New Hampshire Taken For Granite

We daily encounter references and allusions to the NH state

nickname. My apologies up front. Determined to write a bit 

about New Hampshire, I quickly knew that this somewhat obnoxious 

and worn-out phrase as a blog post title would not go quietly away. 

More about the "Granite State" further on.

First, I wrap up Mother's Day remembrance week by sharing

a fun, published collection of photos and sentiments from

daughter Kenzie and family, and our sons, plus. . . 

. . . a mailed appreciation note from the Farmington, ME

Sisters (Renfro and Worthington). These make my heart sing

and fill my humble lamp with oil!

I also appreciate minor "miracles" that help us remain

afloat, such as a chance path-crossing with friend Andrea

at the Concord Farmer's Market on Saturday.

Son Jayden would rather NOT pose for a distanced photo

(lots of folks likewise find this disagreeable!).

The fun treats we found included maple glazed

apple cider donuts (recommended by Andrea & Jayden).

 We made a point of visiting this "early" outdoor market held

along side the Statehouse in Concord so that I could include

a 'shot by us' photo as I introduce this New Hampshire -

a locality we have come to love (not a surprise that!).

One of the original 13 American colonies, NH was the 9th

(my favorite number) to ratify the US Constitution.

Founded in June 1788, NH officials have chosen ladybug as
state insect, pumpkin as state fruit, brook trout as state fish,

and apple cider as state drink. 

We strolled the grounds and learned more about NH's 

famous leaders (more about those another time).

I was inspired by this granite sculpted eagle "figure head". 

Delightful.

Most travel hyperbole about NH speaks of the state in

extravagant words referencing trees. Equally ever-present 

is the granite hiding "beneath the surface".

This image of tree growing THROUGH rock was shared

by Andrea elsewhere, but I thought it too incredible

NOT to include here (with permission). 

Story of the ages: the conflicts in Nature!

Our previous travels to New England helped us tuck away

memories of highway off- and on-ramps cut through 

unavoidable rocky surroundings. Below is the Wellington St.

(near Mission office) I-93 Northbound highway entrance in winter. 

When we arrived last June and saw this image daily

as the Office desktop screen saver, we assumed this might be 

a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. 

Now that we've lived through a New England year, we know

that the abundant, flowing water here ALWAYS finds its way

to lower ground, often streaming downward and out

through rock fissures, providing a show as we drive past - 

simply wet for three seasons; crystalline ice in winter. 

Rockiness IS the landscape, at low ground or high.

Even open areas and "fields" continually yield an abundance

of stones and boulders through freeze/thaw cycles

(explained more fully in a future blog post about stone walls).

(These mountain trail cairns were human-built, of course.)

 As we settled in, we began to notice that stone, particularly

what we assume to be granite, is used creatively and ubiquitously,

including in place of wooden mailbox 'posts', and

as street-side curbing, as seen below.

In 1805, the granite formation above Profile Lake was first

mentioned, now known as Old Man of the Mountain,

near Franconia Notch, about four-fifths up the State.

NH statesman Daniel Webster (to be profiled another time) said:

"In the mountains of NH, God Almighty hung out a sign

to show that here he makes MEN."

Adopted as a state symbol of strength, resolution,

determination (stubbornness?) and connection with

the beautiful landscape, the profile appears . . .

. . . in many official ways. Here, below, is a typical

State route road sign -- this the road that gets us onto

the 101 Connector between Goffstown and Manchester,

and onward to the Mission Office.

 As we drove north for Mission business in January

(and our XC ski outing in St. Johnsbury, VT), we drove past

the exit where the Old Man in the Mountain State Park

helped memorialize the attraction. 

Alas, we could NOT have stopped to view him then, 
since on May 3, 2003, the rocks fell.

We can now ONLY enjoy the historic images, though

occasionally we see clever attempts to recreate it, such as

this "marquee" sculpture at a self-storage business

up Londonderry Turnpike not far from the Office.

Native son Robert Frost said "New Hampshire is one of 

the two best states in the union. Vermont's the other, and

the two have been yoke fellows in the sap yoke from of old

in many marches. And they lie like wedges, thick end to

thin end, and thin end to thick end [as the strong] should fit

together - one thick where one is thin, and vice versa."

This promotional map shows NH divided into regions.

Having logged nearly twelve months of service here, 

we have visited all but one of these regions.

In Seacoast, we have been to Rye Beach . . . 

 . . . and to historic Strawbery Banke (I include the sign

so that y'all won't think I just misspelled it), and . . .

 . . . to iconic Portsmouth light house.

To the west of Manchester, we have been in Monadnoc

where we traded out cars to the Sisters in Keene.

(This beautifully-executed sign on a building on campus

would NOT settle itself contentedly in my little brain, 
since this is likewise the motto of our alma mater BYU.)

