We've arrived in Portland and are immersed in the work. We've had some great experiences already. Below is Sandy's summary and some pictures. We don't know about the internet in the next little while so until we get that straightened out, we'll have to call you. Much Love to all!
Wednesday we started our trip back East. We stopped at Andrea and Mike’s house first and enjoyed playing with the girls as well as an evening at Culvers and playing Pinochle (we got slaughtered).
Thursday we went to Jackson Hole and went to some art galleries. That night we stayed in Rawlins Wyoming.
Friday we ended our driving in Lincoln Nebraska; Saturday in Indiana. The driving has been long but Sandy has been tutoring me in French part of the time which has been good. Surprisingly I am remembering a lot from my High School days 45 years ago.
Sunday we went to a Kirtland Ward for church. Afterwards we went to the Kirtland Visitors Center. We toured the Newell Whitney Store, the sawmill, and other sites. We enjoyed being shown around by the young sister missionaries. We were quite inspired by the films and the historical events that occurred there. We learned about the Whitney’s incredible sacrifices—for instance, he donated a potash making plant to the Church which could have made him a fortune and which was used to help pay for the Kirtland Temple. We also learned that the Father and Son appeared to some of the brethren in the upper floor of the Whitney Store in fulfillment of a prophecy made by Joseph Smith.
Tuesday we left for Palmyra, New York. Again we found the church history sites very uplifting and spiritual. We enjoyed the missionaries we met there and were invited to the home of the Parkerson’s, friends of the Latham’s. We ate together in a restaurant where we met several people (working there) who were Albanians. Craig went ultra-enthusiastic and talked to them in Albanian and they gave us their address and phone number. We sent a missionary referral for them.
After leaving New York, we drove to Bruce and Connie Latham’s house and enjoyed their company for a night. The next morning we met the Putnam’s, a missionary couple assigned to the area, who had already served in Portland and who tried to help us know a little more about the mission.
That day we drove to Maine and finally arrived in the city of Portland. Sunday we went to church and met many people. A party was planned for the African members and investigators. The Africans sang together beautifully in Swahili and we enjoyed listening. We started right in using our French with them. Many speak English to some extent but are more at ease in other languages.
Monday was an interesting day with the employment specialist from New York, Leanna Bingham.
Monday afternoon we had a discussion with Joren, an investigator from the Congo. She is a mother who escaped with her two children after protesting against the government and being arrested and abused by that government. She does not speak English. She has two sons, Marc and Lucas, 4 and 2. She is being taught by the missionaries and will be baptized on Nov. 7th.
The pictures are of us at the EB Grandin Print shop, Sacred Grove, Joseph Smith Farm, Leaf Colors in New England, Africans at Apt.
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