tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80718535957710376592024-03-12T22:48:14.680-04:00The Serving Strouds...New York Rochester MissionElder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-65020067150959434782014-03-24T16:27:00.004-04:002014-03-24T16:27:50.619-04:00NEARING THE END<b><u>August 2013</u></b><br />
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<b><u> </u></b>This month was a busy one too! After the Hill Cumorah Pageant last month we had a few weeks to catch our breath before it was Wayne County Fair time. Lee is chairman for the committee to set up the booth and keep it maned the week of the fair. The fair opened Monday, August 12th, so we spent Saturday and part of Sunday getting everything set up in the booth. The Elders from Palmyra were a big help getting everything in place. Not a bad display, if I do say so myself.<br />
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This month also saw the beginning of senior couples leaving for home and the arrival of new couples. The Hansens left on the 27th and they will be greatly missed by everyone here in the mission. They were also housemates with us and the Muirs. August 15th saw the arrival of the Veatchs from Orem, UT. They will move into the Hansens apartment when the Hansens leave and the Veatchs will also take over the responsibilities Lee & I had on our mission (Activities Committee, Fair Committee, Site Meeting Music)<br />
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Cannot leave August without mentioning the Lelands. This is their birthday month: Preston-3rd; Jack-17th; Whitney-19th; Kerri-21st; Aaron-26th...everyone but Maggie and she has a birthday the only baptism of the Leland children that we have missed. My heart hurt that day, knowing what I was missing. But I was comforted knowing I was were Heavenly Father wanted me to be.<br />
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-36907653112673148842013-08-19T10:46:00.001-04:002013-08-19T10:46:38.449-04:00PAGEANT TIME<u><b>July 2013</b></u><br />
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What a month!!! I never been so busy....and so tired!! But it was a great month!!<u><b> </b></u>We kicked off the month with a July 4th Breakfast for all the senior couples. Seems whenever we get together, we like to eat. Everyone brought a breakfast dish to share, and it was a feast. At the end as we began to clean up, we decided it would not be complete until we stood and sang the national anthem. Never been more proud to be an American!<br />
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July 11th saw us going into "pageant mode". Lee & I were assigned to beat the Smith Farm & Sacred Grove during pageant. For eleven days we were at the Smith Farm 5 hours/day; either morning shift or afternoon shift. Each shift had 9 volunteer couples and 3 sets of sisters. We were well staffed and we needed it. One day we had over 3300 visitors come through the farm. By the 15th, the weather turned hot and we suffered. Lee & I were outside during our 5 hour shift each day, and the temperatures were in the low 90s with a heat index of 101-103 degrees. By the end of the shift we were drained.<br />
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The Hill Cumorah Pageant was fabulous! We were able to see it 3 times and each time was wonderful. <br />
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The last Friday night of pageant (7/19/13) a bad rain storm came up with thunder & lightening and the pageant had to be cancelled. Across the street in front of the pageant, the "antis" had set up three small tents and tried to distribute literature each night before the performance began. During the storm their tents blew down. The cast members and volunteers from the pageant went across the street and helped them set their tents back up. What a Christ-like thing to do! We are all children of Heavenly Father and He loves us all.<br />
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July 24th we celebrated Pioneer Day and Post-Pageant with a cookout at Zion's Camp. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks were provided. Senior couples provided side dishes and desserts. All sisters, office staff, senior couples came along with President & Sister Frances and their boys. We had 96 people attend and everyone had a great time...lots of good food and fellowship.<br />
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July 30th Lee & I spent the day in Niagara Falls. We left Palmyra around 9 AM and returned at 8:30 PM. The falls are beautiful! How anyone can look at this and not believe in a heavenly creator is beyond me.<br />
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What a month!! We have 8 weeks left on our mission....time is flying by. Visitors to the sites are beginning to slow down some, which is good. I am tired. My foot seems to be doing fine; the doctor finally released me, so I guess I am good to go. Heavenly Father has truly blessed me these last ten months...more than I could ever count.<br />
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-81069527109084026362013-07-24T15:53:00.003-04:002013-07-24T15:53:45.839-04:00SUMMER IS HERE<b><u>June 2013</u></b><br />
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This month got off to a great start with Lee's Mom and sister coming to see us for a few days. Frances and Susan arrived June 1st. We were able to take them to all the historic sites and they also got to visit all the buildings at historic Palmyra. On our preparation day we toured Sodus Bay Point and the George Eastman House. <br />
