The Colors of My Mission

When I first came to Ensign Ranch

 The nights were long, the mornings crisp and cold-

The sky seemed often gray and bleak

With bare branches stark and bold.

The time went by and the nights grew shorter

The sun was up when the day begun.

When we saw the pink and purple of the Trillium

It meant that winter was on the run.

Before we knew it our world was green

With all of the shrubs and trees.

Visions of majestic mountains

And a constant gentle breeze.

The forest floor and paths

Yes, green were the pastures and meadows

And then there were various hues of blue

That the streams and lakes and rivers hath.

Sometimes when the sun was shining

There was still a constant mist

Not a cloud in the sky from whence it might come

There were many navy blue skies at night

With bright white twinkling stars;

And on summer evenings when it started to cool

Spectacular lavender sunsets were ours.

Then often when least expecting it

Liquid sunshine was the gist.

We’d raise our eyes and see

A rainbow with every color

Making a heavenly canopy.

Oh, My! About the rainbows

Arching over and beyond our view

The promise it represents from God

And our knowledge that it’s true.

This has been a time of service

How fun to have it be something I love

In this autumn of my life.

With very little strife.

We felt that the call

To serve at Ensign Ranch

Was truly from the Lord,

And not just happenstance.

Here we learned that we were not alone

With broken hearts and humble spirits

We came together in peace to serve as one.

We asked our Heavenly Father

To help us understand the reason

That four of six couples serving today

Were brought together for a season.

In the loss of a beloved son.

It’s almost overwhelming when I focus

Across the continuum of the past twelve months

We felt the presence of our sons

Encouraging and assisting us for good.

Life has come and then it goes

A cycle of Gods Plan

On the colors that have span-

Serving the best we could

Now I ask myself often

Did I make a difference in someone’s life this year?

Even though I say “It’s all about food”

And the accolades were clear…

Should I have chosen another path

Or was what I had to offer him

To serve my fellow man?

Acceptable for his plan?

The friendships formed and bonds built

Will last throughout the years…

Though years have come and gone

Then sometime in eternity

We’ll reunite with tears.

And now I’m officially old

I find my world is changing

 From emerald green to burning gold.

Sister Jimae Kenney – Serving at Ensign Ranch, Cle Elum, Washington - 2015

changes from green to gold

November 12

Since I wrote last we were able to cross one thing off the bucket list and that was to visit Mt. Rainer. It was a beautiful clear day (probably the last one of the year) and we drove all around the base and we were about the only ones there, beautiful views that I'll always remember.

I check the weather channel daily to look at the forecast for snow or cold (freezing) as those are the two things that might necessitate our coming home early. However, now I have to check the weather cast hourly to see if it is going to rain - Because we have discovered a leak in the roof of the Motorhome. Luckily it is on Moms side of the bed so that so far I have not gotten MY socks wet! The problem seems to be with the bedroom slide out so if we keep the slide out pulled in - we're Ok. That however is a problem at night. Because it rains every night - and because it is a fact of life that old people have to use the facilities at least once in the middle of the night - it results in my dear sweet wife having to climb over me - without touching my toe - to get up and out. We are considering moving back onto our little house for the last three weeks, but that's a pain too.

Two days later: on our way to semi-annual zone conference in Belview. Mom was in charge of dessert for all - about 40. This she has been busy creating a holiday cake buffet (that would be 5 different cakes she made all from scratch) and are now being transported over the mountains and through the woods in the back of the Ranch Suburban. She warned the young Elders to not be messing around or get too rowdy or even think about getting close to her cakes!

Tried wrapping exterior of RV with a tarp - it didn't work . Still wet (as HER socks will testify).  I've offered to switch sides but she has everything "just so" and doesn't want me messing around with her stuff either. She does not want to move to little house - too much work. She would rather climb over me at night. So - --

It's three weeks from today that we'll be leaving - just right to finish up my family cabin project and paint ALL doors in the Lodge.

Love you all - Dad

October 18

Well it's been another two weeks since we've last written - boy is time going by fast now! One big accomplishment of the past week is the solving of the "big toe" issue. By last Sunday and then Monday, the toe looked as though it was ready to explode (and felt like it too). We decided on Monday night that toe was a priority for Tuesday. We were headed to the ER at the hospital in Ellensberg but stopped to get gas (and Diet Coke) in Cle Elum. I had previously tried to call the local pharmacist in town to ask for advise on a specific doctor to see but had not gotten thru. So, since we got off in town already we stopped at the drug store and I went in to ask the pharmacist for his advice and/or the name of a doctor. Everyone had had advice - but we honestly didn't know whether to find an infectious disease doctor, a vascular specialist, a dermatologist or a podiatrist or just easier, but more expensive to go to an ER. As soon as Dave, the pharmacist saw me he came right out to talk to me. He immediately told me that he had this one handled. He told me to expect a call from a Dr. Johnson, a podiatrist in Yakima. In the meantime, Dad and I felt we needed to continue towards doing something - so we continued our drive into Ellensberg - still heading for the hospital. We were just arriving at the hospital when Dr. Johnson called. He said he would be happy to see us early that afternoon. So, literally within 5 minutes of paying for an ER visit we headed on down the road to Yakima. Dr. Johnson was very personable and after a couple of pokes and prods said "this is simple. At some time in the past year you did something to severely damage your "toe nail" and it needs to come off." I left the room because I really don't do blood and guts and stuff and within 10 minutes Dad came out to the waiting room and said he was ready to go dancing! Well, that lasted for about a half hour on the drive home before the "pain" set in. He was no longer interested in going dancing; in fact he didn't know how he would get from the car and up the four steps into the RV!  Well, each day the toe has gotten better and better.  I don't really think he will "offer to go dancing" again in his lifetime but he now can contemplate future golf games.  This we are very grateful for this past week.  That we live in a time when these things can be taken care of and for the kindness of people who cared about us.  (And we think the Dr. isn't going to charge us anything.)

