Week 13--November 17-23, 2019

We are starting to get ready for Christmas at the visitors' centers. Sister Taylor, Sister  Villegas, Sister Coronado, and Sister Horman are busy putting the lights on the tree at Liberty Jail.  The rest of the tree will be decorated next week.

 Sister Nabhan puts the star on the top of the pioneer tree that is located in the lower level of the Independence Visitors' Center.

 Sister DeLeon (on the stairs) and sister Barajas help with the ornaments.

Sister Herrin, Sister Ireland, and Sister Durfee also get into the spirit by helping with the ornaments.

The tree is all decorated so Garnalee and Sister Cannon pose for a picture.


 The tree all completed ready for visitors to enjoy.

The wonderful Facility Management Missionaries, Elder and Sister Josephson, climbed the ladders to help with the decorating of the tall tree in the foyer of the Independence Visitors' Center. Tom and Sister Cannon were busy handing them the ornaments.

The finished tree ready to be enjoyed by all who come to the VC.

 The sisters all decked out in stripes.
Left to right: Sister Durfee, Sister Mickelson, Sister Ireland, and Sister Spencer.

Wednesday morning (our P-day) we went to the Kansas City Temple and Tom did the ordinances for his biological father.  That's always a special opportunity.

Thursday evening we took the Dunns with us to Richmond, MO to see the play "Savior of the World," put on by the Far West Stake.  We left Independence shortly after our shift and had dinner at a place called Oink and Moo BarBQ in Richmond.  It turned out to be very good food. The play was very professionally performed.  It was opening night, so there were a couple of microphone technical issues, but the singers were strong enough that it didn't interrupt the production.  We were glad we went.  It was a good way to kick off the Christmas season.

Week 12–November 10-16, 2019

Monday morning we awoke to snow on our car and windshield. We decided to go to the Mall and do our morning walk. When Tom went our to clean the snow off the car he discovered a thick layer of ice on the windshield. It had rained and then froze and then snowed. It snowed most of the day. Last week we crossed the 100,000 mile mark on our odometer.  Our CRV is still running like a champ, and we keep it serviced so we can get another 100,000 before she retires.

We had Family Home Evening planned with the other senior couples that was cancelled due to the weather.

Sister Horman has been practicing her juggling skills. She is getting pretty good. Her companion from Guatemala, Sister De Leon, is an excellent juggler. Sister De Leon learned to juggle and to tie balloon animals while working in a family owned circus when she was a young girl growing up in Guatemala.













Transfers always bring out the smiles. The missionaries are excited to see former companions from the Missionary Training Center or from other areas of the mission. Just a few pictures of various groups of missionaries. Garnalee takes 20-30 pictures of the missionaries and posts it on Facebook. The parents appreciate being able to see their missionary.

Transfers also bring anticipation as the missionaries wonder who their new companion will be and where they are going to be assigned to serve.

The transfer pages are posted on the mission van and the missionaries all quickly gather round to see their new assignments.
The van is hidden from view on the other side of the Church until the prescribed time when it is driven around for the viewing.  All very exciting!

Along with transfers comes the arrival of new missionaries, and the departure of missionaries who have faithfully completed their mission. Thirteen missionaries went home and nine missionaries arrived.

On Saturday morning we had a group of youth and adults come to the Visitor's Center from Alma, Arkansas which is 4 1/2 hours from Independence. They had an appointment to go the Kansas City Temple to do baptisms in the afternoon. I admire the faithfulness and the sacrifice made by the Saints who don't live close to a Temple.

Week 11--November 3-9, 2019

We are sad to see the Johnsons go home next week. It has been great to serve with them.

Jennifer Nielsen, an author from Utah, was in the area doing a workshop. She writes books for teens and young adults. Garnalee is very excited to get her books. She came to the Independence Visitor's Center for a tour. Sister Smith attended one of her workshops before coming on her mission. She was very excited to see her at the VC. All the sisters asked her for her autograph. 

Pictured: Sister Durfee, Sister Barajas, Jennifer Nielsen, Sister Smith, and Sister Flindt. 

 The huge tree in the background is a Tulip Tree. We have wondered why it is called a Tulip Tree. This week the maintenance crew for the cemetery trimmed some branches from the tree. Some smaller branches didn't get cleaned up and were left under the tree. We picked one up and discovered that possibly a Tulip Tree got its name because of the shape of the seed pod.

This plaque is at the base of the Tulip Tree. It is a Greater Kansas City Champion Tree. 

A picture of Clarence James Harrington, Tom's biological father, that was done before he went to Korea. Garnalee has been searching for years to find out what happened to him.

A final picture with the Johnsons before they go home next week.

