We can hardly believe that a whole six months has passed since we started our little building adventure in the Finger Lakes of New York.  It was only a year ago Margaret and I stood in an empty, overgrown field and laid out stakes into the ground dreaming of where we wanted our little home to be.  Those stakes survived the winter and were the markers we used to plan everything else.  Little by little things all got done.  And now our "late life dream" is a reality.

Our finished home on the hill!!!!

My garden has arrived, and I love it!

A view from the bottom of our hill. We love our deck.

Tony built our walkway from stone on our property. He is truly a
lover of beauty.  He also planted all my plants. Yeah

Lonnie Drake our inspired landscaper and member of the branch.
He is Kelly Stayner's cousin. 

 In a few more weeks we will leave it all to return again to our home in Utah. But we leave with a great feeling of accomplishment.  Our little house may not be large or fancy, but the view is great and our neighbors are precious.  Those neighbors are the little creatures we share our home with.  For Margaret they are the many little songbirds that come to dine on our back patio then fly back into the forest . She has posted at least eight feeders to draw them in and stocks each with lots of sunflower seeds. We are just beginning to discern the goldfinches from the black-caped chickadees and the tufted titmouse from the blue jays. 

My fine feathered friends. We have gone through 40 lbs of bird seed in the last month.  They love us.  Sometimes
there are 20 or more birds out at the same time.  

 For me life can't get any better than pulling into the driveway late at night while the headlights rest quietly on eight white tale deer grazing peacefully behind the house.  They slowly look up and one by one slip quietly into the woods. A day without seeing a deer or a hawk or an eagle or geese  is a day wasted.

Canada Geese taking a rest stop on a pond we drove by.  We see these kinds of scenes daily.  

However, we have other neighbors who we love dearly.  They are the Amish and Mennonites.  Over the past few years they have moved into New York State.  They buy up old, run down farms for cash then go to work on them.  In just a year or two they turn them into neat and productive farms.  They become the envy of all other farms.  As we leave for church each Sunday we share the roads with mothers and fathers in their one horse drawn, black buggies.  Behind them are their children riding their bikes.  All gather together in a simple chapel for services.  I often wonder what we could accomplish if we had such discipline in our lives?

Mennonite Church on a weekday

On Sunday

Mennonite School. There are many of these. 

On horse power waiting for family outside store. 

A typical Mennonite farm. Simple and very orderly and beautiful

We have so enjoyed the seasons so far.  You notice we are leaving before the big snow hits!  Fall has be gorgeous and we want to share a few photo of some of our wanderings.

The beginning of fall from our deck.  Later there were reds and
golds and we love each minute we gets to watch out the window. 

George doing his favorite thing.  I loved taking pictures .  

Very old Oak tree at the golf course. 

                                                                                 

Lake nearby.  

   

Our last evening walk along the shore of Canandaigua Lake.  Are we lucky or what!!!!!

The Penn Yan Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Our little church branch has become home to us.  We have 50 wonderful members who attend each Sunday in our little stage one building. the chapel also serves as classrooms and cultural hall.  It is compact, but we are so grateful for it.  We love these saints and will love coming back to this area soon.

We have been criticized by several people saying, "Why are you doing this so late in life?"  My answer is simply, "Because we can!"   Others say we are crazy to come from Utah and build here in New York state.  "Why, you are going from one winter to another and one hot summer to another."  To that I say, "I have a good winter coat and air conditioning.  Bring it on.  We love it all."

Margaret and I have just had our third anniversary.  Each year has been wonderfully filled with every possible adventure, task and blessing.  We thank God for bringing us together.  Our plans now are to return again next year to this little home in New York for 18 months, not as vacationers but as full time missionaries. This is such a marvelous and sacred place to be, and couple missionaries are needed so badly. We want to make the most of it.  And a mission here will be hard to beat.  Especially if we already have a home and friends here already.

 Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote,  "Many people die with their music still in them.  Why is this so?  Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live.  Before they know it time runs out."  Or as Tagore put it,  "I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument, While the song I came to sing remains unsung."
I know Margaret and I still have a song to sing.


George wants to leave you with his newest jokes:
 
For the record:
What happens when you grow marijuana on stake farms?
You get "high priests"

Why do Mormon women stop having children at 35?
Because 36 is too many.

Spiritual thought:
Let us all be careful as to how we use our time.
  As President Kimball has written, "Waste is unjustified, and especially the waste of time---limited as that commodity is in our days of probation. One must live, not only exist; he must do, not merely be; he must grow, not just vegetate."