The other thing we did this week so we could cross it off our 'while in Washington' list was to go to 'the mountain'.  That would be Mt. Rainier.  On Wednesday night I suggested he look at the weather predictions for the next day and since he was feeling so much better we should go.  The magical maps of the mountain showed it to be a clear, cloud free day, and so we went. 

It was spectacular and such a beautiful day of seeing the majesty of the mountain as well as the surrounding area (that would be before the encounter of the infamous Tacoma/Seattle traffic.)

I truly have appreciated the beauty of nature as we have transitioned from a green world to one of gold.  The deer and elk are back and the nights are crisp.  We have been asked to fast and pray for 'snow' for the area.

My big deal this week was to plan, prepare and serve a nice dinner for 50 people on Wednesday night.  It was the annual council meeting for the 'owners' of the ranch which is the Stake Presidents and Stake Young Women Presidents from the 10 stakes that literally 'own' the property.  It turned out lovely.

We decorated in dark blue with silver tinsel and sparkly white snowflakes and ice-cycles.  Then had lots of York Peppermint Patties spread out on the tables.  The theme was "Wising for Winter."  (surprise, surprise--I didn't think of taking any pictures for you.)  We had a magnificent salad bar, baked potatoes with my world famous (now even more famous) baked potato topper, pulled pork on an Asiago cheese roll and caramel apple cake for dessert.  It was all a big hit!

All is well here--as we begin a count down.  Two more couples leave the end of the month and then it will be us.  Dad has started 'packing up' unneeded items, which apparently included my winter clothes and coats.  He thinks I can do without them.  Honestly he must have been on pain meds that day because now he has to go 'unpack' that section OR we could go shopping at the outlet mall.  I think he has decided to 'unpack'. 

Love to all,

Mom

October 4

So the week before we came home our big event happened up here at the ranch. We had 2000 people here (old single adults and their kids). They needed to have big commercial tents set up so I've attached A video of the one literally right outside our door going up. It was fun to see the property thoroughly utilized.

As most of you know I was having an issue with my big toe (which is still an issue by the way) so we left up here and went home to see my own Dr., who needless to say wasn't nearly as worked up about it as Jimae and I were. He basically told Mom "to stay off the internet re: medical issues because they only have the worst stories represented."

We got to spend those two weeks with Ben and his family in our home. It was almost like we were supposed to be there to help support him in making the important employment decision and then so great to be there for the excitement once he did.

It was good to get back to feel like I could continue in this mission and accomplish something. My main new assignment is to refinish/ restore an old antique buggy/carriage to have one of the horses pull. It was donated by a member that didn't want to keep it around any more. It was in pretty rough shape - please see the " before" picture. Its always great to have my own project so I've taken a special interest in it. Once I am through with all the woodwork it will be taken to someone else to be reupholstered.

Our time is getting short so I thought we better finish up our "bucket" list for while we live here. Therefore on our last P-day we ventured in to the big city again and went to Pikes market place and rode to the top of the space needle. We still need to get to Mt. Rainier and the Columbia River Temple.

Hoping all your toes are doing well - love, Elder Kenney

September 27

Well, it's been a while since we've given an official update- we ended our mission summer season successfully. It was a lot of work, activity and general level of excitement and accomplishment right up until the end - which was Labor Day.

For about six weeks up until that point Elder Kenney (Bruce) had been "fussing" about his big toe on his right foot. Once he shared his concern with me - we got him into the Health Clinic in Cle Elum with a diagnosis of cellulitis - no real concern and put on Keflix (sp?)

It improved but as soon as the antibiotic was finished it started getting worse again, back to the clinic and referred to a Doctor who put him on Clindimycin. Toe did not improve at all - in fact seemed to be getting worse.  So, because of his diabetes I read up on the Internet and determined he needed to get back to SLC and his own doctor.

Fast forward 20 days and after literally 10 doctor appointments, and 12 trips to the pharmacy we are almost back to our Home-sweet-home - motor home at Ensign Ranch.

(All of the dr appointments were not his - I had my share also.)

The thing is - his "big toe" is just like it was when we left. After another round of Keflix (after all it worked the first time - right?) it was determined to treat it as a fungus rather than bacteria. Anyways no one seemed as concerned about it as me - so we're moving on. Will give you all an update   If / or when amputation is required!

In the meantime, we had a great little vacation and time away from the mission experiencing many guilty pleasures like restaurant meals, a $1000 day at Lagoon and two fountain diet cokes a day.

It was a very special time for us to be with Ben and his family as he had various job possibilities arise and he had to make some hard decisions about his future and how best to support his family. I think he and Katherine appreciated our being there and our input. Then came the celebration as a decision was made. I went to sleep one night with a smile on my face just realizing a "tender mercy" of our being there to see our son be so excited and appreciated by probably the biggest construction company in Utah - Oakland Construction. Let's see: new I phone, iPad, laptop, health insurance to begin immediately, matching 401 k, profit share/bonuses, 4 weeks paid vacation, anything he wanted from the "swag vault" and last but not least a new explorer with accompanying  gas card!!!!!!!!