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This month the senior couples had the opportunity to visit Harmony, PA, site where the priesthood was restored to the earth. Half of the couples got to go on the 3rd and the other half on the 10th. We were in the last group to visit - what a treat! It rained most of the day but it did not dampen our spirits at all. Bro. Baker and Bro. Gammon (CES) went with us and gave us so much valuable information. We also toured the Joseph Knight home and the Josiah Stowell home; then visited the marker where Joseph and Emma Smith were married. Fabulous trip! So glad we were able to do this. The weekend before our trip, Elder Bednar made a visit to that stake to announce the way had been cleared for a visitor's center to be built on the site at Harmony...that would be a great mission in which to serve!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue t Joseph Knight Home</td></tr>
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June 13th brought the arrival of Kerri and Maggie to visit for a few days. Kerri was here to cover the Gwinnett Braves game with the Rochester Red Wings. Since she is the Social Media Consultant for the Braves, she was able to get tickets for the games Thursday and Friday. The Howells were able to join us on Friday and we enjoyed having them with us (since they are avid baseball fans). Lee and I had a shift at the Whitmer Farm Friday morning and Maggie went along with us. She really enjoyed spending time with the sisters and getting to know them (especially Sis. Madsen). June 16th was Father's Day and it was great to have them here to spend the day with Lee....something he does not get to do very often. All too soon it was time for them to leave.</div>
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This month also saw us saying good-bye to five wonderful sister missionaries...Sisters Aiello, Madsen, Earl, Potts, and McManama. They were terrific missionaries and will be sorely missed by all of us. We have been blessed to know them and be able to serve with them at the historic sites. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyLtIyELJ4M/UfAwHFk8J1I/AAAAAAAAAXk/z29kdKMUcGk/s1600/SANY0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyLtIyELJ4M/UfAwHFk8J1I/AAAAAAAAAXk/z29kdKMUcGk/s320/SANY0626.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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This month has been a fun filled one.....lots of family and lots of fun things to do. Now...looking forward to July with the 4th and the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Wish us luck...it will be an exhausting month!</div>
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-86983061973830337842013-07-24T15:46:00.001-04:002013-07-24T15:46:52.274-04:00HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!<b><u>May 2013</u></b><br />
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Seems as though our days are going by faster than ever! The sites are getting busier and we have so much we want to do before we leave our mission. But first things first....<br />
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My foot continues to do good. It has progressed as expected all month. By the end of the month I am able to wear shoes and go barefooted around our apartment. It has been a LONG time coming. Feels good to be able to do my part during our shift.<br />
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The first weekend this month a terrible tragedy happened in Palmyra. Mark's Pizzeria, a well-known establishment in downtown Palmyra burned along with several other businesses. Missionaries always enjoyed going by and getting a slice of pizza for lunch when they were at the BOMPS. This placed will be missed in Palmyra.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 3, 2013</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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May 4th we had our first experience handling a bus tour. Two buses arrived at the Book of Mormon Publication Site with 83 people. Lee & I along with another senior couple and two sets of sisters were on duty. We got these people in and our in 48 minutes. We did good!! The tours could not have gone smoother. I am sure all of them won't go this well, but I'm sure glad our first one did!<br />
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May 8th saw four of our sweet sisters going home. Sisters Brown, Larsen, Raines & Schank all served an honorable mission. They will definitely be missed, but we will learn to love the new ones that arrived just as much as we love those that left.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters Schank & Raines</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Larsen</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Schank</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Sunday, May 19th Maxine & Bobby arrived for a visit. They brought us some good ole NC barbeque and Maxine brought me 16 2-liter bottles of Diet Coke. She does love her baby sister!!! Cokes are expensive here ($1.44/2-liter)....she got these for $.99. We were able to take them to all the historic sites. It really took a toll on Maxine with her fibromyalgia. She will never know how much it meant to me to have her & Bobby here for a few days.<br />
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May 20th we were privileged to have Kim Smith, great-great granddaughter of Joseph & Emma Smith here to tell us here conversion story. She also had her son, Bryan Davis, with her. He also spoke and they both sang. She gave a perspective of Emma that I had not heard before. What an opportunity to hear her! Glad Bobby & Maxine were here for this.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Maxine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Kim Smith</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We had the opportunity this month to spend two of our Preparation Days with the Howells. We always have a blast with them. May 15th we spend the day at Sodus Bay Point and the 29th we spent the day at Letchworth State Park (Grand Canyon of the East)...14 miles of beautiful park with three waterfalls and gorges and trails. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sodus Bay Point Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuart Howell & Lee</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Howells</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle Falls at Letchworth</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Has been a wonderful month filled with family visiting and going to some great places with wonderful friends. </div>
Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-63374275240858836442013-07-24T15:41:00.000-04:002013-07-24T15:41:11.743-04:00SPRING YET?<b><u>April 2013</u></b><br />
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April has been a busy month for us in some respects. The month started with General Conference. We had a morning shift at the Book of Mormon Publication site and were able to hear part of the first session of conference. We were not busy until just before conference started and then it got really busy. I guess ALL Mormons do not watch ALL sessions of conference...hehe.<br />
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We received our assignment for pageant week. We will be working at the Joseph Smith Farm! We are so EXCITED!!! The Smith Farm is right next door and we will be able to walk to our assignment every day. During the ten days of pageant, we do not rotate to all the sites. We are assigned one site to cover during that ten day period. I know it will be tiring, but I am really looking forward to the Hill Cumorah Pageant.<br />
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The next missionary transfer date is not until May , so we did not lose any of our young sisters. It is always so hard to see them go, but we learn to love the new ones coming in just as much.<br />
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I had my foot surgery April 19th. Afternoon prior to surgery Lee & Elder Howell gave me a priesthood blessing. Afterward, I felt perfectly at peace; this surgery is the right thing for me to do. Dr. Carrie O'Neill performed a decompression osteotomy on my left foot. That means she replaced a screw in my left great toe, removed a bone spur and cyst, shaved the bone, realigned the malformation of the bone and re-inserted a screw. OUCH!! The surgery went really well. Following surgery, I could not believe the outpouring of love from all the senior couples...cards, phone calls, food, more food, shifts covered for a couple of days, and even flowers.<br />
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Recovery is slow, but I see improvement every day. Looking forward to being able to walk in the Sacred Grove and feel the spirit there...soon.<br />
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April 26th was our 17th wedding anniversary. How blessed I am to be married to such a wonderful man. He honors his priesthood, is a wonderful example to our grandchildren, and such a sweet and compassionate husband. Throughout this trial with my foot, he has been wonderful. I love him dearly and look forward to many more years together. <br />
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By the way, did I mention that it snowed April 20th & 21st!!!! Just flurries, but I am so ready for Spring!!Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-30209317017624289412013-05-11T09:02:00.001-04:002013-05-11T09:27:09.731-04:00COME ON SPRING!<b><u>March 2013 </u></b><br />
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Our month started with the touring cast of the musical "The Book of Mormon" coming to The Hill Cumorah and Book of Mormon Publication Site. They began at the Hill with lunch and a tour and then off to the BOMPS. Those who took them on tour said they were very nice, polite and respectful. At our site meeting the next week we heard that one of the cast members did a "self-referral" to hear more about the Gospel and others stated that the "blue book" prop would never be the same. Who knows....maybe this visit made a difference in their lives.<br />
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This month several of the senior couples did a tour at the Everson Maple Syrup Farm. Our guide, Darryl, was great and very informative. We were shown how the trees are tapped, the sap cooked, and made into maple syrup. This farm does it the old fashioned way and does not use pumps to gather the sap, but rather they rely on gravity to gather it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darryl, our guide</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tapping the trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Everson</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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On March 20, 2013, at our site meeting, we had an awesome surprise. Kuha'o Case was here visiting the historical sites with his grandparents. He is 15, blind, and plays the piano like you would not believe. When we enter the theater for site meeting everyone is usually laughing and talking because we are so excited to see everyone. That night we all sat quietly and listened to Kuha'o play and felt him bear his testimony through the piano. He is an amazing young man; I will never forget how I felt as he played.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuha'o Case</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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This month we had to say good-bye to three terrrific sister missionaries....Sis. Park, Hausauer, and Hatch. They were all wonderful representatives of Jesus Christ. They will be missed here in the NY Rochester Mission and we wish them well as they return home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy490ddBbM4/UWH_exkKByI/AAAAAAAAAR4/h7THXwwKwIY/s1600/Sis.