Week 9 -- Leaving Early - Staying Late

Seems like all we've done this week is go in early and stay late, but it's been so fulfilling!

We were blessed to be on RRA (Restroom Assistant on Monday.  It really isn’t a bad assignment other than we try to start early and work around the trekkers that arrive each day.  Oh did we mention that we clean about 50 toilets and gather garbage from all over the homestead?  Perhaps the highlight of the day was our getting the rover stuck as we went to fill it with gas.  Notice that the picture shows that the left rear wheel was completely buried in mud!  Today there were so many treks that Family Home Evening was canceled and moved to Tuesday night.

Fun Day of Cleaning Toilets (Rah Rah)

Can I Brush Your Teeth?
or
Cleaning Bird Droppings Off This Statue

Getting the Rah Rah Rover Stuck While Trying to Fill It With Gas

On Tuesday we spent the whole day in outfitting getting trekkers ready to hit the trail and welcoming back those that were either just spending the day at Martin’s Cove or those that had stayed overnight on Monday and were now leaving.  We stayed late and made it home just in time for Family Home Evening.

Sister Smart Oversees Outfitting
Note That There are 17 Groups On the List Directly Behind Her Head for This Week

Wednesday was another all day experience.  We spent most of the day at the Visitors’ Center. Elder Smart placed a copy of the Book of Mormon with a non-member.  We both enjoy telling visitors about the history of this great place.  Sister Smart went off for a while to tell the pie story.  She faced this assignment with some fear since someone reported a rattlesnake in the area.  While she was gone, Elder Smart went to the office to catch up on some financial business.  That night we were asked to help teach one of the trek groups how to square dance.  Yes, it was another long day!

We woke up on Thursday with some excitement knowing that we would see some family from home before the day was over.  Sister Smart was to accompany  a trek group from Alpine as their host.  Elder Smart was to spend his day in the office working on the mission finances.  The Staggs arrived around five.   They had come via Rock Springs, stopping at Rock Creek Hollow and the new Sixth Crossing Visitors’ Center.  We all had dinner together and then off for a quick overview of Martin’s Cove with a brief stop at our Cherry Creek Campground to watch the square dancing.  Needless to say, it was great to see family from home. (hint, hint)

Trek Group on Martin's Cove Trail

Friday we started the day at Outfitting, welcoming groups.  Spencer and family came a little later but  they attended the presentations that we were involved in presenting.  They got to see how we send off the groups including the videos we show and how Sister Smart tells the Patience Loader story.  They also got to see how we welcome back groups by showing them the “Remember” video.  We had lunch together in the barn then took them through the Visitors’ Center.  We took them to each building around homestead. Next we all piled in the Rover and went through rattlesnake pass. Then it was off to Alcova (about 30 miles) for ice cream.  Coming back we stopped at Independence Rock.

Staggs in Rover at Rattlesnake Pass

Stagg Family & Sister Smart at Sloane's -- Ice Cream Run

Stagg Family with Sister Smart in Sewing Room

CJ Stagg in Pioneer Vest & Hat

Stagg Family -- Will They Pull the Handcart Behind Them?

Elder Smart Shows Stagg Family the Visitors' Center

Saturday is our p-day.  However we are still asked to be at an 8:30 correlation meeting.  Following this meeting Elder Smart was asked to stay and get some training in the mission finances.  Spencer and family arrived about 9 and Sister Smart showed them around for a while.  Finally Elder Smart was able to join everyone.  We were off to Cove and spent some special time together just enjoying the tranquility of the place.  We came back from the cove and enjoyed a picnic at what we call “handcart parking.”  After a great lunch we went to Fort Seminoe.  After telling the stories of Daniel W. Jones and John Cooper we rode out to Devil’s Gate.  After all that we headed home and said some sad good bye’s.  The kids were looking forward to getting to a pool before their trip came to a close.  We reluctantly understood.L

Spencer & Cyntha & Family at Statue

Quiet & Sublime Martin's Cove

Elder Smart & Stagg Family Quietly View Martin's Cove

Spencer & Cyntha & Family at Devil's Gate

So here we are and its Sunday.  Church meetings, a pot luck get together, and a fireside filled most of the day.  We still have a district meeting this evening, but the day and the week are nearly done.

We sure hope you’re all well and happy and being blessed because of our service.  We love you all and we love our Heavenly Father.

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

Can You Find Us in This Church News Picture?
Dedication of Sixth Crossing Visitors' Center