This weekend we drove to upstate New York to attend the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra. We stopped in Ithaca to spend some time with our old neighbor, Cathy. It was so peaceful to be back and kind of felt like de ja vu to be back at our townhomes. Cathy came with us to the Pageant and we were so excited to spend some more time with her.
We arrived early at the Pageant, fearing the usual crowd. But the rain must have scared the crowd away as we almost had any pick of which wet chairs we wanted. Thankfully we went prepared with umbrellas, blankets, and a tarp as the rain stopped and started frequently during the Pageant. It was amazing how everything went as planned, regardless of the weather. It was an amazing performance as always!
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Sunday morning we were able to attend our old ward in Ithaca. Since it’s a college town the turn-over rate is quite high, and can be quite sparse in the summer, but we were able to see a number of old friends and acquaintances. It was great! The kids loved being in a normal ward with lots of other kids and they got to separate into classes!
Then we were in for the 4 1/2 hour trip home, made an hour longer from poor construction habits in Pennsylvania. We, of course, made our normal pit stop in Scranton at Chris’s favorite gas station, Sheetz. The kids then found anything they could to keep themselves entertained!
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Looks like the kids were well ‘entertained’. Looks like everyone had a good time, rain and all. I can’t believe how much Cami is starting to look like Hannah!!
I would love to see that pageant someday! Sounds like you had lots of fun! Just curious…what is your home ward like? Is it really small or just not many children?
so jealous that you got to go back to ithaca… it’s been too long. glad you had such a great weekend… sounds fabulous… even the rain!!!
What fun! I loved going to the pageant. I’m glad you still recognized some people in the ward, too. I miss all that. I don’t, however, miss the construction in Pennsylvania. Every time we’d drive through from DC there were delays somewhere. Reminds me of Utah, actually!
Brooke – our branch here is small and mostly converts. We used to not see the same people every week but that is getting better. When we moved here a year ago there were about 65 regular attendance in Sacrament meeting and the missionaries were in the branch presidency. We have two couples called to attend to support the branch. Our kids were half of the primary. Now we have about 110 attendance and the primary has grown to about 15 (not always the same kids) but they still only separate into junior and senior primary for classes. They don’t have achievement days or anything like that which makes me a little sad but we all feel part of the branch with an important role to play so that is nice.
Wow! That reminds me of the branch I grew up in. My siblings and I seemed to make up a good portion of the primary. We did separate into classes though. Usually just one or two of us per class! There were several years when I was the only one in my class! Or sometimes they’d combine a few of us around the same age. But I have to say…I think it helped me become the person I am. Lots of opportunities to serve and “grow” your own testimony!
So fun! We were just talking recently about maybe making the trek back up to Ithaca for a visit. Glad you could see the pageant too! I bet it was fun to see many old friends. 🙂