 On the journey to Keene, we discovered this marvel,

the double arch stone bridge near Stoddard.

Going northwest, we have only had momentary glimpses

of Lake Sunappee and the beautiful resort areas there --

venue of the craftsmen's fair where I purchased my red barn

last August.

We had hoped to be over-nighting at Enfield Shaker Village --

-- with its own lake -- in the same region ten days from now.

(Alas, COVID-19 restrictions have interferred.)

In the middle, the Lakes Region is one famous folks have made

a destination for more than a century. We visited Wolfboro

for a day visit to swap out cars to the young Elders there.

New Hampshire Manchester is the missionary appointment that

we "chose" and we count blessings every day that

we were likewise "chosen" to come here.

Rock-solid already was our love of the country, and we now

can add an equally-strong affinity encompassing

so many incredible people and individuals, as well.

They fill our hearts and lives with love and light and joy.

Thank you, New Hampshire, for loving us back,
visually and in other ways!

Feeling full to the brim!

An Unexpected Bounce

A week ago, on the first weekend in May, Vince and I found a rare

occasion to put to appropriate use a pouch of tennis balls and two

Goodwill rackets left in returned mission vehicles as our health-risk 

young people dashed away on airplanes in mid-March.

 We find ourselves living in a complex that includes

an on-site court only 200 strides from our door. So, even

though we are 'old' and out of shape, we enjoyed ourselves

thrice in the sunshine. Lessons learned: good rackets make a

difference; out-of-use muscles need to be warmed up; extra 

body weight has made us slow to react; and "pressure-less" 

balls likely will have an UNEXPECTED BOUNCE.

Here's something unexpected:

a snowstorm on May 9th!

(Guess I'll have a little more "spring time" to use up

my supply of comforting hot cocoa packets.)

My Mother's Day was filled with quick-text

conversations with the beloved women in my life,

and with a few dozen messages like this one from

the missionaries across New England. Priceless!

(From Sisters Throckmorton and Jones in Lowell, MA.)

Certainly, our MOST unexpected bounce recently

has been the overwhelming changes in life caused

by the infectious virus, and the need to change behaviors.

Our experience started a mental thread: what things have

"bounced" me for bad or good in recent days?

* * * * *

Tuneful advice keeps circulating in my mind from

Mr. Rogers: Find something to do while you're waiting.

Watching for the light side of things is one way we cope.

Clever young missionaries here in NHMM are keeping

their senses of humor well honed while we wait, and we often

smile during the "log in" at our daily mission-wide 

teleconference devotionals, like the one pictured here below

from my laptop screen. With the sudden exodus by

approx. 35% of our force, in many instances, two areas will now

be served by one companionship. As the missionaries joined 

the ZOOM meeting, there were Area names we didn't recognize.

These were new titles contrived by Elders and

Sisters to represent recently combined areas. 

Winthrop & Oxford became Winthroxford.

Topsham & Damariscotta merged into Topscotta.

Merrimack & Keene blended into Merrikeene.

Portland & Cornish contracted to Cornland.

Brewer & Dover slid into Drewer.

And Bangorish was fashioned to possibly suggest

"approximately the area that formerly was Bangor".

(Pres. Beck had to caution the missionaries NOT to get

too creative with new 'nicknames' to avoid confusion

 as he screens out meeting interlopers!)

Part of my daily "at home" routine is watching news

conferences, this one showing Gov. Baker (MA), on TV

as I eat lunch. I am encouraged by Gov. Baker's patience

(a Christ-like attribute) as he continues to answer the same

question day after day, about how we will live and cope and

stay safe once the restrictions are relaxed. He often pauses,

gathers his thoughts, settles his reaction, and says something

like, "People are very creative - we will find ways."

 While I have come to realize that my broadcast news

consumption needs to be rationed, I received a huge "bounce"

as I listened to the closing piece on PBS News Hour on April 29th.

Kelly Corrigan began with these words: 

"Sometimes, when I feel outmatched by the thing in front 
of me, I do a mental exercise. I tell myself the story of 

what happened as if it is OVER, and I NAILED it."

She conjectures about positive outcomes from this scary

and challenging episode in our history, when children decide

that science is what they want to pursue, that teachers are

finally recognized for their heroic work and compensated

properly, where people value relationships and opportunities

to reach out and be together. I recommend following this

LINK and skipping forward to minute 52:00.

It was especially easy to listen to Kelly, since she reminds

me of Sister Larsen, former mission nurse here in NHMM.

Gospel outreach has received an amazing but unexpected

sideways "bounce" in recent weeks since citizens of country

and world have been told to isolate in place. Almost overnight,

a peripheral effort that included texts, phone calls, video lessons

and social media invitations has taken CENTER STAGE.

