Week 52--August 16-22, 2020

A few last pictures of the flowers we helped to plant in May. They are gorgeous around the Visitors' Center.  

We especially love the coleus. 

The begonias are gorgeous also. 

Speaking of which, when we were initially planting the flowers, Mark asked Tom to go to the trailer and get one more begonia.  Tom's response was, "If there were one begonia, and a 2 x 4 in the trailer, and you said to bring the begonia, I would get it right, but I don't know a begonia from pansy."  Flower identification is much better now.

The Elephant Ear Hosta is as tall as Garnalee. Things grow amazing well in this area. 

You can see the Community of Christ Temple across the street.

The sisters in our apartment building performed a "heart attack" on our door. 

The Spanish speaking sisters serenade us to "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" in Spanish. Tom has been giving Spanish lessons to Sister Winder and Sister Brown. 

Pictured: Sister Winder, Sister DeLeon, Sister Romero, Sister Galvan, and Sister Brown. 

A final farewell picture with the sisters who live in our building after dinner at the pavilion. 

Pictured: Front: Sister Romero, Sister Flindt, Sister Pryde, and Sister DeLeon. 

Back: Tom , Garnlaee, Sister Hopkins, Sister Brown. Sister Pulley, Sister Galvan, and Sister Winder. 

We arrived at Liberty Jail on Wednesday to the arrival of a ladder to replace the rope that been there for the prisoners to come from the lower level to the upper level of the jail. It came wrapped in bubble wrap. The sisters were extremely excited to see the ladder. 

The ladder has been placed in the Jail. Research was done by the History Department of the Church, and it was determined that it wss more likely a ladder would have used instead of a rope. We would have to concur with this as we know that Emma Smith and Mary Fielding Smith both visited their husbands while they were prisoners at Liberty Jail. The women would not have been able to up and down a rope. 

A final picture with the sisters we served with at the Visitors' Center. 

Pictured: Sister Brock, Sister Burdge, Sister Anderson, Tom, Garnalee, Sister Greenwood, Sister Kinikini, Sister Randall, and Sister Kinne. 

A final picture with all of the sisters we served with in June, July, and August. 

Pictured: Sister Martin, Sister Galbraith, Sister Anderson, Sister Kinikini, Sister Bates, Tom, Garnalee, Sister Kinne, Sister Randall, Sister Greenwood, Sister Brock, Sister Burdge, and Sister Wilson. 

 Every Sunday morning is the President's Devotional.  On the 16th his address centered around, "The Five Elements Necessary to Receive Personal Revelation,"  

1)  Faith

2)  Sincerity

3)  Humility

4)  Desire

5)  Purity

He backed up each point with a scripture, beginning with Jacob 4:6, to better describe the attribute.  The president's messages are always very inspiring.

Sunday:  Elder and Sister Brown left to go back to Kanab, Utah for the pending funeral of Elder Brown's mother.  We are covering shifts until they return.  

Tuesday: Mike White had a doctor's appointment in Kansas so Tom took him.  The field trip was Billion Graves recovery again in Washington Cemetery.

Wednesday is dinner and a movie night with all the missionaries (junior and senior).  Dinner was chicken ulam over rice (Chinese Haystacks), and watermelon.  Really good.  The movie was "Emma Smith:  My Story."  Loved it!

Thursday is our sites missionary enrichment meeting from Salt Lake.  Today's presenter was Laura Howe, the Church curator, who talked about First Vision Art.  There were many beautiful examples from stained glass windows to sculptures.  Very informative.

Friday was our shift at Liberty Jail from 10-5.  We took the four junior sisters assigned there, to dinner at Raising Cain's.  We had intended to eat inside, but that wasn't yet open, so we picked up our meals and returned to the Jail.  There's a downstairs area we can eat, so we just socialized over dinner.  Sister Bates asked each of us to share a blessing we had received by coming on this mission.  My story was gaining a stronger testimony of Joseph Smith.  Garnalee shared how she found my half-brother and sister who live in Texas and Georgia.  The sisters asked about our first date and steps leading up to our getting married.  That story always talks about Calvin's (Garnalee's brother) introduction and his asking me repeatedly, "When are you going to get married?"  Each of the sisters also shared a spiritual experience they have had while serving at in Missouri. Had we been able to go into Cain's dining area, that spiritual time would not have happened.  Another blessing!

