What a great weekend!!! My friends and I joined 80 other single LDS adults in the pilgrimage to Palmyra, NY. Other religions have pilgrimages of their own: Mecca, Way of St. James, and Graceland. Some pilgrimages are sorrowful or hopeful... ours was a delicate balance between fun and reverence.
The drive there was full of music, laughter, singing, a brief drive through the wonderful streets of Baltimore where we saw people dressed as anime, and races between cars (boys are silly.) Our car ride included Matt, Peter, and our new friend Amy. We finally arrived at the camp around 1:30 am. The camp sits on the tip of Seneca Lake. The camp includes cabins (with electricity) and showers...... my kind of camping. Although we were tired, we did not go straight to sleep because the stars were so entrancing.
We woke up the next morning and went canoeing. Thanks to my superstar canoeing partner, Matt, I felt like I was a pro. Being on the lake was completely refreshing and it felt as if there were no worries in the world. After canoeing, we drove to Palmyra. We ate at a local drive-in. I was sickened by how much food they give you..... I could feel my heart being clogged. They also had a map that you could place a star for where you lived. I placed the first star on Arco, Idaho!!! After stuffing ourselves, we drove into Palmyra. It is a cute little town. Peter saw some protesters against the LDS church and with the loudspeaker he formed the best line of the whole trip "Be nice to the Mormons, they're good people." Of course, Peter continued to use the loudspeaker everywhere we went. I laughed so much.
The drive there was full of music, laughter, singing, a brief drive through the wonderful streets of Baltimore where we saw people dressed as anime, and races between cars (boys are silly.) Our car ride included Matt, Peter, and our new friend Amy. We finally arrived at the camp around 1:30 am. The camp sits on the tip of Seneca Lake. The camp includes cabins (with electricity) and showers...... my kind of camping. Although we were tired, we did not go straight to sleep because the stars were so entrancing.
We woke up the next morning and went canoeing. Thanks to my superstar canoeing partner, Matt, I felt like I was a pro. Being on the lake was completely refreshing and it felt as if there were no worries in the world. After canoeing, we drove to Palmyra. We ate at a local drive-in. I was sickened by how much food they give you..... I could feel my heart being clogged. They also had a map that you could place a star for where you lived. I placed the first star on Arco, Idaho!!! After stuffing ourselves, we drove into Palmyra. It is a cute little town. Peter saw some protesters against the LDS church and with the loudspeaker he formed the best line of the whole trip "Be nice to the Mormons, they're good people." Of course, Peter continued to use the loudspeaker everywhere we went. I laughed so much.
Matt and I: canoeing superstars
Proud to be from Arco, Idaho
Palmyra
Peter on the loudspeaker
We then climbed Hill Cumorah, where Joseph Smith, Jr. was told to locate the gold plates that was later translated into the Book of Mormon. From there we went to the boyhood home of Joseph Smith Jr. It was inspiring to be on that plot of ground and visualize his life. Just outside of the home there is a grove of trees that LDS members call the Sacred Grove. This is where Joseph Smith first saw God and Jesus Christ. As I walked through the grove, I could not help but think about how personally significant that place is to my life. The events that happened there have shaped who I am. The Sacred Grove is an enlightening place where the Spirit was very strong.
Me in front of the Palmyra temple
Joe, Michael, Peter, Matt, Lincoln, Amy: looks like a Mormon family photo
Ryan, Kaylyn, Me, Matt, and Peter take a rest from pageanting
The Sacred Grove
That night was the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Pageant is a officially a noun but that day it also became a verb. To pageant: v. when one or a group partake in events surrounding a pageant. I must say that we were naturals at pageanting. I love the act of pageanting but the actual event was not really my thing. I found it to be too dramatic but I did like the costumes and the effects.
The next day we drove back to D.C. We stopped by Cornell University to visit the campus. It made me just want to grab a book and study!!! I love campuses for that very reason. All in all, it was a fantastic road trip. New friends were made and old friendships became stronger.
The beauty of Cornell University
P.S. Please see Peter's blog about this same trip. I must admit that his blog, this time, is better than my own.
Public Service Announcment 19: http://www.wikihow.com/Join-the-Mormon-Church-(Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-Day-Saints)
2 comments:
Your modesty is matched only by your grace.
Mandy you are so lucky! Someday I hope to go to the sacred grove (minus the kids) to really experience the peace and beauty there.
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