MIJD ACTIVITIES FOR MAY

Kansas Supreme Visit and Mid-America HIKE

I flew directly into Kansas City and was surprised to have the Miss Kansas Job’s Daughter, Bethany Saylor and her family come to get me.  We had a minor adventure at the airport but made it to Lawrence, KS in good shape.  Mrs. Saylor owns a day care and Bethany introduced me to all of the cute kids playing outside.  That evening they took me to an awesome Mexican restaurant and later we watched Eaton and Mariah Saylor at their spring concert.  It was a Disney themed choir performance packed with familiar tunes and a lot of fun.  We had the opportunity to see down town Lawrence where college students and residents buzzed around.  They treated me to homemade ice cream as we window shopped in neat family owned stores.  I liked the pottery place where local artists had work on display- seems like a cool place to live. 

The HIKE was the next day in Topeka Kansas.  Several jurisdictions were in attendance including: Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa.  The weather looked questionable so we started the brief hike a little early.  Our group pretty easy to spot in the huge park because of our “safety green” t shirts!  By the time the hike was concluded a hot dog lunch was ready to eat.  During that time they handed out awards to the individuals and Bethels from each jurisdiction that brought in the most money for HIKE.  I was so excited to hear that the total collected was ­­­­­­around $6,000 (I believe that is correct, forgive me if I am wrong) and one Jobie-To-Be from Missouri raised over $600!  Wow- great work everyone!  I am thrilled that so many jurisdictions are going to be handing out awards to deserving kids and families in the near future, a huge reward for our hard work. 

During the down time before dinner, we unloaded everything at the Temple (after we located a key, that is) and headed to a bowling alley.  Deann, Bethany, Felicia, Crystal, Miranda and I all bowled together.  The five of them bowled like pros and I bowled… well, I bowled.  It was a perfect setting to get to know some of the Daughters from Kansas as well as Darin and Theresa Mason, VGG who were our chaperones.  We had some more time to kill after two games so we headed to the mall.  I found some cute shirts and had fun trying on tons of clothes with them… they even convinced me to spend some money!  

Dinner was held at the Masonic Temple in Topeka.  The dinner crew prepared chicken-fried steak and potatoes and served cheesecake bites for dessert.  The room was decorated with an Irish theme and the food was excellent.  The Grand Bethel girls practiced for the meeting while everyone else arrived and settled in.

The Grand Bethel of Kansas, especially the GBHQ Felicia, did a stellar job with their Ritual work and each one had memorized a part of an Irish poem in Old English.  I thought it was beautiful and I am sure it was very special for Aunt Denise.  I was presented with a bag of Kansas goodies and a pair of Ruby Red Slipper earrings- how fitting!  

I headed back to Saylor’s house along with Felicia.  After changing into comfy clothes we rented “Pursuit of Happyness”.  Renea made us a killer cheese dip and she and I were the only ones who stayed up for the end of the movie.

 It rained and poured all night, so we had a quiet morning before I left for the airport.  I would like to thank the Saylor family for picking me up at the airport and for taking me into their family during the weekend.  I appreciate the meals you covered for me, particularly the Mexican food!  Beth, I still can’t believe your dress fit me, thanks a million.  Another thank you goes to Stephanie and Howard for the Kansas gifts and the hospitality during the HIKE Across America- I really enjoyed the weekend.

 Council Bluffs, Iowa

Aunt Denise and I decided to leave about 6:00 am for Council Bluffs, however we didn’t leave until 7:00.  O well.  It was quite a drive but we made all 500 miles in one day.  (Did I mention that I was glad to be flying back?)

 I was thrilled to go to the International Center in Omaha, just across the river.  I met Janette and got to see Susan Goolsby once again.  We took a tour of the downstairs, including a neat library and a room full of Jobie memorabilia.  I enjoyed looking at the old pictures, pins, capes and artifacts donated from all over the Job’s Daughter’s world.  There were even some original charters, robes, Book of Ceremonies, Bibles and an Altar from the earliest Bethels- whoa.  

