"Travels Home"
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Gabriels, New York
We left Palmyra this morning and are now in the small town of Gabriels, NY, about 30 minutes outside...
"There and Back Again"
Now that we’re nearing the end of our mission, I’d like to tell you how we got here in the first place. The story begins in 1988 when Dottie and I drove...
"Butterflies & Hurricanes"
“They say that if a butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazonian rain forest, it can change the weather half a world away. Chaos theory. What it means...
"A Winter to Remember"
For those of you living in the West, the record snowfall you received this winter will definitely be remembered. But for those of us living in western...
"More Like Family"
Other than being away from family and friends for a long period of time, missionary service, in just about every respect, is a deeply rewarding experience....
"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts...
"Full Circle"
Drumlins are unique geologic formations found in central and western New York. They are elongated mounds of glacial till formed during the last ice age...
"Simply Spectacular"
As senior missionaries, Dottie and I are encouraged to be involved in our local communitiy and enjoy the unique cultural, historical, and recreational...
"Wild Places"
I love the outdoors especially with a pack on my back and nothing but mountains, deep forests, and expansive meadows around me. This was not always the...
"A Still, Small Voice"
Several weeks ago, I wrote about a mowing experience (See “Look Well to Each Step”) where I made a decision that resulted in quite a muddy mess for Sister...
"Odds & Ends"
A great aspect of missionary service is being immersed in a new environment and experiencing its unique qualities - its people, weather, geography, and...
"Look Well to Each Step"
We got off to a great start today as the weather was finally dry enough for us to catch up on our grass cutting. Weather conditions here are so variable...
"There She Blows!"
Long before drones, high powered spotting scopes, advanced telecommunications, and other modern wizardry, the search for whales for commercial gain was...
"Facing the Storm"
The wind is howling, and it’s another roller coaster weather day in New York. We began the day with clear skies and sunshine. Now, the sound of wind...
"One Miserable Soul"
Yesterday started out pretty much the same as every other day on mission. We met as a group at 7:30am to share a spiritual message, discuss the day’s...
"The Details of Our Lives"
We celebrated Dottie’s birthday today and were glad to mark the event with a tour of the Grandin print shop, a place we’ve both looked forward to visiting...
"Hard Work & Wonder"
Yesterday was a long day for us. A small group of senior missionaries got together to move furniture, a lot of heavy furniture. Moving furniture is always...
"What's Hanging On Those Trees?"
It’s that time of year in New England when sap is running, and boilers are working at full capacity to process another season of maple syrup. A group...
"A Tender Mercy"
We left home on Sunday afternoon following church, and with just a touch of trepidation, set out for Cheyenne, Wyoming. I say trepidation because the...
"The Trip Ahead"
We spent today packing our car and cleaning the house in preparation for leaving tomorrow afternoon on the first leg of our journey to New York. It’s...
"The MTC"
We returned home last night following a week at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah. It was an extraordinary five days of preparation...
New York & Pennsylvania Historic Sites
From March, 2022, to October, 2023, Dottie and I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We served as physical facility specialists at the New York and Pennsylvania Historic Sites.
The three primary areas we served at: Palmyra, New York; the Whitmer Farm in Fayette, New York; and the Priesthood Restoration Site in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
