Winter Quarters

Today we traveled to Winter Quarters for a temple trip. Bill and I usually make this trip each month. We live about 2 3/4 hours from the temple, so it takes most of the day for a single session. For this reason we plan our trips on Saturday. Up until last fall, Ethel went to the temple each week with a couple in our ward who are temple workers. Last fall she developed a peculiar type of car sickness that manifested itself in gripy bowels. After the second time the couple left her at a truck stop and called me to come and get her, I put a stop to her going with them. (Who leaves an 83 year old lady at the truck stop by herself????) So today, armed with extra clothes, towels, etc--Matt and Mandy got the day off from work so they could help her in and out of the car (Bill had to work), we began the trip. The plan was for the children to enjoy the visitor center. With starts and stops and cleaning up, we arrived at the temple 4 1/2 hours later. During the trip. . .






Josh and Jessica slept in a pile in the back seat.

Daniel watched everything out the window and while he looked rather bored, he only stated so once during the entire day. Matt took care of the CD player and Mandy snoozed and snapped pictures.

When we arrived at the visitor center, we took the opportunity to watch the Joseph Smith movie. It was an inspirational way to get the mood back for the remainder of the day. Then it was time for Ethel and I to go for our session at the temple. While we were there. . .

The children got to dress up in pioneer gear and then go through the hands on exhibit. Daniel did his cool dude pose in cowboy gear.

The next phase of the exhibit was bunks on a ship, made life size. My 3 boys would have had to share this small bunk for the entire trip across the ocean.

Jessica and Mandy would have also had to share a bunk, however they would have either had to have all of the family things that weren't in storage or another sister sharing with them. How about it Rachel??

Finally after being cramped across the see and then sitting on raw board seats on a train, and then a river trip, they would begin the treck with the handcart. A family our size with 8 people would have had only 1 cart, however since Matt is an adult, we might have been able to have part of a second cart. No such luck with the girls being adults though. Each family member would have been allowed only so much on the cart. Bill, Myself, Matt and Mandy--17 lbs each, Jessica and Joshua--13 lbs, Daniel--11 lbs. When you consider that my standard size scriptures weigh 5 lbs, that is really not very much. We have handcart pioneer roots. Our family came across in the Willy handcart company. I am humbled and greatful for the sacrifices that our ancestors went through in coming to Salt Lake. Because of thier testimony and faith, we have been blessed for what is now the 5th generation since that time. It is a legacy of faith handed down to us, it is who we are, both by culture and by choice. We are blessed.