Palmyra

I spent the past two days in Palmyra, NY with the Young Single Adults from the stake. It was quite a fun trip and a great time getting to know people I've never met before. We met Friday morning at the Stake Center and began the long 5 1/2 hour trip with a convoy of 5 cars. Between the 5 cars we played "get to know you trivia", "scattergories", and some other fun time-passing games over the walkie-talkies. We were lead by Bro Cox who happens to be a military man so he was quite official in his leadership and the convoy made it without a hitch...and he's really good at leading so no one gets lost and we're not driving bumper to bumper going 45 mph on the freeway. I occupied myself alone in the backseat with The Work and the Glory Volume 4 and Sudoku (if you're surprised then we need to spend more time together).

When we arrived in Palmyra we first went to our hotel in Rochester and then scurried over to the Hill Cumorah for the Pageant. Bro Cox wanted to be sure that we made it in time to save good seats so we arrived 5 1/2 hours early!!! While killing time with Phase 10 and reading, I happened to glance up and thought I recognized a girl passing up ahead. I DID! Tiffany was there with her family. Oh it's great when the LDS world is so small that you find people you know in a gathering across the country from where you met. The Pageant itself was phenomenal! The weather cooperated too and I didn't get a single bug bite or sunburn. PERFECT!!! My favorite part of the Pageant happened towards the end when Joseph Smith is reading the Book of Mormon to the saints and as he mentions the prophets in it, they are brought on stage and take their recognizable poses. That gave me chills. After the Pageant, we caravaned back to the hotel where everyone in my room was already in REM cycle the second their head hit the pillow. I was too - a welcome change from my night-owl status I've had since coming home.

Saturday started at 8 with a trip to see the temple and go to the Sacred Grove. The sky threatened rain but I wouldn't let that stop me from enjoying the scenery. Car 4 - for that is the name we were given - was ready to move on after walking through the Grove because we didn't take the tour. (I've had enough tours for awhile after spending 6 weeks doing nothing but) The three of us loaded up and headed to the "Grandin Press" where the Book of Mormon was first printed. While waiting for the rest to come join us from the Grove Kiely and I found an antique shop to get lost in as the skies poured buckets and barrels. We were ready to go after that, but the rest of the group was still stuck in the Grove. We waited 20 min before they came and we headed home. I am so grateful for riding up with a car who didn't want to waste time wandering without a plan so we went home. The ride home was treacherous as the rain just came down harder and harder. Some of the group opted for an extended trip up to see Niagara Falls...they didn't get home till 6am Sunday. Glad I didn't take that option!

Looking back, I'm so glad that I took this opportunity to travel to some historic church sites and enjoy the company of strangers who have now become my friends. All I have to say to that is "Car 4 checking in, and checking out the prospective ECs" ;)