Saturday Our last shift at the Historic Liberty Jail.  The sister were booked all day long with virtual tours.  The only bad thing was that the AC wasn't working again, so it got up to 82/8 degrees.  It was repaired for our last 20 minutes, but we all survived.  We'll miss the Jail sisters.

 Week 51–August 9-15, 2020

We only get to attend Church every three weeks.  Today was our day.  We pick up a recent convert, Mike White, on the way.  We have become really good friends since his baptism in February.

Sunday evening we did a Zoom call with Tom's newly found half-brother Jim and his half-sister Margarette.  We had planned to visit them on our way home from the mission, but reconsidered until after the Covid scare has been contained a little better.  Margarette lives in Texarkana, Texas.  Jim lives in Georgia.

Every other Monday all the senior missionary couples get together for FHE.  The Claesens were in charge and we played a Tree of Life/Hold to the Iron Rod game which is fun for any age.

These Surprise Lilies have been blooming all over Independence for a couple of weeks. They're about two feet tall and would be beautiful in our flower bed back home.

On Tuesday we visited the Battle of Lexington Museum which happened on September 18-20, 1861. The battle was a victory for the Confederates. Tom is actually smiling, but Garnalee took her mask off for the photo.

The Anderson Mansion was used as a hospital. Possession of the mansion changed hands three times between the Confederate and Union troops on September 18, 1861. Bullet and cannonball holes are still visible in the walls.

Here you can see evidence of the fierce  battle in the mansion walls. The holes are left by a couple of those cannon balls.  

Burial site in remembrance of five unknown U.S. soldiers in Battle of Lexington. 

President and Sister Cannon at the battle site with Sister Burdge next to the cannon at the battle site. 

The remains of the Union trench line is still visible on the battle site. The Confederate troops deployed water logged hemp bales as a breastwork. The troops rolled the bales towards the federal line. The Union forces were forced to surrender. 

Hemp that would be used to make a rope. 

Diorama inside the museum showing the Union trench line and the Confederate troops behind the hemp bales. 

Tom and Garnalee at the battlefield. 

Tom found this weed that looks like the bug we put the picture of in the blog last week. 

Selling of slaves was common in Missouri and other southern states which lead to the Civil War.

As we approached the back side of the cemetery for our morning walk we saw this little fox running across the lawn. It stopped at the rise in the lawn and watched us. As Garnalee moved in to get a closer picture he took off. A site we didn't expect to see in Independence. We have seen several cottontail rabbits in the neighborhood, but not lately, so maybe it's because of the fox.

Walt Disney was born in Chicago but moved to Marceline, Missouri, when he was four. His uncle Robert had purchased land there and Walt's father wanted to get his children out of the big city. They only lived in Marceline until 1911, but Walt considered his boyhood hometown to be Marceline. When a new elementary school was built, the Disneys chipped in.  The school was equipped with all the latest audio/visual equipment.  It was named after him. 

He created a midget Autopia in Marceline based on the Autopia at Disneyland. In fact, the cars and tracks came from Disneyland when they remodeled the attraction in Los Angeles.

A visit wouldn't be complete without a picture with Mickey. 

This TV brought back many childhood memories of watching  "Wonderful World of Disney" on Sunday evenings with the family and eating popcorn. 

 

If you get tied of washing your hands to the Birthday Song you might try the Mickey Mouse song. 

Wednesday night is dinner and a movie night.  We seniors saw Legacy in Theater 1 and the junior missionaries saw Cars in Theater 2.  Dinner was Little Caesar's pizza and brownies.  I saw Legacy when it first came out years ago, but after having been exposed to the area, during this mission, where the history actually took place, it was much more enjoyable.

As we draw close to the end of our mission (only 10 days left), a young sister asked if we were considering another mission.  The answer is, "We don't know."  Our replacements, due to arrive the first or second week in September, have been put on hold indefinitely for the safety of anyone over 60.  So, we're not sure we'll be able to go again.  There will still be plenty of service opportunities at home, so maybe we're done with full-time missions.  That's sad because we have so enjoyed these missions.

Week 50--August 2-8, 2020

These beautiful angels practice the Prayer Dance. They almost have it perfected. 

