What can you do in 3 days?

(I wont post ALL of the pictures, I promise.)

Day 1: Niagara Falls

The falls are so powerful.  You can feel the energy in the air.

Priceless! 

A picture of Todd facing the camera AND smiling.

It was a misty/rainy afternoon, but not enough to ruin our day.

So beautiful.  Have you been?

Day 2:  Palmyra, New York

The Sacred Grove

The Layne Colman Family at the Palmyra Temple

Can you find Mitch in this picture?  He blends right in. 

This is Smith Family's log cabin house.

Layne wishing that his orchard was as mature as the one

between the Smith Family log cabin and the Smith Family frame house.

A funny note, the log cabin house is in Palmyra and the frame house is in Manchester.  (or maybe the other way around?) They are only about 150 yards apart.  Same situation at the Palmyra temple.  The temple is in the Palmyra city limits and the parking lot is in the Manchester city limits.

The boys walking up to the Smith Family frame house.

Taking a little break after hiking around the Sacred Grove.

Alma the missionary, left (also a fellow Mud Lake, ID citizen, Daniel Hulse.)

Sam, the son of Lehi, right

Judd & Mitch posing with Laman, before the Hill Cumorah Pageant started.

It was the 75th Anniversary of the Hill Cumorah Pageant this year.

Here ware two characters in the pageant.

Waiting....

Waiting...

Yea, it is starting!

Awesome special effects.

This is Lehi's dream at the Tree of Life.

Mitch's hero, Joseph Smith.

The stage, while we were waiting for the pageant to begin.

We also visited other areas in Palmyra.  We really enjoyed touring the Egbert B. Grandin bookstore and print shop.  The Erie Canal.  A lemonade stand with awesome chocolate chip cookies.  As always, Josie found a candy store to buy fudge.  It was a perfect day.  It stayed overcast and didn't get above 70°.  We walked 13,746 steps and climbed 13 flights of stairs. (I know because of my fitbit Ü). 

Day 3:  Kirtland

The sister missionary, Sister Hillman, that took our picture here at the Whitney store is from the Terreton Stake.  Roberts 1st Ward.  Isn't it funny how small the world is within the church?

Josie had already been in Kirtland the week before, but she was sweet to let the rest of us tour without complaint.  Our young women go to the John Johnson farm for Girls Camp every year, and one day is always a tour of Kirtland.  I didn't take many pictures of Kirtland.  That is kind of sad.  I think our whirlwind trip had started to wind me down at that point.  We didn't even have it in us to go down to the John Johnson farm, so we'll have to slip up there in a month or two.  That will be more fun because the trees will be in full color. 

By the time we finished up the church's sites, the boys just wanted to drive by the temple.  I asked why and they said they were tired and wanted to go home to play with Jimmer.

Ya, they missed their dog.

I think he missed us too.  He about had a heart attack welcoming us when we got home.

We had a wonderful family vacation.  We packed food and were able to have picnics for our lunches at some of the most beautiful locations.  It was so much fun.  We got to see beautiful things and places.  We got to feel the sweet spirit that is always at the church history sites.  We got to take a break from our extra busy summer and just do things together as a family. 

Did you get to do something fun with your family this summer?

Do tell.

The Honor Bee

Several of you asked about the Honor Bee.  So I thought I'd just make a new post about it.

The great thing is (Geri, you'll like this) any and all women are invited to earn the award and honor bee.  I've been very impressed with how many women in our branch have asked me for the book & journal.  I've started this new program and I have to say that I've enjoyed every minute of it.  The other thing I noticed, I'm getting different things out of it this time around than I did as a teenager.  If any of you women decide to work on your Personal Progress (just ask your YW leaders in your ward for the books) you'll find that you are doing so much in your life that fits right in and you'll also find areas that need a little tweaking.

When you do earn the Honor Bee (it is a charm), you add it to the chain that your medallion is hanging on. 

Last year the Church presented their newest Personal Progress Program.  There is a  new medallion, new book (with the addition of the value of Virtue), a fun bookmark w/ ribbons you earn each time you finish one of the eight values, and other great items.  You can see them online and I think they were all presented in the 2010 January Ensign .... I think that was the one.

"The Honor Bee charm was historically given to young women who were willing to do more than was required. To continue your progress, you may earn an Honor Bee to accompany your Young Womanhood Recognition medallion. You may earn an Honor Bee charm after completing both of the following requirements:


1. Read the Book of Mormon again. A daily habit of scripture study will strengthen your faith and help you receive personal inspiration and guidance throughout your life. If you read just five minutes a day, you can complete the entire Book of Mormon in one year.

2. Serve others for a total of 40 hours. Where possible, some of these hours should include mentoring another young woman with her Personal Progress. This should be done under the direction of the ward or branch Young Women presidency. As you help another young woman, you may want to:

•Be her friend.

•Be an example of a righteous daughter of God.

•Encourage her to work with her parents in selecting appropriate value experiences and projects.

•Help her follow through with value experiences and projects.

•Help her keep records of value experiences and projects.

•Help her understand the gospel principles that the value experiences and projects teach.

•Encourage her to read the Book of Mormon, and discuss with her what she is reading.

•Encourage her to share value experiences and projects with her family."  (lds website)


The other thing that the Church has put together is that the girls (or women) can do it all on line.  We as leaders can log in and 'sign' things off electronically.  It can all be tracked and kept together on line.  These types of new things always amaze me.  I noticed that the YM can do their Duty to God that way too.  Too cool.

I must give a shout out for our YW.  Already this year we have had two get their award and two more next week, and one more on their heels.  It takes a lot of work, dedication, and commitment. Good job girls!!
Go ahead!  Get your books and work on yours.  You'll love it!  (The bookmark /ribbons and the necklace with a ruby is just gravy.)