New Years Eve 2011

Linda & Walt McCown held a great New Years Eve party in their unique home in Pawnee Rock. Their business in acquiring estates and reselling antiques is responsible for their creative decorating style. She served wonderful homemade soups, pies, and breads. She invited members, friends and almost everyone in Pawnee Rock. It was a great evening.

Shirley Smith
Thanksgiving Day

Shirley is a convert to our Church. She has been widowed twice and raised four children by herself. Shirley and Bill, the love of her life, were just two weeks away from leaving for their Mission to Costa Rica and while driving down the road Bill passed away. Shirley dedicated herself to serving her mission at home. She is a dedicated Ward Missionary and and is extremely busy volunteering.

Brother Albert Robinson
80 Years Young

Brother Robinson was a Minister for 18 years before converting to the Church 10 years ago. The first week we attended meetings in Great Bend he gave the closing prayer. He started by saying "We'll now close our eyes and bow our heads. Out of this meek & mild man came a Great & Loud sermon of a prayer. We both opened our eyes and looked around to be sure we were in the right church. Bro Robinson's wife drops him off him off at church each Sunday and then goes to her church. We generally take him home. On the way homes he tells us story about life in Great Bend when he was growing up. When we reach his home he always tells us "My wife Ann is a good Christian woman".

THE LORDS HOUSE

Great Bend, KS

The Great Bend Ward area covers about 170 sq miles and 19 towns. Most of the members live in rural communities and travel up to 50 miles one way to meetings. Attendance is normally between 50 to 75 members. The of majority of members are converts.

Home Sweet Home

After being homeless for exactly one month we found a split entry duplex in Great Bend.

It certainly wasn't a cabin in the mountains or a castle on the beach but we were so grateful to have a place of our own (well at least half a place) and Larry was excited to have a garage. We overlooked the fact that it was totally bare, no carpeting and we had to go up and down stairs all day, which we consider our exercise. We live only 5 miles from the Ward and close to shopping.

Habitat for Humanity
Lyons, KS

A home for Gwyn Hogg. Gwyn and her husband had never owned a home and applied to Habitat for Humanity for the opportunity. They put in their sweat equity but before their home was started Mr. Hogg passed away. Normally this would disqualify Gwyn but the community felt compelled to help her see her dream. We were temporarily living in Lyons and decided volunteering to help in the construction was a great way to spend our 50th Wedding Anniversary.

The Valley of
Adam-ondi-Ahman

The Temple Site at Far West

The Historic Liberty Jail, Liberty, MO

Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters

Left Corner: Historical Kanesville tabernacle at Council Bluffs

MTC

Top right: Elder & Sister Peterson, Elder & Sister Knudsen, Elder & Sister Rackham will be serving as MLS in the Independence, MO Mission. We were in the MTC a week where we enjoyed classes, training, and a great devotional. We especially enjoyed the young Sisters and Elders. We didn't need to report to our Mission President for almost a week so we decided to travel to some church history sites. Saturday morning we left for Omaha, Nebraska.
Bottom Right: Elder Knudsen served as District Leader in the MTC

Headed for the MTC

Camping with the Family

Kim & Mike invited our families to their cabin in the Ashly Natl Forest near Hannah. We enjoyed good weather most of the first day, but in the evening it started to rain and continued raining all night. The next morning we woke to sunshine, but it had rained so hard mud filled all the streams plugging the pipes which supplied water to the cabin. Luckily we had water for drinking & cooking but no none for showers and we had use the OUTHOUSE. The river also overflowed washing away the road & bridge below the cabin. The bridge and road were repaired by the time we were ready to leave. The weather was great the rest of the time. Fishing was horrible because of high water but there was lots of food and goodies. The cousins kept busy playing badminton, target shooting, football,and card games. The BIG kids enjoyed building fires and the little one enjoyed making & eating SMOORS. Everyone had a great time but was so ever grateful to go home to showers and indoor potties.

"4th of July" Henefer Style

We spent the 4th with Wade and his family in Henefer. Wade and Kambree started the day running in a 5K . They did GREAT!!! Wade & Robyn run the "Snack Shack" at the park right across the street from their house where all the festivities take place. Robyn's parents, sisters and their families were also spending the day, so the whole clam chipped in to help run the "Snack Shack" We all had a great time but was so excited when we ran out of food.

Aunt Helen Naylor "94"

Aunt Helen is Larry's Mom's only surviving sibling.
We love to visit her on our way North. We shared the news
of our mission. She is a great lady and will celebrate her 94th birthday
on August 6th.

Mission Call Arrives

We have been call to serve in the Independence, Missouri Mission. We will enter the MTC August 8th for a week and will then drive to Missouri.




Finally!!!! After at least a trillion trips to the mailbox it finally arrived. Larry made his daily ritual with great expectations only to be disappointed. The smile on his face tells all.



Down to the mail box