Horses, Candy & Church History

Good morning October 1, 2015

Every year when we go to Denver for the National Western States Stock Show in January, I fall madly in love with the big gorgeous horses. Our first stop today was Windemere Farms. The Percherons they bring to the show are magnificent.

Unfortunately, no one was around except for 2 friendly cats, 2 horses in a corral, and horses in a distant field. The website tells us there is a show in Harrisburg this week so we missed the champions.

My cat friends

Couple of beauties

Denver stock show last January. This big guy stole my heart! (Windermere Percheron)

As consolation we went to Hersey PA. The cost of the museum was exorbitant and we decided we could go to Walmart and buy a Hersey bar for a fraction of the cost so now you know our ancestors came from Scotland. Bah humbug!!

We did stop at a Cracker Barrel for lunch where I bought 2 candy bars in honor of my children who like to try new and unusual chocolates. The sea salt is not unusual but I've never tried a bacon with potato chips. Now I have. Not my go to flavor.

We wanted to visit some Amish country but our goal for today is Susquehanna where the priesthood was restored. It is north east and not convenient for the most Amish populated areas. We think we saw some Amish homes and the sign warning of carriage traffic in the Windemere Farms area.
 

Country side

Amish farm. See the laundry on the clothes lines?

Covered bridge

Two days ago in Ohio we passed a horse drawn Amish carriage but we couldn't get a good pic and there was no way to stop because of traffic. It was not really a rural area.

I received an email from my mission office warning the missionaries to be prepared for possible power outages and danger.

Here is a portion of that email:

"Weather reports are indicating that our area may be impacted by Hurricane Joaquin over the weekend and into Monday. This could include coastal flooding, heavy rains and local flooding, and high winds."

We were admonished to have a three day supply of food and water and to stay indoors if the storm hits.

Don't worry. I will stay in touch with them and stay inland if it is bad. John's plane may be delayed. He is scheduled to fly out Saturday morning.

The trees are beginning to turn. In a week or so the colors will be spectacular. The more north we go the more color we see on the hill sides.

Trees changing colors

Highway scenery

Gas across the country is more economical than I thought it would be. The average is about 2.39 but in Mentor we saw the cheapest at 2.11.

The last church historic site we'll visit is the newly dedicated Priesthood Restoration Center in Susquehanna PA.

Joseph and Emma Smith moved to Harmony in December 1827 to escape persecution for their religious beliefs. They lived with Emma’s parents, Isaac and Elizabeth Hale, until they purchased a nearby home with 13½ acres from Emma’s brother Jesse

Tn early April 1829, schoolteacher Oliver Cowdery came to meet Joseph and soon became his scribe. During the translation of the Book of Mormon, Joseph and Oliver went into the woods and prayed for guidance on the subject of baptism. In reply, the resurrected John the Baptist visited them on May 15, 1829, and ordained them to the Aaronic Priesthood. He then commanded Joseph and Oliver to baptize each other in the nearby Susquehanna River. A little later in a nearby area, the two men received the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James, and John, three of Jesus Christ’s original Apostles.

This plaque was placed in 1960 prior to recent research.

We toured the re-created homes of The Hales and Joseph and Emma and walked the paths in the maple sugar grove where the Priesthood is now believed to have been restored.

The Isaac and Elizabeth Hale home

Finally can look John in the eye!

Store room

Parlor

Great room

Joseph and Emma's home

Kitchen

Store room

Summer kitchen

Maple sugar grove. It was once thought the place the priesthood was restored was by the river
but recent research suggests it was in a grove similar to this.

This has been a week of fun but also a time of testimony and spiritual growth. To have been in areas where the church grew, revelations were given, and the prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon has inspired me. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is a testament of Jesus Christ our Savior. I am grateful for this knowledge.

As I arrive in my mission tomorrow, I am blessed to have the opportunity to share this knowledge to whomever will listen and to serve in any capacity that I can.

I love you.