Historical Significance (Journaling Added)

~Independence, MO~

~ Liberty, MO~

~Inside Liberty Jail~

~Sat. Independence, MO Outside Visitor's Center~

Saturday our little family began a trip back in time. We are in the 1830's. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to Independence, MO from IL to build a place of peace together. Peace & happiness was theirs only for a short time. In 1833 the saints were told/forced (putting it politely) to leave & fled to Clay County to a place they called "Far West." Unfortuately, they were not there long before they were driven out of MO again. This is a very brief synopsis of our church's history while the saints were in MO.

We rolled in to Independence, MO at about 7pm Saturday. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Visitor Center was a welcome sight after driving about 6 hours. We were warmly greeted by the missionaries there and took a church history tour. They had a replica of a log cabin inside. Journal entries were recited of how TEN families shared the very small cabin, but they were HAPPY. It was a real eye opener for our kids. The sweet missionary then relayed how they had only 15 minutes to pack and get out of Jackson County. How sad it was and is that they were persecuted for their beliefs in our country. There was also a replica of one of the printing presses used to print The Doctrine And Covenants. It is a compilation of revelations Joseph Smith received from The Lord. The actual press was ran sacked and burned to the ground.

What impressed me the most, was how I felt when got out of our car. When we began to just walk to the visitor's center from the parking lot, I felt peace. I felt joy. It grew with intensity each step I took. I was somewhat surprised, as this is how I feel when I attend one of our Temples. For us, the Temple is the House of The Lord. It is a very reverant and sacred place. It is a place of quiet reflecting, learning, peace, joy and well, "Be still and know that I am God." says it all. Many times when I am feeling God's Spirit I tend to become "weepy." I just can't seem to hold in my emotions and I am overcome. This happened on our visit. As usual, it is embarassing. But it is not embarassing to FEEL God's love so intensely. It is beautiful...so much, so that it is difficult to describe or put into words. My youngest said, "I don't want to leave, I like this place. Can we come back again tomorrow?" I know she felt Him too. :)

Joseph Smith dedicated a plot of land for a temple to be built there (caddy corner accross from the visitor's center.) Above is a picture of my oldest next to the very place that he set apart.

Sunday we visited Liberty Jail. The church has rebuilt the jail from the dungeon up. The dungeon is the ACTUAL dungeon where prisoners were held. Joseph Smith, his brother, Hyrum and 4 other church members were taken from Far West to this prison because of the "Extermination Order" by Governor Boggs. I was astonished to see where they were kept. It was basically a very small basement with no heat. They were kept there unjustly from December 1838 to April of 1839. The significance for saints is the revelation that was given to Joseph Smith while in Liberty Jail. It is not remembered as a place of suffering, but rather, a sacred spot where faith was tested and found sufficient. A place where the voice of God was heard again as he spoke to a living prophet. (2 photos above of us there. 1 outside and 1 inside in front of the prison) I will place a link on the right hand side of my blog of the actual revelation given if you are interested in reading it. It is found in The Doctrine & Covenants that I spoke of earlier.

Today, Monday, we visited "Far West." What took us only about an hour to drive to from Independence, took the early saints days to walk there. It is very humbling. We saw another Temple Site that was dedicated there and visited a wonderful little bookstore close by. It is getting late, so I will have to post a few of those photos tomorrow.

I turly marvel as I hear stories of the early saints and their hardships, but moreover, their unwavering faith. I am deeply grateful for thier dedication and devotion to bringing forth this beautiful truth-bearing church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints exudes love and goodness as it bears the name of whom we believe is our savior and redeemer. I am honored to be a member.

Striving to be at One Heart & One Mind,

Shan

Where Have I Been?

