(click to enlarge letter pages to read)
A Little Lost
2 weeks ago
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
HELLO FROM AFRICA
Here is our first week in the Cote d'Ivorie. If you do not want to receive these weekly updates we understand. Our internet is unreliable and transmission is slow...so if you don't want to receive our emails let us know and we will take you off the list.
As always...we love and miss you all especially our children and grandchildren.
Mom, Dad,Grandma, Grandpa, Marv, Sue, Elder & Sister Leavitt
(Click on the letter to enlarge it)
As always...we love and miss you all especially our children and grandchildren.
Mom, Dad,Grandma, Grandpa, Marv, Sue, Elder & Sister Leavitt
(Click on the letter to enlarge it)
OFF TO AFRICA 10/11/09
Just a note to all our family and friends that tomorrow (Monday Octobedr 12th) Marv and I will depart for the Cote d'Ivorie to serve in the Abidjan Mission, laboring in two seperate countries taking care of the mission in those areas, namely Togo and Benin. We are now officially Elder and Sister Leavitt again and are anxious to set our feet back on West African soil. We will not be in contact for about two weeks and then, hopefully we will start our weekly journals again. You are all on our list, if you do not want to hear about our life in French speaking West Africa just let us know by return email OR, hit delete if they come to you.
Til we get a chance to communicate...take care.
Elder & Sister Leavitt
Til we get a chance to communicate...take care.
Elder & Sister Leavitt
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
MARTIN'S COVE 9/13/09
Hi Family and Friends,
Well another great week and another day closer to seeing some of you. This has been a week of training trek leaders for their next year treks. It has been a lot of fun having people from all over come to learn about how to have a successful trek experience. Each of the missionaries were given a number of responsibilities to help make the seminar work smoothly. I was given responsibly to help with the parking of many cars. It reminded me of the old days on the Las Vegas Strip. I also drove a cart and helped shuttle the stragglers who were having a hard time keeping up with the rest of the group, especially some of the older trek leaders. Sister Leavitt helped with registration. She also worked the days and weeks before preparing all the packet information for the Trek Leaders. This coming week we will have one more seminar and then the rush will be over for another year. We will still have visitors coming, but not in the hundreds like we saw in the summer months. Mostly we will be getting the site ready for winter and saying goodbye to all the missionaries who won't be staying the winter, which is the vast majority of them.
Last week we were privileged to have Peggy's sister Elsie and husband Barney up to visit with us on their way back from Michigan to Las Vegas. It was a great visit and I really think they enjoyed getting to visit the Cove and hear the pioneer stories while learning more about the immigration trail. It was sure fun getting to see them and catch up on what was happening in their lives. We also had the chance to do a little touring, which included a drive up to the old gold mining town of Atlantic City and have a great lunch, then to Lander and the famous Sinks State Park. We are always amazed at the variety of natural attractions that Wyoming has to offer.
This week Mo and Barbara ( Peggy's Brother-in-law, who was married to her sister Carola before she passed away) will be visiting us. They are from Sheridan, Wyo. and are such a fun and talented couple. We are looking forward to spending a couple of days with them. Tuesday night we are having a talent show here at the Cove and maybe we can talk Mo and Barbara into sharing their musical talents with us.
Happy Birthday to Al Muncy who along with Jo are two of our very best friends. My birthday gift to you Al, is 3 strokes next time we play golf. And that's a generous gift considering I haven't played and you are playing almost everyday. But, I love a challenge!
Happy Birthday to Roy Wilson (on Wednesday) who along with his sweet Bonnie are also two of our very best friends. You guys are so generous and we love you dearly.
We received an exciting email the other day from cousin Judy and husband Glade Bailey. They said they are considering serving here at Martin's Cove next year. If they can work it out we would just love it. That would bring the number to at least 3 couples who we know from back home who would be serving with us next year.
You can tell that fall is in the air, not only because the weather is cooling off, but the antelope and deer are beginning to congregate in the Sweet Water Valley. We are starting to see herds of them everywhere.
To our children and grandchildren, we love you very much and look forward to seeing you in about 3 weeks. You are the light of our lives!
