Good Bye Martin's Cove!

Well today is the day we leave from the Wyoming Mormon trail Mission back to home in New Mexico. We have finished working on getting things done and training the Criddles as the new FM’s. I was a little worried as it got closer to the end that I might not get everything done but I barely slid under the wire finishing typing a document on the road home and emailing pictures of the document while driving. I will later email the whole document when I get home.

We had many express their love and well wishes as we got ready to go. Last night the Pace’s asked what time we would be leaving and we told them 7 a.m. Then Elder Sigmon asked if she would have the water heated for him. She told him she would. It is a joke between them but not really. She usually showers before him. When they were gone for about 3 days Karl said he really missed not having the Pace’s home because it took a long time for the water to heat up and she would have it already done for him. When I told that to Sister Pace she laughed and said “Yeah I turn it on and then do a few other things before I even come back.”

This morning when the alarm went off. True to her word I could hear the shower running. As we went out with the first last items we needed to pack I could see the Pace’s door wasn’t tightly shut. After a bit on one of the trips out they came out and Sister Pace said “you can’t escape are you leaving now?” When I told them we had some more things to pack she said “just knock on the door before you go.” Just a few minutes later my phone was ringing and Sister Bowden was asking when we were leaving. When I told her 7 a.m. she said not to leave before they came up.

We managed to get everything in comfortably into the bed and cab of the truck. We had the bikes on the car hauler trailer and Elder Hysell’s handcart sign screwed down to the trailer floor. We visited with the Paces for a bit. I told her we were one of her kids now and we expected Sunday phone calls! Sister Pace and I went and did one final walk through to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. When we came back to the kitchen she asked about the cabinets there. I said I thought I had gotten everything but to humor her I started opening cabinets and drawers. Then when I opened one drawer there were 3 things I would have forgotten. My power cord to my griddle, my canning funnel, etc. I couldn’t believe I would have left those things! Glad I looked! Thanks Sister Pace.

The Pace’s left and Elder Sigmon was going to load the car hauler and I was going to the FM office to print off a couple documents. Then the Bowden’s came up and we took a few pictures with them. Then Elder Bowden went to help load the car hauler and Sister Bowden came with me to print the documents. We talked about how we could get together again sometime in the future. So we will see each other again. Maybe in Hawaii.

Sister Bowden and I

Even the deer were out early to say good bye once more.

I couldn’t ask for a better send off. Visiting with the Paces and then as we drove away the Lashers and Bowdens waving and then going through the flags on either side of the road. 

This is the car hauler. We did manage to ride our bikes twice. We just were much busier this year with our duties. The handcart sign is a piece of Elder Hysell we got to take home and put in our garage. We will treasure his beautiful work.

As we have been driving you have a lot of time to think and talk. One thought I had was how long it has been since we retired. We figured out it has been 2 years and 3 months. Then I mentioned we served 2 missions in those 2 years. Crazy. Then Karl said and we bought, fixed up and sold 4 houses too. So it actually works out to we did 4 houses in 1 year and 3 months and served a mission in 1 year. No wonder we have been so busy since Karl has retired!

It is funny as I look back at how scared and uncertain I was about retirement and to see where I am now and how great it has been. It was a good thing for us. No regrets! Now we are starting another chapter in our life and only the Lord knows where it is going to take us but with him in charge I think I am ready. I am ready now!

If you have a chance to serve a mission as a senior couple, even if it is scary or hard, DO IT!!!! It will not be easy and it will be hard BUT IT IS WORTH IT!!!!!

I know serving in the Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission has been like nothing I will experience anywhere else ever again. I am excited to serve another mission somehow someway but I know it will be very different and not like this one. But that’s okay. I have lifelong friends, brothers and sisters, from these last 2 years. One of the things that makes me happy is that 3-4 of the couples from this year live in New Mexico with 3 of them in Edgewood and Los Lunas. The other couple is from Farmington but still doable for a get together now and then. We talked about maybe going to the temple and then to lunch or dinner. I like it and I don’t have to say goodbye.

Sunday, September, 24, 2018

We met with President Saxton who officially released us. This picture is the last time we will wear our name tags.

Good bye for now and we hope everyone is well.

Winding Down

Short Version:
Elder Sigmon says he is tired and doesn’t have a lot of words. But he agrees with everything I wrote.

Long Version:
As I sit here and write I am reflecting on these last 5 1/2 months. Man have they flown by. In many ways I can’t believe that September is here and before I know it our mission is going to be over. But on the other hand when we look back on all we have done, we have done a lot!

