DC

We arrived yesterday in DC, grabbed our rental car and hurried to church. It felt so good to be in the familiarity of sacrament meeting. The Bishopric was speaking and spoke on Pres Hinckley's talk: A Father in Zion. As the speaker listed the 10 things that a good father should do, I placed a mental checkmark on each item, giving Tony a 100% score, an A + Dad. Everyday of this trip I am more grateful for this gift of memories that Tony is giving our family.

After church we had dinner at a Thai restaurant near our hotel in Chinatown. The evening was an absolutely perfect temperature so our walk in the National Mall was breathtaking. We strolled along the pathway to visit the Vietnam, Lincoln, and Washington memorials. We also walked around the National sculpture garden and in front of the White House. It was a peaceful and reverent night. After ice cream Tony and I dropped the kids at the hotel and went for a drive to the Washington DC temple. It was such a nice way to end the day; I have always wanted to see that temple. DC is a beautiful city, clean and peaceful, a contrast from New York that is so loud and "in your face." I was proud of the city that is the face of our country. I loved loved loved the beautiful brick homes and classic architecture.

We were stopped twice by people who told us what a beautiful family we have. For this one night, with everyone getting along and in that beautiful place, I could agree. Wilson found $10.00 on the ground and I was proud of him for listening to the spirit direct him to give it to a homeless man. I'm also impressed that Cooper thinks to do things like "drop a pin" on his phone so he won't get lost and set a timer for parking meters. Cooper has a gift of forethought that gives him confidence.

We had our first sleep-in morning, had a workout, enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and were off to the DC museums. Tony frightened the kids by putting on his red swimming suit with a blue shirt and white socks. He called it his patriotic outfit. Wilson described it as the "outfit of shame."

We started at the Air and Space Museum and spent a beautiful couple of hours among the planes and rockets. After refueling with Popsicles and hotdogs with kraut we played some frisbee at the beautiful park nearby. After lunch we spent another couple of hours at the Museum of Natural History. Marcos loved the ocean exhibit, especially the shark bones. In the animals of North America exhibit we ran into our neighbors from St John! What were the chances? Tony could have stayed in the airplance and space exhibits forever. Cooper got good at using the microscope, to get close ups of all the specimens. Wilson enjoyed the ocean photographer who found a new species of whale. He felt like the museums would give a writer so much inspiration. Max most enjoyed shopping in the museum stores, especially the lego stuff. Eliza most liked the minerals and gems. I enjoyed the exhibit about Anne Morrow Lindberg. None of us liked the evolution exhibit. Too much science, not enough truth.

We ended our visit at the Jefferson Memorial and were impressed that Jefferson looks straight at the White House as if to remind our government that "we place on the alter of God the eternal hostility of the tyranny of the mind." We had to miss the Arlington Cemetery, because we were hot, tired and thirsty, but talked about it on our way out of town. We spent our drive to Cleveland listening to "The Book Thief," Les Mis music and Tom T Hall. It was nice that we have a couple of teenage drivers to give us a driving break. We passed through four states, my favorite being Pennsylvania. Such beautiful scenery. Only the toll roads were driving us crazy.

We had a peaceful day in Kirtland after a good breakfast and a quick swim. We started at the visitor center where we saw the Newell K Whitney store, Smith home and sawmill. We next visited the Kirtland temple, owned by the Community of Christ Church. Our guide, a young man from India did a good job telling us all the facts, but the kids noticed right away the infrequent mention of the Savior and lack of testimony. I was anxious to have the church put money and expertise into the renovation, as it seems pretty dilapidated. We ended our Kirtland visit at the Morley farm. I am again struck with the importance of finding our own sacred grove, our own temple experiences where the Lord reveals himself to us. Another lesson exemplified by the pioneers is that I need to not concern myself with material possessions. Commandments involving material possessions are for the purpose of directing us to the Savior, they are tools.


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