May the Lord Bless all of our family and friends until we meet again. Elder Leavitt
Hi everyone -- I don't have much to add, as usual. I'll attach a picture of Elsie and me that was taken in Atlantic City. The other picture is a photo of a poster I saw in Lander. I thought it was so funny and appropriate for Wyoming. We loved having Elsie and Barney and Elsie and I did what we Rowland girls like to do -- we talked and talked -- it was so much fun getting all caught up.
The Trek Seminars were amazing -- so much work to prepare, but so worth it. It was a spiritual feast for 2 days. We had approximate 170 people here and will have that many or more next week.
I'm also in charge of a Talent Show this week on Tuesday night. We will have both performance-type talent and talents that will be displayed. I've been talking like crazy to get the men involved -- for instance, we have a man here who has killed 8 or 9 rattle snakes and has made hat bands and covered his walking stick with rattle snake skins. I think people would love seeing them -- as least the folks here would :)
Also, looking forward to seeing Mo and Barbara tomorrow -- we're a little unsure what time they'll arrive as their internet is not working and our phone rarely works -- typical of living here :)
That's all for this week -- as Charlie said, we'll soon be packing up to move stuff to our apartment. Hard to believe the summer is almost over.
Love, Peggy
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
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
Monday, August 31, 2009
MARTINS COVE 8\30\09
Hi again family and friends,
Well another week has passed and we are now officially Polar Bears, the name for those who are asked to stay the winter at Martin's Cove. It was announced in church today who would stay for the winter and what positions would be assigned for next year. I was called again to be over roads and trails and in charge of heavy equipment. I'm going to have to learn how to plow snow, lot's of snow. Sister Leavitt has been called to schedule the trek groups, a big job, and of course, work again in the office. I can't say I am excited about staying because I have not experienced severe winters and don't know how my body will react. But at least we have a warm place to live, plenty to eat, and warm clothes to wear,unlike the Martin Company which suffered unimaginable hardships caused by sub-zero temperatures, starvation and inadequate clothing, not to mention walking 10 to 20 miles a day on a wet, slippery, muddy or snow covered trails. So I guess I should count my blessings. Which have been many!
On the afternoon before and on our day off we traveled up to Devil's Tower, the first National Monument in the US. What a spectacular site! The pictures and movies I have seen (Close Encounters) do not do it justice, you have to be there in person to really appreciate it's majesty. We saw rock climbers, which looked like ants trying to scale it's sides, but the ones we saw weren't making much progress. From our vantage point it appeared to be impossible though we know it's been done.
We were saddened to hear to the passing of our good friend Karolyn Stewart. She was a great, talented and fun lady and will be missed by all that knew her. We would like to send our sympathies to her family.
I would like to express my love and affection to all my brothers and sisters and their families, you are the best. Would someone let me know how my beautiful sister Irene is doing, and also my friend and brother-in-law Bill Conger. Our family means allot to us, and we pray for them daily. We also want our friends to know that we pray for them daily.
Today we had a 60 year old man speak to us about his on-going one man handcart trek from Iowa City to Salt Lake City to honor his great-great grandmother who in 1856 as a widow pulled her own handcart along with six children, (the oldest being 12) He believed she was the first known handcart to arrive in the Salt Lake valley. Because she arrived one day ahead of all the other handcarts in her company no one was expecting her, so he didn't feel she received her deserved recognition. This man felt it his duty to honor her accomplishment with this trek expected to take 4 months. When he arrived at the Cove, though he started in great shape, he had lost 40 lbs. I love my ancestors, but that's a little over the top for me.
Well, family and friends until next week, adios.
To my kids, daughters-in-laws and grandkids, along with my wife you are the lights of my life. May the Lord watch over you until we're together again.
Love Elder Leavitt
Hi everyone -- I've attached a picture of us that was taken at the base of Devil's Tower. We really had a fun day !
I don't have much to add this week -- I promised you a shorter email this week after the very lengthy one we sent last time. I just want to add my voice to Charlie's about the sadness we feel about the passing of Karolyn -- she was a good friend for many years.
I have been thinking today of the irony of my being a person who hates cold weather and am very computer challenged and I'll be spending the winter in WYOMING on a computer -- the Lord does have a sense of humor !
Already the trees in Wyoming are tinged with a hint of gold -- autumn is right around the corner.
