Last 3 Treks of the Season,( Probably) #67

What a change in atmosphere here.  It is much more relaxed since we are not swimming in treks.  We had only 3 treks here this week.  Sister Smart was a trek host for one of them.  She enjoyed her last trek of the season with the Tully Park Ward from Boise, Idaho.

Stories and Testimonies at the Lower Amphitheater

Headed Down From the Cove at the Lower Monument

Bishop Taylor (Tully Park) and His wife 

We enjoyed dinner out on our P day.  One of the eating places we will miss is Pizza Ranch.  It is a pizza + smorgasbord.  We like that we can order any pizza we want to add to the smorgasbord.

Pizza Ranch

Pizza Ranch

Family Home Evening this week was fun.  We played the "old people game".

Shuffleboard

Saturday the office people were invited to have lunch at the Sun Family ranch home.  We have gotten to know Tina Sun a little this past year.  She has opened up to the missionaries a little.  We think she trusts us and is no longer afraid of us.  Hopefully time will open her heart more.

At the Luncheon at Tina Sun's Big Shop

Elder and Sister Smart with Tina and Tobby

Exchanging phone numbers

It has been a HOT week.  I understand that Utah has been even hotter this week.  Is it possible?

This Wyoming native has figured out how to stay cool when walking.

Walking Up the Sweetwater River

We had the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Caussé, visit Martin's Cove with his family.  We were blessed to hear him share his testimony with us on Sunday.

Bishop Caussé and President Pace

Elder Smart has been helping Sister Sigmon on Sunday Evenings that we are not working in the visitors' center.  Since Sister Smart has to be with him in the office while they work, she has been doing the blog during that time. 

Genealogy with the Expert

Time is flying by.  We are starting to train the new office people.  Leaving our responsibilities in the office might be one of the hard things about leaving here.

We love you all and we have loved serving the Lord here.  Serving on our missions has been such a blessing to us and we pray our families recognize their blessings as we serve.

Love,

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

Happy Birthday this week to Jace and Andrew!

Last Big Week #66

Just another old week -- or was it.  A lot of it was as usual -- the office work, the Visitors' Center, the morning devotionals, etc.  But there were some unusual activities as well.

On Wednesday, Sister Smart, along with Sister L. Taylor hosted a trek group from the Nibley 12th Ward.  Sister Smart really enjoys these and she does such a good job leading them.  The next three pictures are from this trek.

Program at Dan W. Jones Amphitheater

Leaving Amphitheater

Leaving Martin's Cove

Since we spend a good amount of our time in the office, we caught this picture of Elder Smart leaving President and Sister Pace's Office.

Another of  our assignments is to staff the Trek Center.  Here we send off treks on their experiences.  We welcome them by showing a video about what happened here.  We have them sing "The Fire of the Covenant," and we do a little presentation on conditions here when the handcarts arrived here on November 4th, 1856.  We also do a short vignette on Patience Loader and then send them off.

Since most people have not heard of the song just mentioned, we'll say that the first verse is about the saints that left England to immigrate.  The second verse is about the rescuers who came from Salt Lake to rescue these struggling pioneers.  The third verse is about the youth of today and the future.  Great song!

When the treks finish there treks, they come back to the Trek Center and we show another video called "Remember."  Its objective is to send them off with the encouragement that they remember the way they felt during the time they spent with us.

When we sent off the Aurora, Colorado Stake we notice a number of Tongans in the group.  Elder Smart welcomed them back with the traditional Tongan greeting and they loved it.  They asked if they could have their picture taken with him.

Tongan Youth with Elder Smart

Another great event this week was the visit of Elder and Sister LeGrande Curtis of the Seventy.  He was here to tour the mission and give the missionaries instruction.  Needless to say, we had some great meeting with them, including a nice Friday night dinner.

Dinner with the Pace's and Curtis's

Elder Curtis Addresses Missionaries

Once again, we'll end by saying how much we love our mission and the opportunity of serving.  We also dearly look forward to seeing family again.  Guess it won't be too much longer.  President walked out of his office and into ours.  We were surprised to have him give us a release date!

Our love to all of you,

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

#65 Slowing Slightly

We found ourselves doing just about everything last week.  We would many times do outfitting to help when they were the busiest, then take a short trek leading a group to their campsite, a 3 mile hike.  This was a stake from aurora Colorado of about 200 youth.  The next day we would be opening the visitors' center and then heading to the trek center to show the opening film and give them a pep talk and vignette.  We would then return to the visitors' center to do the late shift until 9:00 p.m. Long and busy day!  One day we found ourselves in the office in the morning and then doing the closing "Remember" video and talk in the trek center.  This was an 8 am  to 6 pm day. We had another morning at the office and then spent 6 more hours up at handcart parking.   Most days this week were long like this.

Trek Coming in from Handcart Parking Gathering at Veil Crossing Bridge

We only have 11 Treks this week.  It should be a little easier, the explosion is calming, but still busy.

Sister Smart is leading the Trek from Nibley 12th Ward with Sister Taylor this week.  Below is their schedule.  They will be assisting them through their activities on Wednesday. 