This week, reporting for the 2020 mission history, I learned more.

Interviewing Elders Bigler (r) and Penrod, who have become our

Technology Specialist "point" men, I reviewed the initial efforts

within the mission. These were quickly followed up by more focused

implementation of official "templates", including Zone FaceBook pages,

with specific standards for quality content, approaches and formats

that would generate interest from those seeking Gospel messages.

Training was provided directly to our Tech Specs, who in turn, train

and lead the missionaries serving here.

As with 'regular' mission outreach, these efforts demonstrate

God's love for his children as He makes the Gospel available.

Elders and Sisters have daily reported on mission "miracles"

that they have seen as they shift gears and reach out in these

new ways. To my view, there were TWO miracles apparent

right off. First, someone in the right place in the Mission Dept.

in Salt Lake City headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-Day Saints was "inspired" to pursue development of

a NEW energetic social media outreach program back in mid-2018.

That pilot plan was tested in the Palo Alto, CA area in 2019,

has been under review for fine tuning since December, with

plans for full roll-out this coming July. (Someone obviously was

receiving the prompting that this would be needed, and their

timing only slightly off!) Second, Elder Bigler was

prayerfully selected to assist this effort here BEFORE Pres. Beck

understood that he already had interest and experience in social

media and advertising, that this is something he plans to pursue

professionally, and that his father is doing this kind of work NOW.

This week I will continue the work of transcribing and condensing

the collected accounts of mission "miracles" we witness through

use of the tools of social media and remote communication.

Many can be categorized as demonstrating that in a time of

crisis, unease, fear and isolation, God's children may be more

open, prepared, softened and 'available' for a Gospel message.

Missionary contacts NOW are being labeled 'miraculous' because

in more normal times, their effectiveness seemed limited.

Connecting through FaceBook and other platforms is leading

our young missionaries to individuals "seeking for guidance,

comfort, peace, a better relationship with God, a religious family",

and so forth. Some who had been lost, have "coincidences"

happen that allow them to be found.

One 'COVID-19' miracle story from Elder Bagley in Rutland, VT:

The day before "quarantine" would begin for missionaries

and for residents, I thought about purchasing a paper stack

so that I could do some origami to pass the time.

In the craft store, another customer reached for the last stack

at the same time I did, but we both backed away to allow the other

the chance to buy. We each circled away and returned to repeat

the exchange, then the lady deferred to let me purchase it.

Once outside the store, I felt guilty to take it all, so I split the stack

and left half of it on her car. Then I did something uncharacteristic

for me - I left a note of appreciation and our contact information.

Days later, she messaged me on FaceBook, which opened 

a conversation about what we are doing here in Vermont,

what we believe and teach, and what we could offer to her."

Turns out, Rachel's friend had been praying for her that God

would bring a good influence into her life. She was looking

for a religion that matched her beliefs about families.

"She said I was an answer to her prayers."

She is being taught remotely, and with purpose and promise.

We are inspired as these stories unfold, time after time

showing how someone is in the right place at the right time,

prompted to involve members who have just the right connections

and interests, sharing words and messages that resonate.

We observe and believe that Jesus Christ can offer the solace

that is needed now, and always. Illustrating this here is

a painting completed by recently released Sister Chantelle Bell,

inviting us to "come feel the wounds in Jesus' hands . . . 

and know His love for us is real."

Life is an adventure, and unexpected bumps are inevitable.

This week we are thankful for the unexpected BOUNCES

that also come, through kind messages, sign posts of example 

that keep us on the path, foresight and inspiration that display

a loving Heavenly Father's continual watchful care.

Our mission has received a special BOUNCE - after a trend of

one missionary returning home early each transfer, we are

hanging in there, even in extreme circumstances.

And NO illnesses from the virus so far.

Wondering what positive "bounces" you are feeling, even

in this totally deflating crisis!

Two Rivers Run Through It

This is the city in New Hampshire that creates the backdrop

and support system for the Manchester New Hampshire

Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,

where we serve (these days in reconfigured ways).

As we enter the final month of our first year, I intend here

to document some of what we have learned about its history.

But first . . . 

. . . a few things that have filled my lamp and brightened

my time this week during continued isolation.

Here is a blooming 'fuchsia' bush we see as we walk

on St. Anselm College campus near our apartment.

The arrival of spring has lifted our spirits!

Next, I finally took the opportunity to count myself

among the throngs of home sewists who have created

cloth masks - these for three loved ones in Utah.

Below is one I finished. It was re-created by taking 

a pattern from the personal, shaped mask 

that was stitched FOR me, offered and sent by

my neighborhood friend Mary Carter in Lehi. 

