Okay, so this last week my mom and I (and of course Misha) went up to Palmyra, NY for a nice little 3 day trip. For those who don't know what in the world is special about Palmyra, NY...it's where a lot of very special events took place for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith received (what we call) the first vision here. It is where he received the gold plates which he translated into what is now the Book of Mormon (not all of the translation took place here, but it was finished and then published here). The church was organized here on April 6, 1830 with only 30 members to begin with at the Peter Whitmer home down in Fayette (not 10 miles down the road from where the Smith family originally lived-Peter Whitmer home pictured here on the right.) And yes-it's as small as it looks. The 3 witnesses and 8 witnesses also viewed 
the plates somewhere in the area. Amazingly-11 people squeezed into this small house while the last of the Book of Mormon was translated and then published. I can't even imagine living in something this small with just the three of us. CRAZY. We also went and visited the Smith family farm where Joseph was living when he received his visitation of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and later the angel Moroni. A small temple is now built on what used to be part of the fields owned by the Smiths. Mom and I traded off days of watching Misha and going to the temple. It's so beautiful, and the Spirit there is so very strong. I find it so fitting and such a tribute to Joseph that a temple now sits not far from where he was visited by Heavenly Father and the Savior. We went into the Sacred Grove (where we believe Joseph had his vision-obviously the exact locale is not known, but the Spirit that is there testifies that it is truly hallowed ground through which we walked.) Here's the main part of the trail when you first walk into the grove. There are several paths you can walk through and just enjoy the Spirit that lingers. I thought all the 
fall leaves on the path were so beautiful. Unlike down here, NY is actually having a fall, as you can see in some of the pics. It was so gorgeous. Misha was such a trooper, and we just bundled her up and took her with us (me carrying her in the chest pack). It was a lot of fun, and I'm so glad my mom and I got to spend the time together.As a side note, I wish to pay tribute to my cousin's daughter, Halle, who passed away on Sunday. She was due to turn 1 on Nov. 9th, and passed away due to some complications she's been suffering from since birth. It has been hard, I know, on all of the family. If there is, however, one thing that this trip did for me, it was to strengthen and deepen my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that she has fulfilled her purpose in this life-she led a hard one, and I know that Heavenly Father called her home to rest. I know that Megan (my cousin) and Brad (her husband) will see her again, and will find great joy in spending the eternities with her. Families ARE forever, and I know that by living worthy of the covenants we make, we will find the ultimate joy by being with those we love in the eternities to come. Megan and Brad-we love you and our prayers are with you. Wish we were there. Halle-we love you and miss you. Until we meet again in our Father in Heaven's presence....
(Halle is the one in the pink shirt next to Misha, with my nephew Tristan, and my niece Lyla)
