July 7-14, 2014

What a special week we are having! The Halls got here at 12:00 Thurs. night and we got up at 6:00 a.m. to go to Palmyra. It was a hot, muggy day but we had so much fun catching up on the past 6 months. Halls look good, John is having a little adjustment with his meds and heart procedure. They keep such a pace with their temple schedule, I worry about them. We have had several talks about where we are all going to live now we are old. No conclusions as yet... they are thinking Manti, I’m not!
The highlight of the trip was to see our beautiful Granddaughter Addison. She is serving her mission right back at the pageant sight. I had butterflies so bad.  We didn’t know where to find her, so Grandpa split us up.  The only reason is he knew he would find her and get to see her first, which he did. She was standing in the lunch line and Grandpa saw her beautiful blond hair.  We went in and sat by her while she ate and she had saved us seats and we got to sit by her through the whole performance.
 What a wonderful experience, to see that beautiful, wonderful pageant while sitting by Addison. It was a little chilly and she had come prepared. First she put on a sweater, then a jacket, 10 minutes later on went big warm socks, 30 minutes later we shared the quilt she brought for us and put some of it over her. Finally, she put on one more coat and said she was pretty warm.  What a nut she is.  Everyone, the couple missionaries, the staff (pageant participants) all knew her and loved her.  The elder couples couldn’t say enough wonderful things about her. What a treat for Grandpa and Grandma.  The next morning we found her at the Joseph Smith house, up in the bedroom where she was giving tours of what happened in that room. This was where Angle Moroni came and instructed Joseph all night long.  There were nine Smith children, all sleeping up stairs and all that took place while they were sleeping. We listened to her lecture 3 times.  Each time she told different things.  It was a wonderful experience to see her in action!  It was also her BD, so we gave her loves and told her goodbye for another year. Dad and I are blessed with such a wonderful family! All of you are so wonderful. How we love and appreciate what each person contributes to the Army of 30+.
 We went up to Niagara Falls and saw all the wonderful things up there. The Halls enjoyed it, they hadn’t seen it before. We then drove back to Palmyra to spend the night and got up to go to church Sun morning.  The ward there had at least 200 extra people there, probably more, and the Mission Pres. Francis and his wife were the speakers. Addison was having church with all the cast members.
 We have two more days with the Halls. We are going to show them our area, branch and some members, go down town to the temple sight and maybe to the Amish country.
 Missionary work went on hold for three days, we have started with calls this morning with needs so we are getting back into our missionary hats and do what we came back here to do!
  After having a refresher course on the history of the church we have had it so reinforced how very blessed we are to have the gospel in our lives. The most important thing in the world is the gospel and our families.  Thank you for all being so supportive to us, for doing your very best to live the gospel and training such special grand kids. We are so proud and thankful for family, and dear friends!

Dinner with Addison & her companion

tour at the Joseph Smith home

The Sacred Grove with John & Ease