Blue Bird Box (Mike)

Blue Birds are nesting in the Nesting Boxes I built. They chased off the starlings that tried to move in. Spring is here for sure.
The new missionaries that are arriving are very effective and motivated. We need more to lighten the load.

 

Amazing answer to a prayer. - Lynda

The past few days have been really busy at Cove Fort. We are getting new Missionaries each week and have been putting them to work immediately. They are really on fire and are doing great work. We have averaged 16 or 17 cards which have had at least 5-8 referrals the past three days. The other cards, we hope, will also turn into referrals soon.
Today I had a couple of tours that were great. I need to start by telling you that I have had a card from Elder Dodge sitting in the office since August. This card, a member referral, needed to be called on by someone who spoke Portuguese.The non-member lives in Brazil. Well we do not have anyone that speaks Portuguese here at the Fort, and have not been able to find anyone to call on this card. We did have a member that called on one other Portuguese card and got a "yes" a few weeks ago, also an answer to a prayer. Anyway. Today I looked at that card and said a silent prayer that we could find someone to call on that card. Today a family came who's son is going to Brazil on his mission next week. After they saw the Film I asked if the son had learned or knew Portuguese. He said he did not. But the mom spoke up and said that his Dad had spent 2 years in Brazil and that he spoke fluent Portuguese. I told him he was an answer to my prayer that day and asked if he would call on that card. He agreeded and after the tour we went to the office to make the call. We found that the name on the card had moved from that home and that someone there knew her but did not know her new phone number. I figured that we had done our best and would have to let that card just go. Then the young man (soon to be missionary) said "Can I take that card with me to San Paulo to the Missionary Training Center next week. I want to get one of the Missionaries going to that area to find that name on the card. I made him a copy and told him to let me know what happened. The Lord will find a way to help some Missionary to bring the gospel to the name on the card I just know it.

The other tour I took today was a family from Colorado. They had never heard about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young or anything about the Church. We had a great tour and could feel the spirit. When we were in the "Best" Room I bore my testimony of Baptism's for the Dead and about the sealing powers of the Temple that families can be sealed together forever. The mom said "that is such an interesting concept, I've never heard about that before." I offered them a Book of Mormon and other videos. They wanted the Book of Mormon in English, Spanish, and Navajo. They also wanted to know more about Joseph Smith and asked for "The Restoration" DVD. I can't wait to see how this family reacts to the Missionaries. I know that they will be blessed and find happiness through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We just had our newest grandson Wil come with his sisters Ava and Ella. Shane and Michelle came along for the ride. We had such fun with them and the Sponenburgh clan last weekend in St. George. It was such a special time to get to hug and kiss and bond with our new little Wil and see how Ella and Ava have grown. We loved every minute of our time with our grandchildren and kids that came to be with us for a little while. I guess that had a great time in Idaho with all six of our kids, their spouses or friends, and all 12 grandchildren decending on our home. We are so blessed to have 6 wonderful children that are close and so good to each other. We love them and their amazing spouses. Thanks for being such great examples to our grandchildren and to each other. We love you very much!:)

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.