Palmyra New York for the Holiday

Christmas morning we left early for Palmyra New York. Here we are at our first stop, hiking up the Hill Cumorah  where Joseph Smith received the gold plates

We went to the Sacred Grove where young Joseph prayed after reading in the New Testament, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, and his prayers were answered here at this Grove

We stayed at the Palmyra Inn, A beautiful place homey and a great hot tub

The next day we went to Jims home in Lewiston in Northern New York, Here is where he spent his High school times. This beautiful home sets on a hill over looking the Niagara River. After we went to Fort Niagara where he worked.

The highlight was going to the Palmyra temple where we could enjoy the sacred feelings of worship and helping others who have passed before. I really miss not having a temple right in our back yard, oh, we do! It is being built, only 40steps away from our Apt in downtown Philadelphia,!!! Soon we will be able to see our new temple with the completed spires and no scaffolds to block the beautiful detail. We look forward to the open house of our temple here in Phily

Christmas in Philadelphia

Twas the night before Christmas in Old Philly Towne
The Woolley family, from Britain, settled all around.

1683 Sissilla Wooey, as an indentured servant came first, as far as we know.
1729 Thomas Woolley married Sarah Coppack in Christ Church, all a glow.
1807 Edwin D Woollley, Chester born, wanted to know more.
1837 was baptized, went west with Brigham and opened a store
1947 Gordon and Joyce Lund, newly married, came to Temple Med. School.
        robbed twice, nearly lost the baby, no money, no Christmas, not cool.

      And now 2015 Jimmie and Patty are serving, working hard you see,
     Scanning for Family Search in Pennsylvania and the Historical Society.

( you too can learn about your family. this is my mother's mothers family and I was this first baby when my mother started loosing me at 6 1/2 months! go to wwwfamilyserach.org or wwwHSP. org

Caroling at City Hall in Philadelphia

Yesterday we met at noon to sing with the young missionaries. It is my favorite activity this holiday. It turned out to be the coldest day we have had here, about 40 ish! Not too bad. We remember caroling in Geneva,standing on ice, not  being prepared. We had hats and gloves and even my hot herb tea bottle!

People stopped and took photos, The Sister Missionaries handed out cards and some people got wrapped Books of Mormon. We had signs in English and Spanish about Families

Here is the whole group at the open area in the middle

This is the Town hall from a distance, with William Penn on top.

. We were in a walkway that people go through to get across and through the town hall. Macys is at one end with the famous organ and Christmas program. It was a cold day but our spirits were on fire with the joy of sharing our love of the Savior through music

AND last here are the beautiful Sisters serving in our Independence Ward.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas festivities

Last week we had many parties to start off the Christmas festivities. Here we are at the ward party taking advantage of the mistletoe.

Our youth  put on the Nativity with Wise men and girls to honor our Savoir's birth

This is the lobby were we live so we dont need to buy our own tree this year. For this mission at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania we were told to dress in business casual so I brought my favorite uggs for the cold weather.

And here is another tree at the Library were we serve. It is a beautiful old building with a magnificent entry.

We had a great Christmas party at the library in the foyer  part where we usually have computers set up for guests coming to research, Some of us got awards that evening...me,,,Social Butterfly!

This weekend it was so warm (70) that I could wear my candy cane top with out my parka! We enjoyed the warm weather by having a picnic on the River on the famous Kelly Drive by Boat House Row. We walked again where Rocky trained for his fights. We are blessed with warm weather here for this Christmas season. We are blessed with health at this times. We are blessed to be able to take time in our lived to serve with Family Search to help make records searchable on line. And we are blessed to have a wonderful family to love and care for and be watched over while we are away. Hope you all are having a great festivities where you are and that you take time to remember our Lord, Jesus Christ, our Savoir.

Child-like Joy

I am thankful for the Joy that comes from being with, sharing times, cooking, riding bikes, putting on shows, learning  new things, playing, dancing, singing, swimming, hiking, reading books, and laughing at all the silly things that we do together with Children. This is especially true with my grandchildren and now almost raised children.

Long ago I learned that I would much rather sit at the kids table at grandmas house than with the adults. Adults are basically boring!

Birthdays and fun colorful clothes

Goofy cute faces

Up in the Mountains

Hiking

Hugs

Our Viking heritage

marshmellow wars

Sharing our love of the outdoors

here is Layla on our boat that the kids have  named Moose after my father.

sharing our Love at Thanksgiving

The Mercado family came to visit us during Thanksgiving. Here we are at the Parade near the Philadelphia Temple at the end of the parade.

Val, Jim, Jason and Karissa

Me and Erik 4 enjoying the floats

Swimming races / turkey time

Running up the Art Museum

Where our Freedom was born

Right down town Philly

Philly cheese steaks, of course

ly

Independance

Rocky  runners

and we are loving every minute of our time together with family

Thinking at the Rodin with Victoria, Karissa, Erik and Austin. Love love love love

Bits and pieces

As the seasons are changing, we are enjoying our colorful times here. We have found artisans from all over the world sharing their talents and joys. Jim is now in leadership with the High Priest and is looking forward to preparing new members for our new Philadelphia Temple. Lights on the outside of the temple shine in the evening and the surrounding buildings and streets are preparing for the big holiday season that is just beginning

At the library we have many groups come to get training in the history and use of the library. This photo is taken near the entry by the beautiful large stairs with many of our friends. Here we are preparing for our group photo for our Christmas card.

this photo is just on the other side of Kelly Drive

Here is another view of the entry way into the Historical Society

in the very large Fairmount Park

Sending off our wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. And prayers for peace