"Amish Country & Quilts ... of course!"

We loved the embossed tiara design here as it reminds us that we can be Prince & Princesses (heirs to all the blessings), the meandering pathway - life and the gospel dependant upon how difficult we make it for ourselves, and the log cabin with the hearth being the central focus (heart) of the home, as the family should be.

After much searching this is the quilt we finally decided upon.

Matthew was so considerate as we planned our holiday, and I thank him for being thoughtful to me as to what makes me creatively happy.

I had such a wonderful time in Nauvoo and also in Lancaster county. Watching the Amish at work and play is heartwarming and everyone is so welcoming and helpful. Both these places are relaxing and inspiring areas for me.

"Carriages ..."

This is Matthew and I on a carriage ride through Central Park, New York City.

This is one of the many buggies that we saw on our travels throughout our stay in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

What a wonderful trip we are having, visiting all these places and meeting some of the most friendly, loving and obliging new friends we could ever hope to. Even after 3 weeks of holidaying, there are still people fascinated by our accent - so far I have been mistaken for a Kiwi, Pom, South African, and even a soft spoken southerner today as our family attended the Washington DC temple.

Yesterday before leaving Lancaster County (if there was any where in the country I would say to visit for those who love the 'country', I'd say you must go to Lancaster County and especially around the Ronks and Bird in Hand areas, specifically - lots of fabulous country decor for all), we went to the Hershey factory and spent a long time there. As we drove into town on Chocolate Avenue and then turned onto Cocoa Street, and alighted from our car, the smell in the air was of chocolate. TRUE - no fibs!!!

The street lights are in the shape of Hershey's kisses, and the signs on the light poles designating the numbers, are printed on Hershey Kisses shapes. It's kinda like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

There is Hershey Elementary School, Hershey Middle School and Hershey High School.

We have purchased a gorgeous Amish Quilt for our queen bed and it should be ready for us in a few months. It is remarkable to see first hand the beautiful workmanship that goes into them. We met some very cute Amish boys (so shy) and a lovely little girl called, Mary.

If you ever have the blessing of going to Lancaster County, go to a quilt farm called J & B (there are brochures all around on these places), and that is where you shall meet Mary.

"Us & Martha in New York!!!"

(1) The girls and I on our way to see our friend, Martha.

(2) This is the photo that was taken whilst we were at the actual taping of the Martha Stewart Show in NY (04/12/11). This is on her facebook page.

(3) This is the contents of the goodies bag that each of us were given after the taping of the show concluded at 3.30pm.

We have had an eventful time whilst in New York city. As we got in late-ish on Monday night, there was not a lot to be done, except check emails, facebook etc and Matthew and India went and got a chilli hot dog from one of the street vendors and some great Gelato and Sorbet ice-cream.

Tuesday was THE day - the tickets that I had hoped to get for the Martha Stewart Show had materialised whilst we were in Los Angeles. Now all we had to do was utilise them.

We caught the subway (dirty, stinky and noisy) to 23rd street and proceeded to make our way to her studio - arrived there at about 9.30am. No one was allowed in until 12.30pm for the 2.pm taping - BUT I was not about to be outdone for front row seats (as you can see from the facebook picture).

There was a taping of her show earlier that morning, but we had the van man out front to keep us amused with his woe-begotten tales of exactly how rude Jack Nicholson can be ... It got over-cast and cold and then started to rain - lucky the van man served up not only food but brollies.

At 12.30pm the stage doors opened and Ashlea, Gabi and I were the first ones into recieve our tickets.

#1 - me #2 - Gabi # 3 - Ashlea

The girls and I waited from 9.30am-ish - 12.30pm to make sure that we had the best seats in the house - which we did. It was a great experience to be there and the goodies were a bonus. The fun of being in a live studio audience, and especially with the 'creative' Martha Stewart and her team of hard-working geniuses - we were ALL like giggly school girls (even the men that were there too).

Whilst we were otherwise occupied Matthew and India roamed the streets of NY and ended up at the Rockefeller Centre - they seemed to enjoy all that was on offer there. They got caught in the freezing NY rain and had to buy hoodies to warm up - Matthew an NYPD and India with a NEW YORK one. They came back to greet us tussled and happy, sporting not only the new hoodies, but very sore feet.

Around 3.30pm we had met up again to retrace our steps back to the motel to get changed for an evening out. We all went for dinner and attened a Broadway show - "Jersey Boys". What an experience that was - Franky Vali music as loud as you wanted!!!

"Coincidence and Sacredness ...'

This is Matthew and I in the Sacred Grove at Palmyra, New York State.

