Cokeville,Cowboys, and United Nations

We started our week by watching the movie the 'Cokeville Miracle' in preparation for our Family Home Evening on Monday.  We had three of the survivors of the bomb blast come and share their experiences and memories with us.  They were 6-10 years old when the bombing took place and it was very interesting to hear how it had affected their lives.  Some good and some not so good.  It was very neat to talk with them as Debra's first cousin, Janel Dayton, was the first grade teacher at the school and all of them had had her for their teacher, and might I add, loved her.  Cindy Hartley was the sheriffs daughter who the movie was about.  Jolene and Jenny Buckley were with her and they enjoyed being reunited.  It was interesting to learn that most of the kids and teachers involved do not talk much about it.  It is hard for them to relive the events.

Cindy Hartley, Jolene and Jenny Buckley Cokeville survivors

Debra had an x-ray of her wrist and thankfully nothing is broken but it continues to be quite sore.
Tuesday the cows were back along with the cowboys who were branding and "fixing" the calves that had been missed in the spring.  It is so interesting to see them at work. One of the cowboys had his 12 year old son with him.  I have concluded that "cowboying" is something you grow up doing and not something you decide to become in your 20's.  He was moving those cows around like a pro!  Of course it was also toilet Tuesday so we did that and got ready for our trek Wednesday

Cowboys unloading their horses

Off to herd the cows

12 year old cowboy in training

We served with Elder and Sister Moretti from Lyman, WY.  They are so fun and we had a good time together.  The Rose Park North Stake from the Salt Lake area with their 210 people arrived on 4 buses.  We got a bit of a late start as two of their buses broke down on the way and had to be changed out.  We usually average 2 1/2 miles per hour, but this group averaged about 1 mile per hour, so it was slow and hot going.  We did trail 28 for the first time this year because it has been too wet to try until now. We still had 6 "water" crossings (muddy with water) and lots of very tall grass that hid the badger holes way too well.

Butch and Barbara Moretti

Elder Moretti eating breakfast on a borrowed "plate"

Elder Moretti in a borrowed "China" hat.

As the support vehicles arrived I was greeting them on the road and finding water buffalo drivers, port-a-jon drivers, medical vehicle and main medical person.  He was introduced to me as he sat in the back seat and I thought, "he will be able to be spotted"  He is black and from Ghana.  To my surprise, I have never seen such a diversified group of people in my life.  I later learned that they have 15 nationalities represented in their stake!  There were lots of accents from all over the world and it was very fun to get to know some of them.  Ben, the main medical, was one of my favorite.  He came to the US after his mission and is now a Physicians Assistant.  He was great with the kids. They have a Samoan ward and a Spanish Branch in their stake.  Many carried umbrellas to keep out of the sun.  I find it so interesting that we want darker skin and they want lighter skin.  Why are we not content with the way we are.

Ben our main medical from Ghana

Ben with his daughter and son on trek

Whenever they got tired they would just lay down and take a siesta. That  was why we covered 1 mile per hour!

This trek had many hair braiders

Rose Park North Stake just before loading the buses for home

One of the group meetings of Rose Park  North Stake

Debra called the Hoe Down.  She was a bit concerned about the different languages but put on the music and start dancing and all language barriers faded away.

Debra Calling the Hoe Down July 13

Bob dancing the Virginia Reel

We got them on their way about 2:00 PM on Saturday, washed vehicles and cleaned the water buffalo and then as usual on Saturday, we crashed!