Well, we're within 20 minutes of being back and want to thank all of you for being our friends and family and for your love and support, And also for our many blessings we have received from our Heavenly Father.

Love from Mom/Jimae

August 16

As the official temporary sign maker this change has put a lot more pressure for me to make more signs to send more people to more places than ever before.  But, since it kept me busy for two and a half days I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have made five light weight sawhorses that are easy for me to carry around and load in and out of my truck to post the signs on at major intersections. I keep them at my place so they are readily available when I need them.

We recently passed the two thirds  date of our mission so we have allowed ourselves to talk about what our life will look like when we come home. Things like: do we get Mom a car or try to share my truck; if so, what and when. When perusing car ads last night I shared with her the details of a used Toyota Highlander. She asked what color it was - like, I mean is that really important? The color was "Salsa Red Pearl" - since then she has been harassing me to have Ben go look at it and buy it so it is ready and waiting for her when she comes home- all because of the name of the color! Sheesh! What we guys put up with. She could care less about the age or the miles or probably the cost - it's all about the name of the color.

We are talking about whether and how much I will work - whether to paint or teach. And, of course we still haven't figured out if we will be stable on our retirement income. Your mother dreams and talks about trips - but I am holding out for an Alaskan cruise with my children and their spouses in a couple of years.

Mom is planning on giving service again at the Humanitarian Center. She will not be working making the big bucks as she officially gave up her license and certification - and of course working at Justice for Girls or Buy Buy Baby is out of the question.

(She would spend way more than she could ever make!) Needless to say we are facing full retirement and it is a little scary realizing we have no idea what we are doing. We just want to be with our family and friends - especially those of you that are reading this blog spot. That's all for now - love Dad

August 9, 2015

Well- it's that time of week again. I'm sitting outside in my lounge chair just veggin' after riding my bike around the lake. It is very peaceful even though Interstate 90 is buzzin by. We had a special surprise this week with a two day visit from our good friends the Schwobes. She texted on Wednesday that her husband was determined they were coming. She is always so worried about "imposing" where David is more lets just go and say "hi". It was great. It was enough notice to get our floor swept and the paint shop cleaned up out of the living room. They got here in time for dinner with us on Friday and then Sat. Morning I worked hard and got lunch and dinner done so that we could spend Sat afternoon and evening with them. We went to Leavenworth, where the highlight was the beautiful flowers. We came back to our home sweet home and had Costco ribs I just happened to have on hand. Then a second rousing night of Penuchle! May I just say that the women held their own both nights which isn't always the case.

This was our last big week of girls camp. The next group is a huge group that rents the whole place and is called "The Church of the Blessing." There is something interesting about them, but I can't remember what it is. We'll have to fill you in next week.

Our group starts to dissipate this week. One of the wranglers goes off to college. Actually, now I think about it, I need to confess that the usual paragon of patience and kindness (aka - your mother) totally lost it this week with three of the young people here and had to be called in to the principal's office. The issue was regarding what time they showed up for dinner without calling to say they would be late (which, just to clarify, is the rule)....well they came in looking for food 40 minutes late and we were all but all cleaned up. Let's just say I did NOT win the battle and from now on the food has to be left out for an hour. Oh well, I am here but to serve - right?

Dads cold got much worse before it got better. He still occasionally goes into fits of coughing up a lung, but in general is feeling better.

Oh yes, one other thing. Jill, the manager's wife, has a beautiful vegetable garden. She has basically left town for 6 weeks and has asked me to hand water twice a day and harvest said veggies. The 10 species of tomatoes I can handle. It's the forest of romaine I have no idea how to do. It looks like I need a machete. I've got to go on the Internet to find out how. Homemade Salsa anyone?

Love - Mom

August 2, 2015

Some of you noticed that I took a brief leave from writing last week. That was because the only thing I could think of to say was "no news is good news" (I think). not that I have anything monumental to share now but here goes-

Another hot week but we made it till August! My highlight of the week was watching a trek group of 300 get loaded up and off and then seeing them come back. They were divided up into companies of 50. As they rounded the bend coming back , one young man was heard to say as he realized where he was "you mean we were this close last night and we didn't know it!" I don't know if he had known, he might have gotten to the freeway and hitchhiked home.

There's been a lot of talking and thinking about our ancestors this past month  and so I have certainly had the opportunity to reflect on both our pilgrim and our pioneer heritage. In our scripture study we have just finished reading the D&C and have been reminded of the early history of the church. It has made me appreciate all the sacrifices they made on l our behalf.

Our young Elders have had a viral gomboo that unfortunately I have now. Don't worry about me, it's just a bad cold involving the entire breathing system. Mom had to break the Sabbath and go buy me both DayQuil and NightQuil. No, she did not take the opportunity to buy a Diet Coke since she was already breaking the Sabbath (at least that's what she says).

I continue to make signs - both permanent and temporary. This week I did some that needed to have small reflective beads painted into the grooves of the letters - an interesting paint job I'd never done before.

We are planning a tourist type of experience for next Thursday's. We are going with my friend, Steve Schauerhamer and his wife to San Juan Island.

