Beauty All Around

 We are completely surrounded by beauty! And we love it! We decided to attempt the Watkins Glen waterfalls again because we had heard that the falls are huge in the Spring and Summer.  Off we went with camera and tripod in tow.  As we drove through Geneva, we had to stop at a couple of churches that we hadn't seen the last time we were there.  So a picture was in need.

Well back to the falls! The idea that the water was flowing high was an understatement.  In fact, because of heavy rain, the water was filled with dirt and I was a bit disappointed.  As we hiked I still took pictures and they actually turned out great.  We will probably hit it one more time to try for the perfect look that I want.  In fact, the falls aren't too far from where we are having YW camp next week so we will probably make it happen after camp.  But here are some of the pics.  They are still pretty!

After we got good and wet at Watkins Glen we headed toward Ithaca to see Buttermilk Falls. On the way we came across this amazing covered bridge! We have seen it before but not with the flowers at the side.  I think I kinda love it.

Buttermilk Falls didn't hold our interest so we headed to Taughannock Falls.  It is a huge waterfall, dropping 215 feet to the pool below.  We saw it from the top which was great because we parked right there and walked down some stone steps to the over look.

As we were walking back to our car, Mike was carrying my big camera on the tripod.  As we went up those rough stone steps, he caught his toe and fell.  Being very careful not to damage the camera, he took the brunt of the fall with his arm!  Well, look at the mess!

It was a good scrape.  It looks like a burn but it's just a scrape.  I felt so bad.  He wanted to save that camera-which he did.  He is so good!  Luckily, it is healing just fine.  After we got it cleaned up a bit and climbed back in the car, he insisted we go to the bottom of the falls.  This was a bit of a walk up a trail for about 3/4 of a mile in.  But what a beautiful river and water fall.

We headed home with a total of 6 miles on our shoes, a sore arm, and a happy wife.  We feel so blessed to love being together. 

Our week was filled with Temple Prep class, District Council, Book of Mormon class, service at the food pantry, training and lots of fun. We felt like we were preparing a lot for our classes which always pays off.

On Friday afternoon, we took a drive out to Hamilton to check for a package that we were hoping had been delivered to the Sisters who were transferred.  We stopped at our favorite little Amish stand and grabbed some green beans, potatoes, and squash.  We really love their freshly picked produce.

We grabbed some firewood, which everyone sells out on the country roads, so that we could have a fire at the Elder's Quorum BBQ.  We headed back to Rome just in time to get to the BBQ.  We only had about 20 people show up and there was tons of food.  It was a nice evening with people that have become our friends. 

Saturday was a big day.  A week ago, when we went to the temple with Gail, she had said that she wanted to go to the sites.  We told her that we would bring her and spend the day. This was the day. We started out at the Sacred Grove and log home and frame home.  She loved everything she saw.  In fact, she was like a kid in a candy store.  We walked through the grove and then we headed to the Hill Cumorah.  At the beginning of the tour, they take you into the Christus Room and there we hear the words of Jesus, "Behold, I Am Jesus Christ". Gail broke down and started to sob.  She was so overcome by the Spirit that she couldn't hold it in. The Sisters were very touched by Gail.  We watched a film and then we went into the back room that has the interactive videos and the Book of Mormon in all the languages that it's been translated into.  She wanted to watch every little film.  In fact, she said to me, "Wait!  They had a compass?"  I said, "The Liahona?" she said, "Yes, a compass and it only worked if they were good?"  She was so interested that I told her we would learn about it this week in our Book of Mormon class.  We rode up and back to the statue of Moroni, saw a beautiful little fawn, and then headed toward the Grandin Print Shop.  

We loved the Grandin and that we were walking on the same floor that Joseph had walked on (they are original) and it is amazing how much time it took to set the type and get 5,000 book printed and bound. Mike’s grandpa Jolley was a typesetter! It is intensive work to set each letter and space-backwards and upside down. WOW!

After the Grandin, we headed to the East a bit and met up with Sisters Erickson and Hafen.  The Atwood family had also gone for a visit (with permission for all of us).  We met at an ice cream shop that has massive ice cream cones and of course, the Atwoods bought.  It was fun seeing Sister Erickson and Sister Hafen.  Both were trained in Rome and we love them. (as you can see, my hair does not do well in the humidity)

We finished the day at the Peter Whitmer Farm and I think it was Gail's favorite!.  Again, the film gave her chills and tears.  She loved the house and the Sisters were so drawn to her.  They had a connection that was awesome to watch.  We were tired and headed for home.  It was a great day.

Sunday was a little more low key than most of our Sundays and that is okay.  We had the Sisters for dinner and then we watched Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration.  We fell into bed looking forward to another very busy week.  We love you all!