8-October-2023-Sunday
It was so hard to get out of bed this morning. We have worked a lot of hours in the past 10 days. While it would not seem hard to merely talk to people, it is amazingly draining. We knew we would have 2 busses today and a huge amount of walk-ins today. We were not disappointed.
We needed to start in Rutland this morning. It was a nice drive there. I thought they had an outstanding Testimony Meeting. We practiced for the Primary program for 30 minutes before needing to leave for the site and the first tour bus. I have never seen the road so crowded. It added an additional 10 minutes to the drive as we were in long lines of cars and driving under the speed limit. It is a winding road and if you are not familiar with the road, it makes one cautious with all the corners.
I loved the first tour bus. I like the leader, Bill. He is very relaxed with his people and allows them to see what they should see and to enjoy their tour. It takes way too long to change clothes after church and use the rest rooms, but we got through. I enjoyed hiking down with them to the foundations. The next tour was different. The tour guide was late and wanted to only spend 45 minutes at the site. I think we should have done the entire tour at the monument and kept him to the 45 minutes. We let them go room to room, but he was always wanting us to rush along. The people were great, but I do not know how one would be able to feel the Spirit in such a rushed atmosphere. Oh well to each their own. I will just remember not to take this person's tour.
I was outside for most of the day, and it was cold. It has been so pleasant, but after a rainy night, it just did not warm up and we had less than an hour of sun all day, otherwise it was cloudy. Still the people poured into the site and we gave tours. It is hard to say how many people came. I was catching them at the end and so I have no clue if they were properly recorded. We would not get away until about 7 pm. I fear things will slow down soon. I am exhausted in the best sort of way. Still it was good to fast today. There are so many needs just with the missionaries at the site. God is mindful of us all, but there are still great needs.
Dede had a wonderful nonmember go through with a wonderful couple who were so supportive as Dede explained about the church to her and gave her a Book of Mormon. This is the second Book for Dede in the past week. Go Dede. I had a nonmember couple as part of a smaller group. I explained the restoration board and the other group wanted to go out for pictures. I asked the couple what brought them to Vermont and they explained they were looking for ancestors. (Interesting the other couple left us so we could have the conversation.). She knew about Family Search but uses Ancestry. I think she will switch to Family Search downloading her work using Gedcom files. I took time to explain why the church loves genealogy and our desire to have everyone receive baptism. She immediately grasped the concept that this would free Spirits from Prison. I testified about Elijah and the Spirit of Elijah which was filling their hearts and minds and driving them to do this work. I told them how inspirational they were to me and suggested she go to a Family Search Center to learn more. There is no doubt in my mind that God directed them to stop and to learn and to hear testimony that they were doing His work. It was so easy to see how God moved everything along on a very busy day to allow me to have this discussion with them in private. God Speed to them.
9-October-2023-Monday
After our normal inspirational meetings this morning, we stayed for 90 minutes putting up lights and visiting with guests. Normally we do not visit with guests in work clothes, but it was busy this morning. At 11:30 we had put up half of the lights we had left, but in the daylight could not tell what we were missing. Thus we stopped and waited for evening.
I came home and updated the work schedules to reflect us going to 5 pm closing time on the 21st of October when leaf peeping season ends. Also looking ahead to the end of November and December when we will stay open until 8 pm. Just takes time to make these changes, but that is fine. I then removed one A/C unit before eating and changing for the site. I texted our landlord to ask about heat. He claims it is on, but the radiators feel cold to me, so I think we still have an issue. Glad our landlord is a good guy.
The morning shift was swamped. We had a good day, we had someone in the whole time, but it was slow the first hour with just one couple before picking up so I had a group of 16. We had some very cute little kids today. I try to include them in the stories. Not as good as Dede, but it is fun.
Dede handed me the most interesting couple, a father and daughter. He has visited many church history sites, although he professes to hate all organized religion. Still the "Mormons" fascinate him and he keeps coming to sites. He told me many things, but he was so nervous he could not stand still. Finally I asked him if it were possible that God was bringing him to find everything "Mormon." He then told me, let me tell you something funny. "My daughter met me and when I told her I wanted to go to the Joseph Smith Birthplace, she was excited because she is also fascinated by "Mormons." I gave her the BoM App. Not sure she will ever read it, but I laughingly told her we would meet again at some church general conference. She just smiled.
Glad to be home and done writing, so I can shower and get to bed so I get a good night's rest.
10-October-2023-Tuesday
At the site, things were slow the first 45 minutes, but then it picked up nicely and we were busy for the entire shift. I had the sweetest two ladies come in. One from Montana, the other from Kansas, but had known each other in Montana. One a member the other not. They were both so touched by the tour. I teased the nonmember when she said, "well I do believe everything," that we had pond ready for her baptism. When she said it was too cold, I laughed with her and agreed. It is amazing the people God brings in. Had a delightful couple from Germany, again nonmembers. They lasted through an entire tour with about 8 other members. Wish I had had more time to visit with them. She was an exchange student with friends in Utah.