We are excited to head for home and see so many loved ones.  We will see many of you on the way and be home by mid December.

Love
George and Margaret.

Life in New York

                                                           Our new summer home!!!!!
                                 "There is nothing more satisfying than building something yourself.
                                          Ya, I know, Margaret wants me to fix a few things first."
                                        Actually this is a neighbor's barn just down the street
                             Our address is: 1007 Newell Road, Middlesex, New York 14507
                                                         Yes, James Bond's "1007"

Well, it's been since April that we posted our last blog.  We hadn't meant to be so slow to re-post, but we have been pretty busy since arriving in New York in June.  As you know we came here to the Finger Lakes region of central New York state to build a small summer home on land left to me by my father.  Last winter we made all the preparations we thought we needed to do to take occupancy in early July.
However, as anyone who has ever built from scratch will tell you, "Plan on doubling your estimated move in date."  The lot is five beautiful, hilly acres located a mile away from Canandaigua Lake ("Beautiful Spot" in the Seneca Indian tongue) with an unbelievable view for miles.  But as we found out it is also in a Water Shed District. That meant weeks of delay while more permits, changes and tests were done to give us the go-ahead.  Those issues and about ten others meant we could not move in until  August 17.  Although it took more time that we anticipated we were happy to see it all come together while were were here.
The greatest pleasure was gathering  family and friends together on a Monday morning and watching the two huge trailer trucks pull each piece of the house up our hill and lay them perfectly on their pad.  We all cheered when the job was done.  Below are a few pictures of our progress.

Getting ready to break ground

The hill was carved out and the foundation blocks layed

Foundation filled with rock and cap poured with utilities imbeded

What skill these men have for moving the huge halves of the house
onto the foundation .  Laid  it down within 1/8"

                                                                                     

Margaret videoing the movement down our circular driveway
onto the pad.

They labeled them Part A and Part B
We had twins delivered

                                                                                 

Later they installed our propane tanks.

Our beautiful creation yet without its concrete skirting

The deck is on with its breathtaking views

                                                                 

A view looking up from the trees below.  

The living room and edge of the kitchen

                                                                         

Our bedroom.  The headboard is from 150 year old tin ceiling
tiles from the old Buffalo, New York train station.

                                                                               






We are now happily settled  and can call it a real home now.  Every morning we get up and look out the back windows and count the white tale deer grazing in the field.  Once in a while a red tailed hawk will pay us a visit.  And at night we listen for the howls of the coyotes  in the neighborhood.  There is never a dry week here.  We get more than our fair share of rain.  At least two or three thunder storms a week this year.  This has caused us to live in a mud hole at times as we still have not been able to replant our hill and erosion builds up fast.
We do lack for conveniences here.  They closed the only grocery store in town a few months ago.  It was called  "Margaret's Market".  But no dice.  Margaret will not reopen it even if it bares her name.  So, we drive about 16 miles up to Canandaigue to shop.  If we forget something it will have to wait till next time.
We love our little branch at Penn Yan about 20 miles south of us.  They have always been small in number, about 30 to 50 out to services, but just like any other ward or branch in the Church have a nice small building and a great spirit.  Our branch president has willingly served for 14 years.  And is still going strong.
Margaret and I, although not formal members of the branch, have been asked to teach the Temple Preparation class.  We have three members getting ready to go to the temple.  We hope to still be here when their time comes.
If we leave a half hour earlier than usual on Sunday to go to Church we can see all the Mennonite and Amish farming families leaving also for their church services.  There are dozens of small, black carriages on the edge of the roads with one horse pulling each.  Then either in front or behind are dozens of their children riding their bikes.  They are wonderful people.  They buy up old farms here for pennies on the dollar in cash and within a year or two they have made them neat and beautiful show places.  But they do stay pretty much to themselves.
We have met many wonderful neighbors since moving in.  Because we are so few and far between we watch out  for one another.  There are many more local gatherings that bring us together like the monthly roast beef diner sponsored by the local fire department or the late evening fire ring around the lake. We all bring long highway flairs and light them at dusk to circle the lake in a bright crimson glow.  So quiet and beautiful.
But most of all we have enjoyed the visits by so many family and friends.  Even though the cabin was not done for most of them we did enjoy the beauties of the Hill Cumorah Pageant, Niagara Fall and boat rides up and down the Erie Canal.  Elaine and Tina were here when the big move was on and we didn't get a picture.