I decided I would go through and give you a glimpse of the many things which I didn’t post about earlier or which are coming to an end. There isn’t any particular order just my many thoughts and pictures.

We have played shuffle board for one of our family home evenings. Elder Honey was very clever in creating our indoor version of shuffle board. Isn’t that what old, retired people do? Or maybe we are just preparing to go on a cruise? You got to keep people guessing.

We have had many beautiful skies

You can almost see Elder Sigmon at the rescue statues. But the sunset was beautiful!

Split rock (picture courtesy of Sister Ward). It is a landmark and 20 miles from Devil’s Gate.

Another beautiful sky just because they are so plentiful and beautiful here. I am limiting to just three.

Our last trek with kids came last week. They came on Friday and trekked Martins’ Cove. They had their base camp here at Cherry Creek campground. Then on Saturday they drove to trek at Sixth Crossing. They even attended church with us on Sunday before leaving for home on Monday. It was kind of sad to realize this was the last trek with kids that Martin’s Cove will see this season. When the season comes to an end it is quite abrupt! We kind of build at the beginning but when school starts there is no tapering down—the treks just stop. We actually had 2 weeks of nothing and because it was Labor Day weekend this one group scheduled to come. The hustle and bustle has come to an end. It is sad.

We have had a lot of friends (previous missionaries) come back. Some we knew about and some were great surprises!

    The Schows and the Gillespies

Jennifer Ziegler (big surprise) friend--not previous missionary and the Turpins

The Wards had us and the Swingholms to dinner. The Swingholms were on their way to serve another mission.

The most exciting visitors were Ethan and Zoey. They were finally able to come and visit us. They came on a Friday and left on Monday. It was a lot of fun. We were able to go to the Cove, to a couple of dinners and a campfire one evening at the Wards. It was fun to share this experience with them and to be able to take them to our favorite places. As always we were able to cram a lot into a short time.

While they were here we had a dog who forced its way into the porch of the office. It was afraid of the lightening and wanted in really bad. He actually took his mouth to grab the corner of the screen and ripped it off the one door. Then when that left no way to enter he went to the other door and ripped the screen off of it and managed to squish himself through the small opening and laid there on a rug, wet and shaking. It had one paw which was bleeding so there was blood everywhere in the porch area. Ethan and Zoey came to see and comfort it. Ethan found a red bandana in the lost and found handcart and tied it around his little neck. We checked with all the visitors to make sure it wasn’t their dog and it wasn’t. Sister Pace took a picture of it and sent it to Tina Sun who has a ranch near by to see if it was one of her dogs. We knew Tina was out of town. We were thinking it couldn’t be a ranch dog if it was afraid of the thunder and lightning. Maybe it was an indoor dog. 

In the meantime it was decided to take the dog over to the rover shop so it could be inside but not in the office porch. There was a rug it could lay on. Ethan helped us walk him over there. As we were walking a rover drove by and the dog perked up and got excited. We looked at each other and said it is a ranch dog. Then Elder Sigmon was close with our rover and I told him to stop and call the dog. The dog didn’t hesitate a second. He ran and jumped right in like it was what you are supposed to do. We decided to call him Rover until we found out his real name.

It turned out that Tina did know the dog, it was her brother’s dog who lives near her ranch. So they were sending someone to come and get him and the dog’s name is Beau.

It was a sweet dog and he went home with the red bandana. We were happy we found his home and owner and were able to return him back to his home that same evening. We figured his paw was probably cut from the long distance he had traveled through the sage brush, grass and weeds.

Zoey, Ethan, Me and Elder Sigmon

Then we decided to give Ethan and Zoey a Work Order. We wanted them to move the handcart over just a little from where it was. Come on--a father can give his son and daughter in law a small job, right. How hard can it be? Elder Sigmon as he always does, he lined them out and showed them the best way to do it. Then he turned it over to them to get it done.

Well they didn’t manage to move it.

You would think we gave them a full 6 hour shift of work. They just can’t hang with the big dog! lol

We have had the most bizarre weather here again this year. But it has been different from last year. One day it can be 90ᴼ then the next day it can be in the 40’s and we have hail! Not just for a few minutes. It went on and on and on. Elder Sigmon ended up running out to our truck and moving it to a building for protection. I think he ended up running out to move his truck about 3 times.

