Fire Alarm at the Big John Young Home

 On a Friday night we got a call from the sisters across the street saying their CO (Carbon Monoxide) detectors were sounding.  They have been having a lot of furnace troubles lately so I took the news a bit more serious than I otherwise would have.  After I checked a few things, we decided the best thing to do was to evacuate and call the fire department.  Well, about 30 minutes later (the fire department is less than a mile away, they said we gave them the wrong address and we probably did) they finally arrived.  But, there was something strange about them.  They were a bit, shall we say, slurring their words and staggering a bit.  Yes you guessed it.  As I got a bit closer to them I could smell alcohol on their breth. Two of the 4 who came out had been drinking.  It is not as bad as it seems, however, they are a volunteer fire department and it was Friday night.  I am only glad we did not have a real big emergency.  We learned it was not the CO detectors at all, it was a smoke detector that was sensing some smoke from the furnace in the basement.  Seems the serviceman had spilled a few solvents in the process of cleaning the furnace that morning and that is what set off the smoke detectors.  All is well now.

See the happy firemen.

Baptism of the __________ Family

These are a father (Larry) and son (Mike).  Their last name is ________.  They were first introduced to the Church at the Hill Cumorah Pageant.  They were baptized on January 22, 2011.  They were first taught by Sisters Maughan and Chaston shown in the Picture.  After Mike's baptism, the he received the Aaronic Prieshood the following Sunday.  The next Saturday he baptized his wife (Michelle), son and daughter.  Another daughter has a date set for the near future.

Lael's Wedding to Michael Hanson

Lael married Michael Hanson of Price Utah.  Pictured with Lael and Mike are his father Brent, his mother Charlene and Mike's four siblings (back row going left to right), Diana, Patrick, Suzy, and Robert.

This is my children.  (Left to Right) Sarah, Seth, Lael, Emily, Joshusa, and Melissa) This is why we do what we do.  They are such a huge blessing to us.  I love them every one.  The hardest part of serving a mission is not being with them and our grandchildren.  But we know Heavenly Father is taking care of our children as we do our best to take care of his.

Both are so radiant.  I love these two women.  This was truly a pay day for this old dad.

Resisting Temptation Video

Cold weather of Western New York

Off to work we go.  It was a cold one this day.  The garage is about 30 yards from the house.

I love Honda's, especially snow blowers.  Notice the tracks, not wheels.  It is so "Cool".

Speaking of Cool.  Here is cool.  Yes, that is 10 degrees below zero.  Coldest morning yet.

Our icicles nearly touched the ground.  They melted loose and fell a day or so after.

Winter Walk in the Sacred Grove - New Years Eve, 2010

This photograph was taken as we walked from the Smith Family Frame Home to the Grove.

This is in the sacred grove at sunset.  It looks so different than in the summer.

Another part of the Sacred Grove after sunset.  It was so nice.  This picture was taken by a young man named Elsworth.  He and his wife moved to the area about 5 months ago to manage the recently built Palmyra Inn located on Route 21 a little north of the Hill Cumorah.

Visit to the Smith Farm -New Years Eve - 2010

This is the Joseph Smith Cabin.  It is not the original cabin, but an exact replica.  It is built using logs from near by forests, using the same construction styles of the day.  It is located on the exact location of the original cabin, give or take a few inches.  I have never gone in this cabin with out feeling the spirit, especially in the upper room where the angel Moroni appeared to young Joseph and told him about the Gold Plates, among other things.

 This is Elder Caton.  He was our tour guide.  He told of his conversion to the church.  He said he received a witness that the things he was hearing were true while standing in this very room, listening to much of the same tour he was now giving, years earlier.  He is a great disciple of Jesus Christ. 

This is the room from which Joseph left early on a clear day in the spring of 1820.  He went to the near by grove and asked God which church he should join.  In answer to his prayer God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to him and said that he should not join any of them, but at some future time the Church and Kingdom of God would be restored in its fullness to the earth.  I know this event happened.  By the power of the Holy Ghost, I have learned for myself.  It is true!