May 12, 2022- Guess It's Time

 A little late getting this out this month—Happy Mother’s Day!

We’ve had a great month of April—not because of all the fun notes, calls, texts, and such for my birthday, but because we know you are praying for us and all the missionaries that are serving across the world.  This is a great effort, and we consider ourselves blessed and lucky that we can be a part of it. 

 I’ve been contemplating the difference between the faith of my youth, and what I have come to know now.  It was as if I was in a great and spacious art museum, with many galleries and styles and periods of art.  As I began my tour, there were beautiful, satisfying, and inspiring pieces of art that captured my attention, were amazing in their intricacies and detail, and were lovely to behold.  Then I walked into a different gallery, and what I beheld there was so much more wonderful.  The artists had learned from those that had come before them, had implemented amazing techniques and color combinations, and the effect was infinitely greater than what I had known previously.  I didn’t want to leave.  I wanted to sit, take it all in, and contemplate the delightful images I hadn’t known of or imagined before.  And thus, it is with what I know now about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is wonderful, a gift I am so grateful for.  It builds on what I learned as a youth.  It is something I will never stop savoring and enjoying.  I hope that you too see this in what you have been given. 

We worked our way through our busy weeks of Follow-up and 3 Zone Conferences.  April was perhaps the last ‘routine’ month for us for a while, with conferences in VT, NH, and ME.  Over the next 3 months we’ll see some transition events as President and Sister Beck wrap up their service and we welcome in our new President and his companion. We don’t project ‘business as usual’ until August. And then we’ll be juggling, again, the four events, plus trips to Utah and Idaho.  We’ve been given the green light to travel out of the mission for Ethan and Maddy’s wedding, as well as Grandma Great’s birthday celebration, and we are thrilled that we will join you all in these celebrations. They will be the among the highlights of our year, if not our lives.  Thank you for the sacrifices you will make as you, too, make plans to participate. 

For my birthday Mom made reservations at the Omni Mount Washington Resort on the western slope of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern US.  The MWR (odd acronym we equate to another activity) is a beautiful, historic resort that was the site of a 1944 Monetary and Financial conference at Bretton Woods that brought 44 countries together to establish policies that would regulate world finances after WWII.  Bretton Woods is the area, and thus the name for the conference.  Beautiful area with a ski resort and golf course, neither of which we availed ourselves of.  We did ride the Cog Railroad to the top of Mount Washington. Built 150 years ago, the railway travels up grades from 25% to 38%--we kept slipping out of our bench on the way down. A slow, but scenic trip—still lots of snow up top that kept us from going all the way to the summit. Unique engineering that allows these trains to creep up and down the mountain.  We stopped halfway down, pulled into a siding to allow the ascending trains to pass, and enjoyed hot chocolate, roasted marshmallows and ‘Cog Cookies’.  I snagged a few that we’ll try to get to you. Overall part of a fun getaway to a beautiful part of New Hampshire.  As the weather warms, the area will fill in with tourists, so this may be the last time we’ll get up there. 

Two last thoughts—we bid farewell to our smallest group of departing missionaries this past week—3 sisters and one elder.  The gathering at the Colonial Inn in Concord, MA was very intimate, but the spirit was as strong as ever.  We were especially sad to see Elder Hillier leave—he spent much time in Manchester as a Technology Specialist, and with most of these Tech Specs, we got pretty close.  He’s headed to Rexburg, and we wanted to make sure he knew Aaron and Kirsten’s number.  He was one of our great ones, and we will miss him.

And it’s baseball season!  We went to our first game last weekend, and unfortunately it was a blow-out—8-0 when we left after the 7^th inning stretch.  We went with Cathy Jolley, who visited for a long weekend last.  But that’s Mom’s story.  Love to All, Dad. 

Hey Everyone,

One thing about taking a break between updates is that I may not remember anything worthy of sharing.  

Dad mentioned that Cathy Jolley came for another visit.  Just her this time.  It was a slow time for me in the office and I was able to spend time with her.  She loves history and we went to Concord and the Minuteman site. (Twice in the same week for me), we went to the textile mill in Lowell and to Vermont for maple syrup and cheese tutoring and tasting.  Of course there was shopping involved and a quick trip to Maine for a short beach walk along the Atlantic. We had a good time for the few days she was here and tried to stay busy with different things than her previous visit.  But as with all visits, time goes by quickly.

Earlier in April I discovered that I had another totally unwelcome visitor.   I had Easter candy sitting out on my desk and one day discovered the remains of 3 Hershey kisses that had been taken out of the bowl and carried to a secret spot behind my computer monitor and devoured!  What a hungry and now very full mouse.  Measures were taken to discourage his return and candy no longer sits out on the desk at night or on weekends.  

Our visit to Mount Washington was a nice relaxing weekend.  We even had a clear sunny day one of the days and got to see the top of the Mt Washington.(it was actually the same day we rode the cog railroad)  I guess that doesn't happen often - two thirds of the year the top is cloud covered.  Lest you think this is a very tall mountain, let me school you - the elevation is 6288 ft. The elevation of Mt Timpanogos is 11,753. It's all about perspective and of course location!

I,of course, stay busy with the business of the mission.  But there really isn't a lot of new information to share.  And if I keep waiting for something to come to mind or to happen, this letter will never get sent.  

It was wonderful to talk with you on Mother's Day- thank you for that. 

Sarah's mission call!!!!- WOW- Jakarta Indonesia-I know she will be an amazing missionary.  I just need to familiarize myself with where she will be, so it doesn't seem so foreign.

We love links to concerts and events, phone calls, text messages and all ways that we can stay part of your lives-that connection is so important. So yes! please stay in touch.  Looking forward to seeing you in August.  

Love you all,

Mom

PS- the mountain in the picture is NOT Mt Washington- it is off to the right-I took the picture for the hotel view. 

Cog Railroad

Mt Washington Hotel