Eire Canal & Connections to the Past June 11 - 17

ERIE CANAL

Erie Canal at Lock 34

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Erie Canal

LOCKPORT, NY

On Monday we met in the morning about 9:30 and headed to Lockport it's a town along the Erie Canal, lock 34, not too far from Niagara Falls. 

Entering the Lock

This is a double lock and so we were able to see and experience what it's like to use a lock to raise yourself up to the river above or rather the canal  and dropped down through the locks on our return. We drove this time and took the Barbers with us. When we got to the designated lunch spot they were closed. And I have to say that I was very impressed with brother and sister Barber who calmly made other arrangements for somewhere to eat and soon we found ourselves at a comfortable establishment just a block away.  I continue to be impressed by their goodness and example to me.  They are loving, hardworking, kind, gentle, faithful.  I am learning so much from them. 

CONNECTIONS TO THE PAST
Daily we tend to run into people that we have a connection to.

While working Wednesday I was overcome with emotion while helping several sisters.  They brought with them a strong spirit of love and faith.  Tears came easily as I thought of those on the other side of the veil whom they were helping.

I was greeting at the front door as one of these sisters was leaving.  I happened to ask her where they were from.  She answered “Portland, Or”.  I answered  "I'm from Hockinson Washington",  which I usually don't do because most people don't know where that is. Her eyes got bright and she said "Well, really we're from Vancouver Washington." This started a conversation about how we usually don’t say “Vancouver” because people tend to think of Canada.  Portland is just easier.  Her husband came back and I discovered he is the Stake President of the Vancouver East Stake.  Then she looked at my name badge and said “Pickup?, We used to know some Pickup’s from Hockinson."  Well, that would be us.  They shared that their daughter used to date a Pickup.  When I mentioned Kevin, they both said, "Yes!  That was his name."  Later, I asked Kevin and he remembered dating Lindsay May (or Mayes—I’m not sure.  I’ve been looking on line to discover who the Stake President of the Vancouver East Stake is but so far no luck.  I will write someone from home.) 

As I continued to greet people, a missionary couple came in.  She looked familiar but so does just about everyone, so I just asked how I could help them. She said “Sister Pickup!”.  It was Brother and Sister Danes from the Logan Temple who are just finishing their mission in Nauvoo.  They came by to make an appointment for an endowment session. She recognized me first but then I certainly saw that I knew her.

At the end of our shift on Wednesday Jennifer and Brian Chambers and their children came to the temple. 

Brian and Jennifer Chambers Family at the Chill and Grill

Jennifer and the three older children, Nick, Kylie and Brynlie did baptisms. The Chambers were one of the first families we met when we moved to Utah.  Brian and the deacons helped us move our stuff into storage and then back out into our new home.  They have been a grand example of service, brotherly love, and faith.   Brynlie was in our Primary class way back in 2015.   Nick will be leaving on his mission in a few weeks to the Philippines.  We soon discovered that they had not had dinner so I hurried home and fix spaghetti and bread and salad. They arrived miraculously just as the noodles were done. And we had the most pleasant visit catching up on news from Wellsville and sharing our mission experiences.   Then we went down to Chill & Grill for ice cream. We discovered that it was Jennifer's birthday we sang Happy Birthday to her.

While the group was in getting ice cream I waited out on the picnic table and there was a little family there. 

Family from Hermiston, Oregon.

The youngest boy turned around and we started a conversation. Before too long we learned that it was a young family from Hermiston Oregon taking a trip across the United States in a RV.  They were farmers there. And eventually we discovered that they were members of the church. So I ventured to ask if they knew a Vernon Cook. And that's when they lit up. Of course they knew Vernon Cook and we talked about him and his daughter Darla who is my good friend from high school. Vernon was my sweet Bishop when I was a young girl in Basin City. I remember when he are Sister Cook worked at the Portland temple and the joy I felt when first I met them there.  

MARTIN HARRIS FARM

After our work in the temple Thursday, and afternoon chores, we decided to go on a walk and head to the Martin Harris Farm.  It is about 1.5 miles north of us.  

Martin Harris Farm

It was a pleasant evening, cool with a slight breeze.  The distance was just right but walking along the road had it’s challenges of uneven ground and road traffic.  I began reading about Martin Harris’s life from the church website and found I could do so easily if I stayed in step behind Ray. 

We also climbed up to Alvin’s graveside which is just a block from our apartment. 

By now my knees are hurting something fierce.  This is quite unusual for me.  I was in my sandals so perhaps between that and the uneven path, I must have strained them.  Coming down the steps from the graveside was tough and I was happy to finally get home.

BLEACH IS NO RESPECTER 

Daily chores, family history work, and laundry on Friday.

Ray went with me to the laundry mat in Newark.  We had decided to wash his white temple suit and the mattress cover on the extra mattress.  This meant a few more loads of wash.  I soon discovered that the inlet for laundry and bleach falls straight into the front loading drum as it splashed out onto the floor and my black pants.  What a mess.  There were some towels in the load so I was able to wipe up the front of the washer and floor.  But my pants now have splatter marks all over the front.  

Lesson learned—close the door before adding the detergent and wait for the cycle to start before adding bleach. 

FATHER'S DAY

We went out to dinner with the Barlow’s for fathers day at Olive Garden.  The Flint’s also were there with another couple that we had not met.  He is a sealer on a different shift than we work. 

Father's Day Dinner

The Flint’s sat across the barrier from us.  Sister Flint wanted to see what we ordered so I held up my plate but unfortunately tipped it a bit and the noodles came sliding off.  I recovered quickly but not before some of my dinner landed in Loraine's lap.  Between this and the laundry, I think I should just stay home

Saturday, while Ray went to help Barber’s with some computer stuff, I snuck out for a few gifts for Ray. 

On Sunday we had roast, and then later crackers, cheese, summer sausage, and fruit.  All of the children called which was a great joy.  Ray also got a few books, and a DVD about Joseph Smith, and some candy from next door.

HORNELL BRANCH

President and Sister Black visited the Branch today and spoke in Sacrament Meeting.  I was uplifted by their messages of the temple and the Savior and the examples of strength that come from both.  After Sacrament Meeting, Elder Buchanon asked if we would teach Gospel Principles every other week with the full-time Elders.  We are happy to do this and attended that class today were we met new members and returning members of the branch.  Mike and Misty Whitney, Ken Potter, Albert Lowery, Helen Butler, and a man whom I spoke to afterward but cannot remember his name.  We were also asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting next Sunday.  And so our service begins.  

LATIN AND ROOMMATES

Per Sister Barber’s request, many of the 12 month missionaries attended the 9am session on Monday.  Then we checked out the Walmart in Canandaigua which everyone at the temple raves about but I found to be about the same as the one in Macedon except that Ray did find a nice mirror for the bathroom and a pair of casual pants.  For FHE we learned from Brother Strassburg the Latin roots of some of the words associated with the temple.  I found it fascinating and was humbled to realize how much I do not know or understand.  Not just about the temple but the world in general. 

Afterward we were walking out with Brother and Sister Ricks from Rexburg, ID.  Brother Ricks heard Ray say something about Puyallup.  He asked how we knew that city in WA.  Well, we are from WA so we know it and  how to pronounce it, but also, my roommate, Cindy Merrill was from there. 

As it turns out, Brother and Sister Ricks’ son is married to now Cindy Merrill Crane’s daughter. Oh what a small world we live in. 

HENRY AND JOHN FORD

I am discovering a whole clan of Fords or Forddes or Foords.  I am learning a lot about working in Family Search and partner sites like Ancestory, Find My past, and My Heritage.  I hope to have names ready soon to take to the temple.