We did a trek this week with all the missionaries. We were a little bit out of shape and hopefully we can prepare and be ready for the summer. As our mission president talked to us and pronounced a blessing upon us I knew we were in the right place. Where we needed to be. We know our Savior lives and that he atoned for our sins. We know Joseph Smith was a prophet and restored this gospel. We can hardly wait to share our testimonies with those who come through this year. We love you all.
Elder and Sister Sigmon
Longer Version:
I would say that this season is a little bit more on the cooler and windier side of things than last year. I also don’t think I mentioned that we were called as Assistant Facility Managers. Elder and Sister Crist who were here when we came last year are the Facility Managers (FM). They had been here the summer of 2016 stayed the winter and then were here when we came in 2017 but they went home due to illness in his family. They returned just a little before we came home and stayed the winter again and are leaving the 1st of May. So they are kind of iconic. The FM guy is the one who runs around and knows everything about everything here at Martin’s Cove. They are the ones who come up with all our jobs and what we do to keep everything running nice and smooth. There is a lot of knowledge in their heads. Normally what happens is the President looks at all the missionaries as they come in during the spring and determines who would have some skills to do this job. Then they would pretty much spend the summer learning all they could from the Crists before they left in the Fall and stay the winter and next summer. BUT this year is different. The Church Historical sites have a volunteer couple who they call for 2 years to be a FM and they live at home and do their calling. That means we will still be Assistant FM’s and here for only the season working with them. We are the last Historical site to do this because of the distance. Casper is an hour away so they will be doing some driving. We are in the process of waiting to find out who that couple may be. It is determined by their Stake President. At this point we do not have any one in this calling. So we are in the process of trying to understand all the things that go into making this place run like a well-oiled machine. The Crists have been great at trying to write things down, telling and showing us stuff. BUT…We all have been recently trained on a new method of tracking all the things we actually do do on a daily basis here. This entails something called work orders. We have gotten little tickets with our jobs and who is doing them together so that isn’t new. The new part is how many people and how many cumulative hours. So if there were 2 of us for 2 hours then the job took 4 hours. So trying to figure out how to record all these items to open the work order, close it and have the other information along with a cost if there was one has been a little challenging as there isn’t a form to follow. It is new. I am on revision #3 or #4, not sure. But I think I might be onto something which won’t consume so much time. Thank heavens for Excel!
A couple of weeks ago Elder Crist brought Elder Sigmon up to let everyone know he would be kind of doing things to get a feel for how things flow. So when the new couple comes he will be a help to them to know how this place runs. Most of you know Elder Sigmon and his humor. When he got up there by Elder Crist he says “There’s a new Sheriff in town.” Of course we all laughed. But then as he was handing out some jobs and he was explaining that the South side of the Triplex needed to be painted. Earlier I had said maybe some people don’t know which way is south. Maybe you should say the back side of the Triplex. So he says some of you may not know which way is south and he happened to be looking at another sister and she says “me?” And Elder Sigmon says, “no sometimes my wife doesn’t know which way is up.” I did in my defense mention I did know my Norths and Souths in New Mexico. lol But then Sister Roundy says “have you ever seen a Sheriff hung?” Of course more laughter. I couldn’t help it and said “You better be careful too many people like me.” But of course he didn’t hear me. J
One of my Assistant FM jobs was to help get the recalled fire extinguishers returned and replaced. This sounds easy but it has entailed a lot of hours. We did have some fun emptying a few of the extinguishers before mailing a few back. Sister Pace wanted to be able to practice with one and so we all went behind the office and pretended there was a fire and practiced using them. It was a learning experience.
#1-You need to pull a red pin or other type of pin first in order to be able to push the handle down.
#2-You need to figure out what part to press down on before you actually have to use one because it could be important if there really is a fire!
#3 -They don’t last very long at all.
#4-You should pay attention to which way the wind is blowing because it doesn’t taste very good if it gets in your face or mouth.
I do have to admit we had fun! Even President had to come out to get pictures.
Here is Elder Sigmon looking at a job which he handed out to be done by Elder Hysell. The old “TIN CAN” holder was falling apart and so we needed a new one built. Everyone had already gone home for the day but we stopped by the wood shop to check out how it was coming along. I think it came out quite nice and will do the job quite well.
Elder Sigmon spends most of his day coming and going and sometimes it is hard to say what he has done for the day but if nothing else he looks busy. (I am starting to feel some of that myself). We really are busy.
Here is Elder Sigmon is after getting a call from Elder Hansen saying their rover was stuck and wouldn’t move. We were just getting ready to eat lunch but he picked me up by the office and we made a detour down Sun Ranch road to help them out. Let’s just say you won’t get a speeding ticket driving a rover.
