Awol in Reno

Last weekend we flew to Reno to see Nathan and Liz and family for a special event.  On April 26, 2015,  Nathan was ordained a high priest by his dad, Scott, and then set apart as the second counselor in the bishopric of his ward.   It was good to be there with their family.  Nathan and Liz are loving people and will serve the ward well.  It will be a sacrifice and difficult at times, but the Lord will help them during this opportunity to serve.  

We actually did have permission to leave our mission area.  Luckily we had a preparation day on Monday, so we only missed one day of actual missionary work.  It was fun to see everyone.  Bella got sick but was a good sport and did everything anyway.  London, Scarlett and Samantha entertained us with their energetic activities.  Nathan and Liz made yummy food and were great hosts.

                                                   Nathan and Liz with Samantha

                                                   


                    Boom and Scott (Dad) with Samantha

                                                 Scarlett with Boom and Pam (Mom)

Bella, London, and Scarlett

Samantha in bunny outfit

At the Brigham Young Winter Home there are some pomegranate trees.  I had never seen any of their blossoms before.  They are big and bright orange.  There were only a few, but I got a picture of one.

Thomas Cottam, a chair maker, carved this doll displayed in the Brigham Young Winter Home

During the first three years, the settlers of St. George almost starved to death.  Most were still sleeping on the ground or in their wagons.  (1861-1863)  It was a tough time for everyone.  "To help buoy the spirits of the struggling community, for Christmas in 1863 'Thomas Cottam made thirteen dolls of wood with hinges for joints so they could sit down and move their legs and arms.  Then he asked a lady who was quite an artist to paint hair, eyes, lips, etc. on them. . . My mother found one of the dolls by her stocking (that Christmas morning), and in her stocking were a few raisens and several pieces of molasses candy and a slice from an apple . . . How happy she was:  Then Thomas (her dad) let her and a younger brother carry a doll to each little girl in the settlement.  Both they and their mothers wept for joy.'"  quote from All that was Promised by Blaine Yorgason

This week Scott got an e-mail from a man from Paris who had come to the St. George Temple Visitors' Center a couple of weeks ago.  A missionary from St. George who was in Paris, told this man he needed to visit the temple center when he came to explore Zions, etc.  So he came, and Scott  spent an hour with him answering questions and showing him around.  He wanted the tour in English, so even though we have sister missionaries that speak French, he wanted Scott to take him around.  Scott gave him a Book of Mormon and did a good job of helping him understand key principles.  It was exciting that he e-mailed,  and Scott hopes to keep in contact with him.