June 2, 2015

Last Saturday I went to the first ever "New England Inter-Faith Women's Conference" sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  There was an impressive three thousand women in attendance.  I was impressed as the introduction of the day was made and we were asked to use reverence during the day allowing the spirit to touch our hearts.  We were asked NOT to applaud after musical numbers and speakers, maintaining that reverence. This is New England. They must not have heard, no applause. They applauded before and after every person that had a part on the program. It really did take away from the spirit.

However, there were amazing speakers.  Stephanie Nielsen spoke, and there wasn't a dry eye in the audience.  I can't remember the name of the woman, who was a great humanitarian; her love of the people of the world and the work she does to help them was incredible. Then a surprise speaker came; Elder Jeffery R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was in the area and stopped by just to leave a blessing on us all. His testimony was full of joy. These wonderful speakers were applauded before and after they spoke.  I was in awe that so few in the audience could follow directions. 

I had signed up for a class called "The Face of Jesus Christ in Paintings and Sculpture."  I was excited about this class because I love great art. But I was disappointed.  The woman who presented the class had brought pictures of terrible, disgusting, pictures of our Lord.  None of them carried any spirit.  I thought that some one, who was a curator of a museum of fine art and a Christian, would want us to feel the beauty that so many artists have created with Jesus Christ as the subject. I was so disappointed I wanted to cry. 

I was the one driving. I had Sister Cowdin and Sister Mead with me, and we had decided we would not attend the last session because we needed to be on the road so we could get home before dark. Elder Cowdin and Roger were taking care of the Visitor Center. So we had one chance more to lift my heart.  We all decided to stay together for this workshop. We needed a feeling of the spirit to take home with us.  We were blessed.  It started with Dallyn Bayles singing "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables. It was incredible. I didn't know until then that he plays the part of Hyrum Smith in the Restoration Movie, which I show all the time. His voice and the song brought tears to my eyes. Then the LDS Institute Director for the Massachusetts area spoke. Her name is Barbara Morgan.  She told us a story that was familiar to all of us. President Spencer Kimball was in the airport at Chicago and he saw a young, very pregnant mother traveling alone with her young daughter, and she needed help.  She had been forced into a layover because of weather, and she was struggling. President Kimball asked her if he could help her by holding her little daughter, to give the mother a rest.  I have always loved that story. Well it turns out that the woman was Barbara Morgan's mother, and the little girl her older sister.  She said she asked her mother why she never told that story to anyone and she said, "it is President Kimball's story." It was definitely a tender workshop.  I was fed.

I loved being able to travel the two hours (each way) to this conference with wonderful sisters who serve with me at the Visitor Center. There are parts that I will never forget. Some good, some bad. But I will always remember the loving testimony of Elder Holland, the sister with the incredible humanitarian experiences, Stephanie Nielsen, and the example of her love of God and perseverance, Dallyn Bayles (Hyrum), singing one of my favorite songs, and the wonderful stories and testimony of Barbara Morgan.  
I am glad I went.

May 26, 2015

The Green Mountain Boys:

Yesterday was Memorial Day.  We were busy the whole day.  We filled helium balloons with the captions mormon.org on them; we got candy and Joseph Smith Birthplace Pass Along Cards ready for the Tunbridge, VT, parade.  We also went into South Royalton for Roger to march in their parade from the High School to the Green, where he was to give the keynote address.  There is a lot of patriotism here, but I notice that no one but me (in the crowd) sang the National Anthem.  SAD.  I don't think they had ever known the words.

Last Wednesday we went to Fort Ticonderoga just over the New York border (still in our mission).  Roger wanted to prepare himself for the speech he would give on Memorial Day.  It was very interesting.

I am adding some pictures from our visit so you all can get an idea of what we experienced.

War in those days took on a very different look from today's wars.

I am also adding a copy of Roger's speech; it is worth reading.

A New Birth of Freedom

On this Memorial Day I would like to salute the men and women of Vermont. As I look at the stones you have erected on this square to honor your dead, I am reminded of the stones Joshua had his troops carry up from the bottom of the Jordan River to remind the Israelites who they were.  Joshua wanted a memorial that his people could always come to so they would always remember their forefathers and the warriors who had perished in the wilderness.

