Sisters Chaston, Tirrell, and Jones Vistit to the Mission Office

These three sisters stopped by the office to have lunch with us and share a hymn as well.

Kirk Morris's Visit to Rochester (13 Nov 2010)

Our Neighbor from Provo Kirk Morris, son of Best Friends Tom and Lisa Morris, flew into Rochester.  He is here interviewing with a dental program that specializes in pediatric dentistry.  We picked him up at the airport and toured him around some of the Church Historical Sites.  We went to the Sacred Grove, Joseph Cabin, Hill Cumorah and the Grandin Building where the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were published.

Sister McVea, Kirk Morris and Elder McVea (taking the picture) at the Hill Cumorah in the Fall.

Sister McVea, Kirk Morris, and Elder McVea at the E. B. Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was first published.

This is an exact replica of the type of press used to to print the first copies of the Book of Mormon.

Our First Zone Conference's ( 9-12 Nov 2010

Sister McVea and I participated in our first set of Zone Conferences November 9th through 12th of 2010.  There are 4 Zones in the New York Rochester Mission; Rochester, Palmyra North, Palmyra South and Buffalo.  The cars in this picture represent about 1/3 of the 37 cars I have responsibility for.  I check the tires, fluids, body exterior and interior condition. I also do a 30 minute presentation to the Elders and Sisters about caring for the vehicles as well as Safety.  Sister McVea goes and helps me when she can and also does a presentation about baptisms, referrals, and mail as needed.

Tour of the Hill Cumorah with President and Sister Christianson (8 Nov 2010)

President and Sister Christianson took Sister McVea and I, and the rest of the office staff, Sister Ryals and Brinkerhoff on a "behind the scenes" tour of the Hill Cumorah.  We saw things we had never seen, and heard things we had never heard.  It was indeed a sacred time for us all as we were reminded of the sacred things that have occurred here.  I am even more convinced that this is not only the place where Moroni burred the plates, but that this is the place of the great and last battle between the Nephites and the Lamanites as depicted in the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith described the hiding place of the gold plates to be a "stone box" covered by a stone that was "thick and rounded in the middle on the upper side"  and flat on the bottom.  This is one example of many stones on the hill that fit that description.  Of course we do not know the exact location of the original hiding place of the gold plates.

This is one of the trees that is old enough to have been on the hill when Joseph Smith meet with the Angle Moroni.  If this and other trees of this age could talk, it could probably tell us exactly what happened when Joseph Smith was taught by Moroni and eventually able to take the plates from the hill for translation.  These trees are called "witness trees".

End of a Beautiful Day - 30 Oct. 2010

 While driving home from the service project at 6 pm I looked over at a field and saw this picture.  I asked Coleman to turn around so we could capture it on camera.  He suggested including the tractor and trailer which really made it perfect.  Look at the trees that appear to be on fire.  It is just beautiful in this part of God's vineyard.  We just can't seem to be tired of the beauty.

 Before we reached home we had taken several pictures and this is another one.

After we got home and Coleman went out to feed the deer he took this shot.  We are so grateful for our little camera.  It brings us much happiness.

Saturday Service Project - 30 October 2010

 Penfield missionaries, Elder Harris with Lissa Cotter (above) and Elder Elrey with Elder McVea (below), invited us to help paint Lissa's home who is their investigator.  Penfield is a suburb of Rochester, NY.

After being asked if the paint was dry enough for the second coat, Elder McVea said,  "Nope, it's not dried yet."

Sister Holm & Sister Brent can paint nearly as well as they can teach the gospel.

Sister McVea at work, what more can I say.

Friends in the Office

 Left to Right:  Sister Brinkerhoff, Pleasant Grove, UT the President's Secretary, Elder & Sister McVea, Elder Larry and LaDean Yost who trained dad and I and are from Washington State, and Sister Debbie Ryals from South Carolina, the financial secretary.  Taken 29 October 2010.  The Yosts came into the office for a visit because our mail lady was having a birthday.  Sister Yost before leaving the office had promised Jennifer a cake carrot for her birthday.  Well, she held to her promise and she and Elder Yost returned to the office for Friday to be there when Jennifer brought the mail.  Lots of pictures were taken because every one who came to the office that day got a piece of delicious carrot cake.  Since you know us we decided to include the picture taken with us.  She is the reason we have many happy missionaries, because she delivers their mail to the office and then I forward it to the missionaries.