Margaret Clark Journals
June 1, 1997
Location:
Scottsbluff - 541 miles left, Nebraska - Location: 41:52:00N 103:40:00W Elevation: 3880 feet
Summary: Sunday
in Scottsbluff.
Journal entry:
I wonder when I get home will I still wake up at 4:30 every morning?
But I had the inspiring chance to watch the sunrise. It was one
of the good ones. I‰m sure you tire of my descriptions of sunrises,
but to me it is a wonder of nature how each morning can be different
and yet so beautiful.
We had an interdenominational sunrise service at 6:30 am with the
Methodist church choir. Their music was lovely. Elder Richard Clarke
of the First Seventy of the LDS church was the speaker. He spoke
of cooperation and love among all Christians and the development
of love from distrust and understanding from misunderstanding. The
prayer was one of the local ministers. I regret not remembering
his name. He gave a beautiful prayer and blessed the wagon train
on their journey westward. It was quite eloquent.
I returned to the RV to find Pam nursing her sore, tender feet.
Not long after, a knock was heard at our door . I opened it to find
a kindly-looking couple who inquired of the ÒEnglish lady with very
sore feet.Ó I invited them in and offered what small seating accommodations
we had. They introduced themselves as Ray and MaryLou Lind from
here in Scottsbluff. Their purpose in coming was to inquire of the
lady with sore feet. Pam showed them her toes and blisters. Mr.
Lind in a very kindly, sincere way explained that he had a very
comfortable pair of walking shoes and would be glad to give them
to her. I was enthralled as he unlaced his shoes and allowed Pam
to try them on. They fit quite well and seemed comfortable enough.
We visited awhile and they got up to leave. We offered him some
shoes to at least walk to his car, but he would hear nothing of
the sort. He and his wife left and walked through the alfalfa field
to their car. She with shoes; he without. It was a very touching
scene. We waved our thanks and they drove away.
Sacrament meeting was over 1,100 people. We are growing in numbers
every week. It was hot, but the people stayed. Elder Clarke and
his wife, Barbara, spoke of pioneers and living the legacy. The
Scottsbluff ward members provided music. It was a great meeting.
Sunday is a day of rest; catching up on journals; writing letters;
going to the local ward building to see the latest Odyssey series;
and doing the things that there just is not time for during the
week. We all look forward to Sunday. Because I am writing this on
Monday, I can tell you about the storm last night. We had lightening
and thunder and predictions of hail and tornados. The lightening
and thunder was correct, but no hail or tornados. I understand the
hail storm went a little ways north of us and there were no tornados
here. I feel a sense of safety when I stay with this group. I feel
the hand of the Lord with us and protecting us. We have had many
blessings from our church leaders, and I know they are a moving
force in our westward trek.
Just as the pioneers of old were lifted and guided and protected,
I feel the same assurance as we face many of the same natural forces
of nature. I feel the rainy weather we have had is a blessing for
us. We are cool and comfortable and the animals fare well. We have
also watched the rains bring cheer and comfort to the local people,
the ranchers and farmers, as they bless the rain that falls on their
parched lands. I know that many people are watching and following
our little wagon train with thanks for our efforts in attempting
to reproduce in a small way the trails of the pioneers. Not only
do we represent ourselves in this little band, but we represent
all of you who wish you could be here. This is not the efforts of
a few hundred, but the combined efforts of hundreds of thousands
of true descendants and adopted descendants of the Mormon pioneers.
It is truly my privilege to be here for you. HappyNetTrekking!
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