August 15, 2021- Updates

 August 15 Newsletter

Wow, it’s been too long!  Over a month.  And although we haven’t posted to each of you, we so loved and appreciated the letters, notes and calls around our anniversary.  Our hearts are full with your updates and love—we realize that we all live lives that are up and down, but collectively, we see good things, blessings, the Hand of The Lord, and yes, even miracles happening in your families.  For what you shared, for the safety you are enjoying, for the love you are sharing, for the happiness that you are bringing to others, we are so very grateful. They continue to convince us that the Lord is watching over our flock, even as we focus on serving others so very far from home. 

Rather than launch into the many and varied travels and trips we’ve been about this last month, let’s begin with the current challenge that President and Sister Beck have extended to all missionaries within the New Hampshire Manchester Mission.  Each missionary was given a fresh Book of Mormon (and let me tell you, I helped move all those multiple times, and I’m so glad they are not made of gold!) and the book marker we’ve included in the pix. As we are reading the Book, we are to march each reference as follows: Red—Jesus Christ, His names, or references to Him; Yellow—Christs words—Spoken by Him or His Prophets; Green—Attributes of Christ; and Blue—Doctrine and Principles.  The challenge is to complete this review in two transfers—12 weeks. Whew!  We have our work cut out for us, but what we will gain will be of such worth.  We’ll report on our progress!

In the past month we’ve been through another round of transfers (many in, not so many out), and another trip to Concord, MA and the Minuteman Memorial.  The first time we went, the departing missionaries wanted to visit Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and the famous author's graves, plus Louisa May Alcott’s home.  This group chose to walk the streets of Concord—some street contacting, sharing Books of Mormon and pamphlets one last time, or shopping. Quite the change. But the Golden Truths they shared at dinner were still so very sweet.  This group we had more contact with, so the messages were more personal.  Each time it is a treasure. 

For Mom and me, our weekends have been back to New Castle Island with our fellow Sr. Missionaries, the Blackhams—sit by the sea and nap and read.  Just about perfect. Then to the local Currier Art Museum—very nice, with some eclectic, some traditional and some bizarre.  I got Mom tickets to tour two local homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright—we’ll go when its not so muggy. 

Our big trip was to Acadia National Park—about 4 hours north.  Friday I-95 traffic didn’t help, even though we left early.  Mom booked us at a sweet B&B in Belfast—The Jeweled Turret.  All rooms named after jewels—we were in Opal.  Lots of antiques, a nice sitting porch, and terrific breakfasts.  Two other couples for each breakfast—from Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and XXXXX. Who was from where, where had they travelled, where were they headed each day. Standard chit chat. 

We then drove to a very busy ANP—now I can say we’ve been from Acadia to Zion! A quick stop at the visitor’s center for the obligatory trinkets and stickers, then we headed out on the Loop.  First stop was Sand Beach—crowded parking, so Mom hopped out to walk down and take a picture, then I got my turn. But as she drove off, a parking spot opened, and I stood in it until she came around. No one yelled at me for saving it, thank goodness. But that allowed us to spend about an hour walking the beach, sunning in the sand, and taking in the beautiful rocks, shore and trees.  We had a reservation to drive up Cadillac Mountain, the tallest in the park, so we headed that way. Beautiful view, but a bit hazy. The Maine coastline is dotted with islands and little towns, and the view up top was worth it. Wrapped up the loop tour and headed to Bar Harbor for ‘linner’. More lobster rolls, but we’ve become more discriminating and know exactly how we like them now.  Then a walk through town, dozens of shops (think Jackson or Park City or you name the tourista town). Crowded, but a nice stroll. Then back to Belfast and the B&B.

