Part V: Closing Remarks

Well, I've run out of pictures worth posting on here, and the only things left unmentioned are either inside jokes from the pageant and/or workcrew or a little too personal for this blog. So, in closing to this wonderful chapter of my life, I would like to reiterate how amazing this experience has been for me. I've learned an incredible amount going through this physically-tasking yet highly-spiritual and well put together pageant. I would highly recommend seeing the show, regardless if you believe in the Book of Mormon or not--it is truly a spectacular show. If you're a member of the church, head to the pageant's website (http://www.hillcumorah.org/Pageant/Default.aspx (warning: sorta loud background music)) and fill out an application to be a part of the experience! They are accepting applications for next summer's show starting August 15 through November 1--don't procrastinate!

If you are just interested in learning more about the pageant (history, production info, etc.), all that is located on the website as well.

With the pageant out of the way now, there are just two major events left in the near future: family vacation to Hawaii (surprise b-day present beginning Sunday, August 9th!), and then THE MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sooo excited to finally be heading out on this mission!

I love you all!

Part IV: Trips Away from the Hill

I apologize for the small delay in getting this post out. A combination of procrastination, gaining access to everyone else's photos, accidently deleting many of my good pageant pictures (luckily, I've recovered from this heartbreaking experience and found all the pictures through various online sources. Unfortunately some of them lost their size and/or resolution.), and getting 2 wisdom teeth pulled (I'm recovering very well from that as well) contributed to the delay. But enough excuses, on to the photos!

We took multiple trips out to the Sacred Grove and I just loved it! It's so peaceful in there and you can just lose yourself deep in the trees and just think about anything. I managed to get some good artsy photos too.

We toured all of the major church history sites, including the Joseph Smith farm, the David Whitmer farm, and the Grandin building, where the Book of Mormon was first published.

I envision this to be the room at the Whitmer Farm that Joseph was translating in:

First Edition Book of Mormon:

We also took the chance and went into the Palmyra Temple, which was absolutely beautiful! The stained glass consisted of lots of trees, creating the effect of being in the Sacred Grove, which you could see from the temple.

I do not claim these next two photos, but I thought they were gorgeous.

Our personal caterer worked at this little log cabin restaurant that hosted a weekly car show in their plot of land. We visited this car show on our last week and it was pretty sweet the vehicles we ran into. It was a healthy mix between motorcycles, fast cars, funny cars, and old-fashioned cars.

We also visited a state park called Stony Brook, which had beautiful nature hikes and a semi-natural pool made behind a dam.