Dear Friends & Family...Yes, we have done a little bit of traveling and have some pictures to share...

This is the infamous home of our first President, George Washington...
Mount Vernon.  Our tour guide and hostess for a few days in Virginia was the lovely Stacy Sorensen, the wife of my nephew, Paul Sorensen Jr.
It was a nice break and besides the sights we so enjoyed their beautiful children and lovely home. 

 The second day in Virginia, we went to sights in Washington DC.  Here are Elder McBean (love the tie!) and I in front of the Lincoln Memorial.  What a great President.  This was the first of so much to see!! 

This was our favorite monument...for WWII.  There are pillars with all the states and countries that fought with us in WWII.  There is a beautiful pool in the middle and famous quotes throughout the memorial.  It really rallies your patriotic feelings!

 This was a "tender mercy" from the Lord.  The beautiful young woman in the center of the dancers is our oldest granddaughter, Kamalei Ho.  She lives in Hawaii, has been attending BYU in UT and had received a mission call to serve in the Dominican Republic.  We knew that there was no way we could see her before she left on her mission (2 weeks ago).  However, she was part of a performing group that puts on musical firesides followed by culture presentations.  They were to perform only in NY but at the last minute added a couple of shows in VA and DC.  So our last night in VA, there she was part of a musical fireside and performance in my nephew's church building!  Yes, a true blessing!

The finale of our brief 3 1/2 day trip was to go to the Washington DC Temple.  It was so magnificent! You can see it as you are driving on the freeway and there are signs telling you it is the Mormon Temple.  I understand that it was initially causing accidents and cars stopping to take pictures.  They use to have lights from the grounds shining up on the Temple and it looked as though it was in the air.  The lights had to be discontinued as it was such a distraction to motorists.  What a beautiful "House of the Lord".

 

 

 Another wonderful blessing was to go through the Columbia, SC Temple with our Grandson, Elder Carter who was called to the Vanuatu/New Caledonia Mission above Australia.  What a wonderful young man...so anxious to serve the Lord.  How grateful we are to have been serving on the East Coast so we could be there for his farewell.

This is one of the greatest moments of our mission.  Elder McBean is about to baptize into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cameron Dennis.  They are in the baptismal font in our chapel in Cowen, WV.  This brings such great joy into this wonderful journey of a mission.

 There is always a silver lining among the storms of life.  My brother David unexpectedly passed away.  I flew to Seattle to be with family.  My sweet missionary companion encouraged me to take advantage of my time in WA and visit with family.  I did!  It was great!  So wonderful to see my siblings.  Best of all it was great to see children and grandchildren.  There were two granddaughters born since we left and I finally got to meet them...

Here is Scarlett Lily Capetillo!! 
 (Rachel's daughter)

 Here is Maci Awai!!
(Ben's daughter)



Holding and kissing them was like a dream come true!  Aren't grandchildren just the best!

West Virginia is now fully green as evidenced by the roads we travel daily.  So often we have rain during the day that creates the rich canopy of trees covering the roads in these beautiful mountains.  And of course there are curves everywhere!  I am so glad Elder McBean enjoys driving these curvy mountain roads!! 

As I go on morning walks I often see rock formations covered in a carpet of leaves, flowers and always trees. 

 

A couple of times a week I take my clippers on my walks and cut wild flowers for a bouquet on the kitchen table.  I have never before lived where the greenery has been so diverse, so dense and so beautiful! 

Birds are everywhere as shown by this cardinal that often visits in the morning.  It is roosted on the rail of the balcony outside our door. 

 

 It is amazing how much wildlife is everywhere.  These deer are grazing outside the living room window by the creek that borders the property.  We often have wild rabbits that also like to nibble on the grass.  Other wildlife that we have seen are a badger, possum, squirrels, fox, snakes, bear and coyote.

After visiting a new member in the Branch we followed signs to the sight of this battle.  We stood on the battlefield where men gave their lives.  The civil war was fought all over these mountains and there are many reenactments throughout the summer.  Old Glory waves year around on many buildings and outside many homes.  This is indeed a very patriotic spot...we love it! Most of all we love being able to serve others every day, all day.  What a privilege!! With love from West Virginia...

Elder and Sister McBean