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| Elder and Sister Barlow - New York Utica Mission |
Hello from beautiful New York. Autumn is here and all the stories we heard about the beauty of this area in the fall are absolutely true! We send our love to all our friends and family who read this blog. We just hit the half way point of our mission and are looking forward to the next nine months. We love this great work. We have been so blessed with good health while here, not one sick day!
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| Fall in the Adirondacks |
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| Bed Bug |
Mission life is always full of adventure and excitement. This area of the country has it's challenges and one of the challenges our missionaries are having comes in the form of a little insect called a "bed bug". I thought a bed bug was just a part of a cute little phrase my father used to tell me when I said "good night". He would say, "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Well, there is nothing cute about "bed bugs". I thought I would include this picture that one of our sister missionaries took. Often our missionaries bring them home from places they visit. It doesn't take long for these little critters to multiply. They lay hundreds of eggs and pretty soon you are infested. They get in your clothes, floors, drawers and of course your bed. You know that they have had a good meal if they are red in color. Although they don't cause disease, they do leave welts and sores all over your body. They seem to be attracted to A+ blood. Fortunately we haven't had them in our apartment.
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| Wendy and Elder Barlow |
The highlight of our month was a surprise visit from Wendy and John. We didn't expect to see any of our family while on our mission but were so excited when we heard that they would be coming. Wendy came on Wednesday night and we picked her up from the Syracuse Airport. After taking her out to dinner we arrived back to our apartment. The next morning we went to the mission office and Wendy got a hands on look at what goes on in our office. She helped sort the mail that comes each morning. At noon we took off to see some sites. First we went to the Oriskany Battlefield where an important Battle was fought in the American Revolutionary War. Although the Patriots from the Mohawk Valley suffered
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| Elder Barlow at Hamilton College |
many casualties, it turned the tide of the revolution. Next we traveled to Rome, New York, where we visited Ft Stanwix. Elder and Sister Barlow had visited these sites before and wanted Wendy to have a taste of the rich history that is here. We then traveled to the beautiful little town of Clinton. We visited the farmers market in the town square and then went up the hill to Hamilton College and walked around the campus which is named after Alexander Hamilton, established in the late 1700, early 1800's.
On Friday we spent the entire day in the mission field. We had Special Training where the missionaries that have been out for a month, return for additional training from President Wirthlin. This is my favorite meeting. When the new missionaries first come out, they are so scared and shy. When they return for Special Training they are transformed into powerful missionaries full of confidence. Sister Wirthlin's helper was not able to come that day so Wendy stepped right up and helped with the luncheon. Wendy was able to meet many of our missionaries and listen to the counsel of President Wirthlin. That evening we were invited to the Mission Home for a farewell dinner for Elder and Sister Walker who have completed their mission.
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| John and Wendy |
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| All Aboard! |
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| Boarding the Cruise Ship |
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| Lighthouse on the lake |
The following morning John arrived and we drove to Utica to catch the train up to the Adirondaks where we spent the day seeing the fall colors and taking a cruise around four connecting lakes. We had perfect weather and enjoyed seeing the sights in and around Old Forge. The
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| Old Forge |
next day we attended Oneida Branch for Fast and Testimony Meeting. The Spirit was strong as these humble people bore such powerful testimony. Wendy and Elder Barlow also contributed. Elder Barlow fixed
a delicious meal and we spent the rest of the day visiting. Wendy and John left early Monday and made their way up to Niagara Falls before catching their flight back to Colorado. The visit went by so quickly but the memories remain. THANK YOU JOHN AND WENDY!
The architecture in our area is so unique. Of course most of what we see dates back to the 19th century. I love the beautiful barns and farm houses, the churches with their red doors and Victorian houses. The house to the right is one that we recently rented for a new senior couple arriving in our mission today. I want to live in a gingerbread house! One of the features that I am particularly curious about is the house below. See the little room on the very top? I'm not sure what it is used for but someone told me they are prayer rooms. I think it would be cool to have your own Celestial room on top of your house. I hope to be able to go in one of these houses before I leave to take a peek.
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| Celestial Room |
A little family news.... Uncle Don and Claudia arrived safe and sound in Recife, Brazil, where they are serving their
6th mission. We wish them well. Congratulations to Ben Williams for earning his Eagle Scout award and to Sam Arnett for heading up a very successful Eagle Project at Liberty Commons School. Pictures of Jeff Arnett and Madeline McKinnon were in the Church News this month for helping with the floods that struck their area. I know Jill and Kim were also involved in the volunteer efforts. A high-five goes out to Tara Gover for getting a 31 on her ACT's. Way to go!
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| Wendy and Tara |
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| Pizza Arch |
To the left is a picture of Elder Black and Elder Call under the pizza arch in one of the apartments. Our current AP, Elder Tanner, started the arch when he lived there and the tradition has continued. Our Elders LOVE Pizza. Next week we welcome a new batch of missionaries and once again say good bye to some that we have grown so close to. We will be saying "hello" to four sisters including a Sister Barlow from Burbank, California (I already found out that she is related) and Sister's Barley, Ladd and Miller and three elders, Elder Villejo, Thompson and Kunzler (a visa waiter assigned to Curitiba Brazil). We will have to say "good bye" to Elders King, Portella, Simmonds and Sister Palmer. This is the hazard we experience as we give our hearts away but we wouldn't have it any other way. Until next month, I leave you with this quote from Elder Holland which gives us purpose for our mission. We love you all so much.
"I promise you will do things for your grandchildren in the service of the Lord that, worlds without end, you could never do if you stayed home to hover over them. What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, 'In this family we serve missions!'"
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| Happy Halloween |