The dynamics of the personalities here is undergoing a change. The long-termers that were here before us are officially getting "trunkey" and when they are gone next month Mom and I will have been here the longest. Does that mean we're "the Senior - Senior Couple"? Who knows - love Dad

July 19, 2015

The most interesting thing that happened to me this week was a package I received from Amazon. Let me preface this with a story about the ONLY other time I ordered anything from Amazon. It was about 6 or 7 years ago. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) in my book club ordered their books from Amazon - often used - for such good prices. So, I decided in one of my rare moments to be thrifty, to finally bite the bullet and purchase "on line" rather that run down to Barnes and Noble. I managed to get to the website and even found the book (which I might mention was "the Count of Monte Cristo" - which I recommended to the book group because in a recent conversation, my daughter Nicole, had said it was her all-time favorite book. ) Anyways, back to the story - I ordered and three days later it arrived. I was excited to open the package and look at the deal I got. The book was in French!  So down to Barnes and Noble I went.

Well, my current association with Amazon and purchasing is this. Elder Kenney has made a magnificent commitment to reading the entire Work and the Glory series. He is pretty close to being done. He repeatedly has told me that I need to read them, that I would just love them and I would learn so much- partly because we are reading the D&C in scripture study. Because we are on a mission I know I should be reading only edifying and uplifting material. I got a hold of book number one in the series. The problem was that every time I tried to read it - I would fall asleep.  So then I thought about getting the audio version so that i cold listen to them in the kitchen while I cook.  My darling Laura knew this was one of my goals and so she diligently made me a set of CD's of the first book. (Our library here does not have them, nor do they participate in an inter library loan system or I would have tried that route first.) Laura's timing was perfect -she had them ready for me to listen to as I drove the truck back from SLC when we came to pick up the RV. I got through most of it and soon finished it thereafter. Yes, I enjoyed it and was able to put some historical facts into the saga of the Steed family.

Well, I didn't have the heart to ask Laura to do book 2 - not only her time, but it did take 14 CD's which would be an expense. And then there would be volumes 3-????. So, once again thinking I would save money by purchasing a used set of the entire 9 volumes on line- I once again went to Amazon. Oh my, there were lots and lots of choices. I carefully perused them and made my choice - the full set for a mere $90.00 plus shipping. I entered my credit card info and pushed the button. It was a done deal until the "very large, very heavy box arrived." Elder Kenney picked the box up from the office, opened it and brought volume two over for me to start listening to, right away. His first words were, "how are you going to listen to this?" Me: "what?" Him: " do you have a cassette player? " Me: "a what?"  Him: "A thing to listen to these on." "Well, yes, I have this CD player right here." "well" was his response - "you are not going to be able to play these audio cassettes on that thing!" So after trying the only 2 stores in town and at the 3rd antique store I was able to purchase an "antique" audio cassette player at an antique price. Now I am ready to continue with the saga of the Steeds and their historical religious journey.

I know - a lot of words about nothing - but like I said in the beginning it was something out of the ordinary. We had a lot going on here. Three girls camps and lots of others. The slip n slide was packed with a very long line snaking out and around the area.

Probably about 1500 on property. Then on Saturday as the girls camps were leaving, I was the recipient of their leftovers. They started bringing it in by the case loads. There was green leaf lettuce (25 heads), iceberg lettuce (20 heads) and romaine lettuce that was already torn apart into leaves and put in a garbage bag - so that I could "stuff" it all on into one refrigerator shelf and close the door quick! Also 8 of those large 5 pound commercial size of lettuce salad mix ready to go. It is vacuum-packed so it doesn't look too bad until you open the bag and it explodes!!! Tomorrow I will decide in reality what we can and can not use according to how much refrigeration I can come up with. And yes, all of them had good old pancake mix and syrup by the gallons, along with GIANT size containers of MUSTARD.

Also our biggest week for horse back rides. All together over 500. So, it could be worse. At least I didn't have to be on a horse from 7 am to 7:30 pm. I did, however, have to have dinner ready at 6:00 for the 16 people but then keep it warm (and in good-shape) for the other 9 people when they came dragging in at 7:30 pm. This week our challenge will be the Tongans. I understand that the over 1000 of them will provide ample stories for next time. Until then........love, Mom.

My cute aprons made from the scraps of grand-daughters skirt sewing project last summer

7/12/2013

Whew! After three weeks of record breaking heat we finally got a break - a break in the temperature that is, in fact this morning I had to turn the furnace on (partly because my companion insists on leaving the window a little bit open) so now I can enjoy being outside and enjoying that part of the Ensign Ranch experience.

We had a surprise visitor show up at our door on  Wednesday - it was Wes and Lucus. We'd known they were coming sometime but didn't know exactly when.  They were stopping by on their way to his Grandmothers birthday celebration. They spent the night and got to enjoy the water slide experience,  the canoes on the lake, and floating down the river on tubes. We have actually shared those tubes with others and they have the experience very much.

Today one of our young Elders was asked to speak in church. He did a great job of giving a talk my wife wrote for him. He was so stressed out about it that she offered to help and ended up writing most of it.

This last few weeks, we've had over 1500 people be able to enjoy the property that we have been diligently doing our part to make it what it is.

A car was donated to the ranch. The next day I was asked to go to town with the manager to be his second in transporting money to the bank. Besides traveling at 50 miles per hour down Hundley Road, he had ample time to tell me about how difficult it is to work with the SLC  people to obtain the permission to even own the truck as a piece of equipment that will only be used on the property. It just seems like something you might think would be easy - becomes complicated. Lots of bureaucracy and red tape.

