Strawberries and a Canal

 Most of you probably know that the Erie Canal is in New York.  It is a waterway that changed the lives of the people back in the day.  It runs from Albany to Buffalo and connects the Hudson Bay to Lake Erie. It was first built in 1825 and was 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep.  Barges were pulled by donkeys along a track on the edge of the canal. In 1908 and 1918 it was enlarged to 120 feet wide and 12 feet deep.  Over half of the smaller canal was abandoned (we drive past part of the old canal and it's gross.  It has an awful green something that floats on top of it.) There are 34 locks that move the boats through.  We had the opportunity to go on a canal cruise this past week for our P-Day.  We had invited Elder and Sister Park and they joined us.  We had a great time.  We went through Lock 18 and it was really cool to experience.  We dropped 20 feet to the Mohawk River and then we turned around and came back into the lock and were raised back up to the canal.  It was a slow day with just us but it gets really busy with lots of boats.  They are recreational boats- some are yachts and our captain said they come from all around the world.  

From the Canal we saw one of the oldest churches in the area.  It is the Fort Herkimer Church and was built in 1767.  We decided that we would go find it after we got back.  The graveyard was full of old old graves.  Some of the headstones were tipping almost sideways and some were broken right off.  Many of the old graves are so worn that you can't read the engravings which is so sad.  We took pictures of some of the markers that show the soldiers that are buried there.  From the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. We love the history that we find in New York.  We are so thankful for those who fought for freedom and for those who helped establish this free land so the gospel could be restored.  We are blessed!

On Tuesday morning, early, we headed into New Hartford to get me a cortisone shot in my dumb knee.  I was hoping it would kick in a feel better real quick. (that doesn't seem to be happening) Then we helped the Hamilton Sisters with a service project.  They have a friend that they have been teaching who needed help picking strawberries.  We were glad to help, so off we went to Morrisville and picked beautiful berries.  It was pretty muddy but seemed to work out.  He was so thankful for the help.

Wednesday brought our District Council.  We had it in Hamilton because the Sisters had an apartment inspection just after and they needed to be close.  We are all so excited about the new Preach My Gospel and we jumped into learning all the changes and things that could help with bringing souls to Christ.  We ate lunch together and then Mike and I jumped in the car and headed to Palmyra to see our friends, the Hales family, who were touring Church History and American History sites.  It's always fun to meet up with people from home.  We met them at the Hill Cumorah and then we went to the temple and walked around the outside. It was fun telling them some of the cool details in the temple windows and architecture.

Thursday was our Book of Mormon class and we taught Helaman 5.  We learned about the importance of remembering (Remember, Remember)  and most importantly how we need to build our testimonies on the foundation of Jesus Christ.  The discussion was awesome and I totally love when the Spirit takes over and the teaching takes a turn into something that wasn't even planned.  We built a house (on the chalk board) on the foundation of Jesus Christ and everyone told of things we can do to build strong on that foundation. Our walls, roof, chimney, door, windows, bushes, were all the things- you know them- scriptures, prayer, covenants, commandments, temple, obedience, faith, word of wisdom, chastity, Sacrament, service-all the things that also add oil to our lamps.  We love teaching the Book of Mormon.  It has definitely been a blessing and testimony builder.

We had the chance to do service at the food pantry and we had training on the new PMG on Friday.  We met up with and had a yummy Mexican dinner with the office couples.  It's always fun to get to know them better. 

Saturday was building cleaning and putting things together for Sunday.  Mike copied the programs for church and we ran home to make a treat for dinner.  We had been invited to the Bishop's home for dinner. (The Bishop and his family are moving to Utah in a couple of weeks).  We had the Joneses and the Sisters join us.  I made S'Mores 7 layer bars and they turned out pretty good.  

Sunday was fun.  We had three families who are camping by a lake up the road who came to church and they will come again next week.  That added to our numbers which is always a good thing.  Testimony meeting is always a little interesting but it turned out great.  We had the Sisters for dinner and broke our fast together and then we had the chance to talk to a couple of our kids.  There was also a mission wide Zoom fireside with Sister Gentry's niece and her husband who is a new quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.  All in all, it was a busy and fabulous week.  We love being here.  We love the adventures we have a chance of experiencing.  We love our Heavenly Father and our Savior.  We are so blessed with abundance and we are forever thankful.  Have a beautiful week!