Palmyra Temple

Bruce and I had the opportunity to go on a session and do some sealings in the Palmyra Temple. While I was waiting for Bruce in the lobby afterward, the temple worker told me some interesting things. There are several temple workers that come as missionaries just for the summer when it is the busiest. Most of them stay in a campground at the foot of the Hill Cummorah by the vistors center there. Wouldn't that be fun! In this picture we are by the Smith cabin and you can see the temple in the trees behind us.

When they were building the temple President Hinkley was there and saw how it overlooked the Sacred Grove. He thought it would be nice to be able to look out a window in the temple and see the sacred grove. They had originally planned to build the office in that space, but they moved it over, so this window could be in the lobby--the lobby goes across the width of the temple. You can look out at the sacred grove. It is the only clear window in a temple that doesn't have curtains that you can look in and out of. This is the window.

And this is what you see out the window. (From the outside of course.)

All the stained glass windows in the temple are of trees. And there are alot of them! If you look close you can see them. This is the window that is in the baptistry, which is by the lobby.

I took a picture of my reflection in the window by the entrance. See the tree again.

These are just some random pictures I took in the sacred grove. I had so much fun taking pictures. I must have taken over a hundred! Aren't digital cameras great?!!!!

Testimony

So. This is where it all started. The Sacred Grove. Where a young boy went to find out which church was true. We are so blessed to have the gospel! I was really impressed by Elder Holland's talk in Conference about the Book of Mormon. I want to add my testimony to his, that it is true! I still remember the first time I took Moroni's challenge. I was in college before I read it all the way through. But I knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was true. And I still get that witness every time I read it.

Here is a quote from the end of Elder Holland's talk: "Brothers and sisters, God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: 'Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived'—and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you." What a beautiful promise! I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon and know it is true! It is true!

Catch up

Well, if you don't look to close at the year, you might think I am a regular blogger! It's been a whole year since anyone (me) has added anything to this blog. Sad. I've had some extra time at work, and you can only read the Master Tax Guide for so long. I've been reading lots of fun, neat blogs, and it got me in the mood to catch up on ours. I couldn't help thinking how much I'd love to read what my sisters have to write. Even if there are no events to report (which there are!) you could just let us know what you are thinking about.

We've been to Colorado twice since the last blog. We had fun with Jared. He is enjoying the academy I hope. After the first one we came home and found a flood. Our house was torn up most of the summer, but we got a beautiful new floor out of it, and new walls and ceiling in the basement!

Greg came home from his mission. I can't believe he's been home for a whole year. It sure is fun to have him around. Ann was there too. She was taking the picture...

Here are some random pictures from his homecoming. Chubby bunny!!!

Ok, so I've just spent over an hour trying to get these pictures how I want them and they still won't go. Oh well. Enjoy them anyway!

Where was I? Ok. We got a new baby, little Tyler in April.

He's big and rolly polly now.

Brock had his first birthday, and it was the first time all the cousins had been together at once. So fun! Just try getting them all to look the same way at the same time! So cute!
Greg worked in Canada all summer and took our car, so Bruce and I flew back to Rochester, New York and met him for the trip home. It was an amazing trip. We followed the path of the pioneers. Here are some pictures. I might do another blog later with more information. This one is getting a little long! We went to the Sacred Grove. It feels just like the temple!

We went to Niagra Falls. Awesome!

Kirkland. Amazing!

Nauvoo. I cried from the time I first saw the temple until we left. What a beautiful place! The early saints sacrificed so much so we could have the gospel now!

Another cool picture of the temple.

Our last stop, as for the pioneers was Winter Quarters. The stained glass windows on the temple were georgeous!

When we got home, Allan, Megan and Allie had moved in. It's been a blast having them here! Allie likes to help daddy work in the cars! Bruce is in heaven to have a playmate again!


Well, I think that's it for my update. But I plan to be better from now on! I love you all!

Parents Weekend

I wanted to share this handsome picture of Jared. On Labor Day weekend they had "Parents Weekend" at the Academy. We had such a great time! It was so fun to see him! We saw his room and met his roommate, Agular, who has already been in the Air Force for awhile, so has helped him out alot. On Friday we went to his classes with him, went to lunch in his cafeteria and watched him play football with the prep school team against Snow College.

Saturday morning they did a parade for us. I felt very patriotic seeing all those handsome young men and women in thier uniforms! Then we went to the Air Force Academy's first football game against Southern Utah University. It was kind of ironic that they are the school that recruited Jared, and then dumped him. I think he made the best choice anyway! It was very exciting--they had parachuters and a fly-by by three jets before the game. Of course they creamed them!

After the game Jared was allowed to sign out and spend the rest of the weekend with us. We went to sights around Colorado Springs. We went to church with him on Sunday, and Monday we drove to the top of Pikes Peak--elevation 14,110. It was hard to breathe up there, but it was a beautiful view!

Jared's girlfriend Adri came with us and it was fun to get to know her better too. It was nice to see a little bit of his routine there and see him doing so well and so happy. So it was a great weekend!

Here we go!

When we were all at Women's Conference in May I went to a class on Family Reunions, and the teacher there told about blogging. It was the first time I actually realized what it was. Ever since then I've wanted to start one, and do it with my sisters, so we could resurrect the old Scarlet Letter. It's been over 20 years!

So here we go! The first entry to the Scarlet Letter--modern style! Parish was nice enough to set this up for me, so now I have to send you invitations, and we can get going! Hope to see your entries soon!