+Hausauer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy490ddBbM4/UWH_exkKByI/AAAAAAAAAR4/h7THXwwKwIY/s320/Sis.+Hausauer.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sis. Hausauer</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sVOx7FtpxA/UWH_fms8fKI/AAAAAAAAASA/_Dlc1PJ_eZk/s1600/Sis.+Park+&+Hatch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sVOx7FtpxA/UWH_fms8fKI/AAAAAAAAASA/_Dlc1PJ_eZk/s320/Sis.+Park+&+Hatch.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sis. Hatch & Sis. Park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VcAJU8tK2DI/UWH_hOkSrDI/AAAAAAAAASI/vIYkVxIFIoc/s1600/Sis.+Park+&+Strouds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VcAJU8tK2DI/UWH_hOkSrDI/AAAAAAAAASI/vIYkVxIFIoc/s320/Sis.+Park+&+Strouds.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sis. Park & Strouds</td></tr>
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This has been the month of decision with my left foot. I have had to wear my surgical boot since February 20, 2013. Without warning, my left great toe started having piercing, stabbing pain; to the point I could not stand for a sock to touch it. I spent this month trying to determine the cause of the pain. After seeing a podiatrist (Dr. Carrie O'Neill), I have tried a taper dose of Prednisone, steroid injections, uric acid level to rule out gout, and lastly an MRI. The MRI revealed a bone spur, cyst and a malformation of my toe joint. We have scheduled surgery for April 19, 2013. When Pres. David Walker set me apart for my mission, he blessed me that I would be able to handle whatever adversity I would meet while on my mission. I have been able to still conduct tours and be at all our shifts. Our site director has been so kind. When I phoned to tell them our plan of treatment, they insisted that our shifts would be covered the 19th and 20th and we are off the 21st and 22nd. Hopefully by the 23rd I will be able to at least sit in the office at the sites. Just glad to have a diagnosis and plan of treatment. I do not worry about having surgery here while on my mission; I know Heavenly Father will watch over me and the doctor. Lee & Elder Howell will give me a blessing before the surgery and I will put it in the Lord's hands.<br />
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Still cold here and we had snow right up to the last week of March. Hope Spring is right around the corner. I am ready for some sunshine and warmer weather....I did not say HOT weather, just warmer.<br />
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-37800512351152061592013-02-25T09:23:00.003-05:002013-02-25T09:35:33.881-05:00<u><b>February 2013</b></u><br />
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! This has been a bittersweet month for me. I turned 64 years old on the 11th. We spent it quietly with dinner out and some shopping. Lee bought me a Kindle Fire for my birthday so I can download books to read.<br />
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We had planned to do a temple session for Valentine's Day and had our appointment made. However, a recent convert in our ward wanted to do baptisms and needed some Priesthood help. Elder Searle asked Lee if he could help him in the baptistry and of course he said he would. So, Sis. Searle and I did the endowment session together. Elder Searle and Lee where waiting for us in the Celestial Room. I thought as I entered, "This is how it is suppose to be." It turned out to be a wonderful night.<br />
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February 19th was transfer day for three missionaries in our ward. Sis. Fetuli returned home, Sis. Graham and Elder Houskeeper were transferred. Sis. Graham went to Hornell (full proselyting) and Elder Houskeeper is training a new elder in Henrietta. All three will be greatly missed. We had all the missionaries in our ward over for dinner before they left and had a great time. They are all wonderful missionaries and work really hard. They all touched our hearts...I doubt they realize how much we will miss them and what great missionaries they are.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JutmfJAuXE4/UStx2tIqeqI/AAAAAAAAAQw/Z6i6ihP2Eck/s1600/Great+Sisters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JutmfJAuXE4/UStx2tIqeqI/AAAAAAAAAQw/Z6i6ihP2Eck/s320/Great+Sisters.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sis. Park, Fetuli, Graham, Tran</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAgEdi387l4/UStx6LQ3QII/AAAAAAAAAQ4/QMGeVdwnWKY/s1600/Houskeeper+&+Allred.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAgEdi387l4/UStx6LQ3QII/AAAAAAAAAQ4/QMGeVdwnWKY/s320/Houskeeper+&+Allred.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Houskeeper & Allred</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxatpIIQTYE/UStx-5VJDSI/AAAAAAAAARA/pKd-LZ5hzPE/s1600/Dinner+Our+Apt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxatpIIQTYE/UStx-5VJDSI/AAAAAAAAARA/pKd-LZ5hzPE/s320/Dinner+Our+Apt.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our District</td></tr>
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Our last Saturday this month at the Joseph Smith Farm was BUSY! We actually had lots of visitors. A youth conference was being held at Seneca Lake Camp with about 100 youth and they toured all the historic sites Friday & Saturday. Plus we had about 15 sisters meeting in the basement planning girl's camp for their stake. Approximately 84 visitors and 68 took a tour even though it was snowing and sleeting. Now that's what I call a good day!<br />
Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-41048798874441227282013-02-25T09:22:00.001-05:002013-02-25T09:22:10.366-05:00<u><b>January 2013</b></u><br />