Left to right: Elder and Sister Dunn, Sister and Elder Johnson, Sister and Elder Harrington, Sister and President Cannon.

The sister missionaries wanted a picture of the senior couples being goofy. Only the sisters participated in the goofiness.

Left to right: Elder and Sister Dunn, Sister and Elder Johnson, Sister and Elder Harrington, Sister and President Cannon.

Sister Richins and Sister Hales are also going home next week.

Front: sister Holdeman.
Middle: Sister Barajas, Sister Nabhan, Sister Villegas, Sister Price, Sister Smith, Sister Mickelson, Sister Durfee, Sister Johnson.
Back: Sister Hales, Sister Spencer, Sister Flindt, Sister Richins, Sister Salois, Sister Herrin, Sister Moritz, Sister Lynsky, Elder Johnson.

Sister Hales, Sister Richins, Sister Johnson, and Elder Johnson.

Elder Henry J. Erying was assigned to come to Independence for the Independence Stake Conference. On Friday he came to Independence Visitor's Center. Sister Smith and Sister Moritz had the opportunity to give him the history tour. Elder Eyring is serving as an Area 70 at the same time he is the President of BYU-I.















On Saturday Elder Eyring visited Liberty Jail and was there for the Saturday Morning Training Meeting.
Front: Sister Banner, Sister Stubbs, Sister Smith, Sister Matalolo.
Back: Elder Eyring, Sister Parkin, Sister Ells, Sister Horman, Sister Harris, Sister Taylor, Sister DeLeon, Sister Smith,  and Sister Henderson.

On Saturday for our P-day we went to the National World War I Memorial and Museum. On either side of the Memorial are Assyrian Sphinxes. Assyrian Sphinxes differ from Egyptian Sphinxes in that they have wings. The Sphinx on the left is "Memory" and faces east toward the battlefields of WWI shielding its eyes from the horrors of war. The one on the right is "Future" and faces west, shielding its eyes from the unknown future. The Memorial was built in Kansas City because at the end of World War I a group of prominent Kansas City residents formed an association to create a memorial to those who had served in the war. In 1919, 83,000 contributors donated $2.5 mil in less than 2 wks. The museum is a treasure to visit and should be on everyone's "Bucket list."

As we entered the museum we crossed a glass bridge that was over a field of 9,000 poppies. The Memorial can be seen as reflected in the glass bridge.

Part of the field of poppies. Each poppy represented 1000 combatants deaths.

 Model of a trench to show would-be soldiers that it wasn't so bad in the trenches. In actuality, during the war, the trenches were often filled with mud and waist deep filthy water.

 Model of a plane from World War I. The circles on the wing identified this plane as British. The propeller is mounted at the rear and is therefore called a "pusher."  Planes with the propeller mounted in front were called, "tractors."  Until they figured out how to synchronize machine gun bullets to rotation of the propeller so as to NOT shoot off their own propellers, planes were mainly used for spotting troop movement on the ground and artillery guidance.

 The gardeners, who cared for the White House lawn during World War I, were also drafted. There were no men to hire to take of the lawn. Edith Wilson, the President's wife, bought sheep to graze on the White House lawn. The sheep were then sheared and the wool was auctioned off to make items to send to the troops overseas. Mrs. Wilson even participated by knitting the socks exhibited here.

Tom is standing next to the case that displays the 48 star flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol when President Wilson gave his speech to Congress encouraging the Congress to declare war on Germany. In the case is the speech that he gave.

 This is a model of a caisson pulled by mules from Missouri. The caissons carried cannons, ammunition, powder, or food for the troops overseas. An interesting fact: Missouri supplied more mules for the war than any other state.

Artillery used in the war.

Posters such as these were used to encourage people to enlist or to buy War Bonds.

 This two-man tank was used during the war. It was damaged by a German 7.7 cm artillery round. The damage could still be seen on the rear left side of the tank. Though disabled in a fire fight in France, names of the American soldiers who were driving it are written on the inside.

The replica crater is based on the measurements of a 17 inch, 2,500 lb. artillery shell that hit and utterly destroying a French farmhouse.  This crater was 30 feet across and 17 feet deep.
















The U.S. supplied more than 20,000 motorcycles like this Harley Davidson that was used for reconnaissance, communication, and medic operations.

X-ray was used for first time during the war. It greatly improved the operations doctors performed as they could discover the problem before making exploratory incisions.  Mortality among the injured dramatically improved.

Prosthetics were developed to help those who had lost limbs or fingers to fit back into society.

The white glove on the left would be worn by a soldier who had lost fingers to appear more normal.

