We had this grand idea that we were going to take a little over a week to drive to Palmyra for a couple days and then drive to Washington DC and spend almost a week visiting some friends, museums and historical sites. For a plethora of reasons, that didn't happen. So then we decided that we would do a mid-week day trip on Wednesday to Palmyra to see some of the church history sites. It was a long drive (just over 4 hours) to make it a day trip, but we figured it was better than nothing and we would still have plenty of time to see several church history sites AND visit the local science museum.
All great....until our car broke down in New York state 1 hour away from our destination. Ugh. Let me tell you, driving 3 hours into another country and another currency (that is not beneficial for you with exchange) only to spend several hours waiting for your car to get fixed is not a great feeling. We were aiming for peaceful experiences in the Sacred Grove, not hanging out in an auto mechanic shop.
Well, as it happened we ended up in the quaintest of little towns, Liverpool, and ended up at a really great shop with awesome service. They were able to rush the parts we needed and get the job done fairly quickly - all things considering. Being a small town, there wasn't really much to do but there was an awesome playground down the road a little that was right on the lake. So so perfect!
It wasn't exactly what we planned. Not even close, actually. But the kids soaked it up anyhow. They really loved getting to see the car go up on the lift. And playing at the playground and watching the birds and ducks on the water was so much fun for them. I loved that there was a tire swing at the playground (first one that kids have been on since the playgrounds we've been to here don't haven't had them) and I had so much fun getting the kids spinning on the tire and jumping on to help the momentum get going. I haven't been that dizzy in a long time. Kids definitely have a higher dizzy-quotient than adults.
When it was time to head back to the shop, the kids weren't so keen on leaving the park but we needed to check if the car was done. And, as it was, the timing was perfect because as we were about to walk into the shop a few rain drops starting coming and by the time we sat down inside it was pouring rain. Absolutely pouring. Which only made the kids even MORE excited because - well - it's rain. And rain is awesome and magical. And we had just purchased a new umbrella (because our others have broken) and Milayla was so hoping that it would rain just so that we could use it. She was elated.
When we were finally back on the road, both Phineas and Milayla fell asleep and then the rain started coming down so hard that we needed to go really slowly on the road. I was driving, so Jason snapped a picture of those cute kiddos in the back seat. So glad he did. It's a precious picture. They were so tuckered out.
When we finally made it to Palmyra we knew we would need to focus on our number 1 spot to visit and then perhaps a 2nd spot. There really wasn't much time to be had. We went to the Sacred Grove first.
Honestly, I kind of just wanted to wander into the sacred grove with the kids and talk to them about the first vision, some historical aspects of the church and be together as a family in that spot. I wasn't too interested in visiting the family homes. Yet, we headed in to do the missionary tour and visit the smith family home first. While I would have still loved to do that, I think the kids would have benefitted from the more spiritual aspect being first. As it was, they enjoyed exploring the homes that were there and learning a bit about the life style. And they did still enjoy the sacred grove but the attention span was waining by that point so I do think it would have been best done in the other order. Regardless, I said a little prayer in my heart that something from there would plant in those little hearts of theirs.
It's a little bit funny. I said a little prayer in my heart that it would be an enjoyable experience for everyone and one that would be a faith building experience. Those little kids of ours are still so young and working to process everything around them. Goodness, I'M still learning how to process everything around me. And I just wanted this all to sink into their sweet hearts. And I was reminded of something I have come to know very well - that we aren't here to teach our children to be quiet in gospel settings but to teach them to listen in them - Yes, there is a certain level of soft spokeness and quietness to it, but quiet is not always synonymous with listening. Besides that, I love their questions. Their natural inquisitiveness. And getting to hear how they think. And I especially love having them confide in me how they feel about things. I am grateful I was by their side and them by mine.
As we visited the homes and heard a little bit about the life style there, I loved that the kids weren't phased, even a little bit, by the size of the home. Kids really don't care how big a house is. In fact, at least with my kids (and probably with most kids) they just want to be near you anyhow so there really isn't much need for the extra space. Not to mention, they certainly had the land to run around on there when they weren't working on the farm. I think Atticus particularly loved how big Joseph's family was. Atticus has grand plans and big requests for more siblings. He likes to remind us that we have room for 2 more children in our vehicle and will make a verbal note to us when he sees a vehicle pass us that has room for more than that. Then he and Milayla talk about what the best and most fun sleeping arrangements will be when they have more siblings. It is all very sweet to listen to. Though, a little heart breaking to tell them that there are no siblings in Mommy's tummy. I feel so grateful that these kiddos love each other and our family so much.
As we entered the Sacred grove, I didn't feel how I thought I would. In a good sense, though, I think. The world didn't seem to stop. Nor did time. But the moment was crystally. I worried that the kids weren't quite understanding the huge impact that these woods have had on their lives - now and into the eternities. Then, I remembered, they're young and I am here to help them chart the waters of life while they are still learning. And I felt peace. Calm peace. And strength. Being a mom is truly an awesome calling. And I mean 'awesome' in the truest of meanings. I find myself in moments all the time when I wonder how on earth I got so lucky. I've always wanted to be a mom and love children of my own. Of course, in life, nothing is ever certain and so I just feel so grateful that I really am a mother.
We said a family prayer and sang songs in the sacred grove. Milayla declared it her favourite part of the trip. So much beauty in that place. We were pretty blessed that the rain cleared just as we were coming to the Sacred grove. Other than the ground being a bit mucky, we were able to enjoy a dry walk through the grove.
After the Sacred Grove we had just enough time to drive past the temple and then do a little visit to the Hill Cumorah and the visitor centre there. The kids were so elated at the idea of running all the way up the Hill Cumorah. Atticus opted to take the path up while Milayla opted for the literal route right up the hill. I went straight up with Milayla and let me tell you, that is a STEEP hill, I had Milayla walk in front of me so that I could catch her if she took a slip. No idea how they keep the hill mowed.
To head down the hill, Milayla went down the path with Jason and Phineas while Atticus and I ventured through a trail on the back side of the mountain. It was eerily quiet on the back path and noises echoed through the trees as water dripped down from the leaves and chipmunks scrambled about the forest floor. I can only imagine what the trip to get the plates would have been like, at night time, and needing to keep a look out for any people lurking about. Yikes.
As for those chipmunks - that was probably a high light of the trip - pretty sure it was the first time that we had seen chipmunks up close and personal like that. So petite. So cute.
And with that, we were headed home. I had to smile when the sun started going down and I hear excited shouts from the back seat exclaiming that we were going to get to see the sun set. The kids watched the sun set as the sky lit up like fire and repeatedly said how beautiful the sky looks and how beautiful the world is. And I think that was my favourite part of the entire trip - all together with this sweet, wonderful family, and our hearts spilling over for the beauty of the earth.
It was a long drive home, the kids fell asleep pretty quickly after they ate their dinner and Jason and I talked a plenty to keep ourselves alert. The Canadian border guard humorously quipped at us about doing a day trip with a 4 hour drive and three littles in the back seat. We laughed. We are a tad bit crazy. We were home shortly after 11 which still seemed crazy late with how much time we had spent in the car. I think we will need to find a way to plan in some more time next time we do a little trip. Here's hoping all the best parts of this trip will be the moments that are remembered, especially all that extra time together.