We were done at 2 pm and out by 2:30. We then drove to Buttermilk Falls. This is actually a series of three different falls. I have pictures below. Because of the floods this year, the area was really messed-up. I wish I could have seen the falls during the flooding. They probably looked like rapids. The number of trees torn up and the large area which had been covered by dead trees etc. from the flooding was amazing. When we were there, it was just pleasant and nice, although they had put up ropes to keep people on the trails so the vegetation could grow back. Mother Nature is a powerful force.
This was evident as we drove around in the area. This is the same area we went and helped a family move their flooded belongings from their basement. The flooding was amazing and although much is now repaired there are still businesses which are closed from the floods. One grocery store set up tents in the parking lot to store food and just do call in orders. Interestingly gas was 20 cents cheaper there. Not sure if this is some kind of flood relief from the government for the area.
We ended the day eating at "The Castle" which was a large home built by a former rich businessman and governor in Vermont. First home in VT with electricity. It was gorgeous and expensive, but the food was great.
Tomorrow is PDAY, but we have a bus at 8 am to attend to before we can leave.
11-October-2023-Wednesday. PDAY
We had a bus come in at 8 am so we worked that before changing back at home, making sandwiches and then going to the Calvin Coolidge Home in Plymouth Notch VT. I had very low expectations, but it was quite fun. The home where he was born and the home where he grew up still exist along with most of the furniture from both. The Coolidge's had a house keeper that lived for years in the home after Calvin Coolidge died and she kept the house as it was and so the family were able to turn this over to the state who now preserves the home site. It is the best childhood home of a president with so much left behind.
We started with a film about Calvin Coolidge, who is usually ignored by history. He became president at the death of Harding and ran again and won big, but decided he did not want to run again. He was a man of few words, but accomplished a great deal. He was able to balance the budget each year and pay off the debt while lowering taxes. What I really liked about him: he went home in the summer as was known to work in the fields during the summer. It would be nice to have a president like him today.
I will post some pictures of the place.
We then drove over to Clarendon Gorge and walked a section of the Appalachian Trail. We were able to cross a suspension bridge where Dede and I took turns trying to bounce the other person. It crosses a nice gorge with a cascade. Again we could see the impact of the July flooding. Trees on top of rocks 20 feet above the Brook today. We walked up the river and then up the steep trail to a look out point.
On the way home we stopped in Lebanon to shop and then ate at 5-Guys. (Fries were from Crapo Farms in St. Anthony.). Hard to beat 5-guys. It was a busy place.
12-October-2023-Thurday
We had a bus tour at 9 am. The director wanted to allow some of her people to climb Patriarch Hill while others just walked to the foundations and some stayed at the site. That was rather unique. These were the younger of the group, but still there was 20 minutes between hiking groups when they came down and the later hiking group was exhausted and so it was a good thing I came and found them with the golf cart to bring them up. At least it was a nice cool day. I thought the tour went well enough. We did take them in the theatre rather than teaching at the monument as it was below 50 degrees at 9 am.
It was 11:45 when they finally left, so Dede and I ate lunch. The site was busy all day long. The Hoopes were very busy and it did not change much for us. I was supposed to have my new cell phone delivered by 5 pm by FedEx. When we finally left at 6:30 it was not here. I set up a text message where they should contact me when it gets close. Interestingly enough, it shows in transit to the distribution warehouse and it does not show that it is on a delivery truck. Weird that it does not show up at the warehouse. Wonder if they had a truck wreck? Sad for my new phone if they did. It showed in transit from PA to NH at 7:33 am and nothing since. It is hard to imagine running an operation like FedEx. There must be accidents etc. I would guess they have insurance to pay for lost items. Who knows?
We had some great people. It is interesting to watch group dynamic. Sometimes you get groups and they meld quickly together and sometimes they do not or at least one group does not want to meld. As busy as we are, we needed to join groups together and you can only hope it works out for everyone.
Tomorrow we can sleep in as we do not need to be at the site until 10 am. I am really tired. One day of rest would be nice, but that will not come for a while. We want to see things before they close down for the winter and so we will be on the run with the site and seeing things for a little longer.
13-October-2023-Friday
We were able to sleep in until 8 am this morning. That was so nice. I still had time to iron 2 shirts before we left. It was super busy at the site with about 75 people coming in during our shift. It is difficult to combine groups. We have people who want the full long tour and others that want a shorter tour. However since we are combining different groups together as they come in and usually the other person has the similar diverse group. Thus if we hurry through, some people feel cheated, and if we take time people just wander off and do not hear something from each of the three areas. Hard to complain when we have so many people coming in. I am sure that in two weeks, I will be wishing that someone would just come in.