Since sewing is "something I do", I'm glad I could

count myself IN. Hunting down the elastic presented 

a challenge, and as this project was being considered, 

I wasn't sure how I could obtain some, with 

the regular fabric stores closed under the advisories.

I reached out to our office 'angel' Anita Nicklaus

by text who I knew had been sewing masks, though

in a slightly different style. At first, she responded that she

did NOT have what I needed. But almost immediately

came the following text (2 yds., not 2 ft - exactly what I

needed). I told her she was an answer to my prayer!

Something I'm getting used to is the protocol that

has us standing 6 feet apart while we wait our turn

to enter the Market Basket grocery store. I sure hope

customer metering doesn't turn into the new normal. 

OK in sunshine, with nothing much else to do. 

But when rainy and busy?

Another thing that dissipated my unease was learning

that I actually have access to the creative supplies

from Michael's (and others), where I tried for the first time

to do "contact-less curbside pickup". Ahhhh - relief!

I can be comfortable if I know I can get what I "need". 

Now for the main topic: Manchester the City.

Street signs and business names abundantly

attest to this being the "Queen" City,

which is defined in this Mill Museum placard below.

(Concord,15 miles north, is the capital, sort of represented

in this illustration by the red 'dot' in the upper left corner,

but Manchester is the largest city in the state.)

The 'two rivers' post title references a movie because 

it came to mind as I think about our journey from

Goffstown apartment west of Manchester (note the red star)

to Mission Office just off Wellington, east side of Manchester.

Vince prefers the I-93 route that crosses just the Merrimack,

but I prefer the cross-town surface road route that takes me

over bridges spanning the Piscataquog and the Merrimack. 

(Say pis-CAT-a-kwahg - see, NOT that hard!)

The area where Manchester developed was important in

history when Native Abenaki people (Penacook tribe) 

settled here because of the Amoskeag (say AM-as-keg) 

Falls area of the Merrimack, about 11,000 years ago. 

Abundant water makes a 54 foot drop in about one-half mile.

Here the fish rested before making the climb upstream, 

gathering in eddies and pools or

becoming caught in fishing nets strung across.

Amoskeag root word means "many fish".

While still in Utah awaiting our trip east, Vince had

seen (online) and become entranced by this 3D sign. 

It was the first thing we searched for last June.

The Falls were completely dammed in 1840 to support

the local industrial establishment described here.

We toured the Millyard Museum in late January

(well before the forced COVID closure, thank goodness)

and could see some artifacts of those earlier civilizations.

This decorated bowl was of particular interest to me.

A collection of primitive tools also made us think!

Two businessmen from south of New Hampshire (Boston?)

saw the potential of harnessing the power of the falling

water at Amoskeag to drive looms and other textile machines.

They planned the manufacturing town around the Falls

and then diverted water to form 2 canals, built the large factory

buildings plus other community infrastructure to accommodate

the immigrant workforce of Amoskeag Manufacturing Company.

This vintage image shows the huge industrial buildings complex.

Another vintage photo shows the extent of the looms

and fabric production, a powerhouse of textile production

in the second half of the 19th century.

In 1914, the factory created a gigantic flag which

they claimed to be the largest one ever made.

(Later it was proved that a previous one in

Concord had been the largest.) Stars on this one were

1 yard across and the flag weighed 200 pounds.

The textile operation created thousands of jobs, 

and during its heyday for the city, Thursday evening

on Elm Street in downtown evidenced the booming

economy (Thursday was payday at the Mills).

The Millworks began to decline after WWI and could not

withstand economic pressures from the Great Depression,

closing suddenly and permanently on Christmas Eve 1935.

In the 1960s, the canals were filled in and other development

continued in the areas where the mill activity had been.

Today, part of the beautiful brick buildings in the massive

complex have been preserved as a Museum, and many others

re-developed as dwelling apartments, condominiums,
restaurants, and businesses.

Manchester's most famous citizen may be 

engineer Ralph H. Baer, the "father of the video game". 

In 1967 he licensed what would become the Odyssey game

system to Magnavox - and the rest is history.

This bronze statue memorializes him near the banks

of the Merrimack River. 

(He is holding a double joy-stick controller.)

Finally, it was nice to be put to work for the Mission again,

after drifting through these days of dwindling tasks.

With the hint of a soon-to-be-expanding missionary force here

as "furloughed" young Elders and Sisters are reassigned 

 here temporarily, our leaders are galvanizing efforts

in this special commemorative year of the First Vision.

I was able to use skills I learned for paper craft design

to set up, illustrate, print and cut these cards

that will be distributed to go inside their 'Rules' sleeves.

Feeling needed has filled my lamp this week,

along with the help we've been offered and can offer.

Praying you are getting Heaven's help to stay healthy

and well!