75 years of the pageant with dear friends.

Sam as the prophet- Joseph Smith

We managed to keep the tradition going of attending the Hill Cumorah Pageant this year. I didn't think we were going to go, but we are grateful for our very dear friend who rented a car for us. She wanted us to forget about our "car problems", and enjoy ourselves as a family.

I can't express how grateful I am that we made it. Jon had this whole week off of work so we took advantage! This is the 75th year of the pageant, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity!

We didn't go on a "prophet hunt" like we did last year, but managed to get a picture with one of our favorite prophets in the the Book of Mormon-Lehi.

As we all know the world is small, and we bumped into the Laney family who are in our ward. I knew they were going, and eventually bump into them...and we did!

two of our lovely young women Meredith & my daughter Sierra

Noah is one lucky boy, and has gone to the pageant every year since he was born. The past two times we went he'd sometimes fall asleep right after Jesus would "descend from the sky" (the actor is tied on to a rope!) This year he was entertaining himself with his cars prior to the show starting, and didn't want to take as many pictures with the characters as he did for the past two years. As soon as it began, and heard those trumpets blowing...he immediately sat down and couldn't take his off of the stage.

 The Sacred Grove-this is our favorite place! If we lived here we would be coming here every single day to pray, feel the quietness of the spirit, and appreciate all that happened here.

Noah would rather walk than have me take his picture. As you can see in this photo he was struggling to get off of Sierra's lap so he can continue his walk! 

All of our kids LOVE it here!


Which brings me to this beautiful short story of the spirit of friendship.

Since we were only going to spend one day in Palmyra I was debating on whether we'd have time to visit  our dear friends since we arrived pretty late. Eliza, and her sister in law are rarely on Facebook so I know  that if I sent either of them a message they probably wouldn't get it right away. 

We were on our way to the book store while all of a sudden I see both Eliza & her husband Jay walking towards the pageant! I shrieked at my better half saying, "turn the car around, turn the car around...that was Jay & Eliza!" He did, and when they saw us get out of the car they were extremely shocked and happy to see us!

I know that the Lord knew that we were only going to see the pageant for one night and that we wouldn't have time for anything else (we had to wake up early to leave for Connecticut the next day.) So He put us down that road for a purpose...so that we can see our friends. 

We had an amazing visit, and they both looked healthy and happy. Jay & Eliza were married on the fourth of July, and New York seems to be treating them well. They have endured so much with all that they have been through with losing their six month old son lil' John earlier this year.

Change is good for everyone, and it seems that they needed it. I know from experience in leading a nomadic life that everywhere I have lived those areas have brought a reason as to why we are there. Everything comes with a purpose, and I believe in change. A change that can improve our lives for the better, and although it can be hard to get out of our comfort zone...I have learned that it is sometimes for the greater good. In Jay & Eliza's case they seem less stressed, and ready to take on anything that comes their way. 

I am truly grateful for the spirit that didn't need to nudge me to follow that prompting in sending her a message via Facebook. This time he didn't have to... the spirit put her right in my path. 

The area of Palmyra brings such spiritual inspiration. 

The Jorgensen's & Mr. & Mrs. Jay Beavers.

Just come for a visit, and you'll feel what I'm talking about. 

A week in review.

 It is always seems that when it gets to the end of the school year life becomes somewhat unmanageable trying to juggle so many things all at once. It's not that easy when your only car is still out of commission and living life in New Jersey has proven to us that a vehicle is a necessity! Luckily for Chelsea she spent the day with her sweet friend riding an electric scooter, eating pizza, and just having fun while I was at the temple having spiritual fun. 

After all the chaos that I endured last week the spirit filled my heart, and my dear friend from church asked me if I was going to her sealing. She knew I didn't have a car and offered if I could drive for her. Being that I love to drive I obliged. I really didn't mind, and the two hour drive to D.C. to attend the temple is worth it and never a problem for me. I am so happy to have been a witness to their sealing, and to have heard the counsel from their sealer in the temple. I love the temple, and always feel joy, and uplifted when I leave. After the week I had I definitely needed that spiritual feed, and I took it all in!

My sweet boy who so far loves waking up on Sundays to attend church knows when it's time to go. He will run to his dresser drawer, and point out his clothes. I love these colors on him, and he is just a happy little boy. He said the prayer today in his nursery class, and every time he comes out wearing a sign that reads I gave the prayer in Nursery today it warms my heart.

 I can see that he is learning it at church as well as in our home. No matter if he's two or twenty, praying alone with my son before a meal is teaching him what he has to look forward to. Although he may be too young to understand what a prayer is or mumble the words that I tell him to repeat, the point is that he is learning, and when he attends his nursery class at church he will be reminded of the things he is taught at home, and will continue to grow in to loving the gospel, and Jesus on his own. 

My dear friend Eliza who was in our ward for a short time is moving back to upstate New York. She leaves later on this evening.

She brought her warmth, and shared it with us for almost two years. We are lucky that we don't mind driving long distance in the event that we attend the Hill Cumorah pageant next month in hopes that we will visit. I wish her the best, and pray that her life with her better half will be a fresh start, and filled with wonderful endeavors. I am lucky enough to live within walking distance of her son's gravesite so that we can tend after it. She will be missed, and thought of often.

Last but not least this boy is definitely going to keep all of us busy throughout this summer, and it has already begun. I love kicking it old school with the kids by going to the park, and having fun outdoors.

I know this picture is dark, and I didn't put the flash on because I wanted to capture the moment of truth when it comes to being outdoors. Here Noah is trying to catch fireflies. I love evenings like this when life without technology was so...simple. 

Reminds me of when I was little kid. 

Who needs television and games?

Have a wonderful weekend...it's Friday! 

Temple day with our girls

Today was officially the first time to attend the temple with our daughters to do baptisms for the dead. It was an amazing feeling to have sat in with our girls to perform confirmations and baptisms. The spirit was as strong as our faith and seeing the look on our girls faces afterwards was priceless....