Love and miss you all,
Peggy
Monday, August 24, 2009
MARTINS COVE 8.24.09
Hi to all our great and supportive family and friends,
Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me! Well another year has come and gone and today I've hit the big 67. This has been a great year with the exception of missing our children, grandchildren, family and friends for these last few months.
The biggest news is that we have been asked to extend our mission for 12 months! This is something I would not have even considered last spring. But, because the Lord has blessed us so much, and because our Leaders have really made Sister Leavitt and I feel that we are a valuable part of keeping this operation running smoothly through the winter and into the next trek season, we feel we would not be showing gratitude for all those blessings we have received if we turned down the opportunity. We have had mixed feelings about staying, not only due to the severe winters found here on the high plains of Wyoming, but because we miss our family so much and also miss the close association with our many friends. But, on the other hand, we feel that we need to honor our commitment to share whatever talents we have to help fulfill the mission of this historical site, which is to educate the public about the pioneers (which were not only Mormon, but also Oregon, California, and Pony Express) and to try to give some valuable experience to the thousands of young people who come here to trek. We also feel with this extra service maybe we will be in a better position to to ask the Lord to bless our family and friends and those who are in need of His blessings. Which we all are!
The young people who come here leave their materialistic environment and through the handcart experience and their exposure to nature become better acquainted with themselves and what they can accomplish while gaining a better respect for those pioneers who through great sacrifices settled the West. I can't help but remember my own ancestors who crossed these plains on this great immigration highway and suffered tremendous hardships and death (I believe death of a loved one only means they've gone ahead to help prepare for our arrival) of loved ones on their way to help settle Southern Utah, and Southern Nevada. Everyday we are privileged to walk on this same historic trail, and tell the pioneer's stories.
Last week we had a surprise visit from our cousins Marv and Sue Leavitt those special people we told you are preparing to leave on their second mission to Africa. It really meant allot to us that they took time out of their busy schedule to come all the way up here to visit with us. They are the best!
Though our mission will be extended until Oct. 2010, we will be home for the month of October to get our affairs in order and say goodbye in person to our family and friends. I know the time will pass quickly and our love for all of you will only increase. Remember any and all of you are invited to visit us anytime and we'll try to make it worth your time. Just let us know by email in advance so we don't miss you. We really appreciate those of you who have taken the time to email or send letters and keep us up to date on what's happening in your lives. A special thanks to all of you who sent birthday greetings, you really make me feel loved.
Love, Elder Leavitt
Well, Elder Leavitt has given you our big news -- we really resisted staying through the winter, but our Directors were persistent and after praying about it, decided we better stay. We may be singing a different tune in January :)
Other news -- some Missionaries who served here in 2003 & 2004 came by for a visit and brought all of us home grown corn and tomatoes -- so delicious !! For several evenings we had tomatoes and corn on the cob for dinner. Made me think back to Education Week when we did that every night with Ross and Susan Johnson when we were "camped" in the parking lot of the Smith Field House on the BYU campus. So much fun.
We had a wonderful fireside this week with Kevin McNiven. He is a "real" cowboy and sings "real" country western. He has a rendition of a song entitled "It's Wyoming" which our little blue grass band at Martin's Cove plays every week. Well, it has become a sentimental favorite of all of us and we all know the words. It was quite a treat to hear Kevin sing it. He also is well known in the movie circles for being able to provide trained horses and horse teams that can pull wagons, etc. so we found it very interesting to hear about the movies he has worked on, including "Far and Away" with Tom Cruise. He's also an expert yodeler -- what cowboy isn't ?!? :) We really enjoyed the evening and were fascinated by the many stories he told.
A very sad day this past week is that the Simmons, who lived across the street from us in Missionary Village, received that devastating news that their 31 year old daughter was just diagnosed with very advanced cancer. What makes this situation even more poignant is that she and her husband just had a baby after years of trying. Their baby is just 8 months old. The Simmons had to leave to immediately to help their daughter and to assist w/ the child care while their daughter is going through treatments. Please remember this family in your prayers.
On the lighter side, Elder Leavitt cut my hair again -- this is the third time. It really is a great cut -- it's shorter than it's been and I just love it. He's had many men and women ask him to cut their hair -- had another request tonight. It is amazing to watch the process -- he can cut my hair in about 10 minutes and it's a professional looking job. We need to get a picture so you can see for yourself.
