WEST VIRGINIA

As we're driving in the mountains we often have to stop,
If we don't pay at toll booths we'll get stopped by a cop.
Toll roads have a ransom we are required to pay,
We have already paid at three toll booths today.

Nevada lets the gamblers pay to pave the street,
A plan that I agree with and think is kinda neat.
I think I'll tell them next time, "A brilliant thought just struck...
Replace toll booths with slots, and let me try my luck."

ILLINOIS

(Or taking wrong turns)

We took a road to Illinois but found us in Missouri.
We turned around & finally crossed the mighty Mississippi.

We found Nauvoo then followed signs to "Joseph Smith Historic Site"
We walked around & looked at things but thought "Things just aren't right."
About then we both realized what we had failed to guess--
"Community of Christ" it said, (Ah yes--RLDS!)

We finally found the temple and felt much better there,
Magnificent and lovely and flowers trimmed with care.
A peaceful confirmation of why we're going east
A testimony to the truth, a missionary feast.

WELCOME TO IOWA

(Even if we may not ever mention it again.....)

Iowa stubbornness carries no shame.
They earned their pride from Music Man's fame.
Corn by the acre as silos are filled
Breathtaking scenery, this artist is thrilled!

Des Moines has a silent "s".
Why is anybody's guess.
Illinois isn't any better
Dropping that important letter.

As visitors to Boise find
The natives aren't so very kind--
Please use "s" instead of "z"
But Iowans would say Boi'ee.

LAMENTATIONS OF A TRAVELER

LAMENTATIONS OF A TRAVELER
Hotel, motel, motor inn
Some you lose and some you win.
Soft beds, hard beds, mine's just right.
But that's not where I sleep tonight.

I had to leave my bears at home
Around the house they're free to roam.
Will I say like Goldilocks said:
"Who's been sleeping in my bed?"

Duma Addendum:
20 questions in the car is difficult at best
Not like playing with our kids while traveling in the West.
The game would last forever, not ending very soon
We'd have to wrack our little brains to guess a flat raccoon.

KENTUCKY

Jenny was our baby dear
When we used to live out here.
Charleston, when she started school
Soon she proved she was no fool:

"There are 2 ways to say 'nine' she said
As she tossed her auburn head,
"You can say 'nine' or 'na-an'"
(That last one rhymes with man)

Last night at our motel, we met a southern belle:

"Have a good night sleep, y'all and don't forget the plan-
A continental breakfast is served from 6 to 9"

TREATISE ON NEBRASKA

Crossing time zones makes me later
And these roads can't get much straighter.
When will all these corn fields stop--
Cobs of corn and Jiffy Pop?

Cattle farms feed corn to cows
As much as cow diet allows.
We pass and stare in disbelief --
I guess that's how they grow corned beef!

.

DRIVING THROUGH WYOMING

Traveling in our P-day clothes
(Minus nametag, no one knows).
Crossing miles of brush and sand
Scenic hills and barren land.

I wonder what our God had planned
When He created barren land.
Maybe so we'd bend our knees
And thank Him when we reach the trees.

Jack-a-lope!  Is that a myth?
Something they just tease us with?
We'll show 'em up.  Did you hear --
Nevada has a big mule deer.

Moses must have passed through here,
Smiting rocks till springs appear.
I suppose they could make the claim
"That's how Rock Springs got its name."

Our District

Richards are going to Poland, Hydes to California, Elkins to Virginia (Fort Eustis), and Gays are going to Russia.  We got to be very good friends.

MTC

Nametags, backpacks, suits and ties,
Crisp white shirts and shining eyes,
Teachers, scriptures, foreign tongue,
Sitting, learning, old and young.

"Called to Serve" with tears and smiles,
"Preach My Gospel" - crossing miles.
"Two by two" to far off lands,
White haired couples holding hands.

To Fort Eustis, Army Base -
Off we go to our new place.
We'll see what old hands can do.
(Helaman served an army too!)

LEAVING HOME

Big decisions, lots of prayer
When to go and what to wear...
He'll prepare the way - we know
Let's just trust in God and go!

Autumn weather nips the air
Off we go - an anxious pair.
Leaving grandkids, friends, and home
Thus begins our mission poem.