Ladybug Conundrum

Since the days when the weather outside was a sustained

overnight freezing, we have experienced a ladybug infestation

in our apartment. I understand that this is common here.

For me, it is a bother to have bugs sharing our small space.

To give you a better idea of what I mean, here is a flurry

of what we deal with every day:

in the bathroom on Vince's toothbrush;

 in the extra bedroom/studio on the wall clock;

again in the bathroom, as a pair on the sink ledge

(we often see them in multiples - this morning there

was a pair on the bathroom crystal light bulb cover,

seemingly in contention, with the little one 

harassing the larger one).

Most typically, they seem to like to crawl up into

the crease where ceiling and wall join.

I remember one that I spotted there, who didn't move

for three days - I thought he was dead, but then he "awoke".

  Vince has studied bugs, and is fascinated and somewhat

enamored. He kind of likes them "up close and personal".

My response usually culminated with flushing water!

Until I decided the water use could no longer be justified,

and then I called on Vince to "remove" them for me.

His overly-kindhearted approach was to capture them by hand,

or now more regularly by knocking them off the wall into a cup.

Then he diligently walks them to the outside vestibule

or to the warmer-temp-day deck and sets them free.

Of course, they probably know the direct way back into

the apartment (likely through the bathroom air vent).

When I protest, he patiently explains that lady bugs

are NOT really pests because they eat aphids and

are therefore beneficial. I ask if there are any aphids in

the apartment . . . and around and around we verbally go.

Elder Warner even used our "Lady Bug Conundrum" in a general

email to the Elders and Sisters in the field to illustrate some

principle of kindness - obliquely suggesting that because I

want them eliminated, I am the villain in this scenario.

* * * * *

Last Sunday, it was somewhat humorously ironic that

Brother Perrin from the Canterbury Ward wore his

ladybug novelty dress tie. It caught Elder Warner's eye,

and he grabbed me to come look, thinking, I believe, that

he could use this as ammunition for his clemency argument.

On the other hand, a different red creature has caught

my fancy during these winter months.

We have a red cardinal couple who visit our environs

on a regular basis. Here is the perky male perched on

the closest crest of the storage "barn" that I see out my

dressing room window.

 Here is another shot, where he has moved to the opposite

end, as though staking out his territory.

 And here, below, is a closer view.

eEnclycopaedic information informs me that these

red birds are associated with winter viewing because

they are often heartier and don't fly south.

I also think their rich and vibrant colors make them less

invisible during the bleak winter-colored landscapes.

 Vince has hung a bird feeder on our deck balcony so that he

can watch the "show" of many birds. We have seen the cardinals

feed there, but they are so skittish that I haven't been

able to snap one. When any other birds fly in to feed,

the cardinals immediately leave, even though they are larger.

Surprising. 
Guess red plumage doesn't have priority as I assumed.

* * * * *

I have harbored this fascination for quite a while - 
to create a 3D cardinal from card stock as a published design. 
Finally got that done this week.

Perhaps this one can celebrate those we see through windows.

Here's how I will connect my observation and interaction

with these two creatures of nature to "filling of my lamp":

Behaviors I have taken note of suggest to me that

bugs and birds are seeking comfort. The lady bugs want to be

inside when the temperatures drop. They like the ceiling angle

which may feel protective. Cardinals stay safely out of range

and isolated, and are quick to flee, even when 

the movement nearby is caused by other feeding birds.

This idea links in my mind with comments made last week

in the Canterbury Ward conference meeting.

Though I was answering a phone call in the hall when it happened

and didn't hear it first hand, it was alluded to:

young woman Sister Astoria Campbell included in her

invocation a request that we would all be blessed soon to travel

home "safely" where we could put on our "comfortable" clothes.

Later in his address, her father Bishop Duncan Campbell 

spoke about his hope that we would all be "comfortable" 

when we come to worship together at our Sunday meetings.

Sharing his feelings of "ward family" and common acceptance

and ministering to each other, he delivered a quote:

"We should leave those uncomfortable things we have

overcome where they belong - in the PAST. 

Experiences should, instead, be considered as

LIFE LESSONS and not LIFE SENTENCES."