We have been covering a lot of ground and those things that stand upon that ground. We are in New Jersey just across the river from New York (city). We left Palmyra this morning (after conquering Hill Cumorah) and staying two nights on Temple Road, Palmyra, with the Temple President and Matron. That was unplanned - we had organised to stay at the Palmyra Inn about a 5 minute walk from the Temple, but when we arrived on Saturday afternoon to do baptisms with the girls the Temple President met us as we came out of the Baptistery and asked us to stay with them. They live opposite the Palmyra Stake centre and the temple is a few minutes along, on the same side as the President's home. So we had everything at our disposal. What a blessing that was - saved us a few hundred $'s.

On Sunday after church, we visited the Smith Farm, and strolled through the autumn leaf strewn Sacred Grove, and all the other sites around there, - then travelled out to the Whitmer Farm that night for a private tour of their residence. I believe on Sunday we took 350 photos - on an average day we do about 250.

Prior to our entrance into the Sacred Grove we were counselled by the guiding missionary, that whilst there we should take time to pray about the sacredness of this site. The girls had gone further ahead, but as Matthew and I entered that quiet grove of trees, I had taken no more than 10 steps and an overwhelming feeling descended upon my heart and soul. Tears flowed and quiet words whispered to me "Who could ever walk within this grove and not know that this is sacred ground where eternal life saving revelations were given to the boy-Prophet, Joseph Smith?! You know that this is true - you always have."

Can you believe it - on Sunday after Sacrament, I met up with a friend of mine (who was seated right behind us) - her and her husband used to ferry my Mom, sister and I back and forth to church each Sunday when I was a YSA when my dad refused to drive us. We came all the way to Palmyra to meet up again. I don't know if you are familiar with them - Jeff & Lorraine SHELTON? Actually, it was a coincidence that Lorraine, Martina and Robbie and our family met up. Lorraine was talking to Ashlea about where she was from in OZ and I turned around and we spotted each other at the same time. As Jeff wasn't there Matthew took Robbie to Priesthood with him.

Anyway, we are here until Wednesday (13/04/11) and then we're on to Lancaster Country PENNSYLVANIA (Amish country and quilts and country stuffs). I think I shall need a crate to send home. While we are here in New York we hope to do a carriage ride through Central Park, the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, a Broadway Show, and possibly more. Tomorrow (12/04/11) though, from 12.30pm to about 3pm Ashlea, Gabi and I have tickets to the Martha Stewart Show taping - so we are all abuzz with that.

Matthew and India have gone out to brave New Jersey at night to get ice cream for all of us and then tomorrow those two are going exploring NY while the rest of us attend the taping.

"The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST isn't a Fast Food Menu"

It has become apparent to me that there are a number of people who are under the impression that they can pick and choose what they want to take, and apply in their lives, from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus far, we have been in all kinds of places, in all kinds of towns and cities, and yet without others knowing who we are and where we are from, (and having a fascination for all things Australian), they are a kind and gospel loving people whether they are of the latter-day saint faith, or otherwise. At many a time these people are more so bearers of the Saviour's name and example, than a lot of latter day saints themselves.

To those who are genuinely converted to the Gospel of our Saviour,

I say 'BRAVO'.

I used to say 'poo poo' to those who would return home from seeing the church history sights as they were having 'to see - to believe.' I can see now why their visits were thus important to them. We have now been to a number of temples here, and had the opportunities (that others may never get) to speak personally with servants of the Lord and hear, see and add witness to their testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel and the life-saving Plan of Salvation. I too can also add my witness of the truthfulness of the gospel and the knowledge that our Saviour is indeed that, our Saviour. All those things that are ' ... worthy or of good report, or praiseworthy ...' I seek after these things. The first photograph here is a bronze statue, directly across from the front doors of the Nauvoo Temple, which depicts the Prophet Joseph, and his brother, Hyrum, as Joseph gives his final counsel to the people of Nauvoo, and his and Hyrum's departure for Carthage, and ultimately, their martyrdom. The second photograph is of our family after doing some sight-seeing following a baptistry, and endowment session. It is fabulous to hear the history behind not only the temple and the fact that the font is oval and not circular, just like the original, and that it is built within 4 feet of the original site ... BUT the shopkeepers here bear testimony of the gospel as they speak with each and every customer who enters their premises.

We have learned so much here, and I have witnessed, yet again, the Lord's hand in many things also. I have cried as our daughters have performed saving ordinances for those who have passed on before. I have felt the spirit and happiness of those for whom we have done these sacred ordinances, and held the hand of my eternal companion as we have knelt at the alter of this temple as a witness couple.

HOLINESS (truly is) TO THE LORD