February Thoughts

The incredible pool at Marie Osmond's home

 February, no wait it's March! It's been a wonderful month here in St. George and I can't wait to share the pictures with you all. In fact, it took me a little while to gather them all, so you're probably reading this in March.

I heard a wonderful quote recently that has helped to shape my thinking towards others:

“We must remember that the people we meet in parking lots, offices, elevators and elsewhere are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and serve”.  

So I determined that if we are to LOVE those we meet in an elevator I can certainly LOVE those that I show through the Visitor’s Center and historic sites. J I really prayed about it and the thought came to me to think of each person as a member of my immediate family……a sibling, a son, daughter or parent.  I tried it and the effect it had on me and those I met with was remarkable!  I found that the visitors really opened up to me, and shared things with me on a much deeper level even if we were together for just a few minutes.  I too was more vulnerable, and we laughed more and connected in a way that I don’t think I could have otherwise. I’m so grateful the Lord answered my prayer and gave me a little glimpse of the power of God’s love.  Now I just have to work on trying to show His love through me every single day.  

Continuing with the theme of love….. Denny and I celebrated Valentine’s Day with a short drive to Mesquite to see THE FAB perform a Night of Beatle’s Love Songs!  It was so fun to sing along to “I Love Her”, Michelle, and “Something”.  We had to leave the concert early to be back at what we felt was a good missionary curfew but just as we were leaving they began to play “Yesterday”.  Denny took me by the hand and we found a quiet corner and danced till the song ended.  Yes, at 61, Denny can still be so romantic!!!!!  We also received several care packages this month which were so fun to get, sweet cards and emails from friends and some wonderful visits from loved ones includingDenny’s brother Ralph and his wife Julie, our niece Josie and her cute little ones, Kim Malyon from the Bellevue stake, Riley Cooney (Bellevue stake) and his friend from Las Vegas and our dear friend of almost 40 years, Christie Monson.  Thank you for coming!  We loved seeing each one of you!

The past 2 months our Temple Visitor’s Center has been closed for remodeling.  In anticipation of the opening we received great training from Salt Lake.  You know you are getting old when your trainers are the same age as your kids!!  Many of you know that our sweet daughter Minta, served in this same mission a little over 10 years ago.  I know it is here that she developed many wonderful traits that she still possesses today.  Since it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, I’m hoping I will come home having learned at least a little of what she learned!

We have 2 amazing new exhibits at the VC.  One is called “8 Stories” and chronicles the life of 8 young missionaries- before, during and after their mission.  If you’ve seen “The District”, this is it.  It’s on a full screen and guests use an IPAD to play 1 or more of the stories at their leisure while sitting on comfortable moon shaped couches.  It’s very cool.  The best part………..behind the screen is a wall of missionary badges under glass and Elder Hancock and I got to submit our badges for the exhibit along with a thousand or so other missionaries.  It’s a little like having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame only better!  

The second new exhibit is on the Book of Mormon.  Guests can relax inside one of 2 comfy cubbies where when they flip open the Book of Mormon and different stories play on the screen. I’ve missed watching the little children come in and run to the Christus exclaiming “Jesus, Jesus, it’s Jesus” in their sweet little voices and I’ve missed the interaction w/ the young sisters.  There are 35 single sisters representing 15 different countries here at the St. George Visitor’s Center.  They all have powerful testimonies of the Lord and many have sacrificed much to be serving a mission.  I love them all and can’t wait to see them at the Visitor’s Center this week!

We continue to love our assignments at the other sites as well.  Denny has written the most amazing song about Jacob Hamblin whose pioneer home we work at a couple times a week.  After our tours are over we usually ask the guests if they’d like to hear the song and they always do. (see picture above)

On a complete side note, there was a Parade of Homes here in St. George.  We didn’t have time to see many but I did get to see the home that was built for Marie Osmond.  One is of her backyard which has a circular couch and fireplace nook in the middle of the pool!......  and the other picture is of the coolest room for grandkids complete with a little trailer and treehouse, see below. It made my heart warm to see all the pictures of Christ and the pioneers so beautiful and tastefully displayed throughout her home.  Loved the fact that so many people saw that!  

I learned a very hard lesson today on love, so these following quotes are mostly for me to ponder.  I hope they are meaningful to you as well. 

 “We need to be tolerant of each other. Compared to God, none of us are all that different.”

and……

“We can never underestimate the power of kindness.  Kindness can change hearts and lives.”

I know God’s love for all of us is unchangeable, remarkable, everlasting, beautiful and more.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us so much.  It’s amazing how much they love us.  We are never, ever alone!   

Be good to each other…………..

I love you all,

Leslie and Denny