COONSVILLE -GLENWOOD

Today was another fieldtrip after my temple shift. I drove from the WQ Temple into Iowa and to Glenwood.  I met Sis. Cox and Bradford and we spent the afternoon together.  My main purpose was to visit the Mills Museum and view the display that they are making to feature my great-great-great grandfather Thaddeus L Coons.  He was the founder of Coonsville which is now called Glenwood.  I did a feature article of him on this blog a few months ago.

This is exciting to me -- the staff there were soooooo excited to meet a descendant of Mr. Coons. They are still working on the display -- so I will go back again once it is done,  Here are some of the things we saw.

Sis Cope, Sis Cox and Bradford

Glenwood Sisters

The Coons display 

 Thaddeus and Mary Ann Coons

They built their cabin on block 20

block 20

a little tidbit I receieved today from a history book they had at the museum.  The Union Branch in Coonsville was organized in April 1848 by Mormon bishop Libbeus Coons, and the new community was mentioned in the Mormon Frontier Guardian that August.  The town was surveyed in 1850 as Coonville, then in 1853 as Glenwood. In April 1953, Judge Bennett announced in the Mormon Frontier Guardian that lots were to be sold in Glenwood, "in the heart of the richest agricultural and stock county on the Missouri slope, well supplied with timber, stone...best of springs, clean running brooks and excellent mill priviledge."

This used to be block 20 when it was

Coonsville -- can you picture the Coons cabin here?

the land outside Glenwood

our ice cream treat

After the museum, the sisters had a teaching appt. so I went with them to that.  His name is Brian, he is a paralyzed from his neck down.  When he was in the military -- I don't know the whole story, but he was going through a routine - parachuted out of an airplane.  His parachute didn't work and he fell to the ground.  Now he is paralyzed.  He is an in-active member and wants to return to church and is meeting with the missionaries.  He as a full-time caregiver.  We had a great lesson, he expressed his thougths alot and is planning to go to church tomorrow.  He has a non-member friend who is also paralyzed who is also being taught by these sisters. GREAT LESSON, GREAT MEESAGE, GREAT TESTIMONY AND A GREAT ASSIGNMENT.  

SANDWICHES AND ICE CREAM AFTER AND A LOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG VISIT WITH ONE OF THE SISTERS WITH A PROBLEM SHE IS STRUGGLING WITH --- WITH THE SPIRIT I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE HER WITH SOME HEAVENLY HELP.  I FEEL GRATEFUL. It reminded me of a scripture in the Book of Mormon - 1 Nephi 4:6  -- And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.
My intentions of going to Glenwood was to see the Coons display at the museum  My Savior had another reason and - he needed me to listen to and help Sister Cox in an amazing way by sharing with her stories of my past which were similiar to hers and to teach her what I have learned from them.  I will definately stay in touch with her and visit her as often as I can to help her stay on this mission.  I hope the president keeps her close for awhile.