The Autumn Leaves Drift By My Window

The best thing that has happened on our whole mission is that Kimi and Jeff came to see us October 20-24. We have had such a delightful, wonderful time just being with them and being able to take them on all the tours here in Kirtland.

I have no idea how much the pumpkin weighs, but I thnk it weighs more than I do even. That was our last outing with the Guenthers. All the rest of our Pdays will be taken up with getting ready to come home.

This month of October has sped with lightening speed leaving leaves all over the ground; leaves of every shape, size and color. We had two gloriously beautiful weeks or brilliant color and then a wind and rain storm stripped many of the colors. But Jeff and Kimi are here right now and they think it is absolutely beautiful still. It just changes in shifts and at least doesn't strip all the color off the trees all at once.

September of what year?

We are losing track of time. It is slipping by so quickly now that our departure date is but two months away form today. We love serving a mission in Kirtland Ohio and loved serving in South Africa too. We have had three sets of tours from South Africa this past month and that brought back such great memories. Here we have a picture of Niel and Ineka Atkins from Johannesburg whom we knew while there. We knew their son Michael and Michael's wife even better. But we knew them well enough to know they are the greatest of people.

The man with the motor bike is Roy McGinnis who was our next door neighbor in Garrettsville. He was one of several who came to a BBQ Picnic at the Johnson Farm that the Missionaries held (Elder Guenther also in the picture) down there and we attended that picnic. It was such fun to see our old neighbors and good friends in attendance.

What a month we had this past few weeks! It has been such a privilege to serve the Lord here.

Here is the beauty!

A path we walk on frequently.

Elder Orton greeting lots of tour groups and I had to get a picture of this cute boy (Elder Orton) and the other one.

See the flowers within the flower? Isn't the Creator a most marvelous designer?

Here is Elder Orton in front of the Joel Johnson Home. Each dwelling has exquisite flowers and you would agree that the Visitor's Center is a show place for guests from all over the world. I am so pleased to be part of the work that goes on here. Everything is going to change soon here and we are so thankful we were able to serve in 2010 and 2011.

My computer would not let me include these other pictures I was about to put on the last blog. I had to start over and do a new blog. We will just post a few more for your benefit of seeing how lovely Ohio is.

There is Beauty All Around

What a beautiful time of year in Ohio! I know you will be jealous when I tell you the night temperatures have been in the 60's and the day time temperatures in the mid to high 70's. We see on the news how hot it is in Utah and Idaho. I am sure we deserve it however, since we had such awful hot, muggy months before this. However, with the cooler air, the leaves start to turn red in the very tippy tops and some have begun to fall. I suspect they have to get a head start or it would completely blanket the entire state with leaves if they fell all at once. Here are some views of where we walk, and some of Elder Orton in front of what is Joel H. Johnson's property and what they used to think was his home. It has been established now that it is a move-on house, not Joel Johnson's original home. It stands right as one would drive into the parking lot of the Visitor's Center. One of the reasons we took Elder Orton's picture here is partly so you could see the house, but also so you could see the flowers. The flowers on the grounds are just stunning right now too.

Time is flying and we will be heading home in three months time. In the meantime to keep our thoughts focused, Kimi and Jeff will be coming out to see us in October and we pray for lovely weather and a few beautiful leaves. I wish the weather would stay like this until then. In the meantime we are very busy and doing quite well.

We are thankful to report that our car whose picture was in the last blog, was repaired painlessly to us because it turned out that the part needing replaced had been on recall from Toyota, so the dealer fixed it at no expense to us. What a nice missionary blessing.

I've been working with a couple of small choirs for different events and enjoying that very much. The next one will be for a training meeting the senior missionaries have with Elder Nash of the Seventy. I am also in charge of the Historic Kirtland History, so try to make pages for that in between other things. Life is good and "Our future is as bright as our faith" to quote a wonderful prophet of God.

JULY IS ALMOST HISTORY IN HISTORIC KIRTLAND

I always think I am going to blog every week or two. But the months keep passing. We had a little trouble with our car our here. We didn't expect to, but if they can get it fixed it will probably be a good thing. At least the problem happened while trying to get out of our driveway. The power steering just completely failed and it was impossible to steer at all. Mark was able by going forward and back and forward again, to turn just enough to get it back into the drive way. He had backed up and started to turn so he could go downhill when it went out. We had to get a tow truck to take it over to the Toyota dealers while we envisioned a terrible bill to follow. We should get it back within the next day and now after a day without a car even that sounds good. We can walk to work if we need to.

