Peter Whitmer Farm, Fayette NY

Touring the several log cabins and homes that were at the different church sites really gave me a new perspective on my role as mother and wife.  There homes were small.  The siblings shared not only a room but a bed.  The women had to cook and clean everything by hand and over an open flame.  I complain about having to fold laundry.  Hmm.  By this point in our trip  I'm starting to really appreciate modern technology.

Okay this girl is seriously cute.

I challenged the kids to remember one thing from every site we went to.  Even if it was just the name of the place we were at.  Sometimes they were so distracted by cousins and everything else they were seeing they didn't even know where we were.  At the Peter Whitmer Farm Kade discovered the pamphlets have the name of the place right on them.  He was pretty pleased with himself.  So everytime I asked him where we were he would hold up his pamphlet.

This trip was rapid and exhausting.  We were up late every night and up early every morning.  Jordynn fell asleep at random times.  More times than I can count she would convince an uncle to pick her up and then she would fall asleep in her arms.  Jordynn is four and heavy and yet the uncles kept picking her up.  Fortunately for Uncle Kyle I had the stroller available this time.  I don't think he could have carried her much longer.

Sacred Grove and Joseph Smith Farm

Sacred Grove

This was a really neat place to visit.  And what was really cool was my Aunt and Uncle (who live in AZ) were serving a mission at this site.  I didn't get to spend a lot of time with her.  Just enough to take a picture.  Uncle Bob was directing traffic.

Trayton, Aunt Dorcie, Jordynn, Me, and an upset Kade (he didn't want to stop for a picture).

Waiting for all the family to gather together.

Still waiting.  Sometimes it took us awhile to all unload.  There were 37 of us.

Grandma and Grandpa Crandell teaching us about the Sacred Grove.  I didn't realize that it was a secluded part of the Smith's property that many of the family went to when they were desiring privacy and wanted a moment alone with God.

I've always imagined this place to be forever filled with an overwhelming spirit.  Indeed there was a tender spirit there but it wasn't the experience I imagined.  Maybe because I had four little ones underfoot.  We were asked not to pick up any rocks, sticks, leaves, etc.  Everyone wants a souvenier from the grove; but, if everyone took one then the grove would be drastically changed.  I was constantly asking the boys to put down that rock and don't pick up that stick.  They are 6 and 8 year old boys.  And then Oh NO! Braelynn needs a diaper change.  Do I stop in the middle of our hike and change her?  Do I make her wait a few minutes and we are back down to the restrooms?  Where is Jordynn?  Boys please don't run.  Shhh, Braelynn.  Be reverent.  And a silent prayer that my children weren't disturbing the rest of the family and prohibiting them from enjoying the spirit.  Yep, typical chaos with a side of spirit.

And then as we sat there in the Grove Grandpa Crandell turned the time over to anyone who wanted to share their testimony.  Jordynn's hand was the first to shoot up.  She loves sharing her testimony.  She stood in front of our growing family and shared her simple sweet testimony.  And I wept.  The spirit I had longed for rested not in the woods but in the testimony of my daughter.

Joseph Smith Farm