July 6th

July 6 –

Today was spent avoiding the Missouri and learning about the early Saints in Winter Quarters and the Mormon Battalion. That was a part of Pioneer history I wasn’t as familiar with. It was extremely interesting. I think some of our children our visitor centered out. They all go straight to the missionaries, they stick out their hand and say “Spanish Fork, Ut”. The missionary laughs shakes their hand and says “so your from Spanish fork”, then the kids, at least the three youngest, rush over and get as many of the little pass along cards as they can before we stop them. Rachel had a hard time sitting for the tours today, in fact at the Kanesville tabernacle, the largest log cabin ever built, she ran in and ran straight up on the stage. The Elder who was giving us the tour must have been the most patient old man I ever saw. He laughed and said are you going to sing and dance for us. He shook his head and said, just sing, and started to sing “I am a child of God”, Rachel didn’t want to be outdone so she ran up and started to sing “Nephi’s courage” the both steadily increased the volume to be heard above the other. I was a bit mortified to have my two kids, (both who looked like messy orphans at this point in the trip) up on change singing primary songs at he top of their lungs. The missionary just smiled, clapped when they were done and turned to me and said. Don’t worry I have all day – they can sing as long as they want. Well I thought one number was enough. I got them down and he began the tour. He was telling stories and explaining the history and Rachel was dancing on my lap. Before starting the tour I suggested everyone use the bathroom like I always do, but either she didn’t use the bathroom or 15 minutes is as long as her bladder could make it today because she was really dancing. I got up and started walking out. The Elder said, “Don’t worry ma”m I will wait for you. So they waited for me while I took her to the bathroom. The tour was actually really interesting. Rick remarked we need to come back with out the kids so we can hear the complete version and really pay attention without interruption. The missionaries do a great job of telling the stories and the history and then relating it to our lives. We also watched a movie on the Mormon battalion and I learned a lot, it was a moving story. I guess we have seen enough visitor center movies that the kids know to go in sit down and pass me the box of Kleenex they always have sitting on the ends of the rows. Anna likes to take a couple too and says –“ just in case we feel the spirit ”

The Winter Quarters visitors center was also really neat. It was set up like a trail you walk through and see different presentation on how the pioneers lived and traveled. I also learned a lot there. We got to dress up like pioneers when we came in which the kids loved. They also had a bronze exhibit depicting different scenes from the life of Christ which was wonderful. As we were leaving the missionary asked us what we liked best about visitors center. Ryan spoke right up and said, “I think it is amazing that we always feel the spirit when we come to them”. The missionary was a bit taken back- it sounded kind of funny how he said it- but he is right. It is absolutely true.