That evening we met for dinner at a place called the Farmhouse.  Lisa Hauser, PSBHQ picked us up at the hotel and we met Susan there for a home cooked dinner.  The four of us had fun talking about travel stories.  Somehow we even made room for dessert!  Needless to say, Aunt Denise and I went to bed early after a full day on the road.

 The next morning our tour guide Lisa met us at the hotel.  She introduced us to a store called Gordmans, we all walked out with at least one shopping bag.  I had no idea there was so much history in the Council Bluffs area and Lisa took us to see quite a bit of it.  A black angel statue had a hidden legend and was as equally creepy as she was beautiful.  I learned that Council Bluffs was the start of the Union Pacific railroad and looked over the sight that President Lincoln did when we envisioned the transcontinental railroad.  However the city would not exist had it not been for the Lewis and Clark expedition trekking through the countryside.  The city got its name from the meeting with the Native Americans with Lewis and Clark, the meeting was a “council in the bluffs.”  I enjoyed the old architecture, rolling cobblestone roads, and the city square with a modern fountain inside a lush and busy park.  

 John Hauser, ABG met us at the hotel for lunch and time at the zoo.  I was totally impressed with the Omaha Zoo!  We ate in the rainforest building that housed tons of animals native to the rainforest.  The entire building was turned into a genuine rainforest ecosystem and was teeming with animals.  Another section was called the Desert Dome where an ecosystem had been built for desert-climate plants and animals.  The basement of the huge building had nocturnal animals as well as marsh area with alligators!  We also checked out the aquarium and saw the world under the ocean.  I was impressed with the shark tank, especially with the divers swimming around cleaning the tank.  Before we left we had to see the gorillas and monkeys that were interacting with the crowd.  My favorite animals I saw during the day included a leafy-sea dragon (it looked like it had branches coming from all directions), a sloth resting peacefully in a tree, and an animal called a tapir.  Tapirs are part of the hippo family, are half black, half while, hoof toes, and an ant-eater face- it was the craziest animal I have ever seen!

 Aunt Denise and I attended an Eastern Star meeting that evening.  Their chapter members were very personable and active in their community.  I was excited to witness two members from the Green River Chapter in Wyoming receive dual membership in Iowa.  It is a small world indeed.

 The following morning we drove to the Bethel meeting for the Supreme Visit.  I chatted with some of the Daughters before the meeting while the council was meeting.  I was thrilled it was three Daughters’ first meeting so we ran through a quick practice of the opening and closing ceremonies.  The practice paid off because they did an excellent job in the meeting.  We ate as soon as the Subway trays arrived.

 I filled in as Guide with Krista Lehr, PHQ from Gillette, Wyoming, who was Marshal.  Awesome!  The meeting was exceptional, especially for so many new members.  They performed a Mother Mick Ceremony where they read journal entries from Mother Mick and her mother prior to the institution of our Order.  It was neat to hear their stories, especially since we were so close to the Order’s roots.  During the meeting we were presented with a gift of stationary, a baseball cap from Iowa and other state goodies. 

 A punch and cake reception followed the meeting.  It was a good time to be with the girls and catch up with Krista.  We had a little down time before the baseball game started so we headed back to change clothes.

 The AAA game was held at Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium, home to the College World Series.  Most of the girls from the Bethel were in attendance, as well as a small group from Nebraska.  We celebrated being at the ball park with hot dogs and enjoyed America’s favorite pastime.  I was so excited to be on the jumbo tron, and later they announced groups that were present… and who do you think was on the list?  Job’s Daughters International!  It was a fantastic evening and a great way to wrap up a fun and friendly visit.

I would like to especially thank the Hauser family for all of their generosity during the visit.  You made sure we got a tour of the area and had a real Iowa experience.  Thank you for covering our hotel room, admission to the zoo and game, as well as some meals.  I appreciate you taking me to church, too!  I loved spending time with your family and hope to see you again soon.  You made this trip very memorable.

Jobie Love,
Erin Leigh Weisshaar
MIJD 2006-2007

 Published as received

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