Front: Sister Wilson, Sister Anderson, Sister Kinikini, Sister Brock, and Sister Martin.
Middle: Sister Galbraith, Sister Burdge, Sister Greenwood, and Sister Bates.

Back: Sister Randall and Sister Kinne. 

On Saturday we visited the Negro Baseball League Museum and the American Jazz Museum. The map shows all the cities that a Negro Baseball team. 

One of the the things that hasn't changed about baseball over the years is the size of the ball and the way they are made. 

This display case shows the equipment used by the catcher.  Notice the shin guards that were first made from barrel slats.

 Shin guards later. 

The catcher's mitt looks more like a hot pad than a mitt, And the fielder's glove looks more like one you'd use for work.

Bus for the a negro baseball team. 

In 1952 the Indianapolis Clowns signed a promising rookie nicknamed "Pork Chop". He was given his nickname because he ate only pork chops and French fires on the road. "Pork Chop" went on to become one of the most celebrated black baseball players in the game, Henry "Hank" Aaron. 

Negro Baseball teams hired women players. The best known were Connie Morgan, Toni Stone, and Mamie Johnson.

Night baseball was started by the Negro Baseball League. It made it possible for more fans to come to the games. The lights made it more difficult for the players to see the ball, but the fans loved it.

Geddy Lee collection of baseballs autographed by Negro League veterans. 

Tom and Garnalee at the Negro Baseball League Museum. 

About the only thing we knew about the history of negro baseball was that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when he became the first major league baseball player.  Of course we know Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Barry Bonds, but there were hundreds of great players.  The hardships they endured for the love of the game was inspiring.

After the baseball museum we walked across the building to the American Jazz Museum. The museum was equipped with listening stations, interactives, and custom mixing boards making the jazz accessible and engaging. 

Kansas City was home to many legendary jazz musicians who became world renowned for their blues-base jazz style. The distinct sound was perfected in the 18th and Vine District, the place where Charlie (Bird) Parker, Count Basie, Big Joe Turner, and hundreds of other jazz masters made music that defined the Kansas City style. Many considered Kansas City the number one jazz city of the world.

18th and Vine Historic District. This area was the home to many African Americans before and during the segregation era. 

                                                                                                                                                                            

 One beautiful saxophone.

Included in the museum was an entire wing commemorating Charlie Parker and what would have been his 100th birthday.

At the front of the wing is a saxophone given to the museum and signed by former President Bill Clinton.

We were both humbled by our incredible lack of knowledge about Jazz music and its history.  We know a little more now.  It was a fun tour.

While Utah and Idaho are burning up with temps of 100+, our days have been gorgeous and temperatures are in the 80s.  It's a lot more humid in Missouri than out west, but not intolerable.

Tuesday of this week we (the senior couples and all 11 of the historic sites junior missionaries) did a service project for Billion Graves at the Washington Cemetery here in Independence.  This time we took scissors to more neatly trim the overgrown grass.  We photoed and then documented 34 grave stones.  We probably added 300 new records to the archive today.

Wednesday is dinner and a movie night here in the mission.  The seniors stay in Theater 1, and the juniors go to Theater 2.  (We've been asked to separate for our protection.)  Last week we saw The Fighting Preacher and this week was A Rare Possession (the Vicenzo de Francesco story).  Its always fun to visit, enjoy a good meal, and watch a good movie.

Thursday we had scheduled a tour with a woman and her son from Honduras, so I gave the tour in Spanish.  (We can only discuss the history of the site outside.)  After a twenty minute spiel about how this area was dedicated by the Prophet Joseph Smith and was Zion, the woman asked, "Who is Joseph Smith?"  Oops! Well, in 1820 a 14 year old boy . . . .  We gave her a Spanish copy of the Book of Mormon and encouraged her to continue to visit with the missionaries in her new home in Georgia.

Another fun thing we missionaries get to do is to have a Zoom discussion about one of the many historic sites.  This week's tour was Sharon Vermont, the birthplace of Joseph Smith.  We've also had virtual tours like the one from San Diego with the Mormon Battalion.  The young sisters do a great job, and we don't have to travel to get a great tour.

