We are having wonderful experience....

April 10, 2010

We are having wonderful experiences here at Adam-ondi-Ahman. This past week I continued to cut down trees with a chain saw and run the branches through a large chipper. It reminds me of working on the farm when I was a boy. So far my back is holding up and we both sleep well at night. The main purpose for clearing the trees is so visitors will be able to clearly see the big valley and other sites without obstruction. Hopefully, this will enrich their feelings as they visit this place and all our hard work will be well worth it. Burke Peterson's daughter and her family visited us this past week and she shared some of her memories of her father's work and love for this place.

We drove around the property with our mentors the Van Horns and saw many of the interesting sites. One such place is called preachers rock and next week I will revisit it and take a photo that I can send to you. Reportedly, Joseph Smith preached from this location to the assembled saints. We drove off property and toured the surrounding country side and towns. Returning to this place both your mother and I felt a noticeable change in feeling as we entered the property. This is true each time we return from either shopping, church or just touring. This truly is a special place and even nonmember suppliers feel the difference and ask our director to tell them more.

We drove to the Amish/Mennonite community of Jamesport Saturday and ate dinner in one of their restaurants. The food reminded us both of what our mothers cooked for us as children. They ride around in horse drawn buggies and wear traditional pilgrim looking clothing and are very friendly waving at all out of state vehicles. At one of their farm stores we purchased some tomato and other plants as well as peas, corn and bean seeds to plant in our assigned garden plot.

As we learn more about our fellow missionaries we discover most of them have children and grandchildren who have problems. We are so thankful for all of you and for our righteous extended family. We will be released one day from all of our Church callings; but if we are worthy, we will never be released from our family relationships. We are so thankful for the knowledge that we can all live together for eternity.

Be kind and good to each other.

Mom and Dad