April 2013 Mission Experience

 Elder and Sister Pyne having lunch in the atrium of the beautiful Nelson-Atkin Art Museum in Kansas City, MO.

 A perspective of the classic arches in the atrium of the Nelson-Atkin Art Museum.  The architectural design of the building is as impressive as the art, which includes works from Rembrant, Monet, Rodin, and an impressive ancient Egyptian collection that dates to 2400 years BC.

 Sister Ewell, Sister Pyne, Sister Richardson, Elder Pyne, Sister Rogers, Sister Brenchley, Sister Stobbe, and Elder Brenchley.

 Sister Pyne and Sister Simmons.  Sister Simmons was the wife of the Mission President in Eugene, Oregon during the time I served as bishop of the Eugene 1st Ward.  President and Sister Simmons lived in our ward.  We often see people we know coming to visit the Independence Visitor's Center of Historic Liberty Jail.

 Elder Pyne at the Three Witness Monument in Richmond, MO.  This monument honors the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, whose testimonies are included in the front of the book, along with eight other eye witnesses.

 A monument to honor Alexander Doniphan, a friend of the early Latter-day Saints, located on the west side of the Public Square in downtown historic Richmond, MO.

 Elder Pyne standing next to artillary used in World War I.  The National World War I Museum is a very educational museum located in downtown Kansas City, MO, near the Crown Center Plaza.

 Sister Sant and Sister Zito at the visitor center after an exhausting day.

 Sister Minall on the day she completed her mission.  Sister Minall is not your ordinary LDS sister missionary.  She grew up in New York City, can sing a fine imitation of Gladys Knight, is an expert boxer, and is returning home to London, England.

 Outside the newly dedicated Kansas City Temple, after serving a session in the temple.  We try to go to the temple once a month.

 With Sister Gines, a wonderful young sister missionary from Tabiona, Utah, who served at the Independence Visitor's Center for a couple of months while awaiting to serve in Nauvoo, Illinois.

 Some of the Senior Missionaries on a Saturday morning walking tour of the Country Club Plaza district of downtown Kansas City, MO.

 The Country Club Plaza district is an upscale retail section of town planned and developed in the 1920's with Spanish architectural design, fountains, sculptures, towers, and courtyards.  A fun place to walk, windowshop, and eat at fine dining establishments.

Elder and Sister Pyne standing in front of one of the many fountains in the Country Club Plaza district.

March 2013 in Missouri

 Going to lunch at the Salty Iguana restaurant in Independence.  From left to right, Sister Wilson (Bellevue, Washington), Sister Gines (Tabiona, Utah), Sister Aldous (Beaverton, Oregon), Sister Atkin (Logan, Utah), and the Pyne's.

 Some of the Senior Sister Missionaries displaying their awards from the "VCBB Bake-Off".  VCBB stands for "Visitor Center Bad Bananas".  These women took over-ripened bananas from the Visitor Center kitchen and prepared various baked items.

 Eight of the Sister Missionaries with Sister Pyne.

 A photo of the Sister Missionaries on transfer morning.  Many of these missionaries are being assigned to new areas of service within the mission, departing the mission to other international missions upon receiving their travel visas, or returning home after completing their 18-month mission.

 The senior missionaries who serve at the visitor center being photographed by the paparazzi!

Superb leaders of the sister missionaries -- from left to right, Sister Sant (Virginia), Sister Atkin (Utah), Sister Lewis (Utah), and Sister Hansen (California).  Sister Hansen is returning home to San Diego.  We will miss her!!

 The Pyne's with Sister Hansen.

 The Pyne's with Sister Grange, who is being transferred to a full-proselyting assignment.  Sister Hansen is from the great state of Washington and is studying nursing at BYU, along with several other sister missionaries who are serving in the Missouri Independence Mission.

 A photo of the general landscape of the Woodlawn Cemetary located just north of our apartment, where we often take walks.

 The tombstone of General Samuel Lucas, a military general who played a role in forcing the early Latter-day Saints from Missouri.

The tombstone of Samuel Weston, a community and business leader in the city of Independence, who profited from Independence being the starting point for many frontier trails to the west, including the Santa Fe, Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails.  Samuel Weston owned a blacksmith and wagon-making business.  He was also one of the community leaders who allowed the persecution of Mormons during the early 1830's.