Adam-ondi-Ahman consists of ......

Friday May, 20th 2011

Dear family and friends,

Adam-ondi-Ahman consists of approximately 3,500 acres, of which 150 acres is grass. The weather has been good with no rain this week, and I have been able to work outside all five days mowing this beautiful area. I love, at the end of the day, looking at the freshly mown areas I have done. It reminds me of a beautiful golf course. Speaking of golf, Wednesday we drove to Chillicothe and I was able to hit range balls while jackie patiently waited. I rewarded her with dinner at Golden Corral. We are enjoying each others company and I love spending so much time with her.

She is loved by all and especially a missionary from Salina, Utah named Ellen Crane. They are best friends. They laugh and talk non-stop just like she does with LaDonna, Davis her sister in law in Utah.

We should all be each others best friend.

Glen and Jackie Banks

Yesterday we drove to Pella, Iowa....

Yesterday we drove to Pella, Iowa and met some wonderful people.

However, of all the people, I enjoyed being with your mother the most.

She is a lot of fun to be with and is really blossoming on this mission.

You will be amazed at her growth when we return sixteen months from now.

Dad

Your Mother and I recently drove.....

Dear children,

Your Mother and I recently drove to several places here at Adam-ondi-Ahman.

As you enter the property, you drive along a road called red bud lane.

You follow the signs that direct you to tower hill.

This is so named because it is where a Nephite tower was located.

During the first few weeks of our mission we cut down a lot of trees.

My assignment was to drag the limbs and trunks down the hill

and feed them into the chipper.

Then return up the hill and do it again. All day long, this is what I did!

I was exhausted at the end of each day, having not done this much physical work

on a daily basis since I left the farm 55 years ago.

In fact, that is why I left the farm, to get an education and work in an office.

It wasn't until two weeks later when the two of drove to this look out spot

that I saw the fruits of my labor. An unobstructed view of this beautiful 600

acre valley where the Savior will one day return.

Hopefully, as visitors come they will be able to enjoy the view and the spirit

more fully because of the work we as missionaries have done.

We took our time and walked hand in hand down a foot path that lead to

preachers rock. This distinctive rock overlooks a grove of pecan trees

and is where Joseph Smith reportedly stood and addressed the saints.

We took our time and tried to feel the spirit of this out door temple.

Jackie spent the rest of the day doing family history work, which she dearly loves.

She was able to submit some twenty names of her ancestors to the temple

to have their work done for them.

All in all it was an enriching day that each of need in our busy lives.

Be kind to each other and take time to enjoy life.

Mom and Dad

We have now been in the mission......

Dear family and friends,

We have now been in the mission field at Adam-ondi-Ahman for one month.

We are becoming accustomed to the rural lifestyle and today we planted our tomatoes.

Spring is arriving and the red bud trees are starting to blossom.

We are living on the edge of a hill overlooking the big valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman.

This flat valley of 586 acres is very distinctive from the rolling hills and the surrounding farm land of western missouri. Those who have seen it from the air, tell us it is very distinctive.

This is the valley spoken of in D. & C. 107 verse 53, wherein Adam called his posterity together and bestowed upon them his last blessing. "All that happened at Adam-ondi-Ahman in those early days was but a type and a shadow -a similitude, if you will- of what shall happen at the same blessed place in the last days when Adam and Christ and the residue of men who are righteous will assemble again in solemn worship." see The Millennial Messiah page 580, by Bruce R McConkie.

There is a special feeling about this place and we feel it each time we return from our travels.

There are peaceful groves like missionary grove, and rock out-cropping to sit upon

and contemplate.

We have discovered that home is who you are with, more than where you are living.

Please be good to each other and love your eternal companions and children.

Grandma and Grandpa Banks

Yesterday we all drove 180 miles.....

May 7, 2011,

Dear family and friends,

Yesterday we all drove 180 miles north to Pella, Iowa to attend their annual tulip festival. Most of the some 12,000 residents decorate their homes and businesses by planting tulips. The town was settled in the late eighteen hundreds by immigrants from Holland, who came to America seeking religious freedom.

Everyone participates by coming to the center of town in their native costumes. Jackie and I enjoyed the day together, strolling the tulip lined streets and gardens.

We stopped occasionally to taste their native foods sold by the many townsfolk.

A parade ended the day with many floats, bands and people walking as families dressed in their native costumes.

One rather large band all wore wooden shoes and we marveled at their ability to all march in step with them.

It was a long but very rewarding day.

Be good to each other and remember us in your prayers as we do the same in ours.

Elder Glen and Jackie