Union Station is located behind the Memorial. Union Station is where many of the returning service people passed through on their way home from World War I. This shot is taken from the top of the 217 foot tower. The 360 degree walk way gave us a beautiful view of Kansas City.  It's only about 20 miles from our apartment.

It was a beautiful fall day for visiting the Memorial. Here we are in November and it was 62 degrees outside.  No coats today, but Monday is forecast to have a high of 28. For lunch we had the obligatory Kansas City Bar B Q beef brisket sandwich with a Chicken Caesar salad. We're loving the people and the rich history of this area.
























 

Week 10--October 27-November 2, 2019

 At our monthly Senior Couple Family Home Evening we had to say good-bye to Elder and Sister Olson. They have served in the mission office for 23 months. He has been the Car Czar and she has answered the phones. They have also served with us in the Hill Park Ward.

 The sisters decided to have some fun this week, On Tuesday they dressed as a favorite character.

Front: Sister Holdeman and Sister Villegas.
Back: Sister Herrin, Sister Smith, Sister Lynsky, Sister Moritz, Sister Hales, Sister Nabhan, and Sister Mickelson.

Wednesday was Wednesday Addams day. They all dressed in black. They all had scowls instead of beautiful smiles.

Pictured: Sister Smith, Sister  Hales, Sister Nabhan, Sister Holdeman, Sister Moritz, Sister Spencer, Sister Flindt, and Sister Lynsky.

The week ended with "Fro Friday." They all went to bed with their hair braided so that it would be curly. However Sister Lynsky and Sister Hales didn't have to braid their hair as they have naturally curly hair.

Pictured: Sister Lynsky, Sister Holdeman, Sister Spencer, Sister Hales, Sister Moritz, Sister Price, Sister Flindt, Sister Mickelson, and Sister Barajas.

We had the opportunity to attend a baptism on Tuesday for a  Spanish-speaking young man by the name of Jose de Jesus Gomez Cerda. He came into the Visitor's Center with his girl friend, who is a member. Sister Barajas gave the history tour in Spanish as he speaks limited English. After the tour he asked to be taught the Gospel. He was living in Iowa, about 3 hours away, and due to complications couldn't be taught and attend the Spanish Ward where he lived. Sister Barajas received permission from President Love to teach him through Facebook. One of the lessons was taught in our apartment and Tom had the opportunity to share his testimony during the lesson. The missionaries sang "A Child's Prayer" at the baptism. Pictured: Sister Durfee, Elder Coe, Elder Galindo-Duron, Elder Loredo, Elder Rich, Sister Villengas, and Sister Barajas.

Following the new guidelines on women being able to be witnesses at baptisms, Sister Barajas was able to be one of the witnesses for Jose's baptism.

Sister Barajas, Sister Harrington, Jose de Jesus Gomez Cerda, Elder Harrington, Sister Durfee.

Sister Barajas, Jose de Jesus Gomez Cerda, and Sister Durfee.

Sister DeLeon is always all smiles. She had stuck eye stickers to her gloves to make it a missionary puppet.

A small miracle happened this week. We have searched off and on since 2011 when we served our Family History Service Mission for Tom's biological father. Garnalee was doing some research on the Harrington line on Ancestry. A page came up with Tom's grandfather Clarence R Harrington with several children, but did not list his father. However, it did give the name of a person connected to the Harrington line with an opportunity to contact the person. Garnalee sent an email to the individual explaining our desire to locate Clarence James Harrington. The individual responded with information for a James Clarence Harrington  who had passed in 2013 indicating that this might be person we were looking for. When Garnalee checked on Ancestry there was an obituary given that listed the names of three children. One of the children was Margrette Spiropoulos. Tom didn't think that this was his father, but we decided to do a Facebook search for Margrette Spiropoulos which would be easier to find. Her name came up, and Garnalee sent her a Friend Request. She responded through Messenger asking how Garnalee found her name as she didn't recognize Garnalee's. Garnalee explained what we were looking for and that we took a stab in the dark that the information for James Clarence was in fact Clarence James. She responded that they were the same person, and that she was Tom's half sister. We sent her Tom's phone number, and she called him. We learned that after Tom's parents had separated that Clarence remained in the Army and served 21 years. He continued to work for the Army as a contractor. He served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Pictured: Margrette Harrington Spiropoulos and Clarence James Harrington.

Sister Moritz asked us to take her to the baptism of a  man she had taught when she was assigned to serve at Liberty Jail on Saturday. We gladly agreed. It was a great opportunity to attend the baptism. Sister Pomeroy and Sister Smith were the witnesses for the baptism.

Pictured: Sister Holdeman, Sister Moritz, John Clayton, Sister Pomeroy, and Sister Smith.

The Kansas City Temple is beautiful at night.