We have been busy with helping the Hornell Branch members and investigators in visits to their homes and taking some to the temple. We also have enjoyed having Mary and her family close by so we can get together. We feel so blessed to be here and to share in the Lord's work here in this beautiful place.
This area is referred to as the "Southern Tier" and is really a place of beauty and a place of a much slower pace of life. The people learn to get along with little and still find ways to help those around them and show kindness to others. Unfortunately, most of the people are very cautious when dealing with us and the missionaries because of the strong bias of the local churches against us and our religion. Still there are many who welcome us and our message. The Lord will help those who sincerely are seeking to the truth.
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Our first two elders - Smith and Wagstaff, as we have lunch with one of our sisters of the Branch
The son-in-law of that sister was baptized recently. This is him and his family and the Elders who were involved.
At the Palmyra temple with one of our dear sisters. She came to do the work for her mother. It was a very spiritual experience for all of us.
This mother and her daughter come with us to church and other activities.
We help out at a weekly luncheon for the disadvantaged people of the city of Hornell. It is sponsored at this Presbyterian church and different denominations help each week. Our branch provides food and services about every six weeks in rotation.
We had a fun branch activity at this property of one of our members in Canisteo. The pond (above) and the eating area (below).
One of the people we met at the ecumenical lunches (mentioned above), and his dog, Badge, at his home in South Hornell. I did some research and found that he is my 13th cousin (the man, not his dog).
The elders with an investigator walking and talking on the Hill Cumorah.
Our current elders - Elder Larson (from Draper) and Elder Smith (from Safford, AZ)
In the Elders' apartment is this famous "Deer Elder."
Our grandson about to eat the "Mojo" burger at Rudys in Medina. Those who accomplish the feat get to write their names on the wall (see behind him for part of that). A closeup of his previously earned name-on-the-wall is below.
A granddaughter in the tree at our park near our home in Hornell.
We joined the family at nearby Letchworth State Park.
This is the Genesee River and falls in the park.
Here we are at the Stony Brook Park (even closer to our home) in the Dansville area.
A month ago, we went with other senior missionaries to Watkins Glen and on the the Priesthood Restoration site in Pennsylvania. This is Watkins Glen.
Here we also visited the Josiah Stowell and Joseph Knight homes.
On our way to Palmyra from Hornell, we pass by the beautiful Canandaigua Lake.
From a hill area north of Hornell you can see in the distance the many windmills in the Cohocton area.
Hornell is famous as being the home of actor Bill Pullman. This is the house that belonged to his parents. The owner is a member of our branch (she wants to sell it if you are interested). She has spoken with Bill Pullman when he visited the place.
The political leanings here are fairly pronounced (below is an enlargement of the sign in front of a home at the hamlet of Loon Lake within our branch).
