Every Day's Different

People ask, 'What is it you actually do during the day?'  Well, it's hard to say because each week brings something new.  I guess I don't generally post spiritual experiences we have with members or investigators because  that seems pretty personal.  But we do have continual doors that are opened by the Lord for his work to go forward here. 

I also told my companion one day that a mission experience can sometimes make you feel totally bipolar!  Someone commits to come back to church - you're elated!  Sunday they don't show - you're deflated.  Up, down, up, down...  Luckily the 'ups' far outweigh the 'downs'.   And here are a few more of the sweet places and faces that filled our spirits this week:

Jennah continues to make such wonderful activities for any kids that come to the youth center.  August's theme was 'astronomy' in honor of the eclipse.

There was a contest to see who could make the most accurate constellation.

Ryan, a twelve year old, won.   It was such a fun, creative activity.

But the other winner was Dana, who had Grandpa Fred's undivided attention for an entire video game.   This sweet young lady would be reason enough for us to volunteer at the Youth Center each week.




And while we're on the subject of astronomy, we were part of the 'eclipse party' at The Little House.  It was really enjoyable. 

Even though we were only at about 82%, everyone enjoyed gathering for the 'event'.  Fred had borrowed a welder's mask, and even more fun were the colander reflections!

Then we all went inside to watch the bigger happenings closer to all of you on TV.  Most of our friends say they would gladly make the seven hour return trip home to replay the wonder of that moment. 









Here is an amazing lady we met in our monthly meeting of 'Friends of the Groveland Library' (FOGL).  She just completed a cross country cycling fete with her group in support of fighting MS...which she has!  She cycled from Oregon to Maine.  And her unassuming manner would never say it was any big accomplishment.  We are in awe.

And here's a sweet friend from our branch that I've grown fond of.  Judy's had a challenging year.  She's just finishing radiation treatments following her cancer surgery. 

She is also the daughter of Disney Legend Ken Anderson, who was one of Walt Disney's major animators and artistic directors (think 'American Tail', 'Pete's Dragon', 'The Aristocats', etc).  It's so fun to look around her house and see memorabilia from her dad's work.  And she's just as talented. 



I have to include a picture Fred saw posted the other day.  It's our wonderful British bungalow.  It has been home to ourselves, Elder and Sister Blunck, and Elder and Sister Bambrough. 

Remembering all the dinners, YSA gatherings, Home Evenings and 'baking days' with young members held there, it's hard to believe that it's finally the end of an era.  It was definitely a heaven-sent miracle to the mission.  I hope the next renters can still feel the spirit there. 

Here is our latest blessing - our new found friend Robert.  Unfortunately in this picture he had just come through a harrowing experience with some of Groveland's worse element.  I won't take time to tell his story except to say that sometimes you pray for people to be put in your grandchildren's way.  And sometimes, you find yourselves on the other side of that. 

This young man is bright, outgoing, and so enjoyable to cook for.  Did I mention he's also a member of the church?  Just sort of out on his own, deciding who he is.  Today, he, Elder Meese, and our great Sonora Elders are spending 'P-Day' together in Yosemite!  We pray for good things to come into his life. 

And those Elders I mentioned?  They don't come any better, more obedient or more effective than this trio!  They're the kind you'd love to keep on a 'permanent transfer'! 

I can't believe summer is already drawing to a close!  Our August marina pot luck was last week.  One more weekend and the lines of tourists will be gone. 

Most pine mountain residents would say that is just fine with them.  The tourist trade and renters keep Groveland alive, but everyone is always plenty ready to have their quiet little mountain town back in the Fall.

And, as my husband is always happy to find local, family owned restaurants that have great food, we found this one in Jamestown.  Not only great food, but the owner also has a great sense of humor - per the sign below...

And on that happy note, I'll close.  With this latest piece of advice passed on to us by several residents:  don't come too close to the deer this time of year.  If they have babies, they'll run at you and 'hoof you'!  So I now walk on the other side of the road if they're near.  And my husband?  Well...

*  sigh  *


We love you all.  Have a happy Labor Day. 

On a Mission, You Never Know

You're never sure what you'll happen upon when you're on a mission.  In this case, we were sure glad we took a 'side trip'!  We had decided to drop some things past Reta's house on our way back from Sonora.  The closer we got, the more we noticed something was definitely awry! 

Her daughter was knee-deep in a repair job on their water line, which had developed a leak!  There was plenty of mud to go around, and the next couple of hours saw Fred and Nova working pretty hard to reconstruct this line.   As it turned out, it needed one more part, and another willing branch member to complete the job the next morning.   Thank heavens for willing priesthood hands...and very capable daughters.  