I think I will include a little picture of our "Luxury Lounge" under the stairs at the Visitor's Center. It is a laugh a minute. The women usually gather there because we are not supposed to all be out in the foyer at the same time. This space is supposed to be for up to seven couples when they are not on tour. Isn't that funny? Everyone bumps their head on the stairs if back in the back seat. But we are extremely grateful for the cushy chairs and a piece of carpet and even a microwave.

We are doing well in Kirtland even with the heat. We have a good air conditioner in our house this year, unlike last summer, and it makes us feel better in the mornings. We are excited to continue our work and to meet many more great people. Where is the time going? What happens to it once a week has gone by? Is it out there in history somewhere? I know we cannot call it back. But I don't want my future speeding up either, do you? Have a happy summer even though it is more than half over.

Pictures around us

I wanted to send pictures of the flowers in front of our house which are getting full and beautiful, a tree that is in the back of our house, which has tendrils and is most interesting. I will take time sometime to identify it. The tendrils are gone now and just the large oval shaped leaves remain. Also a picture that Mark took of the puzzle he did of the Farmall tractor like his dad used to have. I will post other pictures as we get them downloaded.

One Year Mark for Mark and Annette June 20

LOOK AT OUR TOMATO PLANT!!!!! WE HAVE HARVESTED TWO TOMATOES FROM IT AS OF 28TH OF JUNE! I know you are all jealous. We cannot take much credit for these beautiful plants. This one already had small tomatoes when we bought it and the Ohio weather is perfect for growing gardens if you can keep the critters out of them.

Carol and Al Donely with us and Guenthers went into Cleveland and had a grand day. The Donelys are our friends from Hiram and she is president of the Rotary club and that is how we became friends. They wanted us to see where they grew up, the Chapel they were married in and for us to see what we should see in Cleveland including Museum of Art, the Brown's Stadium, Rock 'n' Roll hall of Fame, Science Museum, Botanical gardens and much more.

I am giving instructions for the skits that I was in charge of for our Memorial Day Picnic/BBQ.

The skits were such a hit and so very creative. I was pleased with the results. Everyone who participated was willing and ready to have fun and to do something extra good. It was more fun than anything we have done here since we came. We had about 70 people in attendance.

None are veery good pictures this time. Sorry. But they do give an overview of things

Picnic help up at the Quarry Park with the Community of Christ and their Summer workers. It was a great picnic, but the weather was a bit cold for June. Here is a picture of Mark, Karl R. Anderson (Mr. Kirtland and first Stake President in Kirtland) and Elder Edman our Director. We always have a great time when we are with the other missionaries. We work with the best people ever. We have just had two new couples join us, the Johnsons from England and the Farr's from Kaysville, Utah. We have more recently had six new sisters join our team.

June is Bustin' Out All Over

What a beautiful month, June! The green is so lush and dense. And we did have visitors after all. We had Pam and Kimball and Daniel Lynn for one whole day. Daniel is off to the MTC the 15th of this month.

These are pictures of tree removal company taking out dead trees behind our house. It was most fascinating. The tree man climbs the tree, lops off the top large limbs, and hooks a belt around the top of the tree, then the big crane lifts until it is taut. The climber goes down and cuts the tree off at the bottom, and the machine lifts the tree up and over the house. Wow! It was really cool. The tree is lifted from the air right into a shredder and it is gone in minutes. We had never seen such an operation before and we stood outside and watched the whole time as they took out five trees.

And the picture of the lovely path in the forest is where we walk every morning. but that is just a taste of the beauty involved. It is a feast for the eyes as we try to walk off the feast of the past days.

It's been busy in Kirtland and we have met and taken on tour some of the most interesting and lovely people.

IT IS MAY ALREADY!! NO VISITOR'S THIS MONTH

Sharon and Niel and us.

And there on the right is my handsome, hero Elder Orton, ever the Good Samaritan, changing the tire for the sister missionaries on a cold March morning. He did the whole thing without touching the ground with his knees except for one short moment to get the jack in just right. What a man!

Here are visitors Khumbulani Mdletshe with the Flinders who are good friends of Aunt Loa and Uncle Boyd. What a great visit that was. We worked very closely with Khumbulani in South Africa on our mission from 2004-2006. Some friends are so eternal and so close you wish they were not a world away.