We also had some strange visitors appear. In my many travels on the rover between the wood shop and to the office traveling on chapel alley as I would look down by the bank of the river there was this thing. It looked like a porcupine almost. I would say to myself you need to take a picture of that. But I was always in a hurry and would forget about it until the next time I drove by. But on this one day as I drove by I actually had to stop because my porcupine looking thing had changed. It made me laugh. Obviously it had attracted someone else’s attention. It no longer even looked close to a porcupine! This time I took a picture.

Meet my new friend with red sunglasses! Too funny!

We also received a surprise package of numalicious food. It was a homemade carrot cake from Elder Sigmon’s sister. It is always a sweet unexpected surprise and it didn’t last too long. We did share some of this goodness with other people. It was truly a sacrifice to do so but we did. Okay now I’m thinking about that darn carrot cake and how good it really was and now my mouth is watering for a bite hahaha!

The cake pan has a little wear and tear from the mailing but there was nothing wrong with the cake!

We have this deer and her two fawns which hang around in the evening very close to the Homestead. We are always surprising each other. One night we came home to our pet deer hanging out in our yard. It was kind of comical because of where they were if you didn’t know any better it almost looked like we had them in a pen there all the time.

We had Elder Legrand Curtis come to a dinner and our mission conference. That was a special treat!

We had the privilege of having Bishop Gerald Causse and his family come to Martin's Cove. He even played the most beautiful rendition of "Come, Come Ye Saints." (Picture courtesy of Elder Bowden)

I know in another post I talked about our orphaned twin antelopes. Well I am happy to report that the orphaned twins are still around at this time. Which makes us very happy.

I actually have some great memories and good times going out early on a Saturday or Monday morning to pump the porta potties. Some of the excitement was the challenge of getting out there after correlation and back before the trek hit the trails. We got it down to doing it in an hour which is actually quite good. I only realized it when we had to substitute some other people at different times because Elder Bowden wasn’t available and it took longer to do. We were a well-oiled machine and knew what needed to be done and we each did our part to make it all work quickly. Plus and more importantly—we had fun!! It was during these duties I was able to spray the water truck, laugh and we also found some treasure (a cell phone) which no one wanted. Hmmm. So now the porta potties are all locked up until the next season. I know you are going to think I am crazy but I am going to miss those early mornings of fun and good company.

Here is our final porta pumping selfie.

Elder Bowden, Me, Elder Sigmon

After we pumped the porta potties for the last time we headed back to the Homestead with the water truck. Elder Sigmon and Elder Bowden drove the water truck and I followed them in the rover. As I was following them they sprayed water for me. It is so beautiful to see the water coming out of all the sprayers. I thought I had pushed the button to get a video of it. But I apparently did not and missed it! I was not a happy camper!!!! I had no way to tell them to do it again. 

When we get back to the homestead we refill the water truck so we are ready for the next fire or pumping of the vault toilets. The river is very low. It was never this low last year. Elder Sigmon had to turn off the pump before the water truck was full because it was working too hard. We are going to have to move it to a deeper spot in the river. When Elder Bowden went to detach the hose (which is a real firetruck water hose) from the water truck. I was videoing it because it was the last time we were doing it. I could tell the hose still had some water in it because it was all fat. Well….when Elder Bowden detached the hose it sprayed all over the front of him from about the waist down! I wish I had a picture to show you but I was laughing so hard! It was soooo funny! I’m super glad I got it on video! At least it was water from the water truck and not other yucky stuff.

We were able to do a little sightseeing and went to Ayer’s Natural Bridge. It was quite relaxing and very pretty. It has a park like area and just some nice places to relax and walk. If it were closer I think I would have managed to escape to it quite often. We went with the Bowden’s. 

Sister Bowden and I sat on the bank and put our feet in the water and visited while the boys went on ahead.

Well I’ve debated whether or not I should tell you this but I’m going to because it’s too funny not to. Apparently you get a piece of paper in your mailbox that says you are to say the Opening and Closing prayer in church for Sacrament. We never got one of these last year so it was something new to us. Well one day we got this blue piece of paper in our mailbox which tells us this upcoming Sunday we are to say the prayers. I gave it to Elder Sigmon and he looked at it and said “this can be for anyone. I don’t see my name on there. Go put it back in Sister Smart’s mailbox.” I argued a little but then I did what he asked me to do. Well the next day there was the blue slip of paper again but this time in big black Sharpie was his name. 

