Little League Life Lessons

Hi to all!  Dad and I had a very unique experience this week when we went to Williamsport, PA for a game of the Little League World Series.  Williamsport is about 30 miles north of us and we go there every Wednesday for our District Meetings.  Williamsport’s claim to fame is that is the home of the Little League World Series.  Since day one of the mission, we have been hoping that when it came time for the series to start that we could attend at least one game.  We had no meetings this Wednesday (what luck!) so we stood in line with a few hundred other folks and waited for the doors to open to the field for first come, first served, tickets.  Our luck held out and we got good seats in the shade.  We had so much fun watching these 12 year olds play some very good baseball.  We saw Japan vs Panama:  the Japanese team was precise and amazingly quick as they did infield practice, while the boys from Panama were sort of laid back and much less intense.  You could tell they were all having a great time being there – no one seemed stressed or nervous, just excited and happy to be playing baseball in the United States.  We were not prepared for how well each of the teams played – the pitching and fielding was great!  Japan won the game and they are the international champs.  They play the US champion, Tennessee,  in the final game today.  My money is on the Japanese team.  The insider talk was all about the team from Uganda.  Uganda has tried three years in a row to qualify to represent Africa at the Little League World Series.  The first year they failed to get proper documentation (not too many African women have a birth certificate for their children), the second year the Visa process got delayed, but this year the Uganda team came to the US.  The African kids were so friendly and gracious and became instant celebrities wherever they went.  Their team jersey that was for sale in the gift shop, sold out in the first 2 hours of the two week Series and we noticed lots of people wearing the maroon shirts of the Ugandans. All the teams stay together in an Olympic village sort of facility with a common cafeteria.  The Uganda team discovered pizza and potato chips which they had never tasted before and they couldn’t get enough!  The teams from the US became super close to them and we heard they came out to every possible game to cheer them on.  The stadium was completely packed when the Ugandan team played Panama early in the week.  Even though they lost that game, they had smiles and hugs for all the players.  They went on to win one game and the fans cheered nonstop for the entire game.  These boys came with little equipment and one or two had no baseball shoes.  Through face book, some of the US moms sent out the word and the Uganda team now has backpacks full of clothing, sports equipment, and school supplies to take back to their villages.  What a great little microcosm of life on how we all should get along. Cooperation, compassion, and companionship was demonstrated by these young boys as they played their favorite game and showed basic human decency.  They didn’t realize what was happening because they were just enjoying the moment while the rest of us were watching it all unfold.  What a lesson for all of us.

Pittsburgh PA

When you hear the word “Pittsburgh” what kind of pictures does your mind conjure up?  Are they anything like the pretty photos in this blog post?  We were amazed at this beautiful city and we found so much to see and do in our short two day trip this week.  It is not a smoky, industrial town, but a lovely city at the convergence of two rivers.  It has a rich history and a proud heritage of hard working people who love their city and enjoy their life.  Here is our list of important Pittsburgh people, events and notable info:

Pittsburgh has more bridges than any city in the world

Because of the river system, you can go anywhere in the world from Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh was the fighting ground for much of the French and Indian War and the place where young George Washington felt divine protection and the feeling of destiny for his future

Lewis and Clark left from Pittsburg on their 8000 mile trek to the Pacific Ocean

Pittsburgh was called the Glass City because that industry began here

 Heinz foods originated here when Mr. Heinz had the great idea in 1900 that American women might like to open a can of jam instead of making it from scratch – his 57 products revolutionized the eating habits of the entire country

Innovators like Carnegie, Westinghouse, Mellon originated here

Alcoa aluminum originated here – pop top cans and tin foil

Other famous people from Pittsburgh are Joe Namath, Dan Marino, Andy Warhol, Jonas Salk (the Salk vaccine was discovered in Pittsburgh) Rachel Carson (Silent Spring author who spearheaded removal of DDT in farming),and Fred Rogers whose beloved TV show aired from his neighborhood in Pittsburgh and featured the trolley that Elder A and I rode on (Remember the trolley, guys?)