Friday we gave our "Book Club" presentation to the junior sisters.  This week was Saints, Chapters 20 & 21.  Tom did 20, Garnalee did 21.  After the two chapters, Garnalee had made a crossword puzzle using key words from the chapters to review.  It was lots of fun and it was the last one we'll do.

We've started memorizing The Proclamation on The Restoration of the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Garnalee is much better at it than Tom.  We've only just begun and will do one paragraph per week.  This mission has been a wonderful experience and we're loving it!

Week 49--July 26-Aug 1, 2020


We have had these walking stick insects on the door to our apartment building for a few days. They are very different from the ones we see in Idaho. The eyes are about 1/3 of the way back from the right end.  Interestingly, they look very much like a native weed that grows here.

On Tuesday we had the opportunity to visit the burial site for the members of the Camp of Israel that died from the cholera outbreak that attacked its ranks (June 1834) right after it was disbanded. The Camp of Israel was organized by Joseph Smith to go to Missouri  and help the Saints regain their land that they had been driven from by the mobs in Independence. The Camp of Israel was also to remain with the Saints for a year to keep them safe from their enemies.

This house is on the property where the burial site it located.  Of the 15 individuals that were reportedly buried there, only three have been removed and buried elsewhere.

We mowed the grass. Now time to start on the repairs of the house.  Maybe not!

This beautiful tree was in the front yard of the house.

 On the other side of this mound is where the burial site is located.  The burial site is on private ground owned by a member of the Church and not accessible to the public at this time.  Three skeletons were found and were removed because the bank had been eroded away by a storm and the skeletons were exposed. the three bodies were buried at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence. A monument was also erected there with the names of all those died from the cholera attack.

The burial site for those from the Camp of Israel who died from cholera. The bodies were wrapped in blankets by Heber Kimball, Brigham Young, and others and buried. More than a dozen Saints died.

 The sisters and Elder and Sister Brown listen as Elder and Sister Larsen tell about the Camp of Israel.

The thorns on a thorny locust tree are poisonous.  Locals call it a "Devil Tree."  The property owner has been removing them one by one.  He had a horse brush up against one and it died in spite of a veterinarian's attempts to save it.  He said there are only a couple of trees left on his 18 acres.

 We have been doing virtual tours from the various Historic Sites. On Thursday we did the Priesthood Restoration Site (Harmony, Pennsylvania) and the Sacred Grove (Palmyra, New York). This house is the house that Emma Hale Smith grew up located at the Priesthood Restoration Site. It is called a 5-4 and a door. It has five upper windows, four lower windows, and a door. It was a a common style of the day.













The swimming pool at the cemetery. We had a lot of rain on Wednesday and Thursday. We had to find a different path at the cemetery.

 Sister Kinikini is teaching the sisters the Prayer Dance. She is of Tongan ancestry.

Pictured: Sister Anderson, Sister Randall, and Sister Kinne.

Pictured: Front: Sister Bates.
Back: Sister Brock, Sister Martin, Sister Greenwood, Sister Galbraith, Sister Burdge, and Sister Wilson.

The sisters were watching "Out of Liberty" on Friday afterward, so Garnalee had the opportunity to give a tour at Liberty Jail.  Our tours are outdoors with pictures of the jail and other items  on the iPad.

We planted these Elephant Ear Hostas on May 11 at the Independence Visitors' Center. On August 1, they are five feet tall! (and still growing). We call this our "Garden of Eden" picture.

These times prompt ingenuity, so for our Sacrament meeting we had to improvise.  Two of the sisters' apartments had plans to have Sacrament with their districts.  But the other two didn't, so Garnalee initiated a Zoom call.  We stayed in our apartment while Tom blessed and broke the bread.  The sisters watched and listened from their apartment below us.  Tom carried the saucer with bread down to the door of the apartment and they passed it among themselves. Next, the water was offered in the same way.  Young missionaries and old ones aren't to mix for the old ones' protection, so this was a perfect solution.
Tom has been doing tours of the VC and Jail using Zoom in Spanish.  This week, the seminary class was in Puebla, Mexico.  Hopefully, after this pandemic has passed, they'll still be able to offer virtual tours to YM or YW groups all over the country.
Today, Sunday, August 2, 2020, the high temperature was 82 degrees.  It was 73 degrees at 8 PM.  It's perfect weather!