Sunday 20th

May 20thToday we got up at 5 am, showered and prepared for the day. We made scalloped potatoes from 5 boxes for 15 people. That was our assignment for our Sunday pot luck lunch today. It has been a beautiful day with sunshine, not much wind and just the right temperature. We had an early practice for the choir. Bernice played the organ and it was somewhat of a disaster on the opening song. Since we had Branch Conference today and the choir sang, the chairs were rearranged for the choir to sit facing the audience. The accoustics are terrible in the Trek Center where we hold our sacrament meetings. So for some reason unknown to us the congregation in some parts of the room could not be heard properly. They could only hear the organ bass on the first number and it was very weird because half the congregation were singing a different pitch than the rest. The choir, 53 strong, sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me". It sounded very good.
When the Stake Sunday School President spoke, he gave us a challenge. Because of Branch Conference we would be behind in our assigned lessons and he suggested that we read for ten or fifteen minutes, sit back and contemplate/ponder what we have read. It is a good thing and should increase our perceptons and insights, increase learning.
As usual, we shared our "potluck" with several visitors who are family or friends of missionaries here. We had a couple of friends come from Idaho Falls and that was a pleasant surprise.
The fireside this afternoon was again very informative, covering the various pioneers who made special contributions to the handcart travelers. Among them was Thomas Tennans? who sold his farm holdings in England after being converted and prepared to emingrate to the 1856 North America. Most of his wealth was donated to the Perpetual Immigration Fund and was a big help for some destitute pioneers. He was assigned to the Martin Handcart Company, but never got to see the Salt Lake Valley in the flesh. According to research, he is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery but without a headstone. There is a move in the making to alleviate that.
We are healthy, albeit some muscle pain here and there after a day of Martin's Cove work. The snakes are out and several have been seen. We send those who present a danger to visitors beyond the veil. Bull snakes seem to be plentyful, but we like to have those around.