 I will conclude my homage to Pittsburgh with two simple words – Big Mac – created here for the McDonald Corporation.  Now you are impressed, and my work here is done!!  Enjoy the pictures!

We had a great time at the Pirates/Dodger game – great seats and a good game.  Parking is across the river, and everyone walks across the Roberto Clemente Bridge to get to the ballpark.  Food was great too – we had Primanti Bros deli sandwiches!  It was a great experience even if Dodgers lost.

 

PS:  On our drive home we stopped in the charming little town of Ligonier.  There is a fort there (French and Indian War), the most charming gazebo in the center of town that looks like something out of a movie, and an ice cream parlor that we really enjoyed!!  This state never stops surprising and delighting us!

Missionary Musings

As our family has gathered in Yorba Linda for a reunion of sorts, Elder Abbott and I are having our thoughts turned to all the fun that is going on at home right about now.  We wish we could be with you, but we also know that we belong here for a little while longer.  As it gets closer to the time for our service to be over,  I wonder what we have really accomplished and have our efforts been enough?  We have gotten to know the good Branch members here in Lock Haven, we have tried to serve them as best we could, we have volunteered in the community and tried to put a pleasant and positive “face” on the LDS church, and we have had a few opportunities to teach the missionary lessons – so if this is what serving an MLS mission is all about, then I feel we have been successful.  I was hoping for more, however.  I wanted to see the gospel change hearts and lives.  I wanted to make a difference here.  That has not happened and I know why.  Christlike service is all about being selfless, obedient and diligent.  It is about serving and loving those who may never say thank you or who may never change their hearts or their lives in any specific way.  Preaching the gospel is about one thing only – love.  Feeling the Savior’s love and passing those feelings on to others is what a disciple of Christ does.  I might not be the best Senior Missionary but I am beginning to understand how to be a better disciple of my Savior.  

You Learn Something Every Day!

Greetings to all!   We had a good week and each day seemed to bring some new insights about the gospel plan and especially our experience as missionaries here in Pennsylvania.  Monday Elder A and I split up for a few hours (horrors!) and I went with Sister Neff over the mountain and through the woods (literally) to visit the Lund Family.  Elder A went out to lunch with a brother who is having some problems and who needed a listening ear.  At the Lunds’ we were greeted by one mangy dog, three noisy children, a home in major stages of dishevelment, and sweet Sister Lund who is doing her best to be a good mom, wife, and member of the church.  They moved to our Branch about a month ago and have no employment.  It is a financial sacrifice to get enough gas to drive the 45 miles to church each week,  but they are a faithful family and I know they will be blessed.  We had a good visit and I was happy to hold the baby and clean up a little while Sister Neff gave the Visiting Teaching lesson.  Elder Abbott’s listening ear got a good workout and I was taught a lesson in humility and sacrifice.

Tuesday we drove to Turbotville (I love the amusing names of many of the towns in PA, my favorite is Larryville – it gets me giggling every time I see the sign!) for the funeral of Millie’s sister.  It was held in a lovely old Methodist church in the very small town of Turbotville.  We were the only members of the church to attend the funeral, and we had a chance to meet some of the family members of Millie and Barry,  who were recently baptized.  Millie is one of 12 children which makes me understand a little more about her quiet nature and compliant personality.  The pastor did a decent job, but there was no comfort of the plan of salvation to help this family cope.

Wednesday we spent all day with the Elders at Zone training.  We got fired up to help our Branch make a Branch Mission Plan and make goals with the Branch Council for accountability and success.  We had greasy pizza, potato chips and water for lunch!  The District Leaders were in charge of the food which explains the quality of the meal.   We were spiritually fed, however!  It is always fun and motivating to be with the young Elders and get caught up in some of their enthusiasm.

Friday evening we attended the baptism of Nate Parker, eight years old.  There hasn’t been a child baptism in the Branch for ages which you would think means it is a big deal.  We were sad and disappointed to see a poor turnout, but Nate seemed to enjoy his special day even if there were very few people there to enjoy it with him.  Dad and I just look at each other and shake our heads –  the “Branch family” concept hasn’t quite sunk in here in the Lock Haven Branch.

Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day with no humidity!  We drove to State College Area to visit Rose Ann who was house-sitting in the backwoods somewhere.  We are sending pictures of this amazing house, built and designed by Rose Ann’s friend.  It started as a small cabin, and has become 13,000 square feet of awesomeness!  The difference between this house and most of the other homes we have visited here is astounding.  We ended our day with a special tour of the Woolrich Woolen Mills – the Mills have been here since 1830 and is second to Pendleton Co. in production of wool fabric.  The process is amazingly complicated and we came away with a real appreciation for anything made of wool and an understanding of why good quality wool garments are so expensive.

So to sum up our insights of the week: The gospel is true and we are humbled and blessed to be involved in the great work of sharing the message of Jesus Christ, his love and example of devotion.  On Monday we have an appointment with the Hanna Family for Lesson #2 – the Plan of Salvation.  This week has been a good preparation for us to teach that message with a grateful heart.  We send love to each and every one of you.  Abby and Papa

Happy Anniversary to Us

Hi to all!  It is Sunday, August 5, 2012 and our 42^nd wedding anniversary!  We both find it incredible that this many years have come and gone.  As we look back, it all went by way too fast.  We only had a brief two years before becoming parents and that challenging, rewarding, amazing experience has been ongoing for the past 40 years!!@#?  It has also been fun to think of the many anniversary weekends we have spent over the years, and how special and unique it is to celebrate number 42 as a missionary couple!  We have spent almost every waking minute together this past 4 months and it has been FUN!  I have watched “Elder Abbott” handle some pretty dicey situations (ask me to elaborate sometime)and he has risen to those occasions with wisdom and strength.  The truth is, he is a much better missionary than I – he is greatly admired in our little Branch.  Most of our phone calls are for him, and he is called on to serve and bless the Branch members on a regular basis.  He is a very good teacher –  He has the ability to explain the gospel very well and has become a more compassionate person.  I am a lucky girl to be his companion, but I do tell others that I am really the Senior Companion!

So we did what many people in the East do for their anniversary – we went to the Poconos!  The Pocono Mountains (more like hills) are about a two hour drive and we stayed at a destination wedding hotel called the Stroudsmoor Inn.  Our suite was very nice, and the grounds were beautiful.  We had a delicious dinner at the restaurant there and relaxed on our balcony overlooking the hemlock forest with the full moon shining down on us.  We hiked to Bushkill Falls (almost renamed “Abbykill Falls” because of all the stairs I had to climb in 90 degree humid weather!), and also visited a living history farm way in the back hills.  As we drove around this lovely, wooded countryside, I was reminded again how much I have loved every part of Pennsylvania.

We were able to teach Lance Litton, our only investigator, last week.  He is coming along.  Sister Neff, our best PA buddy and the RS President, helped us teach and told her conversion story.  We are trying to have a member of the Branch attend each of his lessons, so he can meet some friendly members and feel comfortable at church.  We are hoping he will come to the baptism of Nate Parker, a very cute 8 year old, that is getting baptized this coming Friday.  We were sad for our newest convert, Miller Yoder, whose sister passed away from cancer yesterday.  The Yoders have been facing some challenges since being baptized, but they know that the gospel has given them strength to cope and they are happy that the church has become a part of their lives at this time.  Barry passed the sacrament for the first time today, and I was almost as proud as I was when our sons were new deacons!! They have a firm goal of going to the temple on May 4, 2013.  Wish we could be here for that.

We watch lots of the Olympics because they are on later in the evenings here.  It is an inspiration to see these athletes compete.  It has been so much fun over the years to watch the Olympics as a family – I need someone to get excited about Gymnastics with me, and Papa needs someone who cares about running and swimming and beach volleyball!  In the absence of our children and grandchildren, we try our best…..

We miss you all and hope you have a wonderful week.  Remember we love you.  Mom and Dad