Brother Makechnie also included in his remarks a reference

to the feeling of help and succor that we should look forward to

when we join together on Sunday to worship and learn.

"After all" he said, "this is the hospital we are coming to,

where we should expect to be healed and comforted."

Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.

So . . .

I will try to endure the ladybug infestation until the weather turns

warm outside, and they re-discover their more "natural" habitat.

And I will relish sightings of those glorious cardinals 
whenever they come.

While ladybugs will surely be on 
my "WILL NOT BE MISSED" list, possibly catching a glimpse 
of one [outside] will bring fond remembrances of 
other things that WILL BE MISSED.

Like the friendships we have made, the acceptance and love

we experience with our Canterbury Ward family,
the sweet witness we feel as individuals find
the peace and hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

the lush and ubiquitous forest land, and

the rich feelings of being here in New England.

Drop by drop. Burning strong!

PS: we also have beautiful blue jays in the neighborhood!

A Gentle Stirring

An image shot by Vince in the "wilderness" behind

our apartment building here in Goffstown in late autumn.

Vines growing among the trees, entwining together in

absence of any larger, stronger tree nearby to grow up into.

I share it here because it represents the thoughtful ways

that Vince approaches his calling and assignments here.

As mission newsletter editor, I have offered him as VC

(Vehicle Coordinator) half a page space for a message

to the drivers and vehicle users within our large mission.

So far, his "advice" and directives ALWAYS appear with

a scriptural reference and a message. The January edition is

set to go "live" on Monday. His message with this picture

is about relying on each other for strength, 

with accompanying John 15:1 reference.

(I include this picture from our Sunday morning

"Come Follow Me" companion study. If it were a moving

image, you could see Vince gently stroke his palm across

the page as he reads and shares. Unconsciously, he

is demonstrating by this motion his love of the scriptures.)

We have come through another busy "Transfers" week,

as a new "batch" of missionaries arrives from training

in an MTC (usually Provo), transfer adjustments are

completed and announced, and arrangements made for

all whose location assignments and companionships

are being changed, and we celebrate the departing

missionaries who have completed their 18 or 24 months.

Transfer day involves those making changes coming to

the Manchester chapel building where the mission office is

to complete the changes, then departing for new assignments.

Since many of them travel long distances in, and then need

to drive long distances back, the tradition here is to offer

them food to consume here or on the road. Among the high-

lights is bagels from Panera with cream cheese.

Here Sister Sanders helps me bag them, for quick

grab-n-go service - the regular order is 10-11 dozen.

In the gym, the missionaries making adjustments

congregate and visit, greet companions and flight group

fellows they may not have seen recently, say good bye

to the departing Elders and Sisters, and gather their snacks.

 These two shots of the snacks table are practically

the same, but I couldn't find a much better angle to get

all into the shot. Love and friendship are part of

this happy commotion, and we always look forward

to the camaraderie and excitement that they bring.

This transfer, there was an extraordinarily high number

of adjustments made, and it seemed like the mission "pot"

received a gentle stirring - hence the post title.

This week marks the eight-months mark that we have

been serving. As I made mental note of all the young

missionaries that would be coming to Manchester,

I realized that nearly all of the Elders and Sisters that

we had a chance to see in Provo MTC before we drove

out (and they later flew out) to Manchester would be coming.

I was granted the slight delay that allowed us to gather and

celebrate our mission accomplishments thus far with a pic.

Elders Walker, Perrson, Warner; Sisters Warner,

Semadeni, Jossi, Stant and Knight.

Missing: Sister Worthington; Elders Johnson,

Peterson and Sears

A major unexpected change occurred that reassigned

the Assistants to the President (APs) who work here

in the office regularly, apart from usual finding

and teaching duties and activities. We have grown

to respect and admire and rely upon them, as usual.

We say "see you soon" to Elder Crum (shown here [r] with his

newly-arriving companion Elder Sessions who he will train).

And say "hello" to Elder White, who we already know and

love from regular interactions. He now is companion

and AP2 with Elder Beckstrand who formerly

served with Elder Crum.

 Following the older pattern, we traveled with

the three departing young missionaries to

Concord, MA, and visited the Old North Bridge,

this time in frigid cold temps and wind chill.