Upper left are us with Sharon and Neil who came the middle of April. That was more fun than just about anything sincde we came because they had enough time to just relax and we enjoyed them so very much. It so happened that their anniversary and Mark's birthday are both on April 16, so we celebrated together. How we love having company and how we love to have company we love. Sharise and Ron had been planning to come this very week in May. However, their plans went sour when other things arose. We are sad, but not despondant or discouraged. We will see them in December instead. Even if we don't have any other company, we are so thankful we thought the Cases were coming. It has helped us to get through this past rough winter. People here say, this winter and this Spring are odd and not usual behavior for Ohio weather. I guess we may never know as we hope not to spend another full winter here. And we have had six sets of company and that is pretty good, don't you think?

The bottom picture is of all the Johnson missionaries last summer whom we came to love and I had not had a good picture, so was happy when Sister Dalton sent this. And this was before we got the directive that we could not wear pants to our picnics. Kneeling are Sisters Sanchez, Talbot, Dunn, Wattles, Law & Soelburg. Standing are couples, Dalton, Whitworth and Orton (When we were both thinner than we are now, durn the luck).

Now when I post this I suppose the pictures will all change position. But we have had a couple of very enjoyable months and much busier besides which helps time to move along quickly. Missionary life in Kirtland is so sweet. It is time to go to work again, so I must run. We love being here and if our children were out here close, we might not want to leave. But don't go moving out here just on our account.

SPRING! WHO SAID?

Nope! It isn't spring yet. On April Fools day we had a good snow storm with three inches. What a lousy joke that was. But we see small buds on the trees now and the weather continues to get a bit warmer for a few days at a time and then it drops again. We have been very cold outside giving tours. The wind seems to be what makes it so chilly. This picture was taken the end of March. And there is that good man Elder Hansen blowing the snow from our driveway otherwise we would have been snowed in.

The other picture is part of the painting by Walter Raine called "Kirtland Temple Under Construction" that was commissioned for our site. It is beautiful and Mark loves to take pictures of parts of it. We stand in front of the whole painting to start our tours every day. And it is getting busier every day, so we have more and more people coming, keeping us very busy.

We loved the Johnson farm so much and never thought we could enjoy Kirtland as much, but find we are having a great experience here. It is especially sweet when we are able to take out wonderful people who bring the spirit with them helping us to do a better job. And we had some of those this past week, as we took through some relatives, the LeeRen Walkers, and then Khumbulani Mdletche from South Africa. What a delight to be able to take him on tour as he has never had the opportunity to be in Kirtland before and he teaches young people all about Kirtland in Seminary and Institute in 30 countries in Africa. We were able to get caught up on the South African news while he was here. The church is moving forward and growing quickly there. All of the couples here in Kirtland were nearly convinced they should go serve there after they heard him speak about South Africa in our FHE. I was going to post some of the pictures we took of him, but they don't seem to be in here, so that will be for a different time.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It is an honor and privilege to serve the Lord here and to bear testimony of Him each day. Who would have ever thought we would get this opportunity? And we live in such a cute house besides.

Our Mansion On The Hill

So! Here we are in Kirtland Ohio, living snugly in the cutest house to be had in these parts. As you see, it crowns a steep hill just below the Temple, and is thus called, "The Mansion" or "The Castle". By senior missionary standards, it is indeed a mansion, as most live humbly, in more cramped, one or two bedroom houses or apartments. We are feeling most blessed, and even a bit privileged, if not down right guilty, and no, we don't deserve it any more than any other missionaries, but, as victims of the system, we do as we are tole, realizing that someone has to do it, so we are determined to squeeze all the joy out of our elevated situation we can, while just being very grateful. We are, however, reminded that where much is given, much is expected!

In this cozy little bungalo, we can hope to be content to spend the remaining years of our mission, but only if you drop by to see us. Unfortunately, Elder Orton has been kept very busy shoveling the walk and driveway leading up to the house. FM does plow and salt it, but sometimes, they are so swamped, they can't get to it before we must leave. The driveway leads right out onto a very busy street (Chillocothe Road), the last few feet being very steep and slick when icy. We can't quite put our finger on it, but for whatever reason, it sure reminds us of home in Ogden.

We are happily expecting company this coming spring and summer, and our new home will be a convenient place to entertain, much closer and convenient than Garrettsville. Just three short minutes from work, a washer and dryer of our own, a kitchen nook with a view, and a basement and sleeping porch for overflow, if needed. We have quickly made ourselves at home, and plan to enjoy our stay in Kirtland, even though it was tearfully difficult to leave our friends and situation in Garrettsville, especially our dear apartment people. We had learned to love them all.

