Four-wheeling & the Sacred Grove! :-)

More than ten years ago when I first found myself walking through the Sacred Grove, I could not imagine ever having the privilege of being there again. In the last several years circumstances have brought me to the Grove not just a second time, but several times. Frankly, the experience has been incredible each and every time! Traveling with my Mother and sisters brought a whole new feeling to this visit. I felt such a profound gratitude for my eternal family as I walked in this special place.


This particular visit was definitely unique, however! Upon arriving at the Visitor's Center, we were greeted by one of the couple missionaries who immediately offered Mom a motorized wheelchair. To our surprise, the trails in the lower half of the Sacred Grove have been graded to accommodate an electric wheelchair! Mom had been quietly contemplating sending us all into the Grove without her, so this was definitely a wonderful surprise! Since we had been there before, Ken and I sent the others off on their own to explore the upper trails while we stayed on the lower trail with Mom. To begin with, she was a little leery of the speed control but as she became a little more confident, she was off! We definitely had a hard time keeping up with her! :-) The three of us had some really special moments, however, as we stopped here and there and talked about the significance of the events that had happened in this place. Walking alongside my Mother in the Sacred Grove is something I will never forget!

How grateful I am for the Gospel as well as again having the privilege of spending time in this sacred place, especially with those who mean so much to me!

Lots of love to you all!

No Barrel For Me!!!

Our recent travels began in New York with a quick one day trip up into Canada to see Niagara Falls. (We had several glitches in our flight East but I'll leave that fun story to Karen.)

There is really no way to adequately describe Niagara Falls! The magnitude of the power behind that wall of water is pretty incredible. We walked along the upper edge of the Falls and then donned our cute little rain coats to go down into the tunnels behind the Falls. Great fun!

Traveling the tunnels

Observation area near the Falls

Later in the day we ate a fabulous lunch at the revolving restaurant overlooking the Falls.

Skylon Tower Revolving Restaurant

Taken from the observation deck on the Skylon Tower

Except for our terrifying barrel ride, we had a wet, wonderful time! :-)

Linda, Turley, Janell, Mark, Ken, Grandma & Karen

More later!

We're Back!

After an incredible trip beginning at Niagara Falls, moving to Palmyra and Horseheads (NY) and then on to beautiful Kirtland (OH), we're back home. We had a wonderful time and I'm sure there will be more than one blog post on more than one of our blogs over the next few days. :-)

On this beautiful Sunday, however, I just want to again express how grateful I am for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that occurred in the very places we had the privilege of visiting. I feel truly blessed.

Lots of love to you all!

A Special Day

Today was a wonderful day - - - both for what took place as well as for the company that came to share this special time! Today Kevin was ordained an Elder; circled by the Bishop, his home teaching companion, a special friend and, most importantly, his father and brothers. All there to use their own authority in the Priesthood to extend that same blessing to Kevin. It was such a sacred moment in time for which I am so grateful.

How blessed we are to have this priesthood as a part of our lives. We are taught that the priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. "Through this priesthood God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass 'the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39)." (Gospel Library on Priesthood)

I have a testimony of the priesthood and the blessings that come to us because of this sacred authority. I feel very blessed to have been surrounded by a father, husband and sons who honor their priesthood.

Lots of love to you all!

Watch the Birdie!

In April we enjoyed the hospitality of the John's home for family dinner. John has recently acquired a beautiful peregrine falcon and it was certainly the focus of attention. She was really pretty patient with the many eager adults who wanted an opportunity to let her perch on their hand. Even I took a turn although John reminded me not to let go of her. You see, at Christmas time, I opened my hand while feeding his Kestrel. It took full advantage and flew straight to the top of their Christmas tree! It was quite a feat trying to coax it down. Believe me, I kept a tight hold this time. :-)

John & his bird, Reia

Tammy & Kevin





Justin & Rebekah

Heather

And ME!