There are so many beautiful cemeteries throughout Vermont.  And it is good to be here to day to honor our dead, and especially our dead warriors.  The seed bed of our national heritage has long had strong roots right here in Vermont.  The Green Mountains were the first lands brought into the Union after the original Thirteen Colonies.  But behind the battlements of Bunker Hill, on the boats crossing the Delaware, and in the crude green-wood cabins of Valley Forge were Green Mountain Boys. These first patriots sacrificed comfort and convenience before spilling their precious blood.  They counted it a service to their posterity to stay and suffer.  No one liked it; no one wanted to do it! But they, nevertheless, stayed and gave their all.

The Green Mountain Boys were first organized about 1770.  The English rulers, mostly housed in New York, came up to Vermont and began confiscating the farm lands of the native Vermonters. Ethan Allen was still relatively a young man.  But he hated being abused by government authorities. At first he merely organized the local farmers and sent the New York King's Men running.

However, after the war with England started, the Green Mountain Boys became an invaluable tool in the belt of General Washington.  General Benedict Arnold was sent by Washington to capture Fort Ticonderoga.  Arnold requested a meeting with Ethan Alan.

He explained the effort Washington wanted.  Ethan Allen quickly agreed to bring his Boys into the fight. Arnold only had a small group of soldiers, so it was up to the Green Mountain Boys to do the heavy lifting.  They arrived at Fort Ticonderoga on 10 May 1775.  In front of the Fort, Ethan Allen

stepped out boldly and announced to the British soldiers that the Americans were going to take the Fort that day.

He then attacked and his Boys were right behind him.  The British soon surrendered. This battle was key to the final winning of the Revolutionary War.  Many speculate that if Ethan Allen's Boys had not taken this Fort we might not have won the war. The Green Mountain Boys went on to assist in many other battles, such as the Battle of Bennington.

In all, the Vermont men achieved a valuable reputation.  It was almost like Sam Houston's cry "Remember the Alamo." When anyone wanted a flourish of fighting men the cry went forth: "Where are the Green Mountain Boys?"

My own people came after Ethan Allen by about thirty years. They were being chased by mobs in the pre-battles before the Civil War.  It was a case where hellish fiends were robbing my people of their property and killing them.  My forefathers called on the Spirit of the Green Mountain Boys to come to their defense.

To this Spirit my great general said, "Let every man's brow be as the face of a lion; let his breast be as unshaken as the mighty oak, and his knee confirmed as the sapling of the forest; and by the voice of the thunderings of heaven upon Mount Sinai....let (the Green Mountain Boys) plead the justice of our cause." I think it was only this spirit that saved my forbears. So I thank Vermont.

Today we desperately need the Spirit of our Ethan Allen Boys. There are legions in our world which would enslave us.  They would like nothing better than to see our youth serve their wicked goals.

Among these legions are small tyrants who sneak into small corners with bombs and brittle glass. They hide behind the skirts of women and the innocence of children. They will not fight in the open, but hide behind the cover of crowds and darkness.

There are also great, secretive tyrants. Some of these have sneaked into legislative and judicial bodies. They purchase votes by promises of state money.  But their only real intent is to rob the people, replacing their freedoms with chains. 

These tyrants, great and small, need to be defeated, stopped, thrust from among us.

The patriots we honor here to day gave their lives that such tyrants should not reign. They left a legacy of freedom for us to follow and pass on.

They gave their lives that we could live free.

I remember when I was ordered to Vietnam. I thought that war was a mess. I even thought I was a conscientious objector. But I remember a night in a bunker. I was waiting for the enemy to come. The question was "Would I shoot?" Literally my life in Vietnam passed before my eyes. I remember the youngsters gathering before our garbage dump.  Every time we'd push our cans off the trucks little black suited boys would climb over our fence and gather up every bit of steak bones; every scrap of potato went into their little cans to take home.

In their eyes I saw a longing for freedom from fear.  They wanted to be able to feed their families, to be able to read a book in the afternoon sun with out having some Viet Cong sympathizer rip it out of their hand because it had a new idea in it. We had a Vietnamese orderly named Sherry and another named Charlie Brown. I found a microscope for Sherry and we allowed Charlie Brown to actually treat patients. Sherry became so good that she could diagnose pathogens.

When we left Vietnam these skills evaporated because the Viet Cong sent them both to retraining camps or death, I never knew which.