Time for me to take my nap - all is well - love - Dad

if you look close on this one there is a little deer watching me work

REUNION time!

Well, some of you may realize that we took a brief hiatus from our missionary memories. Actually- it looks like it's been a whole month. Wow!!! Where has the time gone? The past two Sunday's was because we were actually with our kids, the other two weeks who knows. I think I was in a crisis of some kind or another. With the passing of the 4th of July yesterday, we realize that we are really on the downside (and downslide) now.

We really enjoyed our family members being here with us and being able to share in the special spirit we get to live with here on Ensign Ranch.

Not just the beauties of nature, but some of the activities and meeting one of the local families and sharing in some of their family activities and traditions. My pictures for the week will be from those times.

Two of my brothers and their wives and my sister, Kriss and her husband joined us, as well as a few nieces and nephews and their kids.

The weather was warm and sunny with very little liquid sunshine.

For people that weren't here I wanted to explain the first annual David Kenney blind fun run. Ben and Maisie were in charge of it. We had the perfect location of the 1 mile path around the lake. Everyone had a running partner and each person took a turn at being blindfolded and then holding on to their partners arm. The partner would have to communicate about the trail and what was happening. This was in memory of David and of his running cross country with his blind friend, Eric Carrillo. Me? I just rode my cute bicycle around the lake two times. It was getting way too hot for an old lady like me to be exerting herself in this way. (Picture included)

This past week we had Camp Helaman that was comprised of over 500 young men of Priest age from the state. The missionaries were invited to their closing dinner. It was powerful to hear these young men sing and then they had all those that had received mission calls come to the mic and introduce themselves, where they were from and where and when they were going. It too was powerful!

Perhaps that will be my favorite mission memory.

We are getting back in the groove and when I went grocery shopping this week I spent almost $1800. We were out of a lot of stuff. It was tricky getting the milk and cold stuff back in over 100 degree temperature using the back seat and open back of the truck.

All is well up here in the north country of Washington- love you all - Sister Kenney

June 7, 2015

Another week has gone by and we find ourselves at the halfway point of our mission. It was very interesting this weekend to see some of our projects actually completed and ready to go. The first one of interest was the Teepees. To see all my poles put to use and the process that had to be gone thru to get them standing and then stay standing was amazing . There was a lot of painting of fences, barn and bathrooms being done by members of our stake. We had over 300 volunteers on site yesterday - getting things done. I spent the week painting and  spraying the new little kitchen. My colored trail markers are up and ready to identify any hike you might be interested in. I got a nice compliment from the boss about how I was doing the  temporary signs for the weekends too. I have to admit here that it was your mother's idea to do them on the computer.  She made me a template with the font size at 200 and then taught me how to do them.

A new task I've been assigned is to build a replica of the box the gold plates were buried in for an activity where the young women will actually bury the replica and/or go and dig it up. The actual box was made of stone and I was fussing about how to do it and then I realized the flooring vinyl that was put in the new little kitchen was of a stone or cobble design. I felt dumb that I didn't think of that sooner.  Larry said that last summer they did this activity with the box and plates for the first time and many of the young women said this was the highlight of their experience at camp.

We are looking forward to the safe arrival of Ben's family next week and many more of you the week after. Love, Dad

My trail markers

Mom's three full shopping carts

May 31, 2015

Another week of working hard to get ready for the summer. I did pretty good in the kitchen except for a Caesar's Chicken dish that your father announced to everyone that it "looked better than it tasted" and he thought he was giving me a compliment. Let's just say that all the sisters were on my side in the ensuing discussion. The ladies actually had an afternoon off and we all went to a huge antique store called Apple Annie's and then had dinner in a cute 50's diner. It was fun and interesting to see what types of things everyone gravitated to. For one it was the vintage clothes, for several the old furniture, one was looking for an old quilt to be her mission keepsake. I loved looking at the dishes and looking for a small tea set.

The weather has been much warmer, but still some occasional rain. The drama continues with the young elders and the wranglers, and there have been some senior missionary health issues that need to be addressed.

We now have eight couples and as I have gotten to know them all I can honestly say they are very special and I feel a love and bond with them. It is so interesting to see everyone's special abilities that fill a need. Tomorrow Dad will start painting the exterior of the portable kitchen. He also did the special wood trim around the windows. But the day they poured the cement slab - it was others that had the experience and he wasn't asked to help with that. We just happen to also have a plumber and another one an electrician.

The end of next week will be our half way mark. Now that its behind us it seems like it's gone pretty fast. It's helped a lot that we've been able to see our family not once, but twice and we will be seeing most of you again in a few weeks.

I've finally stopped looking for new dinner ideas. I have a four week cycle that we will just repeat. I have most of the order lists (shopping lists) ready so that I don't have to fuss as much with those. Tomorrow we are off to Costco to spend another $1000. I have liked their meat very much but have gotten some terrible produce! I will not buy corn, lettuce or watermelon from them ever again. They are usually pretty good about returns - but for produce you have to take the rotten stuff back to get a refund. I'm just not going to keep the half eaten corn cobs and slimy lettuce and just plain bad watermelon around, either smelling bad or taking up precious space in a fridge. So I'm mad at them - there, now I've got that off my chest!

Love you all, Mom

May 24, 2015

Projects for me this past two weeks have been to put a fence around a culvert - pic included - and helping build a new kitchen at one of the girls camps. This is where the stove is going that we brought back from SLC that almost cost my wife her sanity when pulling the trailer with the truck.

