September Week 3

We are just starting to see the colors change in a big way. We figure by next week it will be in full swing. Today we went to Church with the Etchells. They attend a branch in Rochester. Wonderful place with lots of babies and little children. I believe they had at least 10 in their nursery and we had six babies in RS. What fun.

We are back to work this week and can't tell you how great it is to be back working in the temple every day. We took on a couple of sub jobs this week so worked three days double shifts. We are holding up pretty well, we think. The temple was busy. Maybe because we have been closed two weeks, maybe everyone wants to see the changes in the carpets etc. whatever the reason we are happy about it.

For FHE last Monday we had a marvelous tour of the Sacred Grove with Bob Parrott the forest manager of the grove in the afternoon. He gave us a map and took us around pointing out various trees and what the Church's for the grove. The Church acquired the farm in 1907. There was a patch of forest, the grove, about 6 1/2 acres which the owners after the Smith's said "he felt strongly about putting an ax to trees in that area of the farm and told his children not to touch them." Through the 80's it is was plan to clean up the grove and make it look like a park, every piece of dead wood was picked up and hauled out. In 1998 the thinking changed and they now want it to look like it did in Joseph's time. The pasture has been left to regenerate back to forest. They want a 150 acre forest to buffer the grove. Mr. Parrott is a wonderful advocate for this kind of thinking. In the last ten years the farm land around the grove has not been farmed and allowed to return to forest. Wind carries the seeds, the maple, ash and tulip, squirrels and other animals bring in other seeks and each year it is more diversified. Mr. Parrott, our guide, said "You don't have to be a member of the Church to feel the spirit in this grove." His father owned the farm next to the Smith's and he has walked the grove for over 45 years. He has been working as a consultant forest manager for the church for the lasts 11 years.

Ironwood tree

Forest regenerating

On our walk he pointed out what we call the "Witness Trees". These are trees that would have been old enough to be there when Joseph received the first vision.

Witness tree

Paul & Mar Jean in front of a witness tree

The oldest tree is the ironwood tree which is now dead; but they should be able to keep up for many years. Three of the trees are beech trees, one an ironwood and one a sugar maple. When trees need to come down they are left and the animals use them for homes, the birds feed off them and they eventually disintegrate back into the ground. It was a wonderful experience.

On P-Day we went to the Chiropractor, Dr. Lowry, and then we visited the Whitmer Farm again. We have decided to watch a session of conference out there. This is where President Kimball held the first satellite broadcast and dedicated the Fayette Ward, visitor center and Whitmer Farm. This is where the church was organized on April 6, 1830.

Paul spent P-Day morning mowing the Amsden's field, only two more times. He found some nice red leaves.

What a great week in the mission field. Hope you all have a great week and find time to go to the House of the Lord. love mj & paul