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! <b> </b>We had today off. <u><b> </b></u>I have decided to try and make an entry each month in my blog. If something exciting happens, I will try to make an entry for that day.<br />
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We started this new year off with lunch at the John Harmer home with Elder & Sister Fuller. The Fullers know the Harmers from the Palmyra Ward. We know the Harmers through their son Kiehl. Kiehl served his mission in NC and served in our ward. When the Harmers came out to pick him up, they had dinner in our home. It was good to see them again and a great way to start off the new year.<br />
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We served every Monday afternoon with the Yearsleys at the Book of Mormon Publication Site. It has been great working with them and getting to know them better. Elder Yearsley has such a great sense of humor; he is always joking around.<br />
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This month we had the privilege of having Bro. Rand Packer visit us; he spoke and our site meeting and at Historic Palmyra and then did a fireside at the Palmyra Stake Center. Bro. Packer is the author of "A Lion and a Lamb", the story of Willard & Rebecca Bean, his grandparents. The Beans were asked to serve a 5-year mission here and live on the Joseph Smith farm. Bro. Packer's mother, Palmyra Bean, was born here while they served. That five year mission turned into 25 years and they did much to help with the relationship between the town of Palmyra and the church. Wonderful meeting and great book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EA7BlQgF1Jo/UStpWRJLvRI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/EvSowgR09Bc/s1600/SANY0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EA7BlQgF1Jo/UStpWRJLvRI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/EvSowgR09Bc/s320/SANY0179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Searle, Bonnie Hayes, Rand Packer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MY_sE5cAOmw/UStpa2GK1RI/AAAAAAAAAQY/FTaWskt3spI/s1600/SANY0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MY_sE5cAOmw/UStpa2GK1RI/AAAAAAAAAQY/FTaWskt3spI/s320/SANY0187.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searles, Pres. Christianson, Bonnie Hayes, Packers</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Having Bro. Packer here for a few days has certainly been the highlight of this month. He is a very humble man and a wonderful speaker. <br />
<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-90116013391545588792013-02-04T10:44:00.000-05:002013-02-04T10:44:34.832-05:00<br />
<u><b>December 31, 2012 </b></u><br />
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The weekend was great...but way too short! We took the family to all the historic sites and gave them a tour. The best part was being able to bear our testimony of the truthfulness of what occurred at each of these places. One of my favor times was in the Christus room at the Hill Cumorah. Jack is never speechless, but he was that morning. Then to see how it touched Aaron to hear the Christus in Swedish....sweet moments. It snowed all day Saturday, but that did not dampen our spirits; it was great just to be together. Sunday was bitter cold, but after church we trooped over to the Joseph Smith Farm and went through the log home and the frame home and even walked a short distance into the Sacred Grove. Even with 16" of snow on the ground you still feel the sacredness of the grove as soon as you enter. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaKtOz4iUh0/UQ_WgvcheRI/AAAAAAAAAPg/RXsFrs8hu2M/s1600/536003_10200129141892261_1205538816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaKtOz4iUh0/UQ_WgvcheRI/AAAAAAAAAPg/RXsFrs8hu2M/s320/536003_10200129141892261_1205538816_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph Smith Farm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MKpaka165I/UQ_WoJN-pHI/AAAAAAAAAPo/tGVw-JjMIXg/s1600/Jack+in+Awe+of+Christus.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MKpaka165I/UQ_WoJN-pHI/AAAAAAAAAPo/tGVw-JjMIXg/s320/Jack+in+Awe+of+Christus.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christus Room-Hill Cumorah</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEtoupm24Pc/UQ_WuM0l1OI/AAAAAAAAAPw/IKyGhNIwciE/s1600/407891_10200121828029419_1467698042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEtoupm24Pc/UQ_WuM0l1OI/AAAAAAAAAPw/IKyGhNIwciE/s320/407891_10200121828029419_1467698042_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book of Mormon Publication Site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEubhXQYpKw/UQ_WyhyZY-I/AAAAAAAAAP4/xUS-dGDGhJQ/s1600/16803_10200132897506149_523816454_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEubhXQYpKw/UQ_WyhyZY-I/AAAAAAAAAP4/xUS-dGDGhJQ/s320/16803_10200132897506149_523816454_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Whitmer Farm</td></tr>
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-79970530212281501302013-01-28T08:46:00.000-05:002013-01-28T08:46:00.209-05:00<u><b>December 28, 2012</b></u><br />
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THEY'RE HERE!!!!!! <u> </u>Kerri, Aaron and the kids are finally here! We have looked forward to this weekend ever since we arrived. And the best part is we get to take them on tours this weekend. We have had about 16 inches of snow and more to come, so hopefully we will be able to walk in the Sacred Grove while they are here. Needless to say, the kids all have grown a foot and I am still the "runt" in the group. At least Jack is still shorter than I am, but I am sure that will not last long. Looking forward to great weekend together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvdJmi-S0Qw/UQaAbUN2ffI/AAAAAAAAAPI/xGHfxYz4yYk/s1600/December+28,+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvdJmi-S0Qw/UQaAbUN2ffI/AAAAAAAAAPI/xGHfxYz4yYk/s320/December+28,+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 28, 2012</td></tr>