That's about it -- we've had a very spiritual Sunday. We have had visitors this week from Salt Lake checking the scripts we tell for historical accuracy. One of these gentlemen, Elder Backman, is a General Authority in the Church. Today he told us a remarkable story about a man from Bulgaria who joined the Church. They found him in Washington D.C. when they were looking for someone who talked Bulgarian to become a Mission President in Bulgaria. Little did they know how few people did. However, they discovered this man who was in a High Council in Washington D.C. who could speak Bulgarian. His conversion story was a miracle.
He was working in Bulgaria, which at that time was a communist country, as a dental assistant along with 7 other people it the same office. The government decided to send only 1 person from their office to Algiers for 3 years to work there. (I'm not sure why the gov't wanted to do this.) Anyway, all 7 people wanted to go so they decided to draw straws to determine who got to go. There were 6 slips with "no" on them and one with "yes" -- they were all put into a hat and each man had to draw one out. Well, when this man won the first drawing -- the other men in the office were upset and wanted to draw again because this particular gentlemen has the least amount of tenure in the office. So they drew again --- and again --- and again -- and again until they had drawn 6 times . Each time this same man drew the "yes". Finally, on the seventh drawing, they decided that he would be the last one to draw the slip out of the hat -- you guessed it -- he got the "yes" slip again. Even these communistic men voiced that only God could make this happen so they finally decided the man could go to Algiers.
While working in Algiers, he applied for permission for him and his family to be able to emigrate to France. Through another series of miracles, his entire family was able to move to France and they were able to legally leave Bulgaria, which was still communistic at that time. While in France, the Missionaries were lead to him and he and his family joined the Church. They later moved to the United States where he ended up working in Washington D.C. It was here that he met up with the Church leaders who wanted to send him to Bulgaria when that country was finally opened up to the Missionaries. What a story.
Well, I'm sure you're all cross-eyed from reading this lengthy email, so next week we'll try and make it shorter.
We love and miss you all and pray for you daily.
Love, Sister Leavitt AKA Peggy
Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me! Well another year has come and gone and today I've hit the big 67. This has been a great year with the exception of missing our children, grandchildren, family and friends for these last few months.
The biggest news is that we have been asked to extend our mission for 12 months! This is something I would not have even considered last spring. But, because the Lord has blessed us so much, and because our Leaders have really made Sister Leavitt and I feel that we are a valuable part of keeping this operation running smoothly through the winter and into the next trek season, we feel we would not be showing gratitude for all those blessings we have received if we turned down the opportunity. We have had mixed feelings about staying, not only due to the severe winters found here on the high plains of Wyoming, but because we miss our family so much and also miss the close association with our many friends. But, on the other hand, we feel that we need to honor our commitment to share whatever talents we have to help fulfill the mission of this historical site, which is to educate the public about the pioneers (which were not only Mormon, but also Oregon, California, and Pony Express) and to try to give some valuable experience to the thousands of young people who come here to trek. We also feel with this extra service maybe we will be in a better position to to ask the Lord to bless our family and friends and those who are in need of His blessings. Which we all are!
The young people who come here leave their materialistic environment and through the handcart experience and their exposure to nature become better acquainted with themselves and what they can accomplish while gaining a better respect for those pioneers who through great sacrifices settled the West. I can't help but remember my own ancestors who crossed these plains on this great immigration highway and suffered tremendous hardships and death (I believe death of a loved one only means they've gone ahead to help prepare for our arrival) of loved ones on their way to help settle Southern Utah, and Southern Nevada. Everyday we are privileged to walk on this same historic trail, and tell the pioneer's stories.
Last week we had a surprise visit from our cousins Marv and Sue Leavitt those special people we told you are preparing to leave on their second mission to Africa. It really meant allot to us that they took time out of their busy schedule to come all the way up here to visit with us. They are the best!
