"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.