Our Mission District got together and went to the movie "Young Washington" to get us into the spirit for the 4th of July celebrations that commemorate Independence Day. It was a great movie about our first President of the United States, George Washington's, beginnings and the love he had for our country as a young soldier.
Our P-Day was on Independence Day, so we didn't have to work on a course in the morning. After the campers were all checked out and off the mountain, our mission had a "Buggy" Parade, where those that wanted, decorated up their ATV's and drove around the trailer loops in camp. I was very impressed with the way some of the campers got into it. We had a band playing patriotic music, the statue of liberty, George Washingston, and a lot of fun decorated buggy's that threw out candy to the spectators.
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Our mission also had an Independence Day Dinner as part of our mission conference. Elder McCune spoke to us after we had a nice catered chicken dinner with pie and ice cream.
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The next day, Sunday, we had a fireside put on for the mission by Elder Steve Olsen, who has served as a Church Historian. He talked about how they acquired the information for the book "Saints" and shared other insights on early Church History. That was very interesting and got you thinking.
We were also treated to a nice spaghetti dinner with garlic bread as well as all the fixings, plus a green salad, thanks to the Reeder Camp Hosts, due to the food that was left-over from a youth group that stayed in the Reeder Camp. We work with the Camp Hosts from Reeder and Sariah. Great people.
Now that Elder Hansen's officially a driver for The Theme Walk each Thurs., I'm still serving on the walk the days he drives. I've been able to work at different stations for the walk: I've been serving on the healing/bracelet station the most but did get to work at the picture taking area with Elder Hansen once. Every time it's been an inspiring experience interacting with those who go through the walk. We also got a look at a beautiful moon; they call the Harvest moon. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was gorgeous!!
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While serving on Course 4 I was helping a 11yr. old girl named Nora, that was very nervous on the course. Elder Hansen had helped her get over to the zip-line where I was working and she kept saying that it went too fast, and she didn't think she could go down. I explained to her that this was probably the best way to get down on the ground because there were girls that had worked their way over to my nest and they'd have to turn around and go back to allow her to go back. I had to remind her of this a few times and tried to have her sit on my knee and slide off to go down, but she was still afraid. I asked her if she wanted me to say a prayer with her and she said, "Yes". So, I said a prayer for her safety and to help her have the courage and faith in the system that she would be ok to go down. After the prayer I asked Nora if she'd try again to sit on my knee and slide off. She finally agreed, and I counted one, two, three, and she slid off! But after she started heading down a deer jumped out of the trees and ran across the Zip-line Lane!! Thankfully the deer kept running and she was ok. I talked to her leader, that was helping at the end of the zip-line and asked her how Nora felt when she got off the zip. She said that she told Nora that the deer that ran across the lane was a sign from God, that He was aware of her and that she'd be safe, and she was fine!! This was the first time we've had a deer run across the zip-lane so maybe that truly was her sign, because she ended up getting on the course again. These types of tender mercies happen a lot on the mountain. I have no doubt that the Lord is watching over all who are on the mountain.
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A big highlight for the Mallory's this month was that Elder Jaxson Mallory, who served a mission in Xalapa, MX came home after serving for two years. Elder Hansen and I were able to get away and go see him, along with his mom, Amie come through the doors in the International Flights area. Matt & Amie had gone to pick Jaxson up and get in some of the sights and meet some of the people He worked with. Well, when it came time to head home and they were at the airport 2 hours early, Jaxson realized that he had put his passport in his checked bag that would be put on the plane. Luckily, they were able to get it out of his bag, but not until after Matt had gotten on the flight when they boarded, thinking Amie and Jaxson would get on because he needed to do a presentation for work at a conference the next day, so he played it safe. Well, Amie and Jaxson missed that flight, so they had to say another night and got on the plane the next day.
He looks great and was all smiles. We were too!! We went to dinner at Panda Express after to visit a bit more before we headed back to the mountain. Welcome Home Jaxson!!!
For another P-Day we headed home after we served on the walk, getting home quite late. We both got our hair cut and were also able to do sealings at the Logan Temple and get some things done around the house before heading back to Heber.
Another day, we got together with District 2 and had a breakfast. The Allen's, in our district, made up their famous cornmeal pancakes and we all brought something to add to the meal, visited and left full in body and spirit. We serve with some pretty awesome people.
For our 45th wedding anniversary, we worked on the climbing wall and then went to dinner at a new Thai food place in Heber. It was quite tasty too. While we were there a girl who had been on the mountain for their Girl's Camp recognized me and we visited a bit. She told us how much she loved her experience at camp. It's times like this that make what we are doing worth it.
