MARCH MADDNESS

March Madness

March started out so very cold, temperatures below 0.  On the 2^nd, the missionaries went to dinner at The Yellow Mills Diner.  It’s not all that great but it was fun to be together as many are starting to leave now.

Sunday in Niagara Falls was a surprise because we had missed 2 Sundays because of the cleaning break they thought we had gone home.  They were so thrilled we were still with them.  We didn’t realize how much they enjoyed our visits and how much we love them.  It was very flattering.

Monday we had a delightful dinner with one of our Sealers at the temple.  He had us meet him at the Longhorn Steak House in Victor.  He is in his 80’s and wanted to treat us to dinner.  His is a widower so he ordered 2 meals so he could take one home.  He doesn’t like to cook.  We had such a delightful evening just getting to know him better.  When it was time for dessert we said we were too full and he insisted we have one, so we shared the chocolate tornado.  We love these people who serve in the temple so valiantly, even as they get older.

Tuesday, March 5^th, we were on a special morning session they do twice a month. We had to get up at 4:30 to be at the temple on time.  There were only 10 patrons but it was so wonderful to see them bring family names to do these sacred ordinances.

Tuesday, March 6^th, we got up early and went to Angelica, NY with the missionaries to the Cartwright Maple Tree Inn.  It is an “All you can eat Buckwheat Pancake place.  We took the Seamons in our car so we would be sure to get lost.  It is 85 miles away.  We missed the very first turn off the 90 to the 390.  People come from very far away, even other states, because it is only open for 2 months while the sap is running.  It was an extremely cold day, -19, and the wind was blowing.  This place is off any main highway where there are very few farms.  In better weather it would be a beautiful drive.  We had to turn back and catch the right exit and because the line is so long to get in, we arrived just as the others had sat down.

They saved us a place so we were all together.  It had 3 huge dining rooms and the pancakes were always hot off the grill.  You never had to wait for more. 

I had 3 and Dad had 8.  He couldn’t let the others eat more.  We all had ham, bacon and eggs, hot cocoa and pancakes.  We were stuffed.  When we were finished we went on a tour with 100 preschoolers.  We saw the vats where they make the syrup they are so famous for.

A man showed us the olden way of tapping and the way they do it now. 

 It was a great time and we learned a lot. 

These wires you see below are actually PVCpipes they use today to bring the sap to a gathering place

The syrup was unbelievably expensive.  We actually made it back in time for our evening shift.

Saturday, we have the morning shift but have started staying for the mid one so we can do an endowment.  We hardly ever get to do one other times.  On the morning one, a sister came in the locker room and for some reason (tender mercy) I asked if she had a name to do.  She didn't so I gave her one of mine.  When she saw my name, Hanks, she got so excited and asked if I knew a Larry Hanks, who was a missionary here in 62 & 63, from Utah, and taught her and her husband the gospel.  They joined 50 years ago.  She wanted so desperately to tell him how grateful she was for him.  He was from Utah and she figured he might be dead now.  I told her I would find him. 

We stayed after that shift for the next endowment and waited to see if we could get in because it was completely full.  At the last minute they set up some extra chairs so a few more people could get in.  I sat on the men's side by Dad, which was wonderful.  They save the last men's row for that.  It was a great session.

I was so excited to get home and on my computer. (SHOCKER!) The first person I looked up I just felt in my heart it was him.  I found his obituary and it had a picture of him as a missionary in the Eastern States Mission, which covered Palmyra at that time.

Everything I found was that he was an Eagle Scout, a good man and loved to help people.  He had 5 daughters and the love of his life.  He died in 2016, which is sad but she was so excited to know that he remained faithful all his life.  She is in the temple all the time.  Dad showed me how to look up his line and he is not related to me but to Dad through Amasa Lyman.  Go figure.  The family has his line to the late 1500's.  Betty was so excited to get a hold of the family to let them know how grateful she is for this obedient missionary.

We especially love to journey here in the summer and fall on our way home from church.

Sunday the winds were at 26 mph when we headed for Niagara Falls.  The car would lean a little at time and the signs warned the truckers about the danger.  We made it just fine and enjoyed the words of our Patriarch about the adjustments in the name of the Lord’s church.  It was a great talk and kept everyone awake.  Deb Targun fed us the most delicious lasagna I have ever tasted, all homemade.  She also made brownies with ice cream.  She is so faithful and sends us home with food for at least 2 meals.  We hope to find a way to thank her before we leave.

The eleventh was a special day for our Molly Bayles as she turned 16.  She is an amazing young lady who can be very quiet about her many talents but she can do and be so many so many good things.  She is a friend to many and loves her family, especially Elder Riley Bayles, who is on a mission.  She lives a clean life and tries to do what her Savior teaches.  We love her so much.

We went to the Yellow Mills Diner because the Stallards are leaving.  We love to do this to say good-by.  They are from Pennsylvania and have been wonderful to work with.  They will be missed.  They already have their next mission call to the Toronto Temple.  We are next.