We had a welcome visitor in our home this week.  We finally got a referral for a good piano tuner!  You would think that would be an easy call,  unless you live in the mountains where they are a scarce commodity and the closest is in Sonora!   

Mr. Corson was so kind - very gentle to our piano (which he said had a wonderful bass for its size).  He arrived at 3:30 and left at 7:40pm.  True story.  The piano was quite out of tune, and he would let it rest at intervals.  Anyway, when he finished, it was like playing a whole new instrument!  And we celebrated by inviting our neighbors over the following night for our first musical gathering!!  

These are our great neighbors, Ken and Sue.  He is a master guitarist (he owns far too many, he says, bordering on an obsession).  At our invitation, they trotted across their backyard to our house, had dinner with us, and treated us to a grand night of playing and singing old gospel standards together!  ("Come to the Church In the Wildwood", "The Old Rugged Cross", "Do, Lord, oh Do, Lord", etc.)  He was thrilled that Fred and I could sing harmony and asked if we would be willing to come sing with his church some week if they did a program.  He said no one sings harmony in his Seventh Day Adventist congregation.  Hey, a couple of Mormon missionaries in your choir?  Why not?  Anyway, I think this is just the beginning of some great evening 'sing along' experiences in our home. 

By the way, we also had time to discuss some of the similarities and differences in our religions.  They had a good laugh because I had earlier picked all the summer sausage out of the pasta salad I fixed for them, thinking they were vegetarian.  He said only about 25 percent of their members follow that any more.  (They were also interested in our word of wisdom).

By the way, speaking of improved neighbor relations, this is how Fred, Jeff, and Jeff's kids spent the afternoon yesterday - installing Jeff's air hockey game!  Jeff and Leslie are now some of our good friends.  

Here is another thing we're enjoying each week - our class on herbs!  Luci is a great teacher, and we've made some useful creations: lavender sachets, sleep pillows, bug spray, herbal teas...  

This is Luci, in the 'kitchen section' of the Little House where we work each week.  Fred and I both like the licorice plant the best so far.  I don't know that I buy into every 'natural cure' she teaches us about, but it's good to learn about them!  

That makes me think of 'health'.  So here's the two-sided coin of mission life:  breakfast - sometimes we love frittatas stuffed with as many vegetables as you can get in a pan.  Yea!  

Then there's dinner.  After we clean the church every other Thursday, we all go out to eat together.  Often, that's a calzone at Two Guys Pizza.  Even if you share one,...massive.  Boo.  scale up, scale down, up, down, up..... hahaha 

And speaking of food, we generally try to have at least one couple over for Sunday dinner.  I hope we stay in that habit at home.  After we eat, we always think it's fun to talk or play a game for a while.  This is Sister Johnstone, celebrating because she finally went out FIRST at Quiddler!  She was pretty happy.  And she was also a great sport, having told us that Wallace was the game player, NOT her.  Thanks for such an enjoyable afternoon, Lavonne.  

Jennah keeps planning such fun things for the kids at the Youth Center.  This month's theme is 'space', in honor of the eclipse.  We made 'rocket dogs' together last week; unfortunately there were no kids there.  So...she and I and Fred each had one and enjoyed a good time conversing together.  She is a very devout Christian and we've had some wonderful discussions about morals, beliefs, etc. (which we couldn't do if the kids were in the center).  But they've finally reopened the skate park, so we will undoubtedly see the return of several young boarders and scooter enthusiasts!  Yea! 

So here's a question on an entirely different subject:  how do the police up here do their job in such a mountainous, wooded area?  They held a community information evening for all of us in the local park recently and showed us three ways: 

I wish I could remember how far away this police dog can detect the presence of a drug - it's like miles.  (Yes, Groveland has a drug problem)  And he's so gentle you can pet him (all in the way he's trained, according to his handler)  

This horse has been on the force for years; he's thirteen.  He can successfully find his target deep into the forest.  But in recent years, his handler says people want results even faster than he can get there, so.... 

Here's the newest member of the force.  It finds, hovers, and can return wherever its owner asks, always saving enough battery for the flight home.  (If you've ever read Farenheight 451, we're there...) 

Just for fun, let me mention a family from Colorado who recently came through and stayed for our whole three hour block on Sunday.  They said they have ten children.  Three are on missions.  Three are return missionaries.  One more will enter the field in December.  They have home schooled their children.  They are now on a several month tour of places in the U.S. as well as overseas...for the educational experience.  We sure meet some unique families here.  

Here's a parting shot:  this little doe thought she could totally hide from us as we passed on our morning walk.  See if you can spot her.  They sometimes blend into the landscape so well!  Have a great week, everyone.  And I hope your temperatures - and ours - start a downward trend!!  

HOLY SMOKE, and then some!

Well, we have just been through our first 'education' in California wildfires.  Joyce says the season is just beginning.  But this one was enough for me! 

We were actually at a branch member's home in Greeley Hill for an ice cream social the night we saw the first plume of smoke rise up.  But hey, it was clear on the other side of Lake McClure, so it would have to jump the lake to cause any real trouble, and that wasn't going to happen. 

Only it did.  By the next morning, it had turned into the Detwiler Fire and would eventually consume 82,000 acres before 5,000 fire fighters could bring it to its knees.  Our branch members in Greeley Hill and Coulterville were evacuated. 

The sky went from clear blue to an ashen grey, oppressive 'dome' above us.  I was glad my kids with asthma weren't here! 

Fred and I packed overnight cases with pills, a change of clothes, important papers...and waited for evacuation news.   I asked some friends up here what they grab when this happens.  They said, "Less every time". 

I'm not sure you can see how the ash covered this patio table, but our cars, clothes and hair all got a grim coating. 

I will tell you I gained enormous respect for firefighters.  There were big homemade board signs on some of the roads declaring "We Love You" and "Thank You!" from local residents. 

It's hard to describe the frightening nature of these fires.  This shot is above our house, and there's not a cloud in the sky.  it's all smoke.  Jim Burdick, our local retired firefighter, says you can never predict how these will go.  A fire can decide to change direction at any time.  He said this one was especially bad because it didn't 'lie down' at night like most do. 

Now I'll show you a picture of why these can cause so much havoc.

This is what pretty much all the surrounding hills look like this summer.  That's why the fire fighters said every ember that fell had a 100 percent chance of sparking a new flame. 

We all kept close tabs on Cal Fire, the Tuolumne Sheriff's alerts, and TheMotherLode.com. 

This was our 'brain trust' that directed the branch through this.  Jim is our Second Counselor (President Whitmer was in Alaska!!).  His wife, Joyce, is a ranger in Yosemite.  And his sister, JoAnn, handles Park information at the office in Groveland.  She and Joyce also make up 2/3 of the Relief Society Presidency!  They've all been through this 'many times'! 

And so when the first blessed day of blue sky returned, I found how grateful I should be every morning when we step out the door to go walking in this paradise.  I could easily have awakened to charred cinders of this 'mountain home so dear'.   But after all was said and done, all homes of our members were spared and everyone is thankfully 'back home'. 63 other families weren't so lucky as their houses were destroyed during the last 15 days.  Thankfully the fire is 90% contained and on it's way out. 

So in happier news from the mission, here are a couple of gems: 

Look what we passed this week on our morning walk!  You almost never get a shot of the whole family like this, with their two adorable fawns in tow! 

And here's a great new friendship we've made because of Elder Meese's baking skills!  He found that a woman through the block is a professional bread maker.  Through a branch member doing repair work for her, we got in contact with her, and she agreed to let him come talk 'bread' with her!  (Interesting side bar - her husband said 'as long as they don't talk religion!')  When we got there, she was knee deep in baking for an upcoming festival, so she let him watch.  It turned out to be the best visit! 

They are delightful people!  They invited Fred to bring them a loaf of his bread; they were entranced that he grinds his own wheat and does whole wheat 'round' bread in V8 cans.   

He took them a loaf, to their wonderful little geodesic home.  And they loved it!  They have invited us to come around any time just to visit. 









Here's a picture that's hard to believe.  Not because Cyndi made this sweet baby quilt for Will and Kirsten's baby coming in the Fall.  But because she doesn't own a sewing machine.  She did this all (piecing, border, all of it) by hand. 

 She brought it to church to give Kirsten today, so I snapped a shot of it.  Wonderful. 

Oh, and I thought I'd show you my 'alternate sister':  this is my Groveland "Jolene".  She has the same name as my only sibling, which is probably why I feel warmly toward her.  She was speaking in church today, a while after I took this picture.   So she was petrified with anxiety.  Which is humorous, because she's spent a lifetime serving in almost every calling in the church.  Her husband is one of our former branch presidents, and Jolene is a totally talented and capable pillar of the branch.  Go figure that she still gets nervous...