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-88394222762499138252013-01-18T09:45:00.002-05:002013-01-18T09:45:28.168-05:00<u><b>December 25, 2012</b></u><br />
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Cannot believe it is Christmas already; time is really flying for us. We had a very good (and busy) Christmas Day. It started off with us having breakfast at the Bishop's home. There are six young missionaries and four senior missionaries serving in the Lyons Ward, and we all came for breakfast.<u><b> </b></u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cr5NcXQmR94/UPled-1KzPI/AAAAAAAAAOk/AzCUwHMW5ZU/s1600/Sis.+Fetuli+&+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cr5NcXQmR94/UPled-1KzPI/AAAAAAAAAOk/AzCUwHMW5ZU/s320/Sis.+Fetuli+&+Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sis. Fetuli & Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KiRHg7uKes/UPlee6aCkPI/AAAAAAAAAOs/B9sUNND4S08/s1600/Sis.+Park+&+Sis.+Butters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KiRHg7uKes/UPlee6aCkPI/AAAAAAAAAOs/B9sUNND4S08/s320/Sis.+Park+&+Sis.+Butters.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sis. Park & Butters</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After breakfast, we hurried back to apartment and I got to Face Chat with my Dad. It was WONDERFUL to be able to see him and talk! We will definitely do this again. Then we provided lunch for the the four sister missionaries in our ward. After a short break we were off to the Rossells for dinner. It was a very busy day, but one that I will always remember. Everyone here has been wonderful! If we cannot be with my family, then this was the best place we could be. Tomorrow will be back to our regular schedule and hopefully some visitors at the sites.Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-24702466585694259342013-01-18T09:37:00.000-05:002013-01-18T09:37:20.887-05:00<u><b>December 24, 2012</b></u><br />
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All the senior couples gathered in the basement at the Hill Cumorah for dinner tonight. We had approximately 40 people attend. You know if the Strouds are involved, there will be food...hehe. We enjoyed some great food, then Elder Poulson sang a solo, Sis. Searle played a beautiful piano solo, and then Lee read the Christmas story from Luke. My mind drifted back to other Christmas Eves when he would read that story to the grandchildren. If we could not be home, then this was the best substitute ever.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJvAFRMdnzo/UPVlrwTi3JI/AAAAAAAAAN8/fRD0iyzk2rY/s1600/Elder+Fuller.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJvAFRMdnzo/UPVlrwTi3JI/AAAAAAAAAN8/fRD0iyzk2rY/s200/Elder+Fuller.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Fuller</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNSaKCXhUig/UPVltf9eeoI/AAAAAAAAAOE/s4U9FFeXers/s1600/Elder+Stroud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNSaKCXhUig/UPVltf9eeoI/AAAAAAAAAOE/s4U9FFeXers/s200/Elder+Stroud.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee</td></tr>
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-89649478651288184732013-01-15T08:44:00.000-05:002013-01-15T08:44:27.068-05:00<u><b>December 22, 2012</b></u><br />
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Winter has definitely<u> </u>arrived in Palmyra, NY!! Started snowing last night and snowed most of the day. We had about 14 inches of snow! This southern girl is definitely not accustomed to this! At least the state has enough equipment to keep the roads clear, and the church has contracted with a company to keep our driveways and walkways clear....even if they do come at 5 AM to start plowing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkLCVmK85Ek/UObdw50oJ0I/AAAAAAAAAMo/Q7vFcJUZU-w/s1600/Winter+Wonderland+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkLCVmK85Ek/UObdw50oJ0I/AAAAAAAAAMo/Q7vFcJUZU-w/s320/Winter+Wonderland+2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 22, 2012</td></tr>
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We had a ward assignment at the Bishops Storehouse this morning. We helped fill orders for families needing assistance from the Church. It really made me thankful for all my blessings. I have done a lot of thinking about our mission and how we prepared temporally to serve. If Lee & I had not had great retirement benefits we would not be able to serve this mission. How grateful I am for this opportunity.<br />
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Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-62121623188462133182013-01-15T08:43:00.002-05:002013-01-15T08:43:34.902-05:00<u><b>December 18, 2012</b></u><br />
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Started <u> </u>today by attending our Mission Christmas Devotional. It was awesome! Pres. Christianson is a terrific mission president and an inspiring speaker. I am always uplifted when I hear him speak. The theme for the devotional was Jesus Christ as a missionary. The scriptures are loaded with examples. He was the greatest teacher of all time! We left our devotional at 12:15 PM, grabbed some lunch at Wendy's in the drive-thru, then headed to the Hill Cumorah to do our afternoon shift. Left the Hill at 5 PM, changed clothes, and arrived at the Lion's Club at 5:30, ready to serve them their Christmas Dinner and clean up afterwards. We arrived back at our apartment at 10 M - exhausted, but feeling very blessed.<br />
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Today I was fed temporally and spiritually. I am truly a very blessed person! It is ALL ture! I KNOW the Book of Mormon and it is TRUE!Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-76223948139680744282013-01-15T08:43:00.000-05:002013-01-15T08:43:17.051-05:00<u><b>December 17, 2012</b></u><br />