You may wonder since I haven't posted much lately. I am almost done re-reading New Moon. I love it way more the second time around and hope to enjoy the movie way more (yeah, I know repetitious, sorry!) by not re-reading it right before the release. So here I am (in the photo, not literally right now) at the water park reading in the pool. It really is a great way to read and get a tan. Unfortunately, I'm not much tanner! We started a tradition by going to the small water park only an hour away from us on DH's birthday. We have done it two years in a row now and the kids love it. My youngest wasn't happy about going to Red Lobster for dinner afterwards because, "I don't like Lobster." After explaining they served more than lobster, she was fine. She calls it the "cheese biscuit place" now. =) Gotta love their biscuits!

The next reason would be the horrible back pain I have been experiencing. The Chiropractor says it is a pulled joint in the lower left portion of my back. Mom, I truly understand how horrible you have been feeling, it is awful! You don't realize how much you need that part of your back to not hurt until it does. I can't believe how much I must use that part because I can barely do anything without it bothering me. It began a week and a half ago. I think I pulled it lifting something or reaching for something while unpacking etc. I can't believe it has lasted this long! The Doc assured me it will get better eventually. I hope sooner rather than later! Mom I sympathize for you!

This past weekend I was able to do something I love and haven't had a chance to do in a very long time. A friend of mine here invited me to a weekend scrapbook retreat (to a small town about an hour away). DH was on call so he arranged for my in-laws to have some grandchildren time with the kids. Thanks M & D! Their Uncle visited and I know they had a grand time. Thanks Mark! Anyway, I haven't scrap booked in a VERY LONG TIME! Most of my stuff was in storage while we were in the last house. (Yeah, I know you don't feel too sorry for me - wink) I had so much fun! It was a much needed break for me. A break to just be me and enjoy being creative with others who share that love also. Not only that, I am able to preserve precious memories by doing so. I am our family historian, ya know! :) I got to know my friend who invited me better and made new friends too. My life ALWAYS has room for more friends!

Speaking of friends, I was able to meet my close friend's sister. We had talked through our blogs, facebook and on the phone. We finally got to meet in person! I enjoyed our time together Sara & Amy. :)

Now I am preparing for our vacation to Missouri. I am looking forward to seeing some of our Church History Sites and taking my oldest to see The Jonas Brothers in concert. We got FLOOR seats! When we return it will be time to prepare for school. Our starts August 12th! It is on that day that the REAL unpacking begins for me :)

Hope this finds everyone enjoying their sun filled days and beautiful sunset nights!
Shan

Tour De France Lingo

This morning I turned on the TV for my daughter. The Tour De France was on since it was the last channel played on the TV from DH's (Dear Hubby) last nights viewing. If I had not already mentioned before in earlier posts, it is that time of year again...my husband's obsession with watching the Tour De France on TV. This "Tour" is not a day thing. It is at least a month long, maybe longer. I forgot how long he said it was. All I know is that it's the LAST thing I want to watch on TV and my kids concur wholeheartedly. :) It just seems boring watching all those men ride around on their bikes. Anyway, whatever makes DH happy...and it is a good thing we have more than one TV in the house =). Back to this morning, I said out loud in a derogatory tone, "Tour De France!" My daughter then busts out, "Tour De STINKIN' France!" LOL!!!!! Oh my, another hilarious outburst from my youngest! So now we ALL call it the Tour De STINKIN' France. =) I just LOVE that girl, she keeps me laughing and enjoying each new day.

Enjoy your tour in this life,
Shan

"What do you mean?"

Oh how I wish I would have written down the funny things my two oldest used to say when they were my youngster's age. It would be awesome to have a book for all my kids with all the cute and funny things they say. I would organize it by age. (For all you new mom's and if you still have young kids, you should do that. :) )

Anyway, we were in the car and I asked A to stop doing something. For some reason she yelled, "No!" I was kind of in shock because it is very unlike her to say that. I taught her at a young age to not say that to me. The next thing that shocked me was hearing my Son say, "don't talk to mom like that!" I started in on my 'don't talk back to mom' speech and A looked at me puzzled and said in a very matter of fact, calm voice, "Mom, I don't understand, we have to talk. What do you mean to not talk back to you?" I couldn't help but bust out into laughter. All of us ended up laughing. She keeps life interesting for us all.

Enjoy family,
Shan

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