We had quite a few days of varying degrees of rain, and sometimes with lightning. When we have lightning if it's within 5 miles of camp, we have to have everyone come down from the course. There were times we'd wait 20 min. before being able to get back on and times that we couldn't get back on the course. This created a headache for our Zone leaders to try to reschedule the event. It seemed though that the storms would clear up for the walk every time. Kind of cool to see it happen too.
For our last P-Day of the month we were able to get away the night before and head to St. George to stay with Andrew's family and then we went to Henderson, NV for the Petersen Reunion that was held at my sister, DeAnn's, daughter, Shelley's house. Shelley and Will Lenz have a nice house with lots of room and an outdoor pool. We had my brother Craig, his wife, Janet, my brother, Kim, his wife, Kathy, my brother, Danny, his wife, Terry, and their kids, Ryan, with his wife, Rachel and two of their 3 kids, and Erin, with her husband, Christian, and their 4 kids. We ate Cafe Rio salads, and visited, watched a video Stacey had put together, and then Craig showed us pictures he'd put on a USB port of us as kids, when we were younger. The kids swam and played games and we visited some more. It was a smaller group, but nice to visit and catch up with those there. Boy, am I blessed to be a part of such a great family unit.
We went to church with Andrew, Titan, and Arwyn, ate and visited, played games and then headed back to Heber. It was a quick trip, but I'm glad we were able get in some time with the extended family and Andrew's crew.
When we did have some free time to fill, we'd get together and play the games Marbles (a camp favorite), Swoop, or cards. Rarely are we hurting for something to do. We live among some pretty fun missionaries.
Nate and Diana celebrated their 4th anniversary by going to Yosemite National Park and getting in some climbing. Nate's still Dr. Nathan Hansen at Integrative Foot & Ankle and Diana is still flying for Air Lift Northwest as a flight nurse. They both manage midterm apartments for Grand Adventure LLC managing. Happy Anniversary to these two!!
Amie and Matt were able to fly to Mexico City and then got picked up by a member who knows Jaxson to get them reunited. They spent a week seeing Mexico City, by seeing some of the sights, and getting in some of the excitement with those that are following the World Cup when Mexico played.
They picked up Elder Mallory, visited the Magic City of Coatepec, Snake Hill, Downtown Xalapa, and watched the Mexico vs Ecuador World Cup game with some of the Elders at a member's house where Mexico won 2-0. Elder Mallory was released from his mission via a Zoom Call that evening.
They got to see the temple. Went snorkeling and watched the USA play in the World Cup on the beach while eating sushi! USA won that game for us.
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Matt and Jaxson got to experience driving in Mexico by going to Tecolutia, where they bought boogie boards and played in the ocean and on the beach. They also went to the Everglades and did an alligator boat tour, where they saw 3 alligators, a lot of crabs and some cool birds.
Jaxson got to confirm the priesthood and ordain a new member to the office of Priest. After, this young man's brother confirmed him. Amie went to Primary to see how it's done there since she works in the Primary at home, while Jaxson and Matt went to Elders Quorum meeting/class. They visited with members and took pictures. They one family prepared Jaxson's favorite meal, Pozola. They watched the Mexico vs England World Cup game, but Mexico lost.
They got to the airport to fly out and when they were getting checked in Jaxson realized that he had packed his passport in his checked bag. He needed his passport to board the plane. Well, Matt had to do a presentation at a conference in Salt Lake the next day, so he boarded hoping that the airline could get Jaxson's bag off the plane before it took off.
Well, the bag got off, but not back to them before the plane took off, so they had to spend another day in Mexico. Luckily, they were able to get on a flight that landed in Salt Lake the next day at the same time as the one they were supposed to be on.
Thanks to their friend that helped them out when they got to Mexico, they had a place to stay and were able to board on the plane and get home.
Kennlyn got to attend Girls Camp at Heber Valley Camp, and we were able to go watched their skits and also see her on the climbing wall. It was a bit rainy, but she didn't let the rain stop her, she climbed the wall and hit the buzzer! It was fun seeing her in action.
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They also spent some time at Bear Lake golfing, hiking, and boating with family and friends. Great memories were made, I'm sure.
Andrew's clan at Bear Lake for a day, with the Hassell's, when they were in the valley. Kennlyn & Brooks having fun in the sun.
Jason manning the boat for all the fun at the lake
Jason and Danica getting in some surfing at the lake.
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We are truly full of joy for the freedom we have as a country, for our family, friends, and for the opportunity to have been able to acquire some new beloved friends as we are serving at the Heber Valley Camp on this beautiful mountain.
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