Other things Elder Sigmon might be doing are looking at a washing machine to determine why the hot water won’t heat up or why another washer won’t work. We may be out driving along a fence and stopping so he can get out to put caution tape on poles which have broken from the weight of the winter snow and now needs to be replaced. He can be working on plumbing issues with various trailers, the list goes on. I have caught him a few times in the FM office at the computer not playing solitaire but looking for parts to fix a rover, washer or whatever may need a new part.
Despite the cool weather and snow it was nice to see a little spring in the yard. Sister Crist brought it in for Sister Bowden to enjoy in her office. Which means I also get to enjoy it since I often share the office with Sister Bowden. Sh She is a fellow California girl and we share a love for the ocean along with warm weather.
Here is a picture of Sister Ward and I in the Gathering Room figuring out the weekly schedule for the missionaries for the upcoming week. Having a magnetic board with everyone’s names helps. We still sometimes double book someone but we are trying to perfect that and not have mistakes.
One night on the way home and a long day I told Elder Sigmon I really felt like going to Freddy’s for dinner. Which I knew was not a possibility but it did sound really good. But being the great guy he is he said he would make me a burger. Who was I to complain? After a bit I hear a little chuckle from the kitchen so I came over to see what was funny. Then he says to me “I guess I need to get a little less hamburger because I think this is too big.” I definitely had to agree it was too big. We put a dinner plate by it so you could have a comparison as to the size of his one hamburger patty he had made. It became more than one and tasted soooo good!!!! I had chips instead of fries but it was still wonderful! I think I’ll keep Elder Sigmon around for another couple weeks.
We have called Elder Crist the “Energizer Bunny.” It doesn’t matter how early or late you are up and out doing things you can be sure Elder Crist has already been up and about long before you. You cannot keep up with the man. At the same time there are many projects Elder Crist is trying to finish up before he goes home.
The very next day while we were in correlation Elder Crist officially called Elder Sigmon up and he had bought him an official “Sheriff hat and badge” which he put on him and pinned on him. Then he talked about how he is turning things over to him and everyone was Elder Sigmon’s deputies. Then Sister Crist came and took me up as the baton passed from them to us. I do have to say it was emotional for me in the thought of them leaving. They have been here since before we came the first time. They are going to be a hard couple to follow and there is no way we can fill their shoes but we will do the best we can to keep this wonderful Historic site running and cared for the best way we know how. Allowing others to feel and enjoy the sweet spirit that is here.
On Friday, April 27th President and Sister Pace welcomed us for officially being here. The 27th was our official report date. I can’t believe we have been here since the 24th of March. I am not sure where the time has gone!
Today the Crists left for home. It was after we had correlation and just before they left the highway was lined with stands on either side holding flags. Spread amongst the flags were all the missionaries who drove out on rovers and lined either side of the road as we waved and wished them safe travels as they begin the next chapter of their lives. I can’t believe they really are gone! No pressure!
I can say in many ways today is definitely a day which stands out.
#1) It is the first day the largest group of people can register for treks. It is the one we have anticipated and worried about knowing the new calendaring/registration system would cause some worry or confusion. We thought of how we could leave a message on the answering machine so when people called they could be directed on how to navigate through the registration process. We thought this was a great plan and would help keep things a little smoother and not so frantic. Well as all great plans go by the time we came into correlation we had 53 missed calls and no messages. Highly unusual. So I called the office to see what was happening and why there were no messages. Sure enough instead of the recording Sister Pace painstakingly recorded was not there only a message saying “Your operation cannot be completed” and then it hangs you up. Not good.
#2) The Crists drove off and are no longer here. They actually left!
#3) There was a tentative school group on the calendar but they never called to say they were coming for sure. Well they showed up about 3 pm. I guess they tried to call to let us know but of course the phones weren’t working so they just came. So there was a call for all missionaries available to come in whatever they were dressed in today, blues or trail dress and be ready to take a group and show them around. There were 50 people in the school group. Of course all was covered and there was not a hitch in making it all happen with everyone willingly pitched in.
#4) Elder Sigmon grabs me and says “we have a problem!” It turns out one of the propane tanks is down to 20% full. When we talked to Elder Crist we thought they were on a regular keep it full plan and that the company monitored it. So I had to help him figure out who is the propane company and how do we get a hold of them to come and fill the tank. We were able to do so and they will fill it on Thursday.
#5) On the humorous side we can have fun too. Elder Sigmon gets a text saying the wind sound in the fort diorama isn’t working. So Elder Sigmon’s reply was “Open the door and get the real thing.” Of course he will look into it but he couldn’t resist.
I love the many facets of serving here in this mission. We are surrounded by many great and wonderful people and on many occasions we are uplifted and spiritually fed. We are surrounded by many examples of compassionate, charitable people. I love working and serving with these people and at this site. We are on the ebb of the high tide of all those who will soon be coming on field trips, treks and vacations. We will soon be humming with people coming and going and it is going to be awesome! I can’t wait! We are happy to be here and serving.
We hope you are all doing well and are happy.
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