Joe and family in the sacred grove

                                                                     

Jay and Norma Mansfied at Niagra Falls

                                                                             

Lane and Merilee Herrick on the canal
near Seneca Falls

Shout outs for these last few months.
Brindee and Koy graduated.
                                                     Tragen came home from his mission,

Raymond and Candy going to Idaho to see family, Chuck and Joanne going to Alabama to help children, Phil and family being chased by bison at Yellowstone, Elaine and Colton got engaged, and Gilbert released as bishop. If we missed someone it is because you haven't told us so we can share.

One sad event to note, dear Dorothy passed away in July after a long hospitalization and numerous surgeries. All our sympathy goes out to Paul and his family.

Dorothy Marie Domm Hickey
July 4, 1972-July 17 2013

Julie and Nicole

Sheena and Casey

Jonny in the middle with friends

Phil, George and Julie

Paul and Julie

Now that most of the work is done we can finally start to do some family history research and reading for which we came. Margaret has already assisted a sister in the branch find many of her ancestors who were Dutch and settled in Palmyra.  I bought new tires recently only to find out that my salesman was a "Domm" on his mother's side.  Surprises all over the place.  We love it here and know we did the right thing coming back.  We will be busy and happy for many years here.  Come see us when you can.  We'll be back in Utah early in December.

In closing here is an old Ozark saying, "Always be the kind of person your dog thinks you are."
Good by till next time.

     Here we are in the middle of April.  Finally the snow and super cold weather are gone.  No more do we have to worry about chunks of snow and ice falling off the tabernacle roof and hitting us as we walk under it as has happened several times this year.  Margaret and I love to walk the grounds on Temple Square enjoying the spring flowers at they come to life.     

   

    

     It was a pleasure to have family, roommates,  and even friends from New Zealand here for Easter. Lots of food and good visits. We all love getting together.  

     Fun updates: Hannah is the new Sophomore President at her high school, Hailey Domm received a special recognition at her new school in South Jordan, The missionaries are all doing well, choir concerts, piano recitals,  soccer games, and baseball starts this next week.   (keep us posted on events so we can pass them along in this blog.) 

     Tyson Wallace and Misty Anderson both graduate from university this next week.  Lots of hard work is rewarded.  The Wallace family is coming from Texas.  Misty and Kyle are moving back to Lubbock after graduation. We will miss them, but know they will love being close to parents especially with a baby coming in the fall!!! congratulations to all.

We enjoyed a visit with the Colorado Herrick during spring break.  What cute Kids they are.. We are Sorry we don't see them more often.

   The end of April marks the end of our mission in the Family and Church History Headquarters Mission.  It has been wonderful.  We have learned so very much and are prepared to go  on our own and do good work for our families. This last week we had the privilege of attending conference on Sunday Morning.  It was awesome to be there and here the Prophet and other authorities counsel.  We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.  

     This has been a special week for Max Yokota.  We all gathered together Saturday to watch his baptism and celebrate the special day with him.  With all his energy he is guaranteed a busy and prosperous future. He had five cousins in the circle for his confirmation.  How great to have these wonderful examples.  Way to go Max! We are so proud of your decision and good spirit.  We all love you.

                                                        Max at his best Last Week!!!

                                                    Max perfect for a bit this week!!!!!!!

     One of the greatest callings we each have is become effective missionaries in the Church.  The Doctrine and Covenants throughout its pages admonishes us to preach the gospel.  “Wherefore, go and preach my gospel whether to the north or south, to the east or to the west. It mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss.”  At present there are over 14 million members throughout the word.  By Elder Bednar’s judgment in only 50 years that number will grow to over 100 million members.  Where will they come from?  Only through our good missionary efforts.

For a myriad of reason, some very sound, it is often difficult for us to see the vision and fulfill our missions to take the gospel to every part of the world.  But we can take it to or friends down the street, at work or even within our own families if we believe and are willing to put a little effort into it.  

      You have all heard of David Letterman’ Top Ten List?  Here is a Top Ten list of ways to promote the gospel.  I have divided it into groups of five.  Numbers 10 through 6 are the easiest ways to start doing missionary work.   Numbers 5 to 1 are harder to do but are much more effective.  Read them over and then pick several to try out.  Every one of them has been effectively used in times past to bring someone into the Church.  Good Luck.