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Today is the start of a very busy week for us. <u> </u>We completed our regular shift at the Peter Whitmer Farm and were trying to leave a little early (4:30 PM) in order to make our Family Home Evening event at the Smith Farm by 5:30 PM. Well a couple of sisters arrived at 4:20 PM....we are missionaries first! We gave the tour and arrived at the farm late.<br />
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Each year our mission has a family home evening during December at the Smith Farm. We invited three stakes to attend. There is a couple sitting in the log home reading Luke 2, and a couple in the frame home reading "The Night Before Christmas"; each dressed in period clothing. A set of sister missionaries takes a group and they carol from the log home to the frame home and back; then we had hot chocolate and cookies in the basement of the welcome center. We had over 400 people attend. It was a great evening!!Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-57624517783870993442013-01-15T08:42:00.001-05:002013-01-15T08:42:44.651-05:00<u><b>December 8, 2012</b></u><br />
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Today was suppose to be our Preparation Day, but we are doing a morning<u> </u>shift at the Hill Cumorah Visitors Center for the Heyns (have family visiting); so we did not get off until 3 PM. During our shift we had seven professors from Rochester visit. All were nomembers except one. All are professors of religion, anthropology or philosophy. Sis. Gillespie and Sis. Jones took them on tour. Tours and the Hill are usually short, but this one lasted about 1 1/2 hrs. One of the professors was from Ghana and Sis. Jones was able to find him a Book of Mormon in is language. He was thrilled to be able to have one he could read, and I think he will "seriously" read it. After our shift we headed to Canandaigua to see the Christmas decorations at the Granger Homestead. Unfortuately, they were about to close when we arrived so we did not get to see much. Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-16759400756252066772012-12-04T18:37:00.003-05:002012-12-10T11:06:36.390-05:00<b><u>December 4, 2012</u></b><br />
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Today was a beautiful day here. Reached a record high of 70 degrees here in Palmyra. We certainly did enjoy it while it lasted; we know it will change tomorrow. We took a walk in the Sacred Grove this morning and spent 1 1/2 hours trying to find some of the Witness Trees and the Apostle Tree. Look at the picture of Lee at the highest point in the Sacred Grove; over his right shoulder is one of the Witness Trees. Many believe it was here at the highest point where Joseph knelt so many years ago. The Witness Tree in that picture is 200 years old. The Apostle Tree is so named because at one time it had 12 main branches. It is an Ironwood tree that is dead. It is the oldest tree in the Grove and is 400 - 450 years old. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apostle Tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witness Tree</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-10097977663958675002012-12-03T18:41:00.000-05:002012-12-03T18:41:22.388-05:00<u><b>December 1, 2012</b></u><br />
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Happy Birthday to by Dad!! He is 91 years young today. He is my rock and I sure miss him. Today is also my daughter, Kerri and her husband, Aaron's anniversary. Happy 17th anniversary to them! <br />
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And to make this an even more memorable day, we woke up to our first "light" snowfall of the season. Just the way I like it....here and gone by 10 AM.<br />
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-22006259108751764902012-12-03T18:28:00.001-05:002012-12-03T18:28:46.410-05:00<b><u>November 22, 2012</u></b><br />
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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!! It has been a really good Thanksgiving for us. The sites had a shorten shift today - 10 AM -3 PM. We were at the Book of Mormon Publication Site (fondly called the BOMPS) this morning until 12:30 PM and then we came home and Lee cooked two pork tenderloins for our dinner this evening with other senior couples. Since he is the chairman for the Activity Committee, he has been responsible for this dinner. We have worked with the Howells and Yearsleys to plan this dinner and get it ready. Wednesday evening before site meeting we set up all the tables and got the decorations out for our dinner, so everything was ready for today.<br />
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At 5 PM 15 senior couples along with our mission president and his wife joined us for dinner. We had so much food. In addition to the loin, we had turkey, ham, stuffing, veggies, all kinds of salads, bread, and lots of desserts. We had enough food to served 30 more people.<br />
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I guess if we cannot be home for Thanksgiving, these are some of the best people in the world we could spend this time with. Today I am so thankful to be serving here and have the opportunity to walk these sacred grounds and feel the Spirit each and every day. Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-83227782824022570312012-11-12T13:53:00.001-05:002012-11-12T13:53:48.025-05:00Service with a (Southern) Smile<b><u>November 6, 2012</u></b><br />
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Election Day! Have a feeling I am not going to like the outcome of the presidential election. Putting my trust in our Heavenly Father that He will continue to watch over this great nation and preserve it.<br />