A girl named Olivia came in and talked with Dede. She has been a member for about 7 months. We met her in Rutland and have run into her several times even though she is in Burlington. She told Dede she is working on mission papers. She will graduate with a BS in May and wants to go on a mission in June. Sometime in this time period she will receive her endowments. She is a sweet girl. I am so fortunate to have a wife who brings in people so we get to know people like Olivia.
My new cell phone arrived today and I am downloading it now. I am sure with a new iPhone, my entire life will change and I will live in euphoria for at least 15 seconds. I am excited to have the enhanced camera on this updated phone, but beyond that life will continue. Dede is making dinner for the site missionaries tonight. We will eat delicious pork in a wonderful sauce. After our meal Dave McDowell will speak to us. We love hearing from him and so we are looking forward to the evening.
I read Elder Daine's talk today. He talks about not being able to recognize a face. He said, it is a specific disease for some, but all of us suffer from it. We know our mother's face, but do we recognize her as a human being with needs and the ability to love us. This works also with God as we may see him as all powerful, but not recognizing the love that He has for us. I suffer from this. It is so hard to have a large group of people and just see a group and not the individuals that make up the group. How does one meet individual needs when the individual is part of a large group? That is hard enough, but then when I realize that I do not see a God of love, but rather an entity that creates commandments. There are so many things I need to learn to become what God wants me to become. So grateful for Christ's power through the atonement to change me.
The food at the dinner was great. As always each couple (obviously Dede in our case) brought food. Dede made the pork tenderloin medallions that are always a hit along with fresh rolls. I saw two large bags of rolls go out with the McDowells. Dave was powerful in his message as always. He spoke about Joseph's desire for true friends and the many who betrayed him. Yes many betrayed him, but when I put myself in the shoes of Oliver, or others I wonder what I would have done. They endured so much. I believe they also felt that Joseph had betrayed them. All I know is this. I cannot judge people in the past or the present because I do not know what they have gone through. My desire to justify the people in the past is compassionate and good, but if I use it as an excuse to betray the prophet or worse the Savior, I am just plain wrong.
We had finished eating and Dave had wrapped up so we were just visiting, when the doorbell chimed. Four ladies were standing there hoping to have a tour. It was about 8:30 at night. I spent about 20 minutes with them while the other finished up. (For whatever reason, I get this opportunity when we are having a combined meal.). I have been pondering the experience all morning (the next day). I am certain, I would not have knocked. It would appear rude to me to knock at such a late hour. But what would I have missed? I was happy to give them a brief tour. That is not always the case, but at the moment I was grateful for the opportunity. How often do I fail to knock at the Savior's door, not wanting to inconvenience Him who has all Charity and Love and miss out on an opportunity to be edified?
14-October-2023-Saturday
I should not be as tired as I feel, but I am. Dede ran into Lebanon to shop and then took back my old iPhone. (Yes my euphoria from the new phone is already gone. In fact I have not even taken a picture with my new camera.). I stayed home and worked on the document for the first time in two weeks or so. It was very difficult to get back into it. After a while, I felt like I was catching the spirit of it again. We should have some slack time after next week. I need to make some trips looking for things now that we are entering stick season and then just get through the editing process so I can put this on google drive use the grammar program on it and get it out for people to read. I want to finish before the Buswell's leave.
We had the afternoon shift. Yesterday morning was heavy for us, but it slowed in the afternoon. Today it just was busy until our bus came at 4:30. We still had people come in with the bus and the last family left after 6 pm, but Dede spoke to them and I went into other rooms to chase the vacuum around. With all the traffic, it can get rather cluttered with leaves etc. The bus tour was interesting. Mostly members, but it was really a chance for them to see quaint New England, with a stop at the JSB almost as an afterthought. (I.e. not a tour focused on the Church.). The people were attentive, but they were a little late and the tour guide was pushing us to shorten our time.
I also had four ladies from Mass., who were nonmembers. They went through with several families and seemed genuinely interested in the tour and about Joseph Smith. Often we try to separate nonmembers. I would not have even realized they were not members until one asked a question about what the martyrdom of Joseph meant? Oops! They did not seem phased by my blunder and just stayed attentive. It might have been harder on the members as I covered more details to get them up to speed, but I think it was all good and well.
Tomorrow we have a tour bus, but we will not be there in time. We will get there as quickly as we can after church and in fact be there for the scheduled opening. The last few Sundays have been quite full with people coming right up from church at 11 am even though we open at 1 pm. I told the Hoopes today to enjoy because next Saturday we will probably only have 10 people. Such is our lives at the site.
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