Treasures

Today I am taking a little break from sharing recipes, this is so I can share a wonderful gift I received in the mail yesterday. 

From the October 2006 to May 2008, I served a full time proselyting mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. I was blessed to serve in the West Virginia Charleston Mission, where I got to meet and love so many wonderful people. My heart grew 1000 times over while out there and I gained more "family" then I ever thought I could.
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An amazing couple who gave up 18 months of their time and life to serve the Lord, was the Lincoln's. They were there to serve as the office couple, they managed the mission office right in Charleston. They helped all of us missionaries with our apartments, cars, finances, furnishing, contacting parents, information for when we were transferred to a new area, you name it, they helped us all. When you would call the mission office Sister Nancy Lincoln was the warm voice of welcome over the phone. Elder Roger Lincoln gave us training meetings about vehicle safety and about how to care for the apartments, his training's often were filled with quick witted jokes that had me laughing. 

During one part of my mission I was transferred in the middle on a new transfer (6 weeks or service), my companion had become very ill and had to go home. I got put with two sisters who were living right next to the Lincoln's. I was a bit of an emotional wreak at the time and they quickly became a rock for me until I got transferred to a new area. Elder Lincoln gave me a Priesthood blessing of comfort and Sister Lincoln and Elder Lincoln just took me under their wing. I was then transferred to Lynchburg Virginia for five months.

I was so lucky to be able to serve with them in the office my last 6 months in the mission, in Charleston WV. Me and my companions were what they called the "media sisters", so any teaching opportunities that came through pass along cards, internet ads, ordering the Book of Mormon or videos, came to us. Then we packaged them and sent them off to the missionaries in the areas that the referrals lived in. It was so much fun to spend that time with the Lincoln's. We would go for lunches and dinners some days and on our preparation days we would get the chance to go on some adventures. 

One of my favourite adventures we went on was a few weeks before I was to go back home. The Lincoln's convinced our mission president to let them take me and my companions to a few places that weren't in our area and we would have ever seen. So we packed up and went on a drive, we drove along the river and through the green landscape that is something hard to describe. We went and visited the New River Gorge, and also the very famous Grist Mill, we visited a historical information spot and a large market for local vendors. It was a day I will never forget.
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Isn't that green something else! These pictures are not even edited at all, It really is that lush and green over there. You should see West Virginia and Virginia in the Fall, it just takes your breath away.

Since leaving the mission I have been so lucky to stay in contact with the Lincoln's. I am so grateful for Facebook and being able to stay in touch with people who I do not live close to. On their way up to Alaska or other trips we have been able to meet up and have a visit. They have always been so kind and supportive of me, I credit it to the fact I am Canadian haha. They sent my husband and I a wedding present, which was just so sweet of them, and they were one of the first ones to order my cookbook. Through everything they have just been a constant friend in my life. 

That is where the package comes in! I went and picked up a package I was not sure who it was from, when I saw it it brought a tear to my eyes. In this package was three beautifully hand crafted wood pieces, a cutting board made out of maple, a cherry wooden spoon that was hand carved by Roger, and a cherry wood rolling pin. When I looked even closer I saw something that just means the world to me, my name in engraved on one side and the name of this blog "Prairie Winds Life" is on the other, as well as Rogers Vietnam radio call sign that he is using to brand his work. How amazing and special is that!!! Something that I will forever cherish and call a treasure. 

The Lincoln's live in the Logan Utah area, they work at a really wonderful place called "American West Heritage Center".  There they show what it was like in Pioneer times, and make various hand crafted tools and materials that are pioneer era. They are both very talented, Rogers hand crafted woodworking is something that I can only describe as beautiful. I am a sucker for something made out or wood!

Are those not just stunning! Thank you again to Roger and Nancy for being eternal friends. 

Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend filled with friendship and sun!
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