Mormon Batallion

Saturday before we left San Diego we stopped by the Mormon Battalion. The kids enjoyed panning for gold and it was cool for me to be on that end of it after having been where they left from just a few weeks earlier. I also gained a deeper appreciation this trip and for some of the reasons that they were asked to go. They learned so many things on that trip that benefited the saints when they got to Utah -like the men who got sick and were sent to Pueblo, Colorado and learned to use canals to irrigate, which was so useful when they reached the Salt Lake Valley. It increased my testimony that the Lord not only knows us, but He knows where we are going and the things we are going to need when we get there.

Hancock Family Reunion

Wyatt was in charge of our reunion this year and chose to have it in Oceanside. The kids played hard at the beach for 2 solid days. They did awesome! This was the first time we have gone to the beach where the oldest 3 actually got in the water and enjoyed it. They all tried boogie boarding and loved it, especially TJ. He spent hours on that thing. We also had cupcakes on the beach to celebrate Tryan's birthday, had a sandcastle building contest, took naps on the beach and just enjoyed hanging out with cousins.

Kansas City Temple

After Liberty Jail we stopped off at the Arthur Farm where they have a monument to Zion's Camp and to the 8 witnesses. My great-great-great grandfather worked on that farm for a little while.

Then we stopped at the Kansas City Temple. We asked a guy who happened to pull up to take our picture. His significant other had died exactly a year earlier on that day. He kind of broke my heart.

After we left the temple we drove to Richmond where Oliver Cowdery is buried and the monument to the 3 witnesses is. There is also a monument to Alexander Doniphan. He was the soldier who was ordered to execute Joseph and Hyrum and refused to do so.

On the courthouse in Richmond is this quote, so true - temporally and spirtually.

We had an amazing trip. It was quite a bit of driving. We drove over 1,000 miles in the 5 days we were there. My mom kept the kids. I don't know how she did it. My dad was in Louisiana so she had them all by herself for pretty much a solid week. Thank you mom!!!

And Happy Anniversary to the love of my life. It is scary how fast 10 years can go by. I love him more now then I did when we got married and I feel like I am starting to get to know him a little bit - emphasis on starting. He is an incredible man and I am so blessed to be married to him. I love you hun.

Liberty

After Haun's Mill, we drove to Far West and saw the temple site there. Then we drove to Independence and stayed the night. We got up early the next morning and went to the visitor's center and temple site there and then went on to Liberty Jail.
Liberty Jail was my favorite part of our trip. I felt the spirit stronger there than any place on our trip. Jamie and I were the only 2 people in our tour and after the Sister Missionary went through the tour with us she gave Jamie and I the chance to just sit in there by ourselves. The spirit was amazing and I don't think either one of us wanted to leave when the next group came in. It strengthened my testimony of Joseph Smith, the man that he was and the sacrifices that he made to restore the gospel.

Adam-ondi-Aham and Haun's Mill

After we left Hannibal we drove to Adam-ondi-Aham. Terry had a priesthood meeting, but Noreen drove us around and told us a couple of experiences that have happened while they were there. As soon as we drove up to the top of the valley, I felt the spirit. It is a really pretty, peaceful place. This is called preacher's Rock. Some people say that Joseph Smith stood on it and preached a sermon. The acoustics in this meadow are amazing. Even from as far back as the 2nd picture is taken, you can pretty much talk in your normal voice and be heard.

After Adam-ondi-Ahman we went to Haun's Mill. Like so much of the early church history sites, there is nothing there but a marker, but the spirit is definitely there. It is a beautiful, peaceful, place.

Hannibal

After we left Nauvoo Sunday morning, we headed down to Hannibal, the birthplace of Mark Twain. I loved it and thought it was so interesting. I don't know if Jamie got too big of a kick out of it but I thought it was pretty cool. Oh and Hannibal has the most amazing fabric store ever!