Day 11 Welcome to Kirtland

Well today we continued on to historic Kirtland. It was interesting to note the different feeling that the visitors centers in each church history site had. I can only explain it by attributing it to the mission president in each area and his vision for the missionaries there. Arriving in Kirtland for me was like coming home. All of the couples missionaries were so excited to say hello to us and I noted they shared that same enthusiasm with each of the visitors. The sisters were the same in their enthusiasm and the warm spirit they had with them. It was so fun to tour the different sites in Kirtland. While there it rained but we were prepared with our maid of the mist ponchos. Some still were getting wet so Sister Brown handed me a plastic sheet (for painting) and several of us got under it as we walked from site to site. We lovingly referred to it as the cabin.

On the second floor of the main visitor's center in Kirtland there was an exhibit for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Having been a member my friends encouraged me to check it out. It was quite fun and interesting. I of course had to take a picture with the famous choir dresses. They're world renowned ya know!



After historic Kirtland we took a walking tour of the quarry where the rock was mined for the Kirtland Temple. This is not an official church site but is in partnership with the forest service. The missionaries there are not dressed up and don't wear tags but wear forest service vests. Technically they are not supposed to mention they are missionaries but they could to us. Interesting setup. It was cool to walk there and hear the history. I guess this is a newer site that hasn't been open long.

This is me, Jewels, Andrea and Amber...and ummm..I'm not quite sure what is happening.

Our next stop was the Johnson farm in Hiram, Ohio. I hadn't realized that when Joseph Smith was tarred and feathered he wasn't in Kirtland. Hiram is a ways away and this is where he was taken from his bed and tarred and feathered. It was quite sobering to be in the place where it happened. The home was very nice and you could tell the Johnson's were a wealthier family for that time.

From here we went to Amish Country where we enjoyed a GREAT meal at Mary Yoder's Amish Restaurant. It was like Thanksgiving dinner. TONS of yummy food! The high school girls (as well as some of my friends) were ogling one of the Amish waiter guys. Turns out he had a girlfriend. They were very sad. Talk about being in the world but not of the world. Buggies were going down the street with the cars. Those buggies haul. It reminded me of that movie we watched when we were younger except I think it was about the quakers. I just remember the two neighbors racing to their separate churches each Sunday in their buggies. Anyone know what I'm talking about? It was an interesting site. Back to our hotel for a short night's sleep!!!!

Julia and I outside the Amish restaurant where a rainbow appeared!!!