Our days are getting longer - as we have added another hour and a half to our schedule. We start now at 7:00 AM and don't have dinner until 6:00 PM. On Friday I offered to help do the evening trash pick up with Elder Farr and that didn't start until after dinner, which meant I didn't finish my day until after 7:30 - and since we started at 7:00 AM it meant that even with 2 meal breaks it was a very long day - hope I don't have to repeat that often.

I guess I feel like my thoughts for this week have been about the various talents and personalities of our group. Some are stronger in "said personalities" than others. So as we are forming our groups and performing in our individual capacities it has been interesting to note the dynamics. The four people in the horse group all have opinions on how those horses should be "handled" - this results in seeing differing opinions at the best. Then the three people on the office deal with a lot of stress in handling the public and thus it's easy to get on each other's nerves.  Then the three young Elders are CONSTANTly at each other over "whatever" and really don't get along very well. Then throw in the two cute wrangler girls and the Young Elders are in turmoil. This brings me to my thoughts that in our unique ways, Sister Kenney as the cook/warm fuzzy food person and me as special projects just don't get caught up in the minor disputes that seem to be continuously brewing. And so it seems that maybe our peacekeeping skills are being utilized.

We are so looking forward to the Ben Kenney's return and seeing all of you in a few short weeks. We love you so much and are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love, Dad

May 17, 2015

It's been two weeks so quite a bit to catch up on. We are settled in to the RV and we love it! The dynamics of the number of people has changed drastically. We are now up to twenty with one more coming tonight. We found out that the one more couple that is scheduled to come is a good friend of Dads from high school and was from my good old Parleys Second Ward - Steve Schauerhammer and his wife, Sue.

The last time I shopped at Costco they were doing food samples of pot stickers and "Indian Samosas" so I decided to do a "far eastern" themed meal. It included sweet sticky rice steamed in banana leaves served with guava slices and coconut milk (purchased at Costco also). Everyone was at least "polite" about it - except the father of this family. His verbal abuse that it was the "worst" meal I had ever served him continued into the night when he told me I would be lucky if no one called the Health Department and reported me for trying to poison them all. That was just before he fixed himself a bowl of grapenuts to try to counteract the deleterious effects!

This morning he was telling me about his night of "vivid" dreams and still blaming last nights meal.

I guess I'm going to stick to meatloaf, chili, sloppy joes and barbecups. After all, I am nothing but a dutiful, supportive wife.

The weather has been windy with liquid-sunshine; the Trillium have passed through its white and pink cycles, are now are purple and fading. Our Elk heard has moved up higher into the mountains but we had seen signs of a bear and then last week one senior elder saw two bear cubs frolicking in the meadow when he was out for his evening walk. He was smart enough to not stick around to see the mother.

There is lots of work to get ready for our season to begin very soon - the hides are being put on the tepees, the climbing wall and rope swings are being tested for safety and over 50 "biffies" are being pumped, cleared of cobwebs and winter living quarters for all kinds of small animal life from mice to flying squirrels (really) (now that could lead to a real nightmare) and stocked with TP. Note: not too much at one time because that would lead to inappropriate use of said TP- so each Buffy has to be "checked" and stocked at least three times a day. Dad is NOT excited about this being his regular assignment should (more like when) it come. Or it could be to actually go to each Buffy and pump it out each morning-for sure he'll get some of that duty.

When we were in SLC to get the motorhome, while shopping at Camperworld I fell in love with something I just had to have!!! The color was pinkish-purple, had three wheels and a ding-a-ling bell! I begged for it for Mother's Day and "he" refused - imagine that! The next day, after much quiet-harrassment - he agreed that I could get it - but I had to use my "own" money from what remained in the dwindling fun account. I was so excited!!! It has been great - both fun and useful to get back and forth. I have ridden it every day except the day that the worlds fanciest-bicycle-lock became disfunctional and had to be "cut off".

(Go figure) Anyway - I'm determined to prove Mr. Bah-humbug wrong and that I will use it more successfully than I did the last bicycle (powder-blue-Townie with front basket rack - remember). I will admit I have been in one accident but it honestly wasn't my fault. The young elders were vying for my attention, each promising to "FIX" my handlebars and after they all were tired of "fooling with it" they left them not tightened. Unknowingly, I jumped on the next morning and just as I got up enough speed to start up a small hill, the handlebars went CRAZY and I crashed into a fence. Luckily the fence was there, or I would have ended up in the pond. I scrapped my knuckles and bruised my arm but mostly bruised my pride. I mean -  really! How can an old lady go wrong with a tricycle?

Don't worry about me because

 I'll just be Cookin' - meatloaf and Grandma Kenney's meatballs.

Love, Mom

May 3

We haven't written in the past two weeks because we had a lot happen all at once and we actually were able to see a lot of you.

On the Thursday of April 18 we finally got the "go ahead" to make our mission dream come true! We were asked if we "really wouldn't mind" going home and getting our RV to live in. Sure enough, just as we had hoped, there is a couple that wants to serve, but does not have living accommodations (and a tent is not an option.)

So in my wife's wisdom she jumped on the idea and had us on our way as soon as she finished speaking in sacrament meeting three days later.