But here I was, wondering if it was worth shooting to defend these people. I looked around, and beside me were 1,000 American boys who didn't want to be there, but they were willing to defend Sherry and Charlie Brown. To defend their rights to live free.

These were the Green Mountain Boys all over again. I remember saying to myself: "Do I love these Vietnamese people enough to shoot?" The answer was YES! I wanted the feeling of being an instrument for good in that world. I wanted other to be free.

So today I salute the spirit of the Green Mountain Boys. I salute you for being the granite that this spirit rests upon. May God ever allow us to live free.

May 11, 2015

It rained yesterday into the night.  There was thunder and lightning and beautiful rain.  The tulips lifted their heads, happy for the drink.  In Utah a rain is a blessing we wait for sometimes for a long time.  When it comes it renews the earth.  Rain comes more often here, hence the green everywhere.  There comes also heavy humidity, and we don't have a fan.  We got very warm.

On our way to the visitor center this morning I noticed how beautiful the trees on the lane were. The leaves came out so fast almost like overnight.

We have enjoyed the last week.  There have been many visitors come.  some on business trips and traveling without their families and some seeing the sign on the freeway and stopping to see the monument and some who have made plans to come specifically to see and feel this site.  Yesterday I spoke to a man traveling from Tucson, Arizona; he was so thrilled to be able to take pictures and send home to his family.

Another couple just wanted to walk around.  They weren't interested in any teaching of Joseph Smith; another couple were from north of here, in a town called Barre, where the granite came from for the building of the Monument.  They have lived here all their lives and had never been to this site. They said that some neighbors told them how beautiful it is, and they decided to come. 

They didn't want to know about Joseph Smith.  Many are afraid that we might try to baptize them, but I asked them if they would like me to tell them the story of how the Monument got here; they were more than happy to hear that.  They were impressed.

Roger has been taking each of the tours (if there is time) to see the ruins of the Solomon Mack homes and the Daniel Mack home just down over the hill from the Monument.  He takes them in a golf cart, and it turns this whole experience into a fun place to have visited.  The foundations of these two homes are nestled in the forest and have a peace and serenity about them.  You can walk to the foundations too, and that is fun.

The spring has brought beautiful flowers that were planted in the fall.  There are wild flowers in the forest blooming every year for many years.  This is truly a beautiful earth.

Mother's Day was yesterday.  It was a day with many visitors here. They brought their mothers to feel the goodness on this site.  We had a nice dinner with the Senior Missionaries; we all contributed. It is nice to have good friends that make holidays feel not so lonely.

Most of the kids called or sent a text to me.  I loved hearing from them.  Max sent a beautiful flower arrangement.  Mary's family and Denis's family got to talk to Emily and Branden from their respective missions.  It was good for them too.  Mary sent us a video of Emily (on Skype) talking to us specifically.  It was a sweet blessing.  Also, as of yesterday, we have been here six months.  It is hard to believe.  We miss home, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us.

Spring!

April 21, 2015

I think I have been more excited for spring this year than ever before.  Vermont is beautiful, but I am looking forward to green.
We were told by one woman, "If you think you are sick of white, just wait until all you see is green."  I think the flowers will make all the difference. We are already seeing the colors pop.

I love the sweet colors of spring!

Last night we had "Family Home Evening."  It consists of the five Senior couple missionaries, and several members of the South Royalton Ward, who are empty nesters.  We enjoy this.  It gives us an experience to make good friends.  Elder and Sister Broberg led a discussion about the "Beauty of the Earth." There were so many memories brought back to my mind.  

I remember the first time we spent a night in our home in Peterson. The night was so breath taking, the stars so bright, they looked like they would come down and literally touch the ground. There were not many homes around us then and the lights were few. The mountains and the sky, the valley and river all brought joy to my heart.

Anne was very little when she would go over the hill and gather wild flowers.  She would bring them to me. She was so small that sometimes I couldn't see her because the grass was so deep. She loved being in nature.

Roger planted the raspberry patch one new start at a time.  Within three years we had a nice stand of raspberries.  This patch became a spiritual experience for me each time I entered it. I didn't allow arguing, or loud music; it was the peace I loved.  One summer we were picking berries and Mary found a bird's nest.  It had three little eggs in it. Each of the kids looked, and each day they would check to see the progress.  The mother bird was very protective of her nest.  She would fly around us and dart at us. We were very careful not to touch the nest. Soon the eggs were opened and featherless baby birds appeared; they were mostly wide open beaks. One day, after watching them, we could hardly wait to see them. They had been growing and they seemed to be too big for the nest. But this day they were gone, and the nest was empty. 