Watching "CinderLella" :-)

Abigail came to visit the other day while her Mommy took care of Lillian. She kept busy with a variety of Barbie's and other toys as the time seemed to fly by. Soon, however, she wanted to watch a Princess movie. We looked over Grandma's princess dvd collection and after a great deal of deliberation, she finally settled on CinderLella. While she was watching, Grandpa came home from work and put his feet up. Abigail promptly left her place in my little rocker and found a new place to watch the movie!

Grandpa and Abigail watching Cinderella

Snow & The Sacred Grove! :-)

I've been wanting to share an experience of several weeks ago. While visiting with Marian in early March, Keith and I had a wonderfully humorous/spiritual experience. Keith was on the East Coast for business and had stopped by Marian's house for a visit before flying home. After Church on Sunday, I lightly commented to Keith that it was too bad the Sacred Grove was so far away. Marian spoke up and said it really wasn't that far and suggested we take their car, the GPS and go. Within a few minutes, Keith and I were on our way.

This was not my first time to the Sacred Grove but a first for Keith, and definitely a first for me at winter time. Only a few days before, New York had gotten 14 inches of snow so this wasn't going to be the Sacred Grove you see in pictures. As we rounded the curving road to the Hill Cumorah area, however, I heard a sudden intake of breath from Keith. And then quietly he spoke, "This is where it all began, isn't it!" I felt that sudden tug of the Spirit as I answered in the affirmative.

After a quick tour of the Smith farmhouse (it was almost closing time), the missionaries encouraged us to take our time in the Sacred Grove. It was then we realized we had left Marian's home so suddenly that we were pretty unprepared for the snow covered trail. Keith had forgotten his coat and I was in a pair of Crocs! Nor did either of us have a camera! Undaunted, we headed off up the trail. Only a few people had walked along the trail since the storm so the snow was pretty deep. My Crocs soon filled with snow as I slipped and slid along the trail. Concerned I might fall, Keith insisted on forging through the fresh snow alongside the trail so he could offer me his arm. We really were a sight and we couldn't help laughing at the picture we must make as we trudged along! :-)

After turning a few curves, the farmhouse disappeared from view. We were well into the Grove so we found a bench to sit for awhile and I could dump the snow from my Crocs. It was so peaceful and quiet -- and then suddenly it didn't seem so cold! It should have felt dreary because there wasn't any green in sight anywhere. Instead, though, we both felt this peaceful, warm feeling and quietly spoke about the knowledge we had that we were walking in a sacred place. We talked of our testimonies of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the Gospel. We were both so grateful for the knowledge we had.

I've thought a lot about this experience since then. I am so grateful that Keith and I were able to spend time together in such a special place. Even though circumstances were far from ideal and really quite comical, we both had felt the Spirit. It has come to me that through the many different and less than ideal times of our lives, the Spirit will be there if we just open our hearts.

Lots of love to you all!

California . . . Here He Comes!

We are preparing for a big change at the Rimington home! Kevin Lee Rimington has been called to serve in the California, Roseville Mission. We were pretty surprised since Kevin had not told us his papers were actually on their way to the mission department. He leaves on July 28th so there is a lot to do in a short amount of time.

We love him very much and will certainly miss him but we know this is where he should be. We are truly grateful for the gospel and pray Kevin will find those who are seeking the very truth that already blesses our own lives!

Lots of love to you all!

Really . . . I'm NOT as Old as You Think!!!

Last week Linda and I had a great weekend! We traveled together down to Cedar City to watch Tara graduate with her Masters Degree. We had a great time and did quite a bit of talking and laughing.

After the graduation, Linda and I stopped to get a little lunch before we started back home. There was a small line so we settled down to wait our turn. An older woman came and sat by us and started talking. In just a few short minutes we had heard a brief abbreviated history of her life, including that she had come to Cedar City to see the graduation of her grandchild and their spouse. She pointed them out including two young children that were clinging to their legs. She proudly declared that she was the great-grandma of the two little ones.

Not to be outdone, Linda mentioned Tara's graduation and that her own two adorable grandchildren had been present as well. The lady congratulated her and then turned to me and asked "So, are you the great-grandma like me?"

(sigh)