Independence

Robyn finished up the Indian Lore merit badge by taking all the young men on a field trip to the National Huron Indian Cemetery in Kansas City. The Huron were forced by the government to come and live on a reservation here in the early 1800's. They are also known as the Wyndotte Nation or Tribe and like most native american Indians, were treated very poorly over the years. It was a good learning experience for the boys and adults, as most of them had little knowledge of this part of their Kansas history. Most of them have lived here in Wyndotte County, Kansas for most of their lives, but did not know where the name Wyndotte came from or even what it meant.

"CURSED BE THE VILLAIN THAT MOLEST THEIR GRAVES"

Grave marker of the sister of attorney Eliza Conley, who fought the United States government when they attempted to confiscate this property that had the burial ground of the Wyandotte tribe on it. She and her sister moved into a small structure in the cemetery, locked the gate, and posted a sign, "Trespass at your Peril," as they guarded the cemetery with a shotgun. When sister Eliza died in 1946, she was buried next to Helena in the cemetery, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

FAMILY VISITORS

Our nephew, Devin Davidson and wife Lindsey were in town for a seminar. Fortunately we were able to squeeze in a lunch date with them while they were here. It was fun to catch up with them.

FIREHOUSE SUBS LUNCH DATE

Sister Johnson and Sister Malm

It is always fun to spoil the sisters once in a while. This week it was sisters Johnson and Malm. They are serving in the Lenexa ward in our zone. They are always so appreciative and excited to be treated to lunch.

YOUNG WOMEN PERSONAL PROJECT

Mariana Molina

Mariana Molina asked Robyn to help her work on one of her Personal Project values. Learning a new skill or talent is part of the 'Knowledge Value'. She knew that Robyn loved to embroider, and so asked her to teach her how to get started. Mariana is a fast learner and is well on her way to pass off this requirement.

James and Kaui were Mariana's 'Ma and Pa' during a stake handcart trek a couple of summers ago. Since then she has continued to call them her 'Ma and Pa'. When we told her that James was our son, she began to call us, 'Grandma and Grandpa'. It is fun having so many close 'relatives' here.

KENNER'S BIRTHDAY

ROYALS VS INDIANS

Brian Jones
Cleveland 3, Kansas City 1

On Saturday, Brian and I went to the Royal's game. Brian is a fairly recent convert who suffers from cerebral palsy. He loves all sports, especially baseball. Brian is a walking encyclopedia of all the facts and figures of the Royals and their opponents.We even had a great discussion about one of my boyhood heroes, Sandy Koufax. The weather was beautiful, but unfortunately the score was not.

FREEWAY ART

At least once a week we pass by some huge metal freeway 'art' on our way to meetings or visits. These huge silhouettes depict the history of this area and remind us of how so many trails that led West began right here. Everyone following the Oregon, California, and the Santa Fe trails all started right from Independence. The Mormon pioneers joined the Oregon and California trails until they got close to Salt Lake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A member of the ward that wanted to do a good deed, asked us to help out. With the bishop's help, a very inexpensive car was purchased for this dear sister to replace her old one that died. We were asked to deliver the car to her on her birthday. As you can imagine, she was overcome with gratitude for the love of her bishop and the members of the ward that helped out. It was fun handing her the keys and seeing her reaction and excitement.

LIVING LEGENDS

BYU was in town this week. The performance was held right around the corner at the Community of Christ (RLDS) auditorium here in Independence. It is well worth it, anytime we can give some of the kids in the ward a glimpse of what life can be like if they work hard and qualify to attend a university. Most of their parents have never attended college and so the kids don't have the example or encouragement they need at home. Both Disney and Ashli are now big fans of BYU and want to attend there some day.

We spent a wonderful three day weekend with James and Kaui and the kids in Nauvoo. Our mission president has given permission for all the senior couples to make one trip to Nauvoo while they are here. The spring weather could not have been more beautiful and we had the whole city pretty much to ourselves. School has not gotten out yet and the temple was closed for cleaning, so we saw very few tourists. All the historical sites and homes were open and we enjoyed every minute with the kids. Staying at the Woodruff Hotel, gave us an amazing view of the temple right across the street. We visited the Visitors Center, Smith Cemetery, the Browning Gun Shop, Lucy Mack Smith home, the Blacksmith and Farrier shop, the Living History Center, David's Chamber, Carthage and walked down Parley Street to the Mississippi River at dusk to read the plaques along the Trail of Hope.

It is our hope and prayer that our grandchildren will have gained a greater appreciation for the sacrifice and testimony of those that went before. There is a special spirit there. We have felt that same spirit here in Missouri as we have visited Liberty Jail, Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman. But in Nauvoo, wherever we walked or visited, we seemed to be completely immersed in that same sweet peaceful spirit. It was very hard to leave.

carriage ride

JOHN BROWN'S LOT

near the corner of Young Street and Gordon Street

Deed: "...beginning on the west line of said Block No. two, eight rods South of the center of Young Street, thence south thirty-three feet, thence east ten rods, thence north thirty-three feet, thence west ten rods to the place of beginning, be the same more or less..."

WHITTLING AND WHISTLING BRIGADE