On our way to ANP it was quite foggy, so we missed seeing a beautiful bridge across the Penobscot River on Highway 1. On the way home, we got it all, and it is magnificent. Pulled over to get a nice view, then down the road ½ mile to Fort Knox.  Built pre-Civil War, the Fort was designed to prevent the British from ever recapturing that part of Maine as they had in the Revolutionary and 1812 wars.  Massive guns, extensive defenses.  Only shots fired were in celebration.  By the time it was finished it was obsolete. I took a quick tour on Saturday, then decided to go back on Sunday after church.  Amazing the money spent on perceptions and projections. A lasting legacy that will make all scratch their heads. 

We did attend Sacrament meeting in the Belfast Branch—a pair of elders and a new Senior Missionary couple.  Some odd quirks, but a sweet spirit. Good to see some of our team outside Transfers and Zone Conference.  Then it was a long trip home. 

That’s enough for me.  If I’ve left out any holes, I’ll let Mom fill them in.  We are working hard, are inspired to see how hard our Sisters and Elders are working, and amazed at their commitment. As I always say, it is the right place for us to be. 

Love, 

Dad  

Hey Everyone,

It has been awhile!   Dad has updated you on our travels.  I hate for this to be a travel log - but I guess that helps you know what keeps us busy on the weekends.  

One thing he didn't tell you about the beautiful bridge on the Penobscot River is that we rode to the top of one of the pillars.  Arrived at top on a very narrow landing with glass top to bottom.  I told dad I would rather have been at the top of the Empire State Building!  Taller but also wider!!!!

Yesterday we went south for a change instead of north - to Cape Ann Massachusetts.  We went to Gloucester -- pronounced here Glousta.   America's oldest seaport.  Plenty to see and do.  We did not do it all - so that means we can go back!  The lighthouse picture was taken here.  As well as the picture of the Fisherman Memorial  - I read somewhere that 10,000 fisherman from that area have been lost at see.  I don't know how many of you have seen the movie The Perfect Storm - it was set in Gloucester.  

We are getting used to the rhythm of the mission and it has a pretty quick tempo.  We will be finishing up zone conferences this week and then a slight breath before it's time for new missionaries and transfers.   Again more in than out but we are seeing areas open up for missionaries that were temporarily placed here while waiting for conditions to change and allow entrance to the countries where they were originally assigned. 

I always think that when I write I will share info about the area and not just the places we go, but I don't write it down and then I don't remember what I was thinking of sharing.    One thing I notice about Manchester is that it seems there are more apartments than single family homes.  Not sure why that is- a cost issue or space issue - ????    Whenever I think about it, I'm grateful for the home and space that we have in Utah.  And the views!!   Lots of trees make it very green here, but also hard to see beyond the trees to whatever is on the other side.  

The sunrise picture was taken on the way to a zone conference in Maine.  Although we were in NH when I took that picture.  No filter....

A few weeks ago, I was wishing for some good - read not grocery store- chocolate.  Haven't seen or heard of any chocolate places here.  I was about to order a box of chocolate from See's when I thought of Rocky Mountain Chocolate and Vicky -my niece- who works at their headquarters in CO. I texted her and asked what it would take to get a box of good chocolate sent to NH and voila! next thing I know we have a 30 pound (easily) box filled with various chocolates on a truck and headed our way! There is 1 store here in NH and so our chocolate was shipped with whatever went to the store.  The plan was to meet the driver here in Manchester but as luck would have it we were on our way to zone conference in Vermont when he drove through. So we ended up taking a little 45minute drive to the store to pick up our "order". We have enough chocolate for a good long time and plenty to share.

It was so much fun to get notes from you!  You make my heart happy   Any and all communication from you makes you feel closer and I don't feel so far away, so please don't wait for a special occasion or special invitation to send a note or text or even a phone call and let us know how things are with you.  I know you have a lot of goings on in your lives - we love hearing about them.  Good and sometimes not so good.  

This is turning into a novel and you will soon stop reading, so I will close for this time.  

Love you all, 

Stay safe, Stay strong and Stay in touch

Mom

PS - there are a lot of pictures.  Hopefully they all come in one email.