Though our mission will be extended until Oct. 2010, we will be home for the month of October to get our affairs in order and say goodbye in person to our family and friends. I know the time will pass quickly and our love for all of you will only increase. Remember any and all of you are invited to visit us anytime and we'll try to make it worth your time. Just let us know by email in advance so we don't miss you. We really appreciate those of you who have taken the time to email or send letters and keep us up to date on what's happening in your lives. A special thanks to all of you who sent birthday greetings, you really make me feel loved.
Love, Elder Leavitt
Well, Elder Leavitt has given you our big news -- we really resisted staying through the winter, but our Directors were persistent and after praying about it, decided we better stay. We may be singing a different tune in January :)
Other news -- some Missionaries who served here in 2003 & 2004 came by for a visit and brought all of us home grown corn and tomatoes -- so delicious !! For several evenings we had tomatoes and corn on the cob for dinner. Made me think back to Education Week when we did that every night with Ross and Susan Johnson when we were "camped" in the parking lot of the Smith Field House on the BYU campus. So much fun.
We had a wonderful fireside this week with Kevin McNiven. He is a "real" cowboy and sings "real" country western. He has a rendition of a song entitled "It's Wyoming" which our little blue grass band at Martin's Cove plays every week. Well, it has become a sentimental favorite of all of us and we all know the words. It was quite a treat to hear Kevin sing it. He also is well known in the movie circles for being able to provide trained horses and horse teams that can pull wagons, etc. so we found it very interesting to hear about the movies he has worked on, including "Far and Away" with Tom Cruise. He's also an expert yodeler -- what cowboy isn't ?!? :) We really enjoyed the evening and were fascinated by the many stories he told.
A very sad day this past week is that the Simmons, who lived across the street from us in Missionary Village, received that devastating news that their 31 year old daughter was just diagnosed with very advanced cancer. What makes this situation even more poignant is that she and her husband just had a baby after years of trying. Their baby is just 8 months old. The Simmons had to leave to immediately to help their daughter and to assist w/ the child care while their daughter is going through treatments. Please remember this family in your prayers.
On the lighter side, Elder Leavitt cut my hair again -- this is the third time. It really is a great cut -- it's shorter than it's been and I just love it. He's had many men and women ask him to cut their hair -- had another request tonight. It is amazing to watch the process -- he can cut my hair in about 10 minutes and it's a professional looking job. We need to get a picture so you can see for yourself.
That's about it -- we've had a very spiritual Sunday. We have had visitors this week from Salt Lake checking the scripts we tell for historical accuracy. One of these gentlemen, Elder Backman, is a General Authority in the Church. Today he told us a remarkable story about a man from Bulgaria who joined the Church. They found him in Washington D.C. when they were looking for someone who talked Bulgarian to become a Mission President in Bulgaria. Little did they know how few people did. However, they discovered this man who was in a High Council in Washington D.C. who could speak Bulgarian. His conversion story was a miracle.
He was working in Bulgaria, which at that time was a communist country, as a dental assistant along with 7 other people it the same office. The government decided to send only 1 person from their office to Algiers for 3 years to work there. (I'm not sure why the gov't wanted to do this.) Anyway, all 7 people wanted to go so they decided to draw straws to determine who got to go. There were 6 slips with "no" on them and one with "yes" -- they were all put into a hat and each man had to draw one out. Well, when this man won the first drawing -- the other men in the office were upset and wanted to draw again because this particular gentlemen has the least amount of tenure in the office. So they drew again --- and again --- and again -- and again until they had drawn 6 times . Each time this same man drew the "yes". Finally, on the seventh drawing, they decided that he would be the last one to draw the slip out of the hat -- you guessed it -- he got the "yes" slip again. Even these communistic men voiced that only God could make this happen so they finally decided the man could go to Algiers.
While working in Algiers, he applied for permission for him and his family to be able to emigrate to France. Through another series of miracles, his entire family was able to move to France and they were able to legally leave Bulgaria, which was still communistic at that time. While in France, the Missionaries were lead to him and he and his family joined the Church. They later moved to the United States where he ended up working in Washington D.C. It was here that he met up with the Church leaders who wanted to send him to Bulgaria when that country was finally opened up to the Missionaries. What a story.
Well, I'm sure you're all cross-eyed from reading this lengthy email, so next week we'll try and make it shorter.
We love and miss you all and pray for you daily.
Love, Sister Leavitt AKA Peggy
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