Weeks 11 and 12

 Sept 18-Oct 1

This P-day we finally found an apple orchard similar to the Apple Hill orchards in northern California. We had hoped to see cider pressed fresh from the apples. They did not have an apple press for viewing on site. But the cider was excellent and the apples and fanfare were great. It was a festive, fall, event. We ate fresh apple fritters, and a polish dog sandwich with fresh hot apple cider. 

While standing in line at the Lynd Apple Market we met a couple from Minnesota and had a great time talking with them. They had been looking for an apple farm where you can view fresh pressed cider but have not been able to find one nearby. They had lived in the area for 15 years. You can see in the photo above the summer-type clouds that drop rain from time to time. It's kind of like England in some aspects. But we usually wake up to blue, clear skies.

In the market there were all the trappings of a farmer's market. But in this case there were lots of Amish baked goods, pickled products, pies, ice cream and other good stuff that we are not used to seeing in California. In the apple market section we found this apple chart showing the types of apples and their uses. Maybe we can find a way to apply this to Alma 32??

For FHE Monday evening broom hockey was the sport of choice. The YSAs had a great time, and of course we ate fun treats (we find that YSAs and missionaries are ALWAYS hungry). We are looking to create events that bring YSAs to the Institute building where they can feel a spirit of belonging. So we participate in all activities whether from the wards or from the Institute. We love being with our YSAs!

One night we were cleaning up at the Institute after an activity and three of the YSAs came to us and asked if we wanted to go out to dinner with them. We said yes, of course. We ate at a Mexican restaurant and had a great time socializing. We felt privileged that they would count us worth to hang-out with. One of the YSAs works at the Ohio Historical Society. I have been researching some of my relatives here and she has been a great resource. Another of the sisters has family roots from Italy about 5 miles away from our Italian relatives! It's a small world in the church.

This night, after class, we served homemade pumpkin and nutmeg donuts with hot apple cider. This was our fall kick-off since the stores are everything pumpkin, apple and harvest. Speaking of harvest, our mission newspaper, the Harvester, has some great accounts of new members and how the seeds of faith and the gospel were planted into their hearts and seeing the fruits of missionary labors. The gospel can help one to "rise" and to make one "holy", so maybe the donuts, although baptized in oil, are not far from the mark! 😉

We found the original LDS chapel in Columbus, OH. It is just a few blocks from the Institute building. Obviously, looking at the architecture, it does not fit the current chapel model - no stained glass windows or gothic windows and doors. Here in Columbus the church has grown tremendously since the saints left The Ohio. 

You may not know, but in D&C 124:83 it states that a scourge would be placed on Kirtland after the saints left, but that Kirtland would be built up later. During the 1979 ground breaking ceremony and dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland stake center, President Ezra Taft Benson declared that "I think that this prophecy is being fulfilled today" referring to the building up of Kirtland and "The scourge that was placed upon Kirtland in that prophecy is being lifted today". You can read more about this interesting bit of LDS history from this Ensign article. Today, the Kirtland area is expected to have baptized over 100 new members by the end of the year.

 We hosted a family-style conference day for our YSAs and missionaries. We wanted them to have plenty of food to add to their harvest of spiritual feeding. For all of the Saturday sessions of General Conference we invited our YSAs to join us. We started with a brunch prior to the morning session. Out here in EST the first session starts at noon. So at 11am we had crepes, egg-sausage-cheese-country fried potato casserole, fruit and other toppings, plus hot cider, milk and OJ. It was a hit and a great way to start  the session. Some YSA have family to visit at home. Others are on their own to either sit at home alone or be with a friend or to hang out at the Institute. Also, with the missionaries who miss their family at conference time we wanted both to feel "at home with us" and that they have a place to belong at the Institute.

Between sessions we served treats and snacks and then dinner between the Saturday afternoon session and the evening session. We had lasagna, a delicious salad, homemade bread and etc.

Conference was such a marvelous experience! We soaked up every word and felt an overwhelming spirit of peace, joy, and privilege to sit at the feet of prophets. The tender spirit of the conference permeated the Institute the entire day as we all were spiritually and metabolically fed.

It is interesting to re-live YSA life as a senior adult and to see the two perspectives. To members who don't have YSAs or who are involved in other things, the YSAs seem like a group unto themselves; maybe a bit forgotten by the wards at large. They are constantly in motion. Members may see them betwixt and between wards; not sure where they are. It is so easy to get lost. A little recognition, a listening ear, or a simple "hello" can mean a lot in this phase of life.

These last two weeks seemed to have flown by. Jacob 7:26 "the time passed away with us, and also our ^blives passed away like as it were unto us a ^cdream," We are living the dream. We are living our lives as young single adults but as senior missionaries. 

We feel your prayers and spiritual strength so strongly here in the mission field. We are humbled by the millions of saints who pray for the missionaries in their individual, family, and temple prayers.