MARTINS COVE 9/6/09

Happy Labor Day Family and Friends,

This has been a rough week for me. I had been having what I thought were asthma related wheezing and breathing problems that wouldn't go away. So finally we had to go to a hospital emergency room to have it checked out because we don't have a doctor up here, and Urgent Care doesn't take Medicare. After a thorough examination they told me I had pneumonia. As far as I know this is my first bout with the darn stuff. Well, they gave me some powerful antibiotics and steroids and I'm definitely on the mend. I fortunately lost only one day on post. Maybe I'm pushing it but I can't stand to lay around when there's something to be done. Now on the other hand, when there's nothing to do, then I'm a slug!

We're now preparing for our trek seminars starting this weekend. For these seminars we bring in all the leaders that will be bringing trek groups in next year. It's important for them to learn everything about how to plan, organize and execute a trek. It's unbelievable to see all the work and planning that goes into putting on one of these handcart treks. From the transportation of several hundred trekkers of different ages, food, tents, medical staff, support vehicles, food refrigeration, cooking facilities, and on and on. Here at the Cove all we provide is orientation, handcarts and of course the land, trails and facilities including restrooms. We also provide one couple at each campground as hosts which are there to make sure each group gets to the right camping area and to provide information if needed. During the summer this place looks a little chaotic, but it's actually very well organized. Of course we still man the Visitors Center and the many other related posts for the average visitor who just wants to come and learn about the history of the pioneer trails and the Sun family who built a cattle empire out of this area.

Sister Leavitt and I will be heading home on the 1st of October and returning here for our Polar Bear (Winter) experience on or about the 4th of November. Hopefully we will get to see many of you while we are home. We do have a previously planned week-long vacation in Ohio from October 15th to the 24th where we will visit with Ross and Susan Johnson, two of our good friends who are serving a mission there.

P.S. Today Sister Leavitt tried to poison me by secretly putting dish washing detergent in the bottom of a crock pot that I had decided to scrape out the last bit of previously great tasting juicy casserole , but she was unsuccessful because all I did was pass bubbles. Maybe next time! Until next week may God Bless all of you.

Love Elder Leavitt

Hi Family and Friends -- well, I kept telling you that things would slow down after the trek season, but it sure doesn't feel like it. We seem to be as busy as ever. As Elder Leavitt said, we are now preparing for the Trek Seminars so in the office we are super busy as we have to notify all these trek leaders, and then prepare all the necessary information for them when they get it. We will have approximate 170 people at each seminar. Additionally, we are planning our last Enrichment, which will include the men. We will have a crock-pot soup dinner and a talent show. Should be lots of fun.

The last few weeks we have experienced the most beautiful weather we have ever had since we've been in Wyoming. The temperatures have been in the mid-80's and very little wind. We really appreciate good weather as it's so rare that we have it. Tonight we roasted hot dogs out over a big campfire w/ all the other residents of Missionary Village -- such a good time.

One of my favorite stories this week again testifies to the tender mercies of our Lord. One of our Missionary Couples who was going into Casper decided to stop at Bessemer Bend, which is where the Martin Handcart Company camped after the fateful day they crossed the North Platte River during blizzard conditions. While there, they started chatting with a lady who was sitting on a bench, enjoying the peace and serenity of that site. It turned out it was Jolene Allphin, the lady who has written a huge book containing hundreds of biographies of the Mormon handcart pioneers. We read a pioneer story from that book every morning at our prayer meeting. So our friends and Jolene started talking after they realized who each other was, and our friends told her about a handcart pioneer from whom they descended. It turns out that it was someone that Jolene had been trying to get information on. She had prayed that the Lord would lead her to the information she needed, and there, at Bessemer Bend, it was personally delivered to her by Missionaries from Martin's Cove. These "little" miracles happen here everyday. We know that the spirits of those pioneers want their stories to be told.

Well, as usual, we have an early morning so must get to bed.

Until next week...........

Love, Peggy AKA Sister Leavitt