Susan and Larnie Higgins
Elder Monte Higgins
The first photo is the temple wedding of Elder Wilcox's niece, Susan Cazier and her husband Larnie Higgins. They were kind enough to make a generous donation to help pay for the printing of our Ganado Branch History. Susie told us then, that her father-in-law had actually served in Ganado in 1962. So Elder Monte Higgins is Larnie's dad and photo #2.
Wow--That made Elder Higgins the earliest missionary that we knew about in this area. So I called him and did a phone interview about his experiences here. Even though we were just two days away from deadline, I was able to get at least a partial one page story in about his mission.
A few weeks later, he showed up on our doorstep here in Ganado. I guess his heart had pulled him back to the mission field and he was visiting former places he had worked. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to get acquainted with him. He and his wife now live in Alburquerque, and they have been called to serve as LDS family service missionaries in Gallup. So maybe he'll yet return to Ganado again in that capacity.
About a week after I had submitted the book to the publisher, we had a chance to speak in Sacrament meeting in Steamboat, our neighboring branch 20 miles west. While there, I mentioned about our history project, and told them the story of Monte Higgins, and how he and his companion had rented a hogan from Ida Yellowhair from Steamboat, in 1962 for $10.
Lucy Yellowhair Gorman
Two weeks later, Lucy Gorman from Steamboat showed up at our trailer, and asked to see Elder Higgins' photo. It was then we discovered that Lucy, a sister we dearly love, was none other than Ida Yellowhair's daughter!! We didn't know her maiden name so imagine our happiness to learn of her connection to Elder Higgins. She remembered Elder Higgins and his stay at their hogan. What a wonderful coincedence! We know Lucy well, as we helped teach her the temple preparation lessons last summer, and went with her to the Snowflake temple when she received her endowments. Truly Elijah blessed us with this special experience.
Had it not been for this research project, we would not have made those gospel connections, and now Lucy has Elder Higgins' address and phone number, and yet another wonderful reconnection will be made. How blessed we've been in doing this project.
And our connection:
This is the day we went with Lucy Yellowhair Gorman to the temple. The gospel is an important part of her life, and she isn't afraid to share her testimony. What a joy it's been to know her. And how thankful we are to the Higgins family for being a part of this history.
2 comments:
That's a neat story. 45 years later!
I like this picture of you all at the temple. Everyone's posing for a picture, but Steve's watching the parade across the street.
Sister Wilcox. Contact me as I served in Cornfields and lived at the Sunrise Trading Post from 11/1976 - 4/1977. I would love to talk to you. davepettey@byu.net
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