For those of you who know Elder Sigmon this isn’t a big surprise. We had a good laugh over that one. Poor Sister Smart.

This is one of my favorite moments, working with the Taylors and Sister Criddle. We were replacing some of the benches at the top of the cove. Elder Taylor was driving the tractor and we would pick which bench we wanted to use. He had it on the forks ready to move it into place when I got the brilliant idea we should all get on the bench for a picture. We had spent the day moving a bunch of benches there and at the statues. Probably a total of at least 12 benches. It was a good day.

Elder & Sister Taylor, Sister Criddle and myself 

We put on a Facilities Management appreciation dinner for all the missionaries. For the center pieces we had different themes of the many jobs they have done. A pom pom, toilet paper and rubber gloves for RRA, wrenches, sockets, oil etc. We have grown to love all these people who have so graciously come every morning to find out what they will be doing for the day. You often see them with smiles on their faces painting bathrooms, putting up barb wire fence, mowing, pumping out potties, framing a garage or putting in a garage door. Everyone worked hard these last 6 months. I was able to capture people doing various duties and made each couple a Work Order which had been completed with pictures of them doing their various jobs and all the wonderful qualities we have noticed and love. It was a hard evening to get through. I went before Elder Sigmon thinking, he always makes me cry with the sweet things he says. Well it didn’t work well at all. I cried any way!

As second years (that is what we call those people who came back for another summer or stayed through the winter and are here for the summer again) we all went to Rock Creek Hollow for a barbeque lunch together. At least those who could get away. It is a long way to go for lunch (2 ½ hours) but it was worth the memories of being together again for possibly the last time. Some of us started this journey last summer, going into the Mission Training Center together. To be in such a special place was a nice afternoon.

We had the Honeys, Moses, Houghs, Pauls, Taylors, Ashbys, McMillans, Spencers, Roundys, Bowdens, Greens and us.

We’ve said goodbye to our first couple to leave the mission. The Roundys. They have been such great friends and we can always count on a kind word and hug from them. They are missed.

This next week we will lose at least 2 more couples and goes downhill from there.

Lastly we had our final trek with Trek Leader Training on Friday. The really fun thing was that Elder Sigmon and I were stationed at Welcome post. I told Elder Sigmon I wanted to wear his hat. He looked at me and said “what if it gets hot and I want my hat?” Being the nice wife that I am I told him that I would give it to him if it got hot. Well our time frame to be at Welcome post was 7-9 a.m. It isn’t going to get hot by then so I knew I was safe. Besides—who looks better in the hat anyway? I’m just saying. If it was a little smaller and I actually had a place to wear it when I went back to New Mexico it would so be my hat!!!

When we got there Welcome post really ended up being parking and not Welcome Post. I would hand them their paper with what they needed to unload and take with them and direct them to Elder Sigmon who told them where to park. But better yet I was able to greet 5 people from our Stake who are coming in 2019 to trek here. So it was fun to see the Southams, President Christensen and the Cardons! I only wish I would have thought to get a picture of everyone. Darn! We even ate dinner with them after their trek!

Well as I have said things are winding down and the next few weeks are going to be filled a little more tears than usual. We are experiencing a lot of last times. We are also training and preparing the couple who will now take the responsibility of keeping this place running. They are a great couple. They are very loving and kind and will be able to let those working know how much they are loved and appreciated. I am going to miss this place and the spirit that is here. Not to mention the beauty which is all around. I am going to miss the view out of my bathroom window every morning. There is so much more I’m going to miss but I will have the memories and the experiences which no one can take away from me. I’m grateful we had the opportunity to serve at this special place, Martin’s Cove, in Wyoming. It has been such a blessing in my life and I hope in some way I have touched other people’s lives.

Those saints who came from England, Wales, Denmark, Scotland, etc have forever left a mark on me. Their examples of faith, charity, sacrifice, obedience and faith is a legacy I would like to emulate. They paid a price to come to know their Savior in a way I would like to know my Savior. I hope I am willing to pay the price to know Him like they do. I can’t wait until I can meet them and tell them how much I have come to love them. They are no longer stories but people to me. 

I have seen many tender mercies in my life and the life of those around me. There have been so many while we have served here. The Lord is aware of us and our needs and desires. He is involved in the details of our lives. We just need to ask and have faith. Things may not be answered in our time or the way we think it should be but the Lord knows what is best for us and has a great plan for each and every one of us. We just need to trust and have hope and keep trying. These things I do know! I love you and hope you are all well.