Christmas Day

After Reading Luke Chapter 1 and 2, and Mathew Chapter 1 we opened our gifts.  This is the wonderful generous gifts we received for Christmas.  Thanks to all who remembered us!  We talked to E. McVea's Parents for a bit, and after this we spoke through Skype to all of our children.  We feel so blessed to have such wonderful children who love us and love the Lord. 

This is one of Elder McVea's favorite yard decorations.  Santa's Sleigh being pulled by a John DEERE Tractor.  Get it John DEERE.  Like Rein Deer!!! Oh well, thought it was cool.

Guest Book of John Young Home

Bob & Eileen Havens are neighbors of ours.  Eileen and her family used to live in the Large John Young home.  The home was built by John Young, President Brigham Young's Father.  Eileen's mother  kept a guest book of the many visitors who had stopped to see the home over the years. The book was passed to Eileen by her mother for safe keeping.  Bob and Eileen now live about a 1/2 mile south of here.  We visited them tonight and they showed us the book.  Although there were many pages, I will post only three.  These three pages show signatures of people most of you will recognize. The one above has a business card of Harold B. Lee when he was the president of the Eastern States Mission.

  This was signed by Elder and Sister Spencer W. Kimball.  Note the messages he added.

Elders N. Eldon Tanner, Richard L. Evans, and Marion D. Hanks signatures are at the top of this page.  There is such rich history in this area.

This is Sister Ryals (in the Red) with her daughter and grandchildren who came to pick her up from her mission.  We were so sad to see her go.  She served for 18 months as the financial secretary.  She is from South Carolina and has a wonderful southern accent.  We wish her well in the next phase of her life.

This is Sisters Stone and Carter.  They stopped by to pick up some supplies and we put them to work decorating our office Christmas tree.

This is the Hill Cumorah Visitor Center at night.  We were here for a Church Historical Site Missionary Meeting that is held every Wednesday night at 6:30 pm.  We gather for instruction, special music, talks and testimonies.  There is always a very strong spirit in these meetings.

Preparation Day

Today, December 18, 2010, was our preparation day.  On our way to Marion, New York to have Sister McVea's hair cut, we gave two of our missionaries a ride to where they had decided to tract.  As we dropped them off, Elder McVea snapped this photo.  This is Sisters Egan and Morrison.  They are two of the most powerful sisters we have in the mission.  We pray for their success.

This is a home near Marion New York.  One of Elder McVea's  favorite homes in the area.

Marion, New York

Many homes have long icicles like these.

2010 Thankgiving Day

This is the Couples Thanksgiving Dinner we enjoyed held at the Smith Farm Welcome Center.  It is just a stones throw from the sacred grove and the reconstructed log home.  Sister McVea is about half way done the right side of the table and I am behind the camera.

Another Shot of couples at the dinner.

Elder and Sister Hales some of our dear friends who server as site missionaries.

Winter Scenes

This is our temporary home, the small John Young home, at mid December.  We feel so blessed to live in such a wonderful place.  The heat works well and we are cozy warm.

 This is what we see each morning during breakfast.  It makes us thankful for shelter from the cold, warm food, and modern conveniences.  Yes, that is 10 degrees.

These ice cycles nearly touched the ground.  They partially melted and then fell off a few days later.

 We have seen these ducks on our way to work for several day.  Sister McVea drove while I snapped a few shots this morning.  Just another one of our simple pleasures we so enjoy about our calling.  This is such a beautiful part of the world.

Dear Friends

We love standing shoulder to shoulder in the cause of Zion with people like Elder and Sister Morley.  They are responsible for all the apartments in the mission; and they do a miraculous job of it.  We served with their daughter and son-in-law Paul and Pat Rowe and their children, in the Hill Cumorah Pageant for a number of years.  We love the Morley's.

Part of Sister McVea's calling is to forward the packages and letters that come to the mission office for the missionaries.  This being Christmas time we have a lot more than normal.  This was 3 days worth of mail.  Due to transfer's we had to hold it for a bit till we knew where all the missionaries would end up after transfer.  Normally we get it out the same day it arrives.  Believe it or not it all fit in the Camry.  The trunk was full and so was the back seat. 

This is an office party in honor of Sisters Price and Evertsen who both celebrated their birthdays in December.  On the left side of the table are President and Sister Christianson and Sister McVea.  On the right side are Sisters Price and Evertsen, and Elder and Sister Yost. The Yost were our trainers.

Our First Snow

It was a little storm.  Not much snow but it changed the appearance so much I thought I'd include it.  We have a cool Honda snow blower.  I hope we get more snow so I can feel justified in getting it out.  I have already started it two or three time just to hear it run.  I love Honda!!!!

This is the Big John Young home.  We now have Sister Evertsen and Sister Price living in this home.  We are so happy to have neighbors.  They had us over for dinner a few days back.  We enjoy their company.

 

This is Sister Price - - Never a dull moment when she is around.

This is Sister Ryals, Evertsen, & McVea.  This was an impromptu color coordination day!!!