This is our first week on the job, and we've been learning, but probably not fast enough, as we will be expected to do our own tour by next week. Yikes! So, we continue to study and learn as fast as atrophied, leather-like brains can catch and absorb frayed bits of information. How blessed we feel to serve a mission! How we marvel at the heavenly flood of love showered upon these early, Kirtland Saints, as the Lord condescended to appear in His glory, with his Father, so many times, as He poured down the knowledge of heaven upon the heads of these, His Saints! What a rich and gloriously divine heritage we have been left by these, our spiritual ancestors of Kirtland. We are so grateful for the honor we enjoy, as we serve in the midst of the memory of such sacred scenes! Over and over, our testimonies are confirmed! All this and the gospel too!!

TO KIRTLAND: CITY OF FAITH AND BEAUTY

'Over the River and through the woods to Kirtland Town we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh' and that is almost what we need this time of year. Here we are leaving the Johnson Farm headed for a new adventure now at the Historic sites in Kirtland.

Sister Guenther and I were in charge of a farewell dinner for the Butterfields who were the site directors for three faithful years. We had 58 attend and eat and participate. Sister Guenther is the creative genius and came up with splendid ideas for decorations and program idea and she made the cute lady bug cakes and favors for each person to match. She did all of the creative, crafty, cute stuff and I tried to put together a menu, assign food and write a little skit to be presented for the Butterfield's entertainment. It was so fun and went off well. The big things you see by the cakes are extra, extra large pans of Ohio Bread pudding. It is nothing, I say NOTHING like the bread pudding I used to make with old, stale bread. No wonder I never liked bread pudding. This was made with croissants, butter and brown sugar. Ugh, so rich and decadent. We had them wrapped to try to keep them warm on the trip from Garrettsville.

It is fitting that we should be in charge of the Butterfield's farewell dinner. They were also Kimi's mission President 15 years ago in Ventura Ca. And when Kimi left on her mission, we moved into the very ward in South Jordan where Elder Butterfield had been bishop and the stake where he had been stake president. They knew the exact house we lived in. We built a house in Riverton and moved before they came home from their mission, but our paths were bound to cross. And here we were for seven months under their direction in the Kirtland area. What great people. We will miss them.

We hated to take down the Christmas cards and pictures from our door. But we didn't figure the people moving in in two days would appreciate them nearly as much as we did, so we had to finally taken them down. How we love family and friends who remember us out here in Ohio with emails, facebook, blogs, letters, cards and even packages. We are having a wonderful Mission and just pray for strength to keep up the pace. Serving here is like a dream and I am going to try harder to be more proactive and accomplish more. We meet people frequently who know people we know or are related. Just a few days ago we met a man who knows my sister Jenny in Tabor, Alberta and also talked to one of the sister missionaries who had talked to my niece Pam on the phone.

The next blog to be posted when we get our computer hooked up again in Kirtland.

ONCE IN HISTORY 1-1-11

Happy New Year to all in my book of friends and loved ones. We had a most memorable Christmas here in Ohio! Boy, oh boy! It's tough to be away from kids and grand kids, but look at the pictures. As you see, Sister Guenther and I kept busy making and delivering cookies all over the village. We even had Santa come see us in our apartment! What else could you ask for? He even brought a few gifts to put under our tree (which was a tiny fiber optic, bottle-brush thing, but, with a little imigination, gave the illusion of a tree. And Santa didn't even care. He found us anyway.

Our December was busy and active, leaving little time to whine about who we were missing. I had dreaded December when we came in June, but we actually enjoyed it very much.

Of course, the true reason for our happiness this year, is that we are priveleged to be in the service of the very Lord and Savior whose birth we celebrate! Each day we testify and honor and praise His Holy name, and our celebration this year was the more meaningful because of it.

Among our favorite tangible gifts this year was one from our children, who kindly sent pictures of themselves and their families (always a vital and a treasured gift), then added some sweet memories in a booklet titled, "Lessons Learned at Home". That's what you see me holding in the picture by the 'tree'. This now annual gift has become a treasured Orton family tradition, one we now value as gold. Though we, regretably, had to be excused as they gathered and read them to each other this year, we had no trouble imagining their tears and laughter, as we sat huddled together in our Ohio apartment, relishing their writings of childhood memories, and we added liberally our own tears and laughter. Thankfully, they were kind, and said nice things.

What a wonderful beginning to a New Year! And, what a date it is today! One/One/One-One , a day that is here today, and never to come again. Make it a good one! Happy New Year!