Joseph Tree at Camp Joseph J
This is the Hyrum tree
at Camp Joseph -- notice
how the two trees have grown together== the sign says" together in life, not separated by death" th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELDER SLADE!!!!!


I had Sister Jensen paint this picture of San Juan Farms "Dipmar" for his birthday. I also found a cow bell -so he could have one for his memories . He was surprised!! I left them on the table so that when we came home from shift he would find the surprise.

It worked. It also is a great picture of a cow. Her Husband made the frame for the picture. What a nice blessing they are in our lives. So talented and generous. Happy Birthday Elder Slade. What a fun time I had in planning these gifts. I was so excited to see his face and hoped that he was happy --and he was .

We have finally found the headstone we want for our final resting place. The chain links connecting the two people have the names of their children on each one. This is all found in the HOPE CEMETARY in Barre, VT. (Barry) . There were others to choose from but we liked this one best. It is all made from the same granite that the monument is made from .

Disclaimer: We are not really shopping for headstones. Just driving thru the cemetary in Barre and thought we 'd take pictures of some different ones

As missionaries, several of us have taken pictures of places around here. The Tunbridge World's Fair wss this last weekend. A few of us entered some of our pictures in the fair. I am excited to announce that I won a second premium ribbon and prize money of $3.00. My first entry and my first prize.{If one doesn't count 4 H when i was in the 5th grade-it was an ugly unbleached muslin apron}. It was fun. The judge made a comment on each picture. He said my had good contrast and color. but was a tad too grainy. He didn't tell me how to fix the problem - or where he saw the grainyness. Oh well, it was fun to do.

I've had insights into the Book of Mormon, reading in 3 Nephi 1-7. It seems that the prophets warned the people of the things to come, concerning the birth of Christ. Including signs and warnings. Being human some of them decided that the warning and need for preparation was not necessary for them. Surely the Prophets weren't that accurate. Besides they knew best for themselves. The human weakness that says I am in control and things will not happened to me.
It seems so clear that because they allowed themselves to doubt the validity of the Prophets insights, when things began to actually manifest themselves FEAR began to set in. "When ye are prepared Ye shall not fear" comes to mind.
Nephi was prepared and he looked forward to the signs and experience. Even as an answer to his prayers the Lord tells him to be "of good cheer, for behold the time is at hand"
President Hinckley always was optimistic about the future and evidently so should we. I think I am prepared-- yet when I think that I might meet my maker, I wonder if I have done enough. Evidently not or I would feel more peace.

Then of course, there is always the need to be honest with ourselves. feel confidence in where we are and know that the Lord accepts our repentance and earnest desire on a daily basis. How quickly Satan turns things around. It was like watching a movie. Knowing youv'e sseen the movie

We have the "Howland: family chart in the visitors center. We talk about our families, their influence on us and the things that we learn from them that we are not even aware of.
I asked one little boy what he learned from his Grandpa, he couldn't think of anything. I told him about my Grandson's - one that learned about using his pocket knife and whittling only when he was with Grandpa, and another that was encouraged in his T-ball games, and yet another that just loves to follow Grandpa around(even now he wants his "Papa" while we are on our mission.
It is a good time to talk about families and relationships.
This last week , I was doing a tour for a couple that when we got to the chart, said they were here because He had family that was buried in Sharon. They didn't have a place to stay and wanted some information. i looked for them , while they were in the movie(about Joseph Smith_). When they came out , I gave them the information and asked if they were sure that the ancestor was really born in Sharon? Then I asked them to wait while I went back into the office and got the book on Royalton, We looked up the family name and found it!!!!!!!We found that he was a minister in the area and indeed was buried here.
They were so thrilled. The next day was church, they visited our ward-then went to the cemetaries. On Monday AM they came back to show us what they had found. They were so excited. It was so fun to see how much they had found. The Lord works in myterious ways.
They were going on to another area where he lived. I hope they find what they are searching for.

Sept. 10, 2008
This is Elder Slades and My 38th anniversary!
We were allowed 2 days to go to Maine, since it is a part of our Mission. We enjoyed the 1st day, but some of the fun was taken out of the 2nd day, when I woke up so sick. and I didn't get any better all day. So we really couldn't get back too soon.
I wound up in the ER by Wed. nite-- 3 liters of fluid later, I began to feel better. Elder Slade had to do all the driving and worrying. I just slept. Much better today .
So I thought I would post a few pictures. Elder Slade is on the job until 7 pm.

We went to the Boston temple this past Thursday. What a beautiful place. I know that all Temples are , but when you see one in person they are especially outstanding. We received this e-mail which has all the working temples in it. It is fun to watch and see the differences and the similarities of them all. It would be nice to get to go to them all, however with $$$$$$$$ and Gas prices it logic tells me that it won't happen.


After our time in the Temple, we called our niece Dana(Brent and Gay's daughter), she gave us directions on the easiest way to get to downtown. Then she met us there and became our private tour guide. How nice was that? We enjoyed her company for a little while(she has children and had to leave to be a MOM_) It is always nice to connect with family.

Good Morning! from VERMONT


We serve in this beautiful state and have enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the history and the people here. We also serve with very talented Missionaries. Some have been Bishops, RS Presidents, Secretary to the Presiding Bishopric, Head of the MBA program at BYU, some excel in their knowledge of gardening and landscaping, one couple excel in their ability to go back to the earth to grow what they eat and cook it in a very appetizing way. one worked in the oil fields, others have come with limited knowledge and have learned a new skill, some are creative, artistic and all of them are so full of the Spirit of the Lord and have such a desire to serve to the best of their ability. One of the Sisters has been teaching me to crochet, (and knit-not successfully), and helping me piece a quilt together. One of the Sisters, is an artist. She does such a nice job on the pictures she paints it is fun to see her work.

If you know Elder Slade(most of you do_) , he is always scavaging the area for useful items. One day he came to the trailer with a wooden stool that was being thrown in the trash. It was still useable and he wondered if there was a way we could use it. The trailer is not large but the stool has come in so handy. Then after being at one of the couples homes the other day and seeing her painting on an old rocking chair they bought for a dollar, I wondered if she would consider painting the top of our stool. She agreed and here it the finished product. We love it and thank her for sharing her talent with us. Didn't she do a great job?
This past weekend was Labor Day weekend and we were very busy. So we are tired but happy. We love the Lord and the opportunity to share the gospel with those who come here. Those who already have a testimony and those who are willing to find out more about the Church of Jesus Christ.