Week 69 - Hegsted's Mission
19-November-2023-Sunday
The primary sang a Thanksgiving Song in Sacrament Meeting, which Dede had taught them with sign language over the last two weeks. It was fun to play for them. Indeed, my mother looks down from heaven, smiling that her son is playing the organ for Sacrament Meeting and the piano for primary. I do love the Rutland Ward. For primary, we had a select your favorite song day. It was fun.
They were making snow on Pico mountain for skiing. The top of the hill has had snow since last Sunday. I hope they have a better year than last year. Today, it was sunny and cold as we drove by. The first event at Killington is scheduled in two weeks.
Two individual people came in. A traveling nurse living in Keene came in after church. He was grateful to hear about Joseph and to have a living person to speak with. It would be hard to leave wife and five children behind. The money is good, but I am glad I am not doing it. We also had a young woman from Alaska. She is a member but declined to come in. She was very friendly, a climbing arborist who lived in Woodstock for a season. She is living in her van. She seemed very independent. I hope she is happy.
20-November-2023-Monday
We awoke to snow. This was not forecast, so it was a fun surprise. We enjoyed some sunshine, but it never warmed up. The weather app shows us getting 5 inches of snow Wednesday morning. That would be fun but dampen our PDAY.
Good meetings this morning. During our afternoon shift, we had 5 people stop. There were no visitors during the morning shift. We had a man who had come to Boston for an education conference and extended for another day to visit the JSB. I took him through, while Dede had two nonmembers. She said they were both interested, but the woman struggled to believe anything. At 4:30, two cute ladies from Washington, VT, came in. The younger had hoped to show her friend the lights at the site, but they were not on. She had come years before, but her older friend had not seen them. We had a fun discussion with them about Joseph Smith and the monument and invited them to return after the next week, which they said they would do.
Still working on the document. Grammarly has reminded me of so much that I had forgotten about writing. I am basically rewriting (at least seriously editing) the entire document using the skills I have learned.
21-November-2023-Tuesday
I spent the remainder of the day working on photos given to us by Ralph Eddy. He gave us prints. I applaud his work editing these old photos. I took pictures of each and added his comments to the images to use them in the document and our discussions at the site. It takes so much effort, but I will use the new pictures in my document.
22-November-2023-Wednesday PDAY.
We awoke to snow. Last night, I began looking for an indoor activity since the snow had been predicted. We went to the Vermont Historical Museum and spent 2 hours learning about the state we have come to love. It has a long history; they did a great job displaying it. They also had a stuffed cougar. Claimed it was huge. I thought it looked tall and skinny, but I am not an expert. Some pictures. Discussion on Joseph Smith, the first printing press in Vermont, the granite from Vermont, with Barre granite being the most popular granite in the USA. Discussion on industrialization
, the flood of 1927, and the seal of Vermont.
Dede found a great restaurant called Pho Capital. It was basically next door, but the food was excellent. She had a Vietnamese Crepe, while I had a superb Curry. We then explored Main Street in Montpelier, the capital of Vermont.
The city has less than 10,000 residents and is the smallest capital in the USA. It was deserted today since it was the day before Thanksgiving. We visited the capital building and took their audio tour. It is a small building. The legislators do not have offices and meet from January through May. Shockingly, they do not have a metal detector. Only one police officer who also answered our questions. They have renovated the building to its original look. Much of the furniture and lighting fixtures are original or recreations of the original. It has a charm and exhibits Vermont's desire to be frugal in government. The government buildings on Main Street were also varied and exciting. It is hard to imagine that Main Street had 5 feet of water running down it like a river last July. They have done a great job restoring buildings and opening things. The restaurant had 2 feet of water on the upper floor where they served guests. Pictures follow:
23-November-2023-Thursday Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the day when wives slave away. I did not watch football but spent most of the day editing the blog. I am finally under 1000 errors. Slow progress is being made.
We gathered as missionaries for a fantastic meal as everyone contributed. It was nice to be together and to share things for which we are thankful. We talked with our family, who gathered at Danielle's in Nampa. Next year, we will be with our families and be more grateful because of our separation these two years.
24-November-2023-Firday. Lighting Ceremony
A rather long day. We worked 10 to 1 and then 5 to 8. We had a solid morning shift with several visitors. I was surprised, but some people used the Thanksgiving holiday to travel to our site, and I was grateful. In the evening, we prepared for the lighting ceremony. Some confusion, and people showed up at 5 pm, but the ceremony did not begin until 7. Thus we entertained people for 2 hours. The Buswells were masterful in hosting the lighting ceremony. We had a good crowd despite the cold and the wind. The lights were beautiful, as always.
25-November-2023-Saturday
Dede cut my hair this morning. We then drove 30 minutes to Silloway to have a Maple Creamee. These are always a treat; it was a bright, sunny day. Spent the remainder of the day editing. Editing is slow, cumbersome work, but it is progressing.
Our first whole night shift. We had over 100 visitors come into the center. This year seemed so much easier. I think Dede and I are more relaxed and had a chance to give several tours. Some were shortened, but others full length. We also gave out 2 BoMs. This is the time to have nonmembers come into the center. Many have sincere questions and a desire to learn. Who knows what will come of the visits, but I believe God has a purpose for each person who shows up. I hope I am in tune with that purpose and impart a portion of the Spirit, as in our Come Follow Me section. Be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us.
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