 I can always find our table just looking for the white head.

Home evening was more about Solomon's Temple.  We have got to go to Jerusalem.

It must be spring, the geese are coming back.

spring is a little different here

 shoveling in shorts

love this sunrise

We skip to another Sunday,

We love this trip to Niagara Falls.  We study the Come Follow Me lessons and are reading the book, Saints.  We also do a few chapters in The Book of Mormon.  Church was wonderful as usual and Kara, who was baptized 7 months ago gave an incredible talk on following the Spirit.  She was offered a 4 year scholarship to a university here but the Spirit told her to go to Utah.  She has paid 2 months rent and already has a job.  She is hoping to go on a mission in the future.  At 4 0’clock we were invited for dinner at the Bonds.  They are missionaries with us and are from Riverton.  We had a lovely evening.  Their end table in the living room has a top on it and when one lifts it you see a an old fashioned potty bowl.  It is a very beautiful end table. What a kick.

We went to visit a home where Brother and Sister Walton live.  We bought some of his photography as they are leaving for Utah because of his illness.  They live in a mansion that any of our daughters would love to get their hands on.  It is amazing but could use some help.  She has 50 Fairy gardens in their yard.  This is just one.  It's hard to see them in the snow.

The next morning, the 19^th, we got up at 5:15 to be at the prayer circle for an early session.  There was only one person which, as always, shows us how important the One is to our Father and His Son.

Cathy Cosby sent this picture.  It made us just a little homesick but it is a perfect shot of the horse head on the mountain.

Monday the missionaries went to the Corning Museum.  I have wanted to go there for months and was not disappointed.  It is an hour and a half so it took the morning and then some.  It had pieces of glass from the time before Christ and down through the ages.  It was so informative.  We watched a glass blower do a vase and of all the glass blowing we have seen, this was incredible.  It took a long time but our eyes never left him.  Another blower (apprentice) was telling us the reasons he did what he did which made it even better.  The master studied for 16 years before he became a master blower.  I did not take a picture of the souvenir store.  It was the largest display we have ever seen.  The prices were way above our level and in glass cases.  They even had a room of the Corning ware you see in the stores.  I was not excited because I thought of bake ware and bowls.  It is a history of glass in a huge building.  It was so thorough in showing the history of glass throughout time and countries.  I am putting in a few pictures but it doesn't even cover but a minute bit of the museum.

 This glass blower studied 16 years as an apprentice and then became a master blower.  It was better than we had seen in Murano, Italy.

 The glass windows in this car can change colors with the push of a button for darker or brighter view.

 This console is all glass and you just touch it to do things.

 Just thought this boat was pretty, notice the glass table it is on.

 Glass replica of the Liberty Bell.

We put this one in for Dianne

Glass table and chair

We always love to eat and the cafeteria was yummy.

Wednesday, March 20th, my brother, Milton Ray Hanks, died, at the age of 72.

We knew it was coming but were hoping it would happen after we got home.  Del and Karen had come from Arizona and Boise so that made us feel better.  He was at the VA Hospital in SLC and was wheeled on a gurney in a white bag with the American flag laid across him.  As they slowly took him, everyone he passed, who could come to the door, and all workers there, slowly raised a salute in his honor as a veteran.  My brother, Del, sobbed.  We do wish we could have been there.  We decided to fly home for the funeral only to find the family was not having a funeral.  Del and Karen said they wanted us to finish our mission and we would get together after we got home.  We were so thankful for such siblings that they would think of us and our service to the Lord.  We love them so much.  It answered our heart-felt concerns about going home early.  We want to serve as planned.  We will leave April 9

Milt was a good brother and for some time after our last mission, I had gone weekly to Eureka, to visit with him and do little things around his house so he didn’t have to in that he had lost a leg and half a foot.  We had fun times and laughed a lot. 

 He could remember things better than I remembered.  His next door neighbor, Don Miles would always drop by and more talking and fun.  I cherish those times.

The hours spent in going and coming gave me time to think about my great family and the blessings of being born in the covenant. Don and Milt came on 2 different weekends to teach our family about having safe water in a time of crisis.  All our children now have filters and equipment so they will have pure water in bad times.  We thank them for that. Milt and I drew so close to each other and I marveled at his knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his beautiful paintings.  I was able to see them from beginning to end and was amazed that the beginning, that looked like it could be nothing, would turn out so beautiful.  One of my favorite times was when Milt took me to an art show at the U of U.  He was so excited to show me the art and the story of the artist.  He knew I loved Monet, and saved that part for last.  I was in heaven.  He took me to lunch after and just had a great day.  That was when he had 2 legs.  Another special time was when George took me to see an art display of many artists as part of a religious art display, at the Salt Palace, where Milt was the head man.  He needed a wheel chair then but was so active in showing other artists work along with his.  He loved our Savior and was constantly sharing this with me.  He knew the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are so happy that we know where he is and what he is doing.  We love that he is with my parents and little brother who died at birth and a still-born sister.