There was also an additional idea that had been brewing in her head of a beautiful (functionally speaking) commercial stove that she knew of that the ranch could really use that she could get for "free". And Ensign Ranch is all about what they can get for "free." So, that idea and arrangements had to be followed thru on. This involved us towing an empty 8 foot trailer to SLC to bring back that well-over 1,000 pound succor!

Served her right! She had to tow the thing back with my truck all the way by herself, while I traveled in the relative peace and luxury of the motor home. Actually, I was very proud of her. She managed to follow close behind me most of the time and she only panicked when the entire load would obviously shift position to the point that she couldn't see it anymore out of the right hand rear view mirror.

Because the stove was on wheels it was more of a challenge than we had anticipated. This necessitated us stopping at every other rest stop along the 800 miles and re-strapping to secure the load.

So we were back to a week of our regular duties with little chunks of time to set up house in the RV when we could fit it in. We certainly aren't done, but we did get enough done that we could sleep in it last night.

I returned to working on my remodel of the "step-above-a tent-project". Before and after pictures are included here. I am all most done with the second one of six.

step-above-a-tent project: BEFORE

step-above-a-tent project: AFTER

Mom has been cooking as usual except that her numbers have increased and the dining room/scripture study room is way more crowded. We came back to another young Elder plus in the last week we got two new couples.

One is from CA., and the other from Glendale, UT. He worked for Uncle Ray Lewis on the original A-frame cabins at the Ponderosa many moons ago, plus he worked for many years with Galen at Custom Auto and we remembered each other from there.

While it was great to be at home and see lots of you it was also kind of strange. Both Sr. Kenney and I felt somewhat anxious while there and in discussing it we realized that our spirits knew we needed to get back to our mission, here on dedicated land and continue doing what we were set apart to do.

I do want to thank all of you that helped us do the things we needed to do while in town. Especially to my long time friend David Schwobe for helping me get the RV uncovered and going. The problem is that this results in a big "Mormon Gold Star" on his very Catholic forehead!

Till next time, Love Dad

Learning about the 'flora'...Trillium

our group before the change

"As we arise each morning let us each determine to respond with more love and kindness to whatever might come our way"

... President Monson. This has been my "mantra" for this past week.  Many of you probably recognize that it is on our family calendar this month.

I will remind you that we had two new couples join us this week. I didn't realize we were already such a tight-knit group after four months that it would be difficult to "weave" the new folks in. There is good news and bad news along these lines. The good news is that two of the four people are in worse physical condition than us. The bad news is ... Oh, the drama ... Well I don't want to focus on that because I am determined to "respond with kindness!"

OK, enough of that. This weeks message is that of expounding on the "flora" rather than the "fauna" at Ensign Ranch. Apparently a big deal has happened. The trillium are blooming way earlier than usual because of the unusually warm winter. I thought I better read up on that particular species of flora since such a big deal has been made about it. I learned that it is a small flower that has 3 leaves and 3 petals and 3 seed pods or something. Thus, the name Trillium". Anyway, when it blossoms, the color is white. Over each blossoms life of 4-8 weeks it changes in color from white to pink then to purple. Each little plant has to grow/live for seventeen years before it matures enough to blossom. It grows in very rare spots in the country, but is abundant here in a specific area. That whole area is one of the three girls camps and is named "Trillium" for that reason, My picture does not do it justice. Will try to get a better one in the light as it changes color.

Trillium

trillium girl's camp

skunk cabbage

The next example of flora is a beautiful marshy area with these gorgeous yellow lily type plants. When I asked about them I was told not to go near them or I would be sorry! Their name is "skunk cabbage" and they are named that for a reason- not just the smell, but if you touch it, it's very hard to get rid of the oil and, hence "the smell"!

There are others, such as the pink that I included a picture of.

pink somethings

Last night I got a phone call asking me to substitute leading the singing in Primary. It was interesting to pull something together given the lack of resources available. Tomorrow we are in charge of Family Home Evening, then I have Spiritual Thought on Tuesday. Also, we are speaking in church on Sunday. Our assigned topic is simply "Trials". I guess this is the life of a missionary. The Branch really depends on the Ensign Ranch missionaries.

This week we are venturing out to Vashon Island so will have lots to tell you next week. Dad had informed me that he is down to eating his cereal with a fork again. I think I'll buy a bunch of plastic spoons so this won't be a problem in the future. Gotta Go - love, Mom 

Happy Easter

Resting now after conference just ended. We greatly appreciated this weekend where we actually had Saturday  and Sunday, two days in a row to rest up and regenerate. This past week on Thursday, our P-day, we decided to take an excursion in to the Seattle Temple. It brought back memories of when we picked up Alex there after his mission.

On Tuesday when we went shopping we bought two huge storage containers to stow away our winter gear and make our little space in the middle of the woods more livable.

Last week I bought a fishing rod and bubble and have tried to catch something in these ponds on the property - but with no luck - even after they just planted it with 400 trout!

Our dynamics change this week with the arrival of two new Senior Couples. I have some apprehension now that we understand how closely we need to not only work together, but live together too. One of them is bringing an RV and their designated space is right next to us which will impact our feeling of spaciousness and the great outdoors that I have loved.

Mom's Garden

Last week I took some time to build Mom a little two foot square planter box where she can plant some flowers. Personally, I don't give the project too much hope because there are all kinds of critters around here that will probably eat them. But, knowing her she will just keep buying and planting more just to feed the critters. It is still too early to really leave them outside overnight, so I take them in and out on a baking tray so they can get some sun and she can pretend she is growing flowers.

