Missouri--this is Zion?

We made it to Independence, Missouri later on Sunday. It was a weird experience. The Church owns a lot of property around there and it is just beautiful. They have a really nice visitor's center with great exhibits about pioneer life. We also saw the Community of Christ's Temple that is there. It is an interesting building architecturally. The kids loved running around the temple lot and being just goofy generally. We also went by the Harry S. Truman home and presidential library. It's interesting that these men who went on to lead the country came from pretty humble beginnings.

We couldn't go to Independence without stopping at the old Historic Liberty Jail. It has been restored at its original site by the LDS Church. Scary, sad place. I would never want to be locked up there. The ceilings were low. The floor was stone. It was bitterly cold during the winter that Joseph Smith and his companions spent there. They were rarely fed, and when they were it was rancid and sometimes poisoned. There was even rumors that they were fed human flesh. Can you imagine sleeping on a stone floor? We learned all about his imprisonment there and how difficult it was. Our favorite little bit of trivia we heard: Porter Rockwell alledgedly tried to sneak tools to Joseph Smith to break out of prison through the tiny shafts in the walls. He was a character! Joseph received some very important and beautiful revelations while imprisoned there: D&C 121, 122, and 123. These revelations contain some of my favorite passages about enduring to the end, finding peace in the midst of conflict, and how Heavenly Father is always there for us. I felt the Spirit strongly here building my testimony of Joseph Smith and his role in the restoration of the Gospel.

Well, after the jail we found a hotel in Kansas City, only to realize that Mark had left his wallet at the Red Robin in Topeka, Kansas at lunch. So Mom and I hung out with the kids while Mark backtracked 100 miles to Topeka to retrieve his wallet. By the way, he still claims that it was my fault because I am supposed to be the babysitter of all of his personal possesions. My husband can be counted on for many things--working hard, taking care of his family, and losing his keys/wallet. Gotta love him!!

A very long drive

We finally made it. We left our beautiful home in Colorado on Saturday, Oct 11, with tears on our cheeks to head off to our new adventure in West Virginia. It was a sad, sad day, and the weather imitated our feelings with rain and sleet. I just have to give a shout out to our neighbors, Jeff and Melanie, and Ric and Thelma for all of the support and help they showed by just letting our kids run in and out of their homes over the few days prior to us leaving. The kids were feeling homeless, and our friends truly took them in. We already are missing our good friends and lovely neighborhood. On Saturday night, we arrived at "America's Best Value Inn" at rip roaring Salina, Kansas. I hate to be cliche, but "you get what you pay for". However, we were too exhausted to really care at that point.

On Sunday, we travelled through most of Kansas. Everyone says that it is so boring, but I really enjoyed the beautiful farmland. We also stopped at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and his childhood home in Abilene. My mom insisted, and I'm glad that she did. We toured the home and the gravesites. Their home was small and simple, probably less than 1,000 square feet altogether. I wish we could get back to a simpler life. People were grateful for a roof over their head, and food to eat. They didn't need the biggest and the best all of the time. Dwight D. Eisenhower was an incredible patriot for his country, an honorable, good man. Wouldn't it be nice if we felt like that about our presidential choices?

I have lots more to write about, but I have got to get everyone ready for church. Will fill you in on all the rest soon.

My first entry in blogville

Hey, we are taking off to our new home this week and my friend Lisa (who is sitting right here, making sure I follow through) is helping start a blog to keep everyone up to date on our crazy lives. Keep checking for more once we arrive back East.