It was another great week. On Thursday, we spent most of the day with Betty Reece at the hospital. While she was in the restroom, the doctor told me that there was no danger in her traveling, and that we should "get her on an airplane NOW." Evidently, the emergency room staff has seen enough of her the last four months (long before we met her) and wants her to go back to her family. (It's a long story.) We took her home and spent the entire evening trying to make airplane reservations. We had to co-ordinate with her son's fiancee and her. They needed to drive three or four hours to pick her up in either Orlando or Jacksonville. She wanted a non-stop flight. The only place she could catch one of those was in Detroit and no one wanted to drive clear over there. It flew into Orlando and her family did not want to drive there. They decided that it would be easier for her to change planes than to drive the extra hour on the way home. Our choices were: Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. We finally booked a flight out of Lansing. We arranged for wheelchairs at each airport. She arrived in Jacksonville worn out, but fine. Laura, the fiancee, said that she wanted southern fried chicken and felt much better after she ate. .
On Friday we too her and Bitsy, her dog, to Lansing. Thus, a chapter in our mission ended.
Friday night Lupe & the boys came to dinner.
On Saturday, Sam McCleary, Lupe Clay's son, was baptized by Elder Hendrickson.
 |
| Sam & Elder Hendrickson |
 |
| future missionaries! |
 |
| Elder Snow, Sam, Elder Patterson |
 |
| Lupe, Michael, (her ex-husband) and Sam |
Saturday night the Clays had all of us over to their home for pizza and some games.
 |
| Sam & Elder Hendrickson |
Sunday was a nice day. We love the Sabbath. We had some great people at sacrament meeting. We could tell, however, that we had been doing service for over a week. Some of our "regulars" were not there.
Mary Fales, a ward missionary, turned seventy on Sunday. Her husband and children threw a surprised dinner for her. We were excited because her son and daughter-in-law were there and we were able to make contact. They invited their entire neighborhood. Some good things happened.
We were finally able to meet Sister Diaz-Singh's new husband, Sonny. He is from India and is very interesting.
We left early Monday morning for a couple of preparation days. All of our senior missionaries were meeting in Mackinaw City on Tuesday morning. We are the farthest away. Most are serving in the north. We drove up the coast of Lake Michigan and saw several new lighthouses.
 |
| Man fishing with a net |
 |
| Lighthouse at Muskegon |
 |
| Beach at Muskegon |
 |
| Grand Haven Lighthouse |
 |
| Muskegon |
 |
| Whitehall lighthouse |
We decided to go east and get on the freeway so we could get to Mackinaw City in time to drive into the upper peninsula. (UP) We learned that Michigan was given the UP years ago when states were being formed. Ohio needed more population so the politicians took the Toledo area and gave it to Ohio and gave Michigan the UP. I think Michigan got the best end of the deal. It is gorgeous. I took hundreds of pictures. I wish I could take you all there.
We drove through a town named Gaylord. It was the town that we were assigned to for less than five minutes before we ever left home. We were curious. As we drove through, we just had a peaceful feeling that we are where we are supposed to be. Another couple, the Tichlers, are serving in Gaylord and love it.
 |
| Gaylord, a Bavarian village resort town |
 |
| Mackinaw City lighthouse |
 |
| view of the Mackinaw Bridge |
We went out for dinner about 8:30 and had amazing fish and chips at the Dixie Saloon. (It really is a nice place not a bar.)
I got up early and watched the sun come up over Lake Huron. It was breathtaking. I wish I could share the many many pictures I have. Here are a few.
After breakfast met the other senior missionaries,President and Sister Hess, and Brother and Sister Rassmussen, one of the counselors in the mission presidency, and boarded the ferry for Mackinaw Island. In the early 1900's there were both horses and motorized transportation. The horses did not do well with this. They voted to keep the horses. The only motorized vehicles on the island are a couple of police cars, and ambulance, and a fire engine. There are around five hundred people who live on the island year round. People ride bikes, walk, and take carriages. It is WONDERFUL!!! I loved it. I reminded me a little of main street Disneyland.
 |
| This little lady came up to me, pointed to my badge, and said, "I Mormon, too!" She was happy to see us. She is from Taiwan. |
 |
Grand Hotel |
 |
| Fort Mackinaw, revolutionary war and war of 1812 |
 |
| lighthouse and ferry |
 |
| Making fudge |
The Grand Hotel is on this island. It has the world's longest covered outdoor porch. It is the hotel where Somewhere in Time was filmed. It is lovely. It costs ten dollars to walk in the driveway, so we did not get close. One of the main products on the island is fudge. It seems like every other shop is a different fudge shop. And boy, is it amazing. I loved cookie dough fudge. Elder Hendrickon likes turtle fudge. It is decadent.
This place was reminiscent of a simpler time. We would all do well to slow down and live like they do. Of course, everything here is very expensive and most people could not live there. It was, however, wonderful to see families walking hand in hand, or riding bikes together. This place is not flat. They are in great shape!!!
I am happy to be working in the service of the Lord. We are happy that you are our family and friends. We pray for you. We love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment