Week 60 Beautiful Place

Our week was busy but nothing different than we have done before, except every experience, even though we have done it before, is still unique and interesting and inspiring.  We worked in the office 3 days, where we answered the phone and messages, made camping reservations, answered emails, balanced and reconciled all mission and ward expenses, worked on the newsletter and mission history, created the Sunday program, Sister Smart prepared for Primary and Elder Smart prepared for Sunday school class,and cataloged the library books, etc etc.  We also worked at the Welcome post and worked at the outfitting where we helped the trekkers get set up with handcarts, and shared stories with them, and  cleaned the bathrooms.  Not a dull moment around here.

On Monday we did have a unique experience.  For those of you that have visited here you will remember that this place was homesteaded by Tom Sun in 1872.
The Sun Family owned and built up this ranch until 1996 when the Church bought it.  On Monday the Sun Family had a family reunion at the homestead.  Elder and Sister Smart were asked by President Pace to meet with the Sun family and share with them and open buildings for them.  Their memories and stories about this place were really interesting.

At FHE Monday, we found where the Church cows are grazing this month.  It was hard to even drive the 1 mile dirt road into Missionary Village (where we lived last summer) because of cows and more cows and  many calves.  Those living there this summer share how loud the cows are and how hard it is to sleep in the early morning hours.  We put up with the cows during the winter.

This cow has got the scariest face.

Cows on Pasture near Missionary Village

There is so much beauty here.  We would like to share some pictures of this beauty.

Sunrise

Sunset

Sunset

Martin's Cove in the background

Cactus Flowers

In Front in Visitors' Center with Devil's Gate in the Background

Flowers at Visitors' Center with Martin's Cabin in Background

Levi Our Cowboy Intern from BYU Idaho

Our testimonies of the reality of Christ in our lives is growing all the time.  He loves everyone of us and wants to help us through our trials.  He respects our free agency and because of this we need to ask for his help.  I think this is the same for our ancestors that are watching and wanting to help, but they are waiting for the invitation, as well.  The importance of asking has been impressed deeply upon our minds.  We love serving here, even if Elder Smart uses a walking stick to get around now.  We are blessed and send our love.

Happy Birthday today to Simon.

Elder and Sister Smart, Mom and Dad, Paul and Annie, Grandma and Grandpa Smart