Top Ten Ways to Become an Effective Missionary

10.   Place a copy of the Book of Mormon in your car, backpack, or other convenient place.

9.     Cheerfully great someone each day who is or looks lonely.

8.     Perform 2 secret acts of kindness to someone in need.

7.    Maintain a positive attitude about things.

6.    Ask for the Spirit of Missionary Work in your prayers.

5.    Write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and give it to the missionaries.

4.    Invite a friend to church.

3.    Have a conversation in which you explain an LDS doctrine.

2.    Fast and pray about a friend you can share the gospel with.

1.    Give a missionary referral.

          " Perhaps I may be the instrument in the hands of God of God to bring some soul unto repentance, and this is my Joy."    Alma 29:9

“Perhaps I may be an instrument in the ha

     On the lighter side: He who has no fools, knaves, or beggars in his family was begot by a flash of lightning.   

  Old English proverb

We all had a good month and know that  great things are coming for many of you.  

All our Love,

George and Margaret Domm or Grandpa and Grandma

March Musings

     We hope you all have had a great month since our last blog went out in February.  The number of viewers is sure growing.  Margaret and I are very happy about that and would love to hear your feedback.
     So here's the news from Grandma and Grandpa.
     We bought a nice, nearly new minivan to use back at our place to be built in Upstate New York.  Yes, we said we would never have a minivan.  They are for old folks.  Now we "have one."  What next?  His and hers canes?  But we can sure haul a lot of people and "things" in it.  Even Dorothy got a new car.  We hope she can handle her new, hot red Mustang.  Then there is Diane with her new flashy red Kia.   
     Plans are going forward for our summer home near Vine Valley, NY. But not as fast as we desire. There have been delays do to the cold and snow.  We can't wait for Spring to get everything going.  Our plans are to drive back at the end of June and stay there for several months getting things done. 
     In the Family History Library we have been asked to help prepare a new program for the mission called, The Ambassador Program.  It is to prepare missionaries returning to their home units to be better used by their leadership in teaching the family history skills they have learned here to members of their wards and stakes.
     Last week was "Party Time". We had many large family gatherings on both sides of the family.  The Herricks, Laulasas Harris's and Domms all had events to celebrate.  

                              Cousins Sandee Fraser and Julie Domm          
     One of the most touching events was to see Sharlee Herrick say goodbye as she entered the MTC for training before she travels to her mission in the West Indies.  How lucky can a girl get?  She was told to bring six pair of Flip-flops.  Like her father says she on the "10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise Mission"

                                       Sharlee is second from left
                                     With Brindee, Brooke, Kaylee     
Finally, what a pleasure to bless little Chunie Harris on Sunday and go to the temple with Elaine the day before.

                                    
                         Grandma Tina in back, Great Grandma and Chunie

                          Haley, Elaine, Allison, and Dad Laulusa with Tama
   
 All the Utah Domms went to a dinner and reunion of Julie's group from India, Rising Star at the the Jazz complex.  Margaret and I even won tickets to a future Jazz game and Philip and Diane won a pair of Jazz player Gordon Hayward's autographeded shoes.  What are they going to do with them?

                                     Dad and Julie in her Indian Sari

     

     One of the purposes of this blog is to encourage all our family and friends to appreciate how the Lord has prepared ways for us to find peace and stability in our lives during these very trying times.  Never has there been greater moral, economic or political decline in our society than in the last few years.
We have had to face: 
- Socialism over capitalism
- Entitlements over free enterprise
- Redistribution and regulation over self reliance

     An all to familiar voice was given 2,000 years ago in 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1-4 when Paul wrote:  "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded. lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

     President Boyd K. Packer takes this statement to an even lower realm when he said, "The world is spiraling downward at an ever-quickening pace.  I am sorry to tell you it will not get better.  I know of nothing in the history of the Church, or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now."

     What can we do to guarantee out survival in this all out war?  

     I thank President Mathew Scott DeVisser of the Sandy, Utah Hidden Valley Stake for these words of council given at his stake conference recently.
"We encourage each individual member to set their own goals based on the following question:
     What goal can I make that will bring me closer to the Savior?"
This might include:
1. Spend time each day reading and studying the Book of Mormon.
2. Don't let a day go by in your life when you do not humbly and sincerely kneel before God to thank Him for your blessings and plead with Him to give you the spiritual strength to meet the challenges which are coming.
3. Perform a spiritual self examination.  Examine every aspect of your life.  Identify those things for which you need to repent and then do it.
In the end the only things that will bring us through are our personal worthiness and our relationships, especially the one we have with the Savior.

     We love you all and hope and pray we all will build the strength needed to survive in the days ahead.