We also attempted to explore into the Sleepy Hollow

cemetery nearby, but the gates were all closed and locked

and we could see policemen and vehicles in

the near distance. Final stop was to the Alcott home

which was featured in the recently-released movie

"Little Women".

We recognized it easily, of course, when we viewed

the movie as our Friday night date the following day.

(Too bad about the caution tape and repairs being

done on the front steps.) It was after-hours, but we walked

around and peered into windows where we could.

Vince reports he was startled to realize a woman was

inside and moving around, and he at first thought it was

a ghost. But then realized she was using a cell phone -

and thought an apparition unlikely to do that.

Final stop for us as senior missionaries with these

accomplished teachers and testifiers was dinner

at the Old Colonial Inn at Concord.

Among the more difficult things we do is to say

"farewell" to these who depart. We have come to

love and rely on them.

Goodbye to Sisters Goldrup & Warburton and

to Elder Powell.

So, to follow the theme of this blog, I have been richly

blessed and my lamp filled this week by: Elder Warner's

unending devotion and creative, sensitive service;

the love and acceptance of the 90 young missionaries

with whom we visited this week, including those from

"our flight group" last May; from departing Sisters

& Elders who I will miss deeply; and from fellow seniors, too.

And so the Wheel of Time continues to turn.

VC Goes to St. Johnsbury

 From the post title: VC = Vehicle Coordinator.

This creative display on Elder Warner's cubicle pin wall

shows that there are occasions when he really does have

TOO much time on his hands - though rarely.

(Perhaps this happened while awaiting a computer fix.)

My post may seem a little too much like a travelogue,

but since we have just learned that we will be able to

extract this "real time" mission report blog and make

a hard copy to revisit at some point, I want to capture some

of the wonderful adventures we have had while on mission business.

This will be one of those.

As part of Vince's duties to take care of the fleet, we occasionally

need to travel so he can re-install TIWIs or otherwise

provide service. Last weekend, we made one of those northern

trips - to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, including an overnight stay.

We didn't get a picture of the young Elders who he had to

meet up with, but these below, Elders Jones and Smith

 serving in Lowell, MA, will represent the Lyndon Elders.

After a two and a quarter hours trip - which included

stops to take phone calls from Elders and Sisters,

about both vehicles servicing and supply requests,

we arrived at our lodging. The Fairbanks Inn celebrates

one of the founding families in St. Johnsbury.

 This town historic marker that was on 

the property of the Inn documents that

Thaddeus Fairbanks with brothers invented

the first platform scale here in 1830. They are one

of two families whose industrial incomes helped

establish this beautiful historic community and endowed

many of the public institutions that still bless people here.

 Once we unloaded, we set off to explore the town.

This is the beautiful railroad station which now serves

as St. John's Welcome Center, plus houses some

government offices and other entities.

Inside, it was easy to travel back in imagination to a day

when the trains still stopped here . . .

. . . with passengers

purchasing tickets and waiting . . .

. . . in the bench chairs

for their departures, or for incoming visitors.

The welcome clerk on duty as we approached

noted that she knew "about Idaho" because she had

recently returned from a trip to Hope, Idaho to visit

a former resident of St. Johns, and we could tell

she was sorry this friend was no longer living close by.

 We walked across the street to have lunch at the diner

as the clerk recommended, and enjoyed the Vermont

"hospitality" of self-contained wait staff. She took our order,

served it, superficially inquired about our satisfaction, etc.,

without breaking a smile. Finally, she came by to

dutifully recommend dessert from the chalk sign nearby.

When I responded that I would like one of each, but because

it is January, I'd have to pass! She immediately understood

my reference to the Diet Resolution Season, and smiled 

and made a cute comment in a chatty way. 

Rewarding to break the ice!

* * * * *

Next we walked up the hill to visit the historic St. John's

Atheneum, which was a historic home, and now contains

the town's library and a beautiful art gallery.

(This pic is from the web; there was snow on the ground

when we visited, of course.)

Inside we were thrilled and warmed by the lovely

wood-worked details of the second floor galleries

featuring turned spindles and plane-shaped railings.

 Here in a different "room" is a metal work

spiral stairway and upper gallery.