Last week we also said good-bye to a great Elder in our District.  He's the first one we've worked closely with that has completed his mission and is heading home.  I'm really going to miss him.  He always seemed to have a humble and inspired answer to help me with questions I had.  God's speed, Elder Bowler.

I think I'd better close.  And thank you to the friend who pointed out I was way overdue for this post.  Time can get away from me.   And so, to end, I'll give you one of our friends we 'caught in the act' after the Fourth of July celebrations!  Tsk Tsk!!
And here's to a happy beginning to August to you all.  We love you. 

An unexpected blessing!

Okay, here it is, our miracle blessing! 

And this is how it began.  Fred called my attention to a notice on the Pine Mountain neighborhood website: "Piano, free to someone who plays.  Must pick it up yourself." 

So these are the people behind the ad.  This is Phil and his Polish bride of three months.  The lady with white hair is Barbara; we know her from many places we've volunteered. 

Phil's previous wife died a few years ago and he wanted the piano placed with someone who could enjoy it.  His neighbor Barbara placed the ad for them.  We saw Barbara a couple of hours later at our Little House herb class.   We couldn't jump fast enough.

I played for them, we talked.  They were lovely, generous people.  But they were leaving for their main home in Nevada the next day!  Could Elder Meese put together a moving crew in four hours? 

How about borrowing Jim's truck, dolly, and straps?  If our neighbor Jeff and our new branch member Bob were available, it might work! 

By that evening, voila!  We had a home that would be filled with music!

The only funny part of this is that Phil's wife, in broken English, said she didn't want to give up the piano bench (that was serving as their TV stand), even when Elder Meese offered to buy them a replacement.  But hey, who can complain??!! 




Now, what blessings have come from this? 
1.  Phil and his wife asked if they could come over for a concert later on.
2.  Jeff, next door, has now become a fast friend and invited us to spend the
     Fourth with them!
3.  Our Seventh Day Adventist friend who plays guitar said we should have a
     holiday gathering with playing and singing.
4.  Barbara asked if I would consider being a rehearsal accompanist for their singing group, The Pine Cone Singers!  They're really professional!

And I have a feeling that's only the beginning.....

I also have an idea for it after our mission.  I'm wondering if Kirsten (who has a beautiful singing voice) would like it in their new home.  Let me show you the blessing they've seen in the past two months!  See the tiny tent trailer in this shot?

It's where they used to sleep...every night.  Now it's on the lot of the home they are now renting!  If I told you how hard it is to find homes up here you'd understand why it was a miracle that a couple in their 80's had to move 'downhill' and asked if her hair dresser (Kirsten!) and husband might be interested in moving in.    This is where she lives now.

It's perfect for the two (soon to be three) of them, and just 'woodsy' enough to keep this outdoor, hiking-and-camping couple happy.

A gift from an ever-watching Father in Heaven.

By the way, they've chosen not to know the sex of this upcoming hiker. 

Okay, I just have time to show you a visual of the best story of forgiveness and redemption we have heard in church.  It was a testimony given by the owner of this rig:

You may remember us telling about the shortest route up to Groveland called "Old Priest Grade".  It's a 14% grade, but it's 1.7 miles versus the 5 mile winding and gentler path on "New Priest Grade".  Well, it goes without saying that motorhomes, etc. are NOT allowed on old priest. 

You would think this last sign was warning enough to head tourists to the correct road.  But... believe it or not, this sign is placed AFTER you have made the turn and committed your vehicle! 

So this poor man's GPS was telling  him to turn right, and he found himself heading up an impossible climb.  Half way up, with a string of irritated drivers behind him, he found a blessed turn out.  He said he had never been so scared in his life, and now (in this jack knifed position) he couldn't even get the jeep to unhook! 

When the highway patrol arrived, "I was so grateful to see him, I didn't even care if I had to pay the $1,000 fine.  I just hoped he could help me get out of this alive.  When asked if I had seen the four previous warning signs, I had to answer in the negative.  I asked if I should turn around.  He said absolutely not; they would then have to close the whole grade for hours.  The only choice I had was to keep going to the top." 

According to this greatly humbled brother, because he had listened to the direction 'of the world' and was oblivious to the warnings before him, he had put them all in great danger. 

After listening to the lessons learned by this repentant driver, I don't think the members of the congregation will ever feel the same about those huge motorhomes mistakenly heading into peril! 

So, on that note, have a great week.  And best wishes for a happy July from...

The Cooking Crew for the annual
Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast

Lucy, Paula and Denise - our directors and herb gardners at the Little House

our July treats for the Youth Center!

And the ever beautiful, still flowing waters of Upper Yosemite Falls.