Additional images of springtime in this part of Virginia. This is the public garden that we walk by each time we enter or leave the Bedford Library.



A Dogwood tree in bloom near the Library entrance.

Early morning after a rain, looking out across the front lawn of our home on Hopes Way. It is always refreshing to be up and outside in the morning for a walk through this park -like setting that is our home while serving here in Bedford.

We feel so very blessed!

As the days get warmer the buds and leaves continue to pop! We realized the other morning that there are small Dogwood trees on the perimeter of our backyard here on Hopes Way.

Another pleasing aspect of the season is the opportunity to get on the riding mower and cut the grass on this expansive yard! It takes about 4 hours. Linda is considering trying out the mower, but she hasn't yet.

Lynette and Stephen's families were members of the same Stake of the Church in Virginia, but they didn't become acquainted with each other until after Lynette returned from her mission last April 2008. they met each other while participating in activities in the Singles Ward in their Stake. Stephen had served a mission in France and had just gotten home in February 2008.

We visited with the parents and with other members of both families and we can tell they are very, very happy about the marriage of these two fine young people.

We attended the reception, held down in Manassas, Viriginia, south of DC, that same day. We met and talked with a number of interesting people, both at the Temple and later at the reception. It was a very special, long, but most enjoyable day.

Before we left the reception to make the drive back to Bedford Lynette insisted on a picture, making the line wait while we had this picture and several others taken.

At the appropriate time (11 a.m) we took our seats in one of the large Sealing Rooms on the 6th level of the Temple, together with the other invited guests and family members. When all was in place, the Temple matron escorted Lynette into the room with her intended husband, Stephen Graff.

It touched our hearts to she her reaction of pleasure and surprise when she saw us there in the room.

It was a lovely ceremony. They truly looked like they were in love and so happy!

This picture was taken just after they exited the Temple doors following their marriage.

I don't know what he is telling her. Maybe, he is saying, "Now look, Lynette, this is the way it is going to be!" You, think? You don't think so? She looks like whatever he says, it is going to be wonderful!

We had come to the Temple to attend the wedding of our dear former Colorado Denver North missionary, Sister Lynette Noonan. She had kindly extended an invitation to us to attend not only the reception but to be in the Temple with family and close friends for the sealing ceremony itself.

We were very pleased and excited to accept this invitation and to receive permission from our Mission President to make the trip, which is outside our Mission boundary.

It was a beautiful, spring day in the Washington area, more like a summer day we were told, with temperatures in the high 80's.

Friday, April 24, we drove from Bedford up to Washington, DC and got a room for the night at a hotel near the Washington DC Temple.

Saturday morning we checked out of our hotel in Bethesda and drove east on the Capital Beltway to Cennecitcut Avenue and took a winding road through a thick forest of trees, another mile or so to the Temple, which is actually in the city of Kensington, just east of Connecticut Ave and north of the Capital Beltway. Those who have been there know what an inspiring sight it is, set on a prominence, rising high above the thick groves of trees that line the beltway area.

Linda loves these flower beds at the Library, especially the tulips!

More flowers, trees and plants are coming to life each day during this Virginia springtime!

This is the garden area just to the south of the Bedford Central Library in Bedford, Virginia.

Elder Chapman, out looking for the "lost sheep" of the Bedford Branch in the fields of flowers that grow wild along the Stewartsville Road.

Another of the trees in bloom that we pass each day as we drive to and from our residence in Bedford, Virginia.

The Dogwood trees are all blossomed out, where ever you go through this part of the country. You see them all along the roads and highways as well as people's yards.

This is the Bedford Branch chapel on Longwood Avenue in the heart of Bedford, Virginia, where we attend our meetings each Sunday. We hope it will be filled to overflowing with members and their friends and relatives this Easter Sunday.

Brother and Sister Scott and their family have invited us to join them at their home in Goode (just to the east of Bedford) for Easter Sunday dinner. We are looking forward to being with them. They are such a sweet family.

Twin boys of Jackie and Paige Tomlinson. One is named Ian and the other boy's name is so different I cannot remember. Brother Tomlinson came to service the riding lawn mower (It is grass cutting time!) and these little guys tagged along. They are a lively pair, giving their daddy fits and keeping me in stitches while he worked on the lawn mower. They got their hands on the wheel barrow and a small push mower and they were all over the 5 acres, pushing and running back and forth, up and down; Supermen, both of them!

This was the scene, looking north on our lane, Hopes Way, while out walking last Thursday morning. Lots of mist, rain and fog. But, we were still welcomed at the Dutton home in Goodview and had a very nice visit with them, reading with them from the Book of Mormon. They are a very special couple.

Today, Tuesday, April 7, we had to go in to Dr. McBride's office in Roanoke to take the results of some radiology done here at the Bedford hospital. While waiting, were greeted by a woman named Dutton that works in the doctor's office. It turns out that she is married to Merle Dutton's cousin, an active member of the Church. During the conversation we learned that the Elder Stevens that was an Assistant to President Montague in the Colorado Denver North Mission when we first arrived there in May 2006, is a nephew of these two Brother Dutton's of Virginia. They all originally come from Vermont! So, we see the many connections the church and the gospel bring into our lives! She was so happy to know we were welcome in the Dutton home in Goodview.

We have had more rain, days of rain, then clear skys, then wind and more rain. It is past time to begin mowing the acres of grass that surround our Bedford home, but it has been so wet we have had to wait.

The General Conference sessions of the Church were available to us on television. What a wonderfully inspiring experience! We took lots of notes. Terry enjoyed the Priesthood session with other brethren of the Branch at the Bedford chapel Saturday evening, 8pm. We couldn't help thinking about our children and grandchildren, gathered in their homes, viewing these same proceedings.

Yesterday, April 6, was the birthday of this great Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By revelation we know it to also be the true birth date of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The flowers are popping up all over this village of Bedford. They remind us of the promise of re-birth, of a future glorious resurrection made possible by the atoning sacrifice, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful time of year, springtime!