The Sacred Grove

This is THAT POST..... the one that I promised about Palmyra.  For those of you who share my faith, much of this background and history will be review.  For those of you readers who don't know much about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this will give you a little primer to the experiences that led to the modern-day Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is my hope that this doesn't come across heavy-handed to any of my readers; it is not meant that way.  This was simply a wonderful experience that I shared with my family this summer and one that built my testimony.  If any of you have any questions about the Church, please feel free to ask me or go to http://mormon.org/.

In 1820, a young boy by the name of Joseph Smith, Jr. was troubled by the religious fervor sweeping over the country.  It seemed as though everyone had their own idea of who God was, and what He wanted.  In Joseph's young mind, none of these competing versions of religion seemed right.  While reading in the New Testament, specifically in James 1:5, he read:

5 ^aIf any of you lack ^bwisdom, let him ask of God, that ^cgiveth to all men liberally, and ^dupbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel.

This was the big thing that started it all.  There's much more written about the Prophet Joseph and the Church he restored to the earth, but it all began in a quiet grove of trees in Palmyra, New York.  He asked God in faith and he was answered in a vision.

We took the kids to see the Sacred Grove.  It was awesome!  It was a very humbling and moving experience; very different than I imagined it would be and yet exceeded every expectation I had.

I think I spent a lot of time thinking and pondering about my experience in the Sacred Grove.  I learned the historical facts behind the experience and was looking forwards to feeling the Spirit in such an idyllic setting.  I was also very excited to share this experience with my girls.  I'm going to be totally honest; I knew this wasn't going to be the highlight of the boys' trip.  In fact, Matt actually took them from the Grove and spent most of his time playing with them in the Visitor's Center parking lot.  I was thrilled to be able to spend some quiet time in reflection with Erin and Allie.

My experience in the Sacred Grove was very metaphorical.  To begin with, it was much larger than I thought it would be.  The Church owns the site and has left the grove of trees much the way it would have been in Joseph's day.  There are now a series of trails and a number of benches where visitors can stop for reflection.

After Matt had left with the boys, I found myself with the girls surrounded by old growth forest; it was beautiful.  There was no noise made our feet as we walked down the path and the sounds of everyday life faded away so that we could sit and be still.

I was struck by the contrast of the experience with my two daughters.  They are so close in age, but as time has passed, their paths have started to diverge.  Allie is very much my little shadow, staying with me wherever I go.  She is very trusting, and I hope to always be worthy of that trust.  Erin, on the other hand, has reached a point in her life that she finds herself compelled to strike out on her own.  When Allie wanted to pause and reflect, Erin wanted to forge on ahead, down the path.

It struck me as an important moment to remember.  Of course, with Allie being the younger and more cautious of the girls, I stopped with her and let Erin go on ahead.  After some time, I couldn't see her anymore and I knew that she'd be on her own to find her way out.  I was not worried; this girl can do anything!  But I did find it a little representative of my parenting experience here on earth.  When these precious little people come into our lives, we have to show them everything and teach them correct principles.  I am the first to admit that I have many shortcomings as a mother and will forever trying to make up for them to my kids; but as I was sitting there, I was reminded of the scripture in Proverbs 22:6 that reads:

6 ^aTrain up a ^bchild in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I have been trying my darndest to train up these children, and despite being some square pegs in round holes, they continue to amaze me -- in spite of my shortcomings.

Allie and I left the Grove; knowing that at some point, Erin would follow us, but that she would have to find her own way.  Now, there signs marking the exit from the Grove, but you have to be paying attention (not one of Erin's strong suits these days.)  As I predicted, she found herself lost and alone inside this beautiful forest.  Although she was not scared, she did realize the need for her to rejoin our family so that we could be about the rest of the days activities.  When she found us later, she told us of her experience of the prayer she said to help her find her way out.  I'm certain that she would have found her way out eventually, but I am so pleased to know that when she came to a crossroads, she asked Lord for guidance and was shown which path she should follow.  More than that, that she actually followed it!

This whole experience in Palmyra was very faith-affirming.  It gave me peace to know how my life has been blessed because of the prayer of a young boy.  I felt comfort in knowing that my children are learning and growing despite my shortcomings as a parent.  I was grateful to learn of the trust that Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Smith had in their young son.  They believed him and supported him when it would have been so much easier to disregard his message.  I am hopeful that I can try to be the kind of mother who gives her children the knowledge they need and the freedom to choose for themselves.

I am so grateful to have had this experience with my family and I know that my testimony was strengthened this day!

The Best Sister EVER!

Yes, I am.  I know it.  The lady at Red Robin told me.  So did the lady at Nordstrom.  According to the woman at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, I will win no parenting awards, but I do think I'm a pretty good sister.

We just returned from an epic road trip.  The voyage took me and my family from Columbus, Ohio to Aurora, Colorado.  Add seven kids, a husband, two little brothers and a sister-in-law and you have an adventure.

Now that Greg is finally a grown-up and has to get a real job, he and his wife and two daughters decided to move to Denver.  It's closer to home, but it has a Major League Baseball team.  Even if he doesn't like the logo, the colors or the players, it will be better, right?

I am putting this picture in for my friend Sara.  Now that she has eight kids (oh my heck) she drives one of these all the time.  After 24 hours of driving this behemoth, I have to say "props to Sara" because it's not as easy as it looks.  Maybe it's easier if your van is blue.

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These were our kids in the awesome van.  Mostly enjoying the fact that they got their own row.  My nieces were also along for the ride in this video.

Anyway, last weekend, we flew to Ohio to help pack up their life and move it to Colorado.  Now, it needs to be said that I refuse to let my light hide under a bushel.  Actually, it's Matt's light.  I refuse to let his light hide under a bushel.  He is really great at packing and loading things.  I actually attribute it to a family of eight in an Ford LTD station wagon and scout camp, but whatever the motivation, this man can make anything fit anywhere, and if he says it can't be done, it can't.  Trust me.  So, understandably, his skills create a bit of demand when folks move.  Yay Matt!

