The Ranch

The Riverside Livestock Ranch near LaBarge, Wyoming has been a gathering place for our extended Jones family for years.  My brothers and sister and I spent most of every summer there when we were kids.  My grandpa, Harold Guy Jones (known as Guy Jones), bought the ranch in 1946 with another family named the Taylors.  I don't know the history of how the Jones family acquired the entire ranch but I know we have owned it for many years...at least as long as I've been alive.  Guy's four sons, Grayson, Harold, Bruce, and Cecil bought the ranch from their dad and 2 families (Bruce's and Cecil's) stayed up there year round to ranch.  The background picture of this blog is another picture of the ranch.

Thanks to my cousin, Chirelle Weaver, for the picture

Last weekend much of the Jones family once again gathered at the ranch for a huge family reunion.  There is a great deal of strength and love in this large family.  My first cousins know each other quite well because we were often taken to the ranch when we were kids...even the California and Texas cousins visited quite often.  It's estimated that there were about 140 people in attendance.

Little Birdies...An Important Life Lesson

If you still live with your mom and dad, you have a book that looks like this somewhere in your house.

My aunt, Meada Jones Ouzounian, wrote this family history of the Joneses.  I haven't read the whole thing yet, but one of my favorite stories so far is about some little birdies.  Are you ready for another challenge??  I'll send $5.00 to the first person who finds the story about the little birdies and summarizes it in a few sentences.  Be sure to include the important lesson that the little birdies learned.  Just click on comments and write the summary.  Hint: look in the Table of Contents of the book to find where the Little Birdies story is.

Jones Missionaries

Since Daniel got his mission call today (Wahoo!!) I thought I'd write about some other missionaries in our family...missionaries that went before Daniel.

My dad, Harold Jones, wrote this in his mission journal on November 4, 1950:
"There was a game to play so I went to play.  It's a good thing I played only 5 minutes because I can sure get tired.  After the game a group went downtown, cashed a cheack (his spelling isn't always the greatest :), brought a scarf, 6/6.  Then we had a missionary study calss.  We went through the presetation at the door.  They tell me that I am the only one that don't smile and I don't act natual at the door or in front one of the Elders.  Good thing I am not seen at the doors.  After this study class their was a Union Meeting.  In these meeting they talk about the differance offercis that they saints hold and how they should teach.  I am writting this in bed laying allmost flat with the book proped up on my chest.  Elder Campbell has not came up yet."
He went to England on his mission.  Did you know that your mom or dad has a copy of your Grandpa Jones' (Harold Jones) mission journal?  Ask them if you can see it.

Here is a picture of Guy Jones (Harold Guy Jones) on his mission.  He is the one holding the horse's reins.

My grandpa, Harold Guy Jones, wrote this in a letter while on his mission in Canada on December 12, 1917:
"I have got my little finger broken or out of place and cannot write very good yet it has been done almost three weeks now it look like it would be getting better.
I seen in the papers last night where Germany had taken enought wheat in Russia to last her 15 more years.  So no telling I might go before it is over (to World War I).  And America may mourn her loss of good men by the hundreds of thousands yet.  But it has got to be downed and people have to have a chance to worship as they please.
My companion is looking for his release anytime now.  He has been away from his wife and babys for almost to years.  He is a good fellow to."
Guy Jones, my grandpa, met his future wife, Mary Grayson, while he was serving a mission in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Ask someone at your house who has served a mission how they felt when they opened their mission call and share it in a comment for the rest of us to read!