Leaving the Cradle of Palmyra New York for the Promised Land of Oklahoma

Tuesday, April 28 2015 

We just returned from visiting with President Gray where we were formally released from our mission.  He asked us to visit with the High Council next Tuesday evening and report on our mission to them.  This is a photo of us with President Tom Gray, Stake President of the OKC, OK Stake, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  His interview was a tender mercy from The Lord.  We will always remember the keys that President Gray holds and the blessings we receive because of his worthiness.  Thank you, President Gray, for giving us some of your precious time and for visiting with us.  Our love and prayers are with you as you continue to serve as our Stake President.  Our Stake is blessed.

 

These are just some memorable highlights of our drive back home from Palmyra, NY. 

We left Palmyra about noon on the 13th of April.  We drove to our son Troy's and his family in DePere, Wisconsin.  On our way we traveled through Michigan.  We drove over the Mackinaw bridge that still had ice on one side and clear water on the other side.  There was a park just before the bridge called MICHILIMACKINAC STATE PARK!  It was beautiful, even in the brown winter setting, with a lighthouse and the lake.  See the frozen water

There was still snow on the beach, but the water was beautiful.

 We crossed over the bridge heading to Wisconsin.

We arrived at Troy & Amy's on the 14th of April.  We had a great visit with them and stayed till the 19th.   We love Troy's family and pray for them daily.  Thank you for the great example, Troy and Amy, as you raise your sweet children.   Troy and I went to the Great Harvest Bread Store.  We bought bread and scones, Yummy!

Troy & Amy Bushman with their children Elijah and Hannah.

Troy and Grandpa built this bookcase for Hannah.

Hannah loves having a library in her room!

Fox River Dam in De Pere, Wisconsin is home for Pelicans in the summer.  We went at their feeding time and it was so fun to watch them feast on the fish.  We all enjoyed watching them.

We drove to Rolla, Missouri where we were able to visit with my sister, Linda, for a few hours on April 20, 2015.  She is helping her daughter, Taralyn, raise her three children.  They were so busy I had to take two photo's to get them all.  Hug's to my sister for her kindness and love for this sweet, energetic family.  These boys are Preston & Hunter.

Shawny is Hunters twin.

We are watching my sister Linda and are amaized at her patience and love.  My little sister is good.

We then went to Branson, Missouri on 21 April and met up with The David Neeley's.  We had a great time in Branson and also Silver Dollar City Park.  Thank you David and Karen for getting together with us for a couple more days.  We are going to miss our visits with these two great missionaries.  We met at our training in Salt Lake City a year ago.  It was World Week in Silver Dollar City.  I took tons of photo's but will share just these few.  These are a couple of angel's we met with the Neeleys.  I can't remember their names, but will never forget their kindness to us as we visited Missouri.

It was a beautiful day at the Park for four traveling missionaries.

 David and Karen agreed to go to the PM show at Silver Dollar City.  We all decided we are getting too old for all the youth music they shared...they were very talented, but it was very noisy music.

 This sign and tree were outside the church building in Silver Dollar City.  This plant was on my Dad's funeral program.  I loved all the dogwood's in bloom around this park.

We left Branson, MO on 24 April 2015 and traveled to Joplin, MO.  We stopped by the Fishes to visit for a couple of hours.  Leo and Evalee were in the Temple Presidency with us in OKC OK Temple.  Leo has had a brain tumor for over five years now.  He is doing pretty good, but has trouble expressing his thoughts.  We tired him out and he fell asleep while we were visiting.  Hug's to Leo and Evalee.  They have been blessed beyond what we can imagine.

Next we drove to Grove, OK and Monkey Island in Shangrila, OK.  Our dear friends, whom we have known since our BYU days, Dee and Laurie Bithell reside there.  We spent the night with them in their extra apartment (nice).  We drove to Venita, OK for breakfast the next morning and enjoyed a memorable breakfast with them before heading to Edmond.  They have the beautiful Grand Lake view from thier condo.

This light house is on the banks of Grand Lake.  The Bithells enjoy early morning walks out to this landmark.

We drove to Clantons Cafe in Venita, OK before hitting the road the next morning.  We met Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives TV show.  We took our photo with him.  We had a Yummy breakfast there.

We said goodbye, for now, to the Bithells.  Thank you for letting us visit.  We really enjoy being with these two.  Hug's to you both.

 We arrived home on Saturday, 25 April 2015.  Ryan brought his children over and we were greeted by Heathers family too.  We are home!  We live by 7 of our grandchildren.  The noise level is high...what happened to our quiet environment?  Ha!  Love these families.

These are my two babies.  Heather is the only girl  and Ryan is the baby boy.

This is Michael, Heathers husband and Ryan.  They know I do not like beards...so they enjoy razing me about them.  Heather loves Michaels beard and does not want him to shave it...much to my sorrow...what a mother-in-law I am.

Ryan teaches Seminary and should not have a beard.  He just grew it to give his parents a difficult time.  He came over on Sunday with this look!  Ha...love this boy.  All facial hair was gone on Monday.

So that catches us up with our travels.  We are enjoying eating our daughters food and enjoying their hospitality until 1 May 2015.  It is good to be home in many ways.  We are looking forward to setting up our housekeeping again.
We miss all the missionaries, leaders and locals that enjoy the Palmyra Temple Ediface.  Thank you for the great experience and for all the memories.  We hold you forever in our hearts and prayers.
We so look forward to our future lives when we can have reunions and celebrate what we learned this past year.

Hug's to each of you,

Arthur and Gene Bushman

Grandma Gene & Grandpa Arthur