Well Sister Debenham and I are both staying here in Chardon for the next 6 weeks. There is a lot of changes this transfer though, much more than last one at least. I'm really glad I get to stay in Chardon. The work is progressing so much, so I'm glad that I'll get to stay and work some more with the area. I'm excited because of some of the changes that I have seen so far and I'm looking forward to this next transfer to see what the Lord has in store for the Chardon area!
It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL here right now. Absolutely breathtaking. Being at BYU in the fall for the last 3 years, I had forgotten just how stunning the east is in the fall. Every day that we go to Kirtland, we take Kirtland-Chardon road for 20 minutes and I'm pretty sure there is nothing more beautiful than that drive. It's just rolling hills through the country and all you can see is beautiful trees for miles and miles. It's so peaceful. I think I'll pull over sometime tomorrow after Transfer meeting and take a picture, but it won't do it justice.
I had some neat experiences this week. You'll notice that I have a weird subject line to this email. This past weekend, LDS family services had an adoption seminar here in Kirtland, and so some of the sisters had the chance to help with the music for the conference. We sang at the stake center on Friday, and then Saturday morning at 7:30 there was a morningside in the Kirtland temple. Sister Debenham and I, along with Sister Golightly and Decker, had the chance to sing a quartet in the temple, "'ere long the veil will rend". It was written by Parley P. Pratt and was the opening hymn at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836. How awesome is that? It was such a special experience to get to sing at the temple. The sisters all sat in the choir loft and got to sing other hymns from the Kirtland era. There was an amazing spirit in the temple that day. People argue that because Community of Christ owns the temple, you can't feel the spirit anymore. That's a lie. It's still a sacred place. In the words of Elder Butterfield "I've never heard of an undedication."
So yesterday I officially had my first guest come through Kirtland! Mom, I didn't meet the woman that you said was coming to Kirtland yesterday, but that's okay. Sister D and I led a tour yesterday and once we put them into the movie, I went out to get keys and then to go to the bathroom. When I was at the desk getting keys, the senior sister said that a couple had just pulled in and they were going to put them into the movie since it was only a minute in. After I went to the bathroom and got back into the movie, I could see the silhouette of the new couple, but it wasn't until the lights came back on and I started to ask what everyone thought of the movie when I realized who it was: President and Sister Newsome, my MTC branch president and wife! It was really exciting to see them. I grew really close to them in the MTC, probably closer than most. Sister Newsome was also the one who ran into Eric when he was donating blood, if you remember that. It was FABULOUS to see them, and they were SO excited to see me too! I really felt like I had family visiting. Pres. Newsome said he really liked getting to see me in action, since he never gets to see that with any of his missionaries. After the tour, Elder Butterfield gave permission for the Newsomes to take me and Sister D to lunch. We had an amazing time and I was so glad to see them. Don't worry, we took pictures and someday when I figure out why these computers won't allow me to upload pictures, I'll send some home.
Anyway, things are good here in Ohio. It's so good to hear from all of you. I love you so much! Enjoy the autumn time!
Sister Maughan
It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL here right now. Absolutely breathtaking. Being at BYU in the fall for the last 3 years, I had forgotten just how stunning the east is in the fall. Every day that we go to Kirtland, we take Kirtland-Chardon road for 20 minutes and I'm pretty sure there is nothing more beautiful than that drive. It's just rolling hills through the country and all you can see is beautiful trees for miles and miles. It's so peaceful. I think I'll pull over sometime tomorrow after Transfer meeting and take a picture, but it won't do it justice.
I had some neat experiences this week. You'll notice that I have a weird subject line to this email. This past weekend, LDS family services had an adoption seminar here in Kirtland, and so some of the sisters had the chance to help with the music for the conference. We sang at the stake center on Friday, and then Saturday morning at 7:30 there was a morningside in the Kirtland temple. Sister Debenham and I, along with Sister Golightly and Decker, had the chance to sing a quartet in the temple, "'ere long the veil will rend". It was written by Parley P. Pratt and was the opening hymn at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836. How awesome is that? It was such a special experience to get to sing at the temple. The sisters all sat in the choir loft and got to sing other hymns from the Kirtland era. There was an amazing spirit in the temple that day. People argue that because Community of Christ owns the temple, you can't feel the spirit anymore. That's a lie. It's still a sacred place. In the words of Elder Butterfield "I've never heard of an undedication."
So yesterday I officially had my first guest come through Kirtland! Mom, I didn't meet the woman that you said was coming to Kirtland yesterday, but that's okay. Sister D and I led a tour yesterday and once we put them into the movie, I went out to get keys and then to go to the bathroom. When I was at the desk getting keys, the senior sister said that a couple had just pulled in and they were going to put them into the movie since it was only a minute in. After I went to the bathroom and got back into the movie, I could see the silhouette of the new couple, but it wasn't until the lights came back on and I started to ask what everyone thought of the movie when I realized who it was: President and Sister Newsome, my MTC branch president and wife! It was really exciting to see them. I grew really close to them in the MTC, probably closer than most. Sister Newsome was also the one who ran into Eric when he was donating blood, if you remember that. It was FABULOUS to see them, and they were SO excited to see me too! I really felt like I had family visiting. Pres. Newsome said he really liked getting to see me in action, since he never gets to see that with any of his missionaries. After the tour, Elder Butterfield gave permission for the Newsomes to take me and Sister D to lunch. We had an amazing time and I was so glad to see them. Don't worry, we took pictures and someday when I figure out why these computers won't allow me to upload pictures, I'll send some home.
Anyway, things are good here in Ohio. It's so good to hear from all of you. I love you so much! Enjoy the autumn time!
Sister Maughan
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