Missionaries at Martin's Cove

As we serve at Mormon Handcart Historic Sites we're daily involved in a myriad of projects and assignments. One day we may be in charge of cleaning restrooms at the Homestead and on the trails, another day we'll serve in the Visitors Center, another day at one of the posts on the trail telling trekkers and visitors of the experiences of our handcart pioneers.  Every day is different and every assignment finds us with different responsibilities.  We've learned very quickly the outstanding talents and skills of our wonderful missionary friends.  They're amazing and make serving at MHHS a joy.  Here are just a few of the people we serve with and places we're at.

"We wear on our faces the result of what we believe and how we behave, and such behavior is most evident in the eyes and on the faces of those who have lived many years".  Gordon B. Hinckley

FHE - Sister Francom writes music, sings, plays guitar & piano & is our neighbor on Loop B at Ranch 66 Missionary Village campground

 

Good food is an important part of missionary service!

 

Sister Graham is another delightful neighbor.  Baby bunnies abound here now.  Here one is on the little patch of grass by the Grahams "Box"

 

Elders Brunner & Iverson cooking for a missionary gathering.

The wind always seems to blow in WY, so they moved equipment out of this shed so they could grill effectively.

 

Every day those with "work crew" assignment meet in the Barn

to learn their responsibility for the day.

 

This day most of us had road clean-up.  Our little group worked all

along the highway leading to Martin's Cove picking up litter that

careless drivers had disposed of out the window.

 

Sisters Minnick, Graham & Voda setting up a quilt

in the Humanitarian Center.

 

The wagons need to be repainted.  Sisters Davis,

Francom, Pratt and Shepard hard at work.

 

Several sisters worked on quilts all day. 

We were able to complete 10 that day!

 

I love that some of our Elders even come to help sometimes

when they've completed their assignments early.

Elder & Sister Bagby & Sister Ward hard at work.

 

Elder Brunner & Sister Ward finishing up the quilt.

 

Visitors Center double duty.  Sisters Francom, Davis, Glass

and Travers work on projects when visitors are not there.

 

 

"Though my work may be menial, though my contribution may be small, I can perform it with dignity and offer it with unselfishness.  My talents may not be great, but I can use them to bless the lives of others...The goodness of the world in which we live is the accumulated goodness of many small and seemingly inconsequential acts".   Gordon B. Hinckley

Sisters Fowler & Starr are the amazing schedulers here. 

They somehow keep everyone where they need to be every day 

and are always happy, upbeat and accomdating.

 

Elder Minnick (another Loop B neighbor) serving at the Blacksmith Shop.

 

Sisters Minnick & Barrett hard at work painting

benches in the campground.

 

It takes an army of missionaries to get all those benches

painted!  It's a cold day, but Sisters Francom & Brunner are 

protected from the weather and the messy paint!

 

While Elders Simper, Haacke, Crabtree & Holman dig fence post holes.

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can"  John Wooden

Sisters Smith & Hardy keep the office running smooth!

Time for a break and fun dinner of burgers and all the

fixin's for Pioneer Day celebration!

 

"We should never, never underestimate the spiritual power

of temporal service".  Henry B. Eyring

 

School groups come from the neighboring communities to learn

more about handcart pioneer history and ranch life in the late 1800's. 

Sisters Ohm, Haacke, Onstine & Varty waiting for the children to arrive.

Sister Fenn busily doing good!

 

 

Another humanitarian project - toys for children in crisis.  Here

Sister Onstine is in the process of making a fleece stuffed bunny.

 

Sisters Lindley & Spaulding work hard on yard crew every week.

 

Another day, another quilt.  Sisters Voda, Francom,

Graham & Travers with Sister Shepard knitting a hat.

 

Kyler's Baptism and Oscar's Tribute



This week has been a memorable one for us at MHHS.  Kyler and his family were trekking here this week.  They started at the Willie Sixth Crossing site on Thursday, arriving here at the Martin's Cove site Thursday night and then trekking here all day Friday.  They had the full experience, beginning with a touching orientation from Elder Davis and then walking along the trail across Veil Crossing Bridge and up to Martin's Cove.  They experienced a river crossing re-enactment of the Martin handcart companies November 3, 1856 Sweetwater River crossing as they sought shelter in a nearby ravine that would become known as Martin's Cove.  Last was a womans pull where Jared and Kyler hiked on ahead and Becky and Emmalie pulled and pushed the handcart alone up a steep sand covered hill.  They knew they could do hard things if necessary and this was a test of their endurance and strength after two long days of trekking. 

That night they camped at Cherry Creek Campground with trek groups of hundreds of youth who were here to experience this same kind of challenge.  They came seeking understanding of what really happened with the handcart pioneers in 1856. 

The culmination of their trekkking experience came on Saturday as Kyler was baptized in the Sweetwater River here at the Martin's Cove site.  He turned eight in February and has been anxiously waiting for July when the family could have this multi-day event.  It was a wonderful baptismal service, full of love and the Spirit and Kyler's sweet testimony that he could feel special things happened here and in the cove.

An unusual occurance took place that has special meaning to us.  Minutes before the baptism was to take place, while the program was proceeding with several speakers, a large white dog named Oscar came on the scene and went into the river near where Kyler and the guests were seated.  He stayed there a few minutes, and then when Ky and Jared descended down the bank into the river, Oscar came out.  He stood on the bank and watched as the sacred baptismal ordinance was performed, then circled around the group and watched and waited for Kyler to come up the bank and then the steps to join the waiting group of family and friends.

As Ky headed off to change into dry clothing a few minutes later, Oscar approached and stood near him, then walked with him across the grass to the restroom.  Ky leaned over and said "thanks for coming to my baptism Oscar" and put his hand on his head as they walked off together.  It was precious, and classic Oscar. 

Oscar often shows up unexpectedly for young people and trek groups.  We never know where and when he will be here.  He loves to be with the youth and will choose a trek group and stay with them their entire trek experience.  He was at the base of the cove on Friday when Kyler and his family were there.  Ky spent about 10 minutes with him that day.  He sat down beside him and just talked to him and petted him.  He told him he was being baptized on Saturday.  Later that afternoon as he and his family were driving home Kyler expressed that he wasn't surprised Oscar had come, because he was invited. 

The leadership here at the mission expressed that in the four years they've been here they've never seen Oscar come to a baptism, and never seen him do anything like what he did with Kyler at the baptism.   Those of us here who have heard Oscar stories the last 3 months know that he watches out for the youth and families who come here.  He once protected some youth from a rattlesnake that had gotten into their tent.  Another time he stopped a family from leaving in their RV without their little child who's absence had been overlooked.  Just last week he chose a young trekker who was having medical challenges and stayed with her throughout her trek experience.  He's a special visitor here to the site each summer, coming from a ranch some distance away, and showing up each trek season and staying until the last trek group leaves.  We're grateful Oscar added a special element of gentleness and love that made Ky's baptism in the Sweetwater River even more memorable and special.

Trekkers!

They arrive each week, anytime from Monday to Wednesday, and stay for 3-5 days.  They fill the air with their excited laughter and the grounds here at Martin's Cove and Willie Sixth Crossing with the vibrancy and exuberance that is found only in the young.  Most have been waiting for four years for this experience.  That's the waiting list and time frame necessary for trek groups from Wards and Stakes.  Each June the trekking season begins, as summer break from school begins.  Each August the trek groups slowly diminish, until by the last week there are no trekkers on the trails except family groups.

Buses and cars in Staging area

Kids getting their handcarts

Orientation before starting on Trek

As they meet each evening in nearby semi-primitive campgrounds (pit toilets, water pumps, fire rings and log benches scattered amidst the sagebrush); they share the stories of the hand cart pioneers they're "walking for".  Many carry a name and have researched that individual and their experiences and challenges as they crossed the plains on their 1300  mile journey for religious freedom and sacred ordinances to be obtained only in  holy houses of God. Testimony meetings at the close of their trek experience are tender and filled with love of God, appreciation for their fellow trekkers who have helped and buoyed them up through hard times on the trail, gratitude for parents who are recognized anew for their sacrifices and devotion, and a new-found respect and awe for those who came before at such a high price, all for the gospel's sake. 
There is no experience like trekking to bless the lives of the youth of the Church.  It is a marvelous work and a wonder.

Some of our groups are small - just a little family trying to understand and appreciate the handcart experience.  Oscar the dog has adopted this family for the day and stays with them throughout their experience.

This shot was taken across the valley so is not a good detail one,

but I love the American flags that each handcart carried on this

special day, the birth of our country - July 4th.

We have a few trek groups that are small, only 20-40 youth and leaders.  Most are 125-350, some up to 400.  They come from all over the USA-Montana, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Illinois, California, Arkansas, Nevada, South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Iowa - & many states beyond for our smaller family groups.

In the evenings, after trekking 7-14 miles, they gather to learn how to square dance.  We have this opportunity to teach the youth 2-4 nights each week.  It's a joy to see them catch on and then become exuberant in their dancing.  Tired feet and aches and pains are forgotten in the fun of the moment.  We see how the pioneers were at times able to relax and find happiness in this simple pleasure after a hard days travel.

Trekking is GREAT!!!