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.

Reynolds from Ammon (Lynda)

On Thursday the Reynolds from Ammon came to the fort. It was great to see Kathy and Gary. They were able to catch us up on news from Ammon and our old ward. Kathy was sooooo kind, she even came over to the Twig and gave me some pointers on playing the Organ. We sure love seeing people from home.

Snow Geese (Mike)

Yesterday, we went to Delta, about seventy miles north of here, to see the snow geese and a quilt show. The ladies really enjoyed the quilt show and we found thousands of snow geese which stop at Delta on their migratory path.
The work here at the fort has been going great with quite a few tours and people wanting to learn about the church. We checked the stats and found that our winter missionaries this year are way ahead of previous missionaries as far as referrals go. So we feel that we must be doing something right.... it's nice to know. We will soon be getting our new missionaries that will be coming for the summer. We have met some of them, and I think they will do well

Listening to the Still Small Voice

Yesterday I was called over from the office to take a tour It was a couple from Wyoming. As I greeted them they said that they had been here before and just wanted to walk around. So I walked with them, as we have to have a guide when they go into the Fort. Anyway, they were talking about their Visiting Teachers, Home Teachers etc. I assumed that they were members of the Church. I kept having the thought go through my mind that I needed to pre-set them. (This means to ask them to think about a Non-member that they can share a Book of Mormon or Video at the end of the tour. Well I was on the North side of the Fort and nearing the end of the tour. In the Women travelers room we did the 4 sources of light and the wife got the scriptures right away. She said that if her husband would go to church more he would have gotten it also. In the Prophet's room I was prompted to pre-set them again. So I asked if they knew someone that was not a member that would like a Book of Mormon or video. Well the husband said they about 8 copies of it because he was a member but didn't attend only about 8-10 times a year but that the wife was a Jehovahs Witness. Boy was I taken back. She told me she is not a practicing Jehovah's witness any more and that she had been disfellowshipped from them. Because of this her family had completely dis-owned her. She couldn't talk to anyone that was a Jehovah's Witness anymore. This included all her friends and family members. I told her I wanted them to become a Forever Family and would like to give them a video to help them. She said ok I would like that. I am pretty lonely. I have no friends. I go to Wal-mart and stay 4 hours just to be able to talk to someone. She said she would like to go to Church to make some friends. Well she filled out a Referral card and can't wait for the Missionaries to come see her. I'm glad that I listened to that prompting.

Surprise Visits from Friends (Lynda)

I love being in the office and having Elder Cummings walk in with friends from Shelley, or Idaho Falls or wherever.  This past week we had two show up.  Kay and Joann Gneiting and Clair and Brenda Ormond.  It was great to see them.  It was fun to catch up on their lives and their families.  The Gneitings had been to St. George seeing Michelle who just moved there recently. 

The Ormonds were headed to Shelley to a funeral.  They were very excited and were waiting for their newest (3rd) Mission call.  They are going to  Indianopollis, Indiana on a records preservation Mission.  It is a wonderful story how they got this Mission call.  I hope I share it correctly - In September, their Stake President got up at the end of their conference and said that he would be calling 6 couples on missions.  They had an overwhelming desire to go again but they didn't have all the finances to go. Wth faith they went to the Stake President and expressed their desire to serve. The Stake President told them that their Stake would be blessed because of their service and that they would finance their mission and even help them get the necessary clothing  that they might need.  They were so excited.  Heavenly Father blesses us in so many ways.We love having people stop by the Fort.

Hopefully we will have some family coming soon.  I missed the birth of our newest grandchild. Little Wil Mathew Langstaff. Michelle tells me they are coming to see us.  I need to kiss those cute little cheeks! Our grandchildren are growing up so fast.  I have been texting with Tyler and Kylee.  I found out last week that one of the names, our Bryson gave us last fall, of his friend on a Buff Card (to have the Missionaries come to their home) is now being taught by the full time Missionaries.  Way to go Bryson!!! We love all of you.  Have a great week! Got to run now.  We are giving the Priesthood/Relief Society lesson this week at the Twig (Church), Family Home Evening /Sunday School Lesson on Valentines Day, going to Bryce Canyon and Pipe Springs next week, and having a special Valentine Dinner date night on the 11th.  A busy but fun time once again at Cove Fort!

New Clock (Lynda)

As I finished my tour with Tanner on Wednesday we were in the parents room.  I told him that the rocking chair belonged to the Hinckley family and that was the only original piece of furniture in the Fort from the Hinckley family. He said for about a half an hour.  I was sooooo excited because he brought with him the Hinckley Clock.  It belonged to Angeline Hinckley and has been passed down through that family to Pres. Hinckley and then his son Elder Hinckley.  They donated it and wanted it placed in Angeline's room at Cove Fort.  So Elder Cummings, Elder and Sister Dye, Tanner and I got to do the placement.  It is very fragile and we can't touch it or wind it.  It is beautiful and such great condition. Thank you Hinckley Family for sharing your priceless treasures with us.