospital, so I asked her what her impression was of Pres. Hinckley. She said that he was an amazing man, that people were attracted to him, and that he had an aura about him that she couldn't explain, he was very special man, and She was honored to have met him. I then explained to her that she had met a prophet of God.
They already had copies of the Book of Mormon and I asked if they had met with the missionaries yet. She said that the Bishop had been teaching them about the Church, and had sent them to Cove Fort. They filled out a referral and requested a couple of videos. They will have the missionaries coming now. I have had several instances where Bishops have sent members to the fort so they could reconnect with the spirit, and get that good feeling back after struggling with some problem. Nonmembers are sent here daily so they can learn, and have a spiritual experience. As Sister Hinckley said in the video we show to everyone, “Cove Fort was not just our home, but it was more of a sacred place." And it still is a sacred place.