Where Do You Go for Lunch?

Tuesdays are our busiest day because we work both the morning and evening shifts - instead of the usual one shift daily.  In between those two shifts, we have three hours, so we have started to stay in Palmyra to save the 30 minutes of travel time each way.  

Last week we ate our lunch on top of the Hill Cumorah and then spent a leisurely couple of hours in the visitors center.  It was a great way to spend an afternoon and to rest up because after enjoying the photograph display of church sites (taken in 1907) and checking out the interactive exhibits, we decided to watch one of the restoration movies in a comfortable, darkened room complete with couch and chairs - just the two of us. 

 Yesterday we decided to eat our lunch next to the Sacred Grove.  Then we spent over an hour strolling down the many paths there and enjoying the pleasant, warm afternoon.  During that time, we never saw another person.  We took several pictures and took time to sit and enjoy the sounds and the feeling that is always there.  It was a wonderful experience.

Last Monday evening, Bob Parrott spoke at our missionary family home evening and told interesting facts and stories about the grove and its history.  He is the caretaker and has the responsibility of caring for the forests on all of the church properties in the area - including the Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, and even the site in Oakland (Harmony), Pa.  He became involved in 1997 and has witnessed and help bring about positive changes.  It is obvious that the Lord's hand has guided the events that make the original Smith property what it is today.  It was during this presentation that we realized we had been in Palmyra for two weeks and had not taken the time to visit there.  Now we have. 

I can hear in my mind the comments from the kids about Doug hugging a tree . . . he was just trying to show how big around the trunk was.

On our way to the car, we had one of the site missionaries take our picture at the log home on the Smith property.

It was a great way to spend lunch!