I could spend hours here, but it would be

difficult to concentrate with all this beauty around!

We continued our walk, ended up on Railroad Street

again, visited the local shops, and enjoyed our wander.

Earlier, we had driven into the historic homes neighborhood

and they could be copied into a ceramic Christmas village,

they are so picturesque and romantic.

For dinner, we drove to nearby Danville and found

the Creamery Restaurant there. In the bottom-floor

restaurant and pub area, we relaxed and enjoyed

candle-light ambiance with lovely seafood dishes . . .

 . . . which were presented to us (below)

on this fun old-fashioned chalkboard menu.

The restaurant seats only approx. 30 people,

with only a couple of "family" wait staff.

So the menu travels to tables one at a time,

can be easily updated for changing daily fare.

This mode is a way to pace how the orders are

submitted to the kitchen to avoid

overwhelming their limited capacity.

Very intelligent and homey approach!

(I had the Creamery pasta with chicken;

Vince had the Shrimp Scampi.)

Our appointment with the Lyndon Elders was set

for around 11 a.m. in a town only 10 minutes away.

We had made arrangements to bring them pizza lunch.

Our free morning hours were planned, therefore,

to have some winter fun on the St. John's rail trail

where we were NOT disappointed . 

Rail trails in New England are a wonderful idea!

When trains became irrelevant, towns and local

governments or organizations stepped in to preserve 

their winding "footprint" as year-round recreation areas.

They are practically perfect for a certain style of

biking and walking, and of course, cross country skiing.

They tend to be wonderfully scenic in a back-trail sort of way.

Above is one view we encountered as the trail crossed

a small icy stream. Below, we stopped to enjoy this dusky

horizon view back toward St. Johns village.

It looks like sunset, but was actually early morning.

 One feature that made this trail extra interesting is

the series of 30 ft. diameter pipe tunnels that allow

the trail to cross under the highways and roads.

We weren't sure what these would be like, but we

knew it was likely we would need to step out of skis

to get across. Luckily, they are not black-top lined,

or even just muddy earth, but soft, acoustically-nicer 

wood beams. Soft sounds - easy on ski boot cleats.

 Here is Vince, below, clipping back into his skis,

ready to resume and ski through a "canyon" cut through

the typical New England rock landscape.

The beauty is not limited to the broad landscape view,

but was encountered even as we watched the trail

tracks right in front of us and snowy pathway ahead.

 My turn to pose in front of the first tunnel - 

you know its me because of my pencil-eraser

hat and blue coat.

We began our skiing near Railroad Street, at the rail trail

head where parking was provided for 6-7 vehicles.

We skied for a short 1 hour out and then returned.

I wish we could have kept skiing for more of the 20 miles

that were possible, weaving along the river to nearby

town stops on the original railroad. At one point, near

the one-third mark of our course that day, we were close

to the backside of the Fairbanks Inn where we

had lodging for the previous night. 

When I showed son Riley pictures from our snowy fun

and also sent a moving-shot of the Franconia Gap

downhill ski resort that we passed both ways en route

by auto to and from St. Johnsbury, he commented that 

it looked a little boring. "Flat" was the descriptor he used. 

But last weekend, as an older woman with injury/surgery scars

from cross country skiing on a too-steep and icy downhill slope 

that is part of a Utah County trail, my lamp is filled 

abundantly by the many players involved in this rail trail.

I am grateful for the railroad industry who used resources

to blaze the trails originally, conscious of the mild gradient

that makes this safe and pleasant for an old couple.

I praise the vision of community leaders and visionaries

for seizing the opportunity to re-purpose these lanes.

I thank the sponsors and volunteers who improve and

share the trails with us, two folks visiting from Utah.

Life is good!

Welcoming A Snowy New Year

 The days between the holidays, in theory, represent a time

of relaxation and renewal, continuation of visits with

family and friends, and a vague gesture of peeking

toward the new year that looms 'just around the corner'.

I borrowed this fun image from new friend Tamar C.

from the Canterbury Ward: it makes me think of Jack Frost

indulging in a leisurely afternoon of 'horizontal'.

 I also wanted to share a winter view of my favorite 

Goffstown, NH red barn (on Mountain Base Road)

with a little bit of snow. 

