Independence : HOSPICE

We have been volunteering twice a month at a convalescent facility, here in Independence, working with hospice patients. It required going through a background check and receiving 8 hours of training before we were allowed to work with the patients. Some of the people we work with are more aware of what is going on than others, but they all feel our presence at some level.. We try and spend time with each of the patients, talking to them or just holding their hands, knowing that some days they may not even know we are there. We specifically asked to be assigned to those that are wards of the state and have no family or friends that come to visit them, It is a bitter sweet experience knowing that they only have a short time left of mortality, but we hope that we are making a small difference in their lives.

One of the side benefits is that Robyn is learning the skills she will need, to care for me in a few years...

Eleanor

Maxine

Ruby

Francis likes to be pushed around the facility

Lacey

APRIL FOOD STORAGE ITEMS

This month, as part of her calling as the ward emergency preparedness leader, Robyn has been pushing refried beans, white flour, apple slices and water filters. It seems that with the large Hispanic population in the ward, refried beans are the hot ticket. We may have to rent a U-Haul trailer when we go and pick up the order.

HAWN'S (Haun's) MILL

We recently visited Hawn's Mill, the site of that terrible tragedy in 1838 where 17 men and boys, who were members of the Church were killed by mobbers. The only thing that is there today is a single marker with the name, Haun's Mill. The Church recently became aware that the correct spelling is Hawn's Mill. Jacob Hawn, the miller owner, was not a member of the Church and many blame him partially for the massacre, because he failed to alert the Saints that Joseph wanted them all to flee to Far West for safety. We felt a peaceful spirit there as we contemplated the events that transpired. The more we learn about the events that took place here in Missouri, the greater our love and admiration grows for the early Saints and how they dealt with so much tragedy. Their example of perseverance and dedication in the face of so much opposition is sometimes hard to fathom.

The mill was probably located right behind where we are standing

Shoal Creek

Where the Saint's homes would have been

The original mill stone has been moved to a park in nearby Breckenridge

Warren and Amanda Smith are the great great grandparents of our brother in law, Jerry Smith. Warren was brutally killed. Their son Sardis was only a child when a mobster put a gun to the boy's head and brutally murdered him also. Sardis' younger brother, Alma, had his hip completely shot away by another attacker. Miraculously, his mother was inspired to treat the wound with ash and lye and a bark poultice and his hip eventually healed and he was able to walk once again.

SPECIAL INVITATION

This week we received two special invitations from Kelehua. One to her 'Poetry Cafe' at school and the second to the spring concert where she was performing on the violin. Both performances were well worth the 'price of admission'. ;-)