We have had two times we've seen spectacular rainbows, which we tried to capture in pictures but found it Impossible to do it justice.

This past week the boss gave me a new project of some simple remodeling of the six family cabins to make them look a little nicer. (Just to clarify, these are supposed to be one step above a tent - but I know for a fact that there are some pretty nice tents out there that are several steps above these.) I was excited to get going on it, as well as just being glad to have my own project. However, My enthusiasm was tempered when I realized that we had to first of all purchase materials which costs money and possibly new tools, such as a nail gun to accommodate the 4 full cases of nails we have - but no nail gun - anyway why knows when I'll actually get it started---AAAGGGHH!

Looking forward to warmer weather and green grass (in small spots anyway) Hope you all had a good Easter today and enjoyed your families.

Love-Dad

Filling my cup...

It's been an extra week since we've added to our blog. Last week we escaped the mission boundaries and spent two and a half days with most of our family in Henderson, Nevada (note - not Las Vegas). Our third oldest grandchild had her mission farewell prior to leaving to serve in West Virginia. It was a near perfect weekend of getting a "grandchild fix". But, now we're back at the little house in the middle of the woods - serving. Some of us were worried that after seeing everyone again, the homesickness would start all over, but I can safely say it didn't. Rather it seemed to fill my cup back up and we can go on a while longer.

with Brianne

However, we found that while we were gone our hot water heater went out and I had two days worth of appreciating what a blessing hot water at our fingertips is. I kept telling myself that this is nothing and realized (once again) what a worthless pioneer I would have been.

Today at church they put in a new Branch Presidency. Throughout the meetings I had many meaningful opportunities for reflection on our growth and learning in the relatively short time we have been here. Also memories of important or challenging calls we have experienced in our lives and how we ultimately grew through them.

We have another "first" happening tomorrow. One of our couples is leaving at the end of their two year commitment. They are humble people from Vernal, Utah (David Schwobe take note as your Mother was her third grade school teacher) - anyway, when we first got here they were somewhat intimidating as they seem to know everything about everything going on here. As we have now, spent the last four months with them in times of peace and times "of growing" we realize what good, generous people they are and I can wholeheartedly say that both of them are souls that have touched my life for good and I hope I will be able to remember them and their gentle ways. We all have the opportunity to pray often and I learned from him to thank my Heavenly Father for not only the opportunity to serve, but to be able to do that service on this beautiful dedicated land.

Things are starting to gear up here. Actually starting to put the tent tops on the pavilions and finish work on the climbing wall and rope swings. People call continuously to see if they can make reservations to come this summer and they are told that we do not have any openings and I feel so great that I jumped on the cancellation in June when I did! Timing wise that will be just right to get my next "grandchild fix".

Immediate family knows that our Cristina lost her mother this past week. It has been horrible for her to face the grief and tragedy again for an unexpected death of a loved one. We heard that the service held in Utah was lovely and we want to thank all of you that helped with that and serving their family. As a family, Cris and Wes have taken the children to Mexico to have a service there and spend time with her Dad and siblings. This is the first time she has returned home since losing David.

We will be getting two new couples in two weeks. It's hard to imagine that we will be the "oldies" and be in the position to help orient and integrate others. We are still short couples for the summer if you know of anyone interested. It can be for as short as 4 months (May-Labor day) and is relatively cheap! Good news is that we are responsible for the only wrangler girl signed up for the summer (and we still need 2 or 3 more of those too). She is from our ward in Sandy and is just getting home from her mission. She is a major "horse" person and this is considered a paid internship.  Sort of like Lexi's paid internship to Disneyworld.

The photo for the week is of our missionary group and the ranch manager and his wife as of this morning. The couple leaving are in the center back.

our group

All is well here in the middle of the woods. Today before church started we met the Stake President. He apologized for not remembering names,etc. I told him that's all right. All he needed to remember is that I am the most important person at Ensign Ranch because I am the "cook"! He laughed and said he WOULD remember that. I need to go plan menus -

Love,

Mom, grandma, sister, cousin, friend - or whatever the case may be.

March 15, 2015

This message is not going to be as long or as momentous as in the past because not much has happened around here.  The picture for the day is what I have been working on for the past two weeks.  I was asked to make markers for thee different long trails on the property. I had to cut the wood into three different shapes - squares, circles and triangles. Then paint each shape a different color (yellow, red and white). These colors were chosen as they would not tend to blend in with the foliage. There are over 250 total markers. Each trail will be designated by one color and shape. The markers will be nailed on trees so that when you stand at one marker you can look down the trail to see the next marker. Two of the trails are over a mile in length. The red circle trail is shorter and much easier for those in need of such,  possibly could even take a wheelchair.  It may not seem like a big project, but they are acting like it's something they've always wanted to have done.

My frustration after being here three months is  noticing many, many different projects that as a painter I could make look soooooooo much better. But every time I ask Larry, the manager here, if I could work on doors, he has said "no" , all the painting done here is done by youth service projects, and I guess that's the problem - it looks like it! This past week Larry has been off the property going to his sister's funeral in California. So, while the cat's away, I decided to go "rogue" and started painting some of the doors that bothered me the most.  So don't be surprised if I get sent home early from this mission when he gets back. Of course, then there would be a major protest from the other Elders and Sisters because the cook would be coming home with me.

Looking forward to seeing a lot of you this weekend at Brianne's farewell.

Love, Dad (Elder Kenney)