Sister Smart's Trek This Week

One of the joys of serving in the Visitors' Center.

View as We Sit Quietly at the Visitors' Center

View again with Devil's Gate

One day we were assigned to work crew in the morning. Sister Smart was assigned to take apart an old wooden display but save the original antique hinges. She really had fun with this assignment.  That afternoon we changed into our pioneer attire and took a small private school group around the homestead.

Work Crew Assignment

We had a big hail and rain storm this afternoon.  It looked like it had snowed with everything white outside.  We also had a river running down our driveway.  Didn't get a picture but 2 hours later when most of the "snow" was gone we went outside and found the "snow" still in the back of our rover.

Snow in July?

Last week we shared about our experiences with the missionaries at Whiskey Gap.  The pictures we posted showed the missionaries around the campfire.  Since we took the pictures we were not in them.  Another missionary also took pictures.  They sent us this one with us in it.

Whiskey Gap with the Smarts Captured this Time

Donna Having a "Big Day"  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

July is over this week and August will begin.  That gives us two months more to serve here.  Our Mission President thinks our release will be about Oct. 1st.  We have mixed emotions about this mission ending.  We are so anxious to get home, but there is nothing like the spirit we feel here and we hate to leave this place.  

Love you all,

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

#64 Eruption is Here

Man, it was busy this week!  Yes, there was the usual office work, but there was also all kinds of other things.

Sister Teuscher & Sister Smart at Handcart Parking

Sister Smart spent a day serving at handcart parking.  It just also turned out to be the same day as her niece from the Cheyenne area happened to be here.

Sister Smart & Jeneal Christian

Does everyone or anyone think they look a little alike?  Check out the smile and the eyes.  It has been a considerable time since Sister Smart had seen her.  Obvious this was a fun reunion!  It also was a break from our usual office work.

One of the many office things we do is preparing the Sunday church program.  Sister Smart actually does it with Elder Smart being the proof reader.  If you read this one, you will note that we had a part in the Church services.

Recent Sunday Church Program

Another extra activity we did this week was a campfire and picnic at Whiskey Springs. Interesting name.?  It must have been some 20 or 25 miles from here and no one who valued their vehicle would drive to it.  Our Jeep did just fine, but we often chose to take another route other than the extremely washed out and rutted regular road.  Our meal was sumptuous foil dinners.

This place has a great name and a fun story about where the name came from.

  The people of Denver had longed been working to secure the regular overland stage route then connect the east and west. In 1862 Ben Holliday, a veteran stage ,am became the proprietor of the great overland line, and he agreed upon a route running through Denver to the west. He decided to discontinue that part of the road running up the North Platte and Sweetwater rivers and across South Pass Wyoming. The many Indian difficulties experienced on this route was the inducement to abandon it. The new trail led by way of Julesburg Colorado to Denver and on over the established wagon road to Fort Lupton and north across the Laramie plains then due west through Bridge-water Pass Wyoming, joining the old trail leading across the country to the Pacific coast. The change was made on the summer of 1862. All the rolling stock, horses and other property of the company were gathered at the station just above Devil's Gate in central Wyoming. Company A of the Eleventh Ohio cavalry, with Major O'Farrell in command was the detail escort at the time. 
             During the first day the long train of coaches, wagons, horses and mules made eleven miles from the station where the property had been gathered. The route chosen was directly south from the Sweetwater River. The camp selected was in a gap in the mountains, where there was a fine spring and plenty of wood for cooking purposes. Shortly after going into camp the major discovered that quite a number of his soldiers were intoxicated, and he at once sent for Lt. W.H. Brown, who was the officer of the day, and informed him of the condition of many of the men and gave it as his opinion that someone was selling whiskey in the camp. The command was doing escort duty not only for stage. Stock and stores but also for a number of emigrants who had availed themselves of the opportunity for safe conduct over the plains. 
Lt. Brown received orders to search all wagons and if he should discover whiskey to destroy it. Taking a corporal and three or four men he commenced the search for the contraband article and found at least a barrel of whiskey in an emigrant wagon. The officer ordered his men to roll the barrel out of the wagon, knock the head out of the barrel and empty the contents on the ground. This was done but it chanced that the spot where the whiskey was emptied was just above the spring and the fiery liquid went pouring down into the water supply of the camp. The soldiers saw what was going on and they rushed forward with cups, canteens, buckets, and camp kettles to save what they could of the coveted spirits. Many a man stopped over the spring and drank almost without a breath until he was drunk. A half hour later the intoxicant was showing its effect pretty generally around the camp and soon but a few sober men could be found. One soldier who had succeeded in getting a full canteen from the spring paid his respects to Major O'Farrell at the head-quarters tent assuring his commanding officer with maudlin mein and many a “hie” that that was the finest spring he had ever seen and the very best water he had ever tasted. 
           Major O'Farrell was apprehending an attack from the Indians that night and the condition of his men fairly disheartened him. He saw at a glance the even a small band of savage could make a successful raid on his camp consequently the sober and less intoxicated men were kept on alert all night. Fortunately no Indians put in an appearance and by morning the debauched men had slept off their intoxication. 
Thus the gap in the mountains where the camp was made received the name of Whiskey Gap. For many years it was the favorite camping place for the more credulous of the old freighters and emigrants of the trail days, but the little spring was never a “fountain of youth” as it had been in the old days when “fire Water” gushed out of the rocks to quench the thirst of a company of United States soldiers... 