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On a brighter note, we did our service tonight at the Palmyra Lions Club. Lee & I and another senior couple help with their dinner meal before they have their meeting. We serve the meal and then clean up afterwards. I really enjoy this. Bonnie Hayes, Palmyra Historical Group, oversees this and she is a wealth of knowledge concerning historic Palmyra. Hopefully when the weather gets warmer, we can visit some of these sites on our preparation day.<br />
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-22699858097891790292012-11-12T13:53:00.000-05:002013-01-18T09:47:48.827-05:00Could Use the Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning!<u><b>November 4, 2012</b></u><br />
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Fast Sunday and it is another COLD day. We arrived at church early for a correlation meeting. While we were waiting in the hall, looked out the window and it was snowing again. Thank goodness none of it has stuck thus far. <br />
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Unfortunately there is no heat in the Relief Society room and the air handling unit will not turn off and it is blowing out cold air. Thankfully the Bishop has decided that the sisters can meet in the chapel for Relief Society and the brethren will meet in the Relief Society room. Glad Lee wore a sweater vest this morning. Top on my list for this week is to purchase a blanket to bring to church...can't stay very spiritual if I am freezing.Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-26228352762142747452012-11-12T13:52:00.000-05:002012-11-12T13:52:19.304-05:00Time to Pull Out the Winter Coat!<u><b>November 3, 2012</b></u><br />
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Brrrr!!! It is cold!!! Working at the Book of Mormon Publication site this morning and we have a mixture of rain and snow. Glad we only have a short distance to go and we will only be there four hours. We started our winter schedule on the first so the sites are now closing at 5 PM. <br />
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Since Lee is the Activity Chairperson for the senior missionaries, we have been busy planning our Thanksgiving meal. There are two other couples on the committee helping us. We are having turkey, honey ham, and pork loin. The committee couples are providing the meats. Any guesses what the Strouds are providing? We are going to expose all these Utah Mormons to some southern cooking. Everyone else has been asked to provide a covered dish (salad, vegetable, dessert, bread). We hope to have 50-60 people there. It should be a great time to relax and enjoy some fellowship. Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-24651068065583719652012-11-12T13:51:00.004-05:002012-11-12T13:51:41.578-05:00Halloween!<u><b>October 31, 2012</b></u><br />
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Happy Halloween everyone! We worked at the Joseph Smith Farm this morning. Another day with very few visitors. It is beginning to get really cold here, so I guess that is why we have a decrease in visitors. We normally have site meetings every Wednesday, but since this is Halloween, Elder Searle thought it would be great for us all to attend the temple tonight. We had the opportunity to attend either at 6 PM or 7:45 PM. Our session was full with all the young sisters and there were nine senior couples attending. It was great!<b> </b>The temple is closing next week for a couple of weeks for cleaning, so it was great to have this opportunity before it closed.<br />
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<br />Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-40670807977439238142012-11-12T13:51:00.001-05:002012-11-12T13:51:08.634-05:00The Winter Lull<u>October 30, 2012</u><br />
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It's going to be a long winter. The week has been fairly uneventful, Worked our shifts at the historic sites. Handled our first solo shift Sunday at the Peter Whitmer Farm. We were the only senior couple and we had Sis. Chatterton and Sis. Lee with us. We had a grand total of six visitors in six hours - a very long afternoon. Guess the winter lull has begun. We have been asked to speak Sunday, November 11th, in our ward. I will speak on Obedience and Lee will speak on Gratitude. Sure hope these people can understand our southern accents. <u><br /></u>Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071853595771037659.post-11462079893585303232012-11-03T12:49:00.000-04:002012-11-03T13:47:11.509-04:00Her Bucket List<b><u>October 17, 2012</u></b><br />
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We worked the Joseph Smith Farm this morning and had the privilege of taking a young woman and her mother on a tour. The young woman was in her early 20s, in a wheelchair, and when we asked her what brought her to Palmyra she replied, "This is on my bucket list." I looked at her mother and she had tears in her eyes. Needless to say, my heart broke. Alisha is dying with lung cancer; any exertion and she goes into a coughing spasm that about takes her breath away. But she was determined to see everything. We arranged to take her to the log home and frame home via a golf cart. In the log home there are steep stairs leading to the bedroom where the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph. She was determined to go up. With Lee in front and her mom behind her, she made it upstairs. The church has special wheelcairs that can be used in the Sacred Grove; her mother was able to push her through the grove without difficulty. She is a remarkable young woman with a strong testimony of the restored gospel. I am so thankful we had this opportunity to meet Alisha and feel her spirit. Elder & Sister Stroudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225738412759505831noreply@blogger.com0