What comfort this is.  The restored gospel is so true.

March 21st was a hard day because everyone asked about Milton.  They were so kind.  We served 10 hours that day and it was good but we were so tired from everything , we just collapsed when we got home.
We took some spring pictures at the temple,

 and at our house and side yard.

March 23rd, Saturday we saw Mahlon Grass at the temple.  It's always good to see him.  After our shift we hurried home and got ready for the Barretts.  They took us to Canandaigua for the best hamburgers We have ever tasted.  It was a place called The Office.  You chose what kind of hamburger you wanted and then what you wanted on it.  The hamburgers were huge and came with fries and were so juicy.  It was just good to be with them again.

The trip to church was very cold and snowy.

 We love the geese we see flying back.

Before we left church at Niagara Falls, dad helped Patriarch Van Tassel give a blessing to a young lady, Kathleen Arch, who was just diagnosed with leukemia.  She is having a really bad time and we later found she will be in the hospital for 6 weeks and then they'll see what happens.  It was a very sweet blessing and seemed to calm her.  They also gave a blessing to Paula Garlock who was in great pain.  We drove home on the southern back roads and loved the country once more.

Monday was a special endowment session for the full time missionaries going home.  There was only one and we still held the session.  We love how important the "one" is to our Father.  It was for Elder Jones, who served part of his time in Niagara.  That night was FHE with President Miller and his wife.  He is one of the counselors and they told their story.  It was so fun.

Tuesday, Milton's children had a service at the military cemetery, where he is buried.  Kaija sent me pictures.  They had a 21 gun salute and the rescue helicopters flew by.  All of his children were there.

 Michael, Rachael, Benji, Jason, Kathy, Chris, Becca, Jon

 Benji's family

 Chris and kids

 Jon's family

Rachel and Becca

That same day while in the temple I saw Betty Perry again and she told me the missionary, Larry Hanks, mother had called her through my research and they had a great conversation and a healing for both.  I am so grateful for the tender mercy our Father gave me for those 2 families.
Wed. 27th, we went to Victor for my final root canal check up and everything is great. Whew. We mailed a package home from this old post office in Fisher.

 Loved the old boxes. 

Afterwards we were headed for our good-by dinner at Olive Garden, when shock of all shocks, Dad stopped at the Bayles Leather Furniture Store.  I have been nagging him to do this for a year.  The owner was so excited and we talked fora long time.

They've got to be related.  Don't they look excited?

He couldn't wait to call his mother and let her know all the information.  They figured we were related through the Bayles family who lived on Long Island.  It was fun.  We couldn't find a piece of furniture under $1000.
We then left for our fun dinner in honor of the Seamons and us.

What an absolutely great and faithful followers of Christ

We got home in time to serve in the evening session of the temple.  What a day!
March 29th was a great day because they held a special time in the temple for the students at Southern Virginia U.  They are so fun to have and mostly returned missionaries going to school.

The next day, the brother and sister from Malad, gave me a beautiful handkerchief with the Palmyra Temple stitched on it.  They were fond friends of Mom and Dad.  There was not enough room in the endowment so they set up chairs so we could be in it also.  We have done so many names now.  We love the temple and the promises we make there.
Sunday was fast Sunday because of General Conference and our last Sunday in Niagara Falls.  It snowed on our way there.

from the parking lot

The people are so wonderful and try so hard to live good lives.  We both bore our testimonies and did not mention our going home because we didn't think they knew.  After the lesson, the Brother Simpson, a counselor in the Bishopric had a few sisters hold up a quilt Sister Barns, who is in a wheel chair, had made as a going away gift for us from the ward.  It is beautiful.  We were so stunned.  She had stayed up until 3:00 to get it finished in time.  The members hugged and hugged us. Some signed their names on the back of the quilt. It was a very humbling experience for us.

We love these wonderful friends.  Of course Debby Targun fed us another one of her yummy meals.  We presented her with a shadow box that would hold 80 of her collection of antique salt dishes.  She and I just cried.  She is a special servant of our God.

We decided to take another back road home so we could enjoy the area even though it had been snowing.  It was a wonderful Sabbath.

 We love these old barns.

 huge turkeys

NY country church

We knew Spring was here.  This is where we turn to come to Stafford Rd.

Snow had just started when we drove in.

a bit later.  So happy April is tomorrow.

 We are so blessed with all we have been able to do this past year.  We have had great health, no accidents and numerous tender mercies from our Father.  The restored gospel is so true and we must do all we can to further His work.  The Prophet Joseph said that the greatest work our Father has given us on this earth is to search out our dead.  Our family on both sides of the veil will be blessed by your work in the temple.  There is no way we can express how much we love our family.