Life at the Trail Center

I had no idea that our life at the Trail Center could be so varied and interesting, as well as spiritually rewarding. Every day we have what we call our Trail Center Moments. Sisters report of some experience where they were able to bring some kind of help or comfort to someone who came to the Center or just share in a special moment. Some are so sweet, like the child who said after seeing the statue of Jesus feeding the birds in our special exhibition of the Healing Power of Jesus Christ, that his favorite part was the special feeling he had.

This week was no exception. We had some amazing experiences and some that were just part of the day but still a delight.

School tours are a regular part of life at the Center—especially in the spring. Third graders study Nebraska History so coming to see us is a part of their experience. They visit the cemetery, watch the pioneer video, take the tour, and often have lunch in our picnic area. This week because of the rain, the tables and the grounds were too wet so Fred called me out to witness this special scene, third graders lined up our sidewalk eating their lunches.

We have a lovely statue of a pioneer handcart family out front and this week I arrived to see sisters from a local Relief Society donning plastic gloves.

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They used brushes and wax to clean and polish the statues.

The famous and not so famous come to see us as well. I had just been thinking how fun it would be to have someone I know walk in the door when who should arrive but Sandra Dallas and her husband. Sandra graduated from East with me, but her life took a different turn. She has lived in Denver and has become a famous author of delightful New York Times Best Sellers and was in town for a book signing promising to come to our 55^th Reunion next August 2012.

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I have been doing lots of reading about the local church history. One of the treats of my day is having my brother John (our Trail Center Director) hand me another interesting article to read about this area, or invite me to his office to listen to some of our local senior missionaries tell stories they have researched about the area. This week one of our guests was one of the most quoted and noted historians of the area-- someone most of you wouldn’t know, but who is our local Iowa/Nebraska church historian extraordinaire-- Gail Holmes.

Probably what will be the highlight of our mission was having Apostle D. Todd Christofferson come to the Trail Center for a tour with his two brothers this week. They arrived very early so they could enjoy the cemetery and then participate in our Prayer Meeting in the Memorial Room. Sister Minert had prayerfully prepared a pioneer story of a Brother Bleak whose life had been saved on the handcart trail. One of the Christofferson brothers noted that Br. Bleak was his wife’s great grandfather! Elder Christofferson told about how as a member of the Missionary Committee he assigns missionaries. He agreed with John that we have amazing Sisters, as John says, “the best”.

Elder Christofferson graciously let us take pictures, and we all relished our opportunity to bask in the light of an Apostle of the Lord. We found him to be a ready listener, a gentle teacher, and a warm and appreciative guest. What wonderful memories for each of the Sisters who were part of the tour and for each of the rest of us as we visited with him afterward sharing stories of the area from Brother Scott and discussing the Church sites the three brothers would want to visit on their day together.

We were blessed to have Elder Christofferson and four other General Authorities, Bishop Richard Edgley, Seventy President Steven E. Snow, Seventy Carl Cook and Seventy Richard Reall conduct an unforgettable all Nebraska Omaha Mission Conference on Saturday morning before these wonderful leaders went their way for Church assignments to do priesthood training in several stakes in our area.

Two events of that conference were especially memorable—each missionary was given an opportunity to shake hands with all our guests, and during the meeting each of these leaders responded to questions the missionaries asked-- particularly noteworthy were the responses to the question “What is the most valuable tool you have learned?” My notebook was brimming with the teachings and testimonies and Elder Christofferson’s Apostolic Blessing.

After our meeting Relief Society sisters from the Old Mill Ward prepared a lovely lunch for 172 missionaries. Did they have a wonderful time visiting with companions they had not seen in many months. Of course, the Seniors are always glad to not have to cook!!

On Sunday, Elder Christofferson returned to the Trail Center with Elder Cook, Bishop Edgley, Elder Reall, and the Kunzes so the other Brethren could have a tour. John had a special packet for each of them of information about our area. We were all pleased to have an opportunity to share our wonderful Center with them.

Life is amazing here and certainly never dull. As you can see, we are having a grand time.