(Now I have captured it in three different seasons.) 

Winter weather actually 'hijacked'

our New Year's Day office holiday, with freezing rain and other

advisory forecasts prompting Pres. Beck to move

the Mission Leadership Conference from the 'Eve to the Day.

We did actually experience freezing rain, and for me it was

a new experience. I have heard or read that description

and struggled with it: of course RAIN freezes . . .

and becomes SNOW!

But what we encountered as we drove to the office

was the tinkling sound of tiny, frozen raindrops pinging

off the windshield. Made for slippery walking!

Above, I want to share what the NH residents do to prepare

their out-in-the-weather parked car for imminent snow:

They flip the wipers into the 'up' position, to keep them

from freezing stuck to the glass or buried under snow! Smart.

* * * * *

Continuing the theme of snowflakes, I want to document

a filling of my lamp experience that surprised me back in 

November. A small package arrived from an unrecognized
 address and I was curious to see its contents.

Once opened, I remembered a brief email conversation I had

where permission was requested (I just LOVE honest crafters!)

to use one of my 2014 winter digital designs in 

a Silhouette America-sponsored teaching event. 

I agreed (usually do when principled folks ask) and begged

to see the finished product she would be demonstrating.

Pictured above is the plastic disc 

with etched design using my "Wonder of A Snowflake"

poem, made into ornaments. She had kept her promise to

send me a few following the event. Since we are celebrating

things snow-y, I share my original verse that was etched:

wonder of a snowflake

crystalized near heaven

each one like no other

dancing on a downdraft

knitting with it's neighbors

weaving winter's blanket

Thanks, Elly, for making me feel important, and

that my designs have interest and merit!

Meanwhile . . .

 Vince was pleased that more snow had arrived,

and tested it on the back lawn of the apartment complex

(as seen from my workroom apartment window).

 Following two pics were from a post-Christmas Day

XC skiing outing that we enjoyed on the rail trail

in Goffstown. A little icy, but wonderful scenery

and fun to be out of doors and active!

(Can you smell the wood stove smoke wafting?)

I handed the camera off to him for a rare shot of me, too.

We are "collecting" rail trail cross country 

skiing experiences - more about that next week.

In addition to the MLC event at the Mission Office/

Manchester Chapel keeping us busy, Vince organized 

an 'outing' with the Canterbury sisters 

(whose area is 25 minutes away)

to follow a request by a ward member to visit

a physical therapy client of hers living in a nursing home.

(We snapped this pic later, at the wardhouse:

Sister Linford, Sister Parry, and us.)

 The lady we visited was Bernice, a 96 year old

resident in the Merrimack County Nursing Home

in Boscawen, near Canterbury. Unannounced,

we traveled and met up, and were directed to her room,

introduced ourselves, chatted about lightly interesting

things, and were thoroughly delighted by her friendliness,

her beautiful appearance, and her seeming well-being.

(Below is a summer-time picture of the facility.)

 When we deemed it time to leave, Elder Warner offered

to say a prayer for her, and she agreed.

(Vince says that people rarely deny that request.)

Then we got ready to depart, and the young sisters

asked if they could stop in again to visit.

We each shared a hand-shake, but when these

two wonderful and spiritually-radiant young women

reached out to her, she was visibly touched

and became slightly emotional. The change from 
superficial to deep feelings was like a Mission miracle.

* * * * *

Two days later, on Saturday, we attended a baptism

in Plymouth, NH, where young Sister Bell is serving

with companion Sister Smith. (Sister Bell had 

served previously in the Canterbury Ward where we

came to love, cherish and respect her.)

We took them out to dinner as we like to do,

and asked the cute young university student Eric

who was our server to snap this picture.

NOTE: I'm once again wearing my favorite blue sweater,

even though the pictures in this post were NOT captured

the same day; funny commentary on my limited wardrobe!)

So I began this new year and decade having my lamp

filled and my heart touched, by many people,

and in many ways. Blessings are abundant!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And now a parting shot of Pogo the cat at home in Lehi

taking to bed with him his favorite catnip pillow Christmas gift.

Thanks to Cory for sharing this heart-warmer with me.