Kirtland Christmas 2008

We're looking outside and watching it snow
The Christmas tree is decorated and shines with a glow
Our hearts are tender because we know
That we won't be home for Christmas

We imagine the lights of your homes shining bright
And smile when we think of the children's delight
We hope that your shopping is going just right
So that you'll all be ready for Christmas!

Our little red house is cozy and calm
There's a peaceful feeling with each Christmas song
We'll cherish each day for we know there's not long
To enjoy a Kirtland Christmas.

No matter the place--be it far or near
It's time to ponder things that are dear
Be it family or friends--whether home or here
We're grateful for all this Christmas.

We enjoy greeting people as they come to the site
To share the Saints history from morning 'til night














To testify of the Saviors pure light...
That's the way we are spending this Christmas.

So even though you're not here by our side
To enjoy the messages we give as your guides
We testify to all of you far and wide
That Christ is the reason for Christmas

Please make him the center of your celebration
Remember with joy the shepherds elation
Read of his mission, his life, his creations
Make Him the best part of Christmas

This holiday time will soon come and go
And we'll all be back in the worldly flow
But let's always be grateful for what we know
About why we celebrate Christmas.

Let us greet each new day with a prayer as we start
And be ready to serve others and do our part
So that the spirit of love will be in our hearts
And all year long we'll have Christmas

Merry Christmas
from Elder Dean & Sister Karen Losee
Kirtland Historic Sites
December 2008

Winter has come to Kirtland

November 9, 2008--Winter has come to Kirtland and we were covered with our first snow. It is quite a beautiful site as we viewed it from our front porch and out of the Visitor's Center window.

November Adventures

OK...It is time to catch up on our Kirtland Kapers...sometimes I think that we have too much fun being missionaries. As much as we love teaching the Gospel, we also enjoy the times that we have visitors and the little day trips that we get to take when we aren't working. So enjoy!
Having the Gardners spend a few days was great. We loved showing them our Kirtland favorites and Larry even treated us with his homemade apple crisp. The fall colors have been beautiful to see. Winter will be here quickly so we are soaking up all we can. On our last P-Day we headed west to Marblehead and then to Kelleys Island. We spent our time walking on the beach and enjoying the Glacier Grooves. We have also been out to an Amish school where we visited with the children and they sang to us. They don't like pictures of them so all we have is the picture of their school. Two rooms with children from 1st grade to 8th grade. After that they are generally through with school. The teachers aren't much older than the children. They are kind and happy children and we enjoy the opportunities we have to get to know them. We also had a fun Halloween party with the missionaries...just the young ones dressed up! Hope you can make sense of these modpodge pictures. It is fun to share and fun to see what is going on with others.

Rusty & Crew in Kirtland

What a fun time we had with Rusty and Connie and family...now if I can get the pictures posted to show you I will have accomplished much!!!! So here goes. OK...maybe the pictures will have to come later. Anyway...we explored the Ohio countryside the first day with toothpicks holding Rusty's eyes open after an all night flight. It was sure great to see them come off the plane even if they were in their pajama's. It took a few minutes for Tanner to warm up to his grandparents but when he did we enjoyed all of his antics and cute faces. We headed right for the Johnson Farm and explored the Amish country as well. By the time we arrived in Kirtland they were all anxious to see the little red house and made it rock for the next few days. Saturday was a day to visit the sites and the Temple where they were invited to return the next morning and ring the bell. Sunday they got to go up to the Temple and take turns ringing the bell. It is rung 50 times each Sunday morning and they did a great job. Since it was conference we listened to the meetings on the computer and some went to the visitors center to watch the broadcast. Monday they headed to Palmyra and Niagra Falls and returned to Kirtland on Tuesday. Wednesday we took them back to the airport and waved good-by---What a great visit. We loved it all!

Rusty & Crew in Kirtland

Dad's Goosey Gander

Nothing like having good company on a pleasant evening walk...Dad's new found friend followed him all over the site as he locked up. He just waddled along behind at his own pace but made it all the way to our house and onto the porch.

September Adventures

September is moving along quite quickly and the weather seems to be feeling like fall...leaves are falling and the pumpkin in Elizabeth Whitney's garden is growing. We have had some nice walks in the parks here with the geese and deer joining us. We have been seeing the deer almost every walk this last little while. Our party time and P-day time have also been entertaining. I hope you like our great hats from our "Hats Off to Labor Day" party....Dad's doesn't look to unusual......but don't you just love this old hat...especially the netting....I'm saving it for future use...
....These are the winners...Sister Taylor bought her hat and mine at an antique shop. Elder Giles made his out of a place mat and even made his wife's...How about Sister Pyrah's lampshade!!!!

Dean and Elder Taylor were so fascinated with when we explored some of the area's south of here. This is a big rock quarry...We really had a good time exploring the Amish country in Holmes County. We visited an Amish Farm and rode in the carriages and toured the old home. There is a real horse in front of the reins...but the Amish driver doesnt' like to have his picture taken. How about the different outfits that were on display...We finished the day by visiting the Football Hall of Fame.
So much for some fun adventures...but there are still P-Days to come!

August Adventures

Hello from Kirtland!
It is August and it feels like fall already. Some of the leaves are starting to change colors and the weather has that fall feeling to it. We still have visitors and love to share Kirtland--but our off time can be interesting as well. We had an interesting Saturday when the sisters (dripping from the rain)knocked on our door and brought in two soaked motherless kittens. They didn't even have their eyes opened but they wanted to see if they could help them. They can't have them at their house so they left them at ours and we even had to so midnight feedings! Sadly they were sick and we had to get rid of them. The sisters were pretty sad about that. Last Monday we went to Middlefield for an Amish dinner and saw some of the Amish farmers busy working their fields. It is always interesting to see the old methods still being used.
We also toured the countryside on our P-Day...just a casual stop where we want to...kind of day. A few antique shops and lunch at Punderson Park. What a beautiful view across the lake as we watched a storm come in and quickly moved inside! We love our exploring days!