After a very, VERY long day, some pizza, some Pepsi and Panda Express, the truck was loaded and ready to go Tuesday morning.  Greg and Sarah had closed on the sale of their house and said their goodbyes.  We took pictures and had a moment, and then we were off.

On Tuesday, we needed to make it from Ohio to St. Louis, MO.  That meant we were traveling through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and part of Missouri.  So much fun.

Here's the thing that I believe about road trips.  It's all about the stops.  It's amazing the different things you can find on the road (Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum, anyone?)  So, besides the potty breaks that seem to get yelled for every 50 miles, we made a couple of cool stops along the way.  The first one, made on a whim (and a need to pee) was Boot City in Terra Haute, Indiana.  The hometown of Larry Bird.  It was pretty cool.

I have been in the market for a pair of boots, since, well forever, and I finally got them.  They're really cool and they are comfy and look pretty awesome.  I will be wearing them a lot, and feeling pretty dang cool while doing so.  You had better watch out!

Needless to say, our detour to Boot City delayed our arrival into St. Louis a bit, but don't dismay.  We arrived in time to visit one of our favorite dining establishments.... the St. Louis Hard Rock Cafe.

Such a nice area to stop at.  Would love to go back.

I love the fact that Greg is trying to explain the wonder of ZZ Top to Allie.  

Clearly, she is not getting it.

These kids are so much fun!

Wednesday morning, bright and early, Matt and I headed out for a walk.  It was beautiful weather and we walked nearly four miles.  When we got back to the hotel, we showered and packed up everything and everybody and headed to the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis.  

I had seen this before (when I was little) but it was so cool to be able to take my kids.  And for them to be able to learn about Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion.  Matt took the kids on a tour inside the arch (Will and I stayed behind and ate cheese curds and bought books.)

After the arch, we stopped at White Castle, a midwestern landmark for lunch.  It was awful!  According to my friend Travis, people will eat anything when they're drunk or stoned and White Castle proves it.

We left St. Louis and headed toward Kansas City.  Along the way, we stopped at Nostalgiaville, USA.

We also stopped for a tour of Liberty Jail.  Just outside of Independence, MO, this is the site where Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church was imprisoned and spent five months awaiting trial on trumped up charges.  While he was there, he received three sections of the Doctrine and Covenants.  We were able to see the cell where he was held and it was so cool.  I was so touched by the Spirit and the things I learned.  I was so impressed by the revelation of D&C 121 and the wisdom it gives us.

1 O God, ^awhere art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy ^bhiding place?

 2 ^aHow long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?

 3 Yea, O Lord, ^ahow long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful ^boppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with ^ccompassion toward them?

 4 O Lord God ^aAlmighty, maker of ^bheaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy ^cpavilion be taken up; let thy ^dhiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine ^eheart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us.

7 My son, ^apeace be unto thy soul; thine ^badversity and thine afflictions shall be but a ^csmall moment;

 8 And then, if thou ^aendure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy ^bfoes.

 9 Thy ^afriends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.

 34 Behold, there are many ^acalled, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

 35 Because their ^ahearts are set so much upon the things of this^bworld, and ^caspire to the ^dhonors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

 36 That the ^arights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be ^bcontrolled nor handled only upon the ^cprinciples of righteousness.

And D&C Section 122:

6 If thou art ^aaccused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to ^bprison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like ^cwolves for the blood of the lamb;

 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the ^apit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the ^bdeep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to ^chedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of ^dhell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee ^eexperience, and shall be for thy good.

 8 The ^aSon of Man hath ^bdescended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

Sorry to inundate you with scripture, but this was so moving to me.  These men were being held prisoner, away from their families, for their beliefs and they were in despair.  The Lord blessed them with knowledge and comfort and I am so grateful that he does the same for me today.

After we left Liberty Jail, it was on to a night at the ballgame.  Greg was able to check another stadium off his list and see the Kansas City Royals play the Minnesota Twins.  The game was good, the hot dogs were great and the company was the best.

Jack and the piggy.

Much to the dismay of every mother and grandmother nearby, 

Will LOVED crawling up and down the stairs at the stadium.

Back to the hotel for a good sleep before our last full day of driving.

The next morning, we were up bright and early to head to the Harry Truman Presidential Library and Museum.  The girls and I actually went on a tour and I was very impressed.  Anyone who is nearby should definitely check it out.

The girls thought they saw a resemblance between me and Bess Truman.  Whaddya think?

The girls had a great time posing with this statue of President Truman.

This was a great opportunity to teach our kids about some of the hard decisions that had to be made in the history of our nation.  Great museum!

Lunch at Noodles & Company with our kids.

You can see that Will really liked his lunch.

Finally, we were off on our final leg of the journey... through Kansas (the Eisenhower tour sucked, just FYI) and into Colorado.  It was a late night of driving.  We went through some horrible weather.... rain, hail and tornadoes, but we made it!

While life was being unpacked at Greg and Sarah's new apartment, I took the kids (all seven of them) to lunch at Red Robin and shopping at the mall.  We hit the American Girl Store for the girls and the Disney Store for the boys.  This is a picture with thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for the souvenirs.

We finished the trip with a Rockies game (versus the Angels) and Madagascar 3.  Before we headed to the airport, the fam and I ate lunch at Red Lobster and the kids tried crab for the first time; and LOVED it.

I am so glad to have these opportunities to hang out with my husband and my kids and to see the awesome things in our great nation.  Road trips are awesome for teaching love and patience and although we are not perfect, we love each other and we had a blast.  Can't wait for the next one!