Before closing, we'll just mention Sister Smart's trek. On Tuesday we were up bright and early.  She had to be at Cherry Creek Campground by 6 am and greet the group.  They pulled out of camp at 6:45 and headed for the river to do a river crossing.  From the river they went to the rescuer statues and then to handcart parking for a quick snack.  From here they went to an amphitheater and Sister Smart told them about Martin's Cove.  This was followed by the quiet walk into the Cove.  Then it was back to handcart parking for lunch.  After lunch was the return trip back to the homestead.  On the way they stopped at the Veil Crossing Bridge and Sister Smart share more stories.

Needless to say, Sister Smart loves trekking!

Time to quit and move on with our day.  We are in the Visitors' Center tonight until 9.

We just wanted to say how much we love you all and how much our mission means to us.  If we didn't know the Church is true we wouldn't be here.

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

PS  Happy Birthday this week to Matt, Connor, Harlie, Jessilyn and Paul's sister, Donna🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

# 63 The Volcano is Spewing, Full Eruption Expected Next Week

We had another week of lots to do and like always a good variety.  You cannot get bored on this mission.  If you do not like what you are assigned to do that day, be assured you are going to be assigned something else the next day.  We served in the office, Visitor's Center, Outfitting, Handcart Parking and Trek Center and we also were assigned to clean the barn (our meeting and eating room).  Elder Smart lead the music at Correlation on Tuesday and on Thursday, at Correlation, we were assigned to give the thought from Preach My Gospel and read part of the Pioneer story from our site guide .

Monday we spent most of the day in the office and then went up to handcart parking to greet and help the two handcart groups trekking that day. This made for a 13 hour day.  We dropped when we got home and went right to bed! 

Elder Smart "King and Boss" of Handcart Parking on Monday

Handcarts neatly lined up while Treks go to Cove

S L Holiday North Stake Youth Trek Marching toward us at Handcart Parking

Elder Smart still finds time to help other missionaries with their Family History.

Helping Sister Sigmon with her Family History

Next week the biggest trek week of this season is happening.  We will be lucky to take time to eat, or sleep.  Sister Smart is scheduled to lead Hickories Ward from Idaho on an 8 mile trek including a river crossing and woman's pull up the hill.  The temperature is predicted to be 90% +.  We'll see if she comes out alive. Stay tuned to be informed of her mental and physical state next week.

A great experience here!!  We are truly happy we have been able to serve.

We send our love and wish Matthew Stagg, Velynn, Keslee and Lilian happy birthday this week.

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

Time is flying by. - We are on the countdown - Less than 3 months #62

This week was so full of fun and lots of treks.  We are short the number of missionary couples that we really need to run things smoothly during the busy trek season.  We found ourselves being asked to help in many capacities.  We still had our office work to get done, but were filling in so many positions as well to help with the busiest times.  We were pulled in to the outfitting, and the trek center send off program and return program.  This was what we did a lot of last year and we do really enjoy it.  We spent extra time in the visitors' center due to an abundance of visitors.  It is joyous to work with and share testimonies with so many wonderful people.

Fourth of July was a day of eating.  We met at Independence Rock for breakfast and then out to the pavilion at  Missionary Village for a traditional 4th of  July hamburger and hot dog supper.

Breakfast at Independence Rock

Supper line on July 4th

Sister Smart really enjoys her calling as primary president.  She never knows how many children or what ages of children she will have each week.  It is a rewarding calling.  At the end of the two hour primary block each week we go to the visitors' center and let the children pull the handcarts while we wait for their parents to pick them up.

Primary Cart Pull

We had a first ever baby blessing at our branch Sunday.  Our full time cowboy and his wife blessed their baby.  We all thought it was so special to witness this.

Their family came to be part of it and stayed in the Ranch house behind us.  There were lots and lots of people in that home.  We counted 8 cars in our driveway and a big trailer.

Chris and Kyra Jorgensen and Mable

Monday we played bingo at FHE and were glad Steve and Rachelle and kids could join us.

Bingo at FHE

The Smith Family returned home on Tuesday.  We loved having them with us.

Smith Family at Fremont Canyon

On Top of Independence Rock

Father and Son at Rock Creek Hollow

Pot Luck Dinner

Alayna Pumping the Bellows in the Blacksmith Shop

Touching the Skunk Pelt at  the Fort

Rock Creek Hollow and Ancestral Grave

Base at Sixth Crossing

Grandpa is Tour Guide in the Rover

Fun Ride?

Beautiful Girl, Beautiful Site

Pulling a Handcart

Panoramic view looking out from base at Sixth Crossing
Picture taken by Stephen Smith

We love you all and miss you, but we also love this mission.  It is the Lord's work and we are blessed to be a part of it.

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