The raspberries have pulled the family together every summer. I love the talking and the laughter that comes from the patch now. Every child has had the chance to be a part of it.

MaLeah and a big bucket of raspberries.

Heidi and Natalie and some amazing berries.

There is a hymn I love that describes my feelings:

For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon, and stars of light.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth, and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

Happy Birthday Diana!

April 13, 2015

Happy Birthday PRINCESS DI!

You are another year older, but loved to the eternities. You danced your way into our hearts from your first breath, your spinning, leaping, and high kicks.  Each day with you has been an adventure.

You were happy to see Santa until the kids before you cried.

 

You have blessed us immeasurably.  We can never forget your performance in "Wonderful Book of Gold."  Here on Santa's knee we knew we had a live wire on our hands. 

You did your own hair from the time you were four years old. We wondered sometimes when you would leave for school if your teacher thought your mother ever combed your hair.  But by the time you reached Junior High you were really good at fixing it!

Girls camp dress ups

You loved high school, you loved the drama of it, loved having lots of friends, and even your brother.

You even invited your parents to the promenade at Prom. That was a first for us. Your lead in "Singing in the Rain" was a highlight. You were the choreographer for Ovation, the prize winning vocal group of all time.

Senior

Boys swarmed the house on any and every occasion. Dances, parties and plays. You were a great student and a fun kid to raise. Since you left home you've always returned to run RAGNAR. We can never forget thinkin of you running way up in Henefer at 1:00a.m. Seven miles all alone in the dark!

Ragnar's " RUNNIN MOMMA"

Your greatest accomplishment to this day is the family you have raised. They're the cutest, most photographed children of all time, and we love every picture. Ben has been a power in your life and ours. We love him!

Happy Birthday!

April 11, 2015

Happy Birthday to our Favorite Ute!

Max #57 Center for U of U, Lance Rice quarterback

Thirty six years ago today Maxwell Kent Petersen blessed our lives.  He was born in Mission Hills, California.  He was born before the time when you could have an ultra-sound and know if you were having a boy or a girl.  We waited with great anticipation, and were happy to have another boy.  We made the move back to Utah when he was a month old, placing our family in Peterson, Utah, the only home he would know growing up.

Max loved Charlie our dog

Max in kindergarten

Max was always a good, boy. He did well in school. He loved sports; he would play whole football games on paper using different strategies to win the game. He played baseball, basketball, football and won the State title in shot put. He was sought out by many university football programs his senior year, and earned a full scholarship to play for the University of Utah after he graduated. He excelled at football and became the starting center under Coach Urban Myer.

He chose to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The MTC at Provo Utah

You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy.

Because he was willing to serve the Lord he was blessed. It was on this mission that he met Heidi, through letters, and from this he blessed our lives forever.

Max and Heidi, Bountiful Temple, December 16, 2000

Max, Meg, Andrew, Katelyn, Heidi, Isaac

We love you Max!

Happy Birthday!

April 7, 2015

Spring?

Spring is trying so hard to come to Vermont! As I look out our office window I see the snow receding but still a foot deep in spots. Several spots.  It is raining today so maybe more snow will melt. We have had a couple of teaser days with the temperature in the low sixties, but that was short lived.

Roger and I took a drive a week ago to see how the melt was coming.  The upper tributary to the White River is starting to move.

You can see here and there the ice starting to be overtaken by the cold mountain water.  There is an interesting phenomenon that takes place in the rocks here.  The water that filters through the rocks freezes and makes it look like frozen waterfalls all along the highways.  It is a pale blue in color and breath taking to behold.

The White river that we cross on a daily basis has had chunks of ice flowing toward the Connecticut River that has massive amounts of ice chunks itself.  

It is almost clear now.  It is beautiful!

We have enjoyed our drives through this beautiful state. It has some beautiful farmlands, lakes and trees.  Perhaps most beautiful in all the US.

I have also loved the covered bridges that can be found on the many roads that cover these Green Mountains.

The most beautiful, peaceful spot in all of New England is the place we see every day.  The angels do attend all who come here! 

God Lives! His spirit is in all we see, all that is virtuous, lovely, all that is of good report or praise worthy, and I will seek after these things.