Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Here are some pictures of my friends modeling the angry bird pig hat that I made for our fundraiser for our trip. Aren't they just so cute?

Stacy above and Cooper below.

I took these as we were arriving to Adam-Ondi-Ahman. And there's the sign. Don't mind the head in the picture.

It was mentioned when we arrived that I should take lots of pictures here so I did. But I have just selected a few to show you.

The sky was beautiful this day too,

This doesn't quite capture how pretty the sky was. The sun was beaming through the clouds in those pillars that always make me thing that angels or Christ himself is coming down. I thought the sky was very appropriate for this place because this is where Christ will come before He comes in His glory.

Here is a group of us. Sorry I haven't had a chance to crop this yet.

And here is a bigger group though not everyone.

And this is a really cool hollow tree. Great for taking pictures.

 

This was a beautiful place. I would love to see it in the spring when everything is green. But even in the winter I love this place.

And again more pictures can be found here or at the top of the page.

Haun's Mill

After visiting Liberty Jail we drove to a town where there was a monument for Haun's Mill. I don't remember the name of the place at the moment. The actual site of Haun's Mill is now a working farm and private property so we couldn't go there but we came to the monument. It is in a park so we got out our rolls and sandwich meat and ate some lunch.

And some crazy children decided to play in the snow or what was left of it. I however was not foolish enough to participate in these activities. ;)

I like this swing and wood have sat in it had there not been a huge pitt of mud underneath it. So I took a picture instead.

 After we at lunch we talked about what happened at Haun's Mill which the story really hit me because of the importance to follow the prophet. Here is a quote from Henry B. Eyring about Haun's Mill. He gave it in conference April 1997. He can tell the story better than I can.

 

"When tensions ran high in northern Missouri in the fall of 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith called for all the Saints to gather to Far West for protection. Many were on isolated farms or in scattered settlements. He specifically counseled Jacob Haun, founder of a small settlement called Haun’s Mill. A record of that time includes this: “Brother Joseph had sent word by Haun, who owned the mill, to inform the brethren who were living there to leave and come to Far West, but Mr. Haun did not deliver the message.” Later, the Prophet Joseph recorded in his history: “Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took counsel. None had ever been killed who [had abided] by my counsel”. Then the Prophet recorded the sad truth that innocent lives could have been saved at Haun’s Mill had his counsel been received and followed.

 

"n our own time, we have been warned with counsel of where to find safety from sin and from sorrow. One of the keys to recognizing those warnings is that they are repeated. For instance, more than once in these general conferences, you have heard our prophet say that he would quote a preceding prophet and would therefore be a second witness and sometimes even a third. Each of us who has listened has heard President Kimball give counsel on the importance of a mother in the home and then heard President Benson quote him, and we have heard President Hinckley quote them both. The Apostle Paul wrote that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Cor. 13:1). One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time."

This is a mill stone from Haun's Mill. (Or so they believe.)

Here is the group or most of us anyway. I think we are missing a few people.

So what I learned here is that we need to follow the counsel of the Prophet. That is why we have one.

If you would like to see more pictures check the tab at the top.

Liberty Jail

Our first stop besides food and potty breaks was Liberty Jail in Missouri. The original jail was torn down but they built a replica of it based on some journal entries. Joseph and Hyrum Smith and others were held in this jail for 5 months awaiting trial.

 

 

 Although conditions here were horrible, Joseph received revelations that are important and the jail is nicknamed a "Temple Jail." The revelations he received here are Doctrine and Covenants Sections 121, 122, and 123.

 The walls of the prison were so thick (4 feet thick) and there were only two windows this size. It was very dark inside. This is looking into the jail but imagine looking out a window like this.

If this did not satisfy your desires to look at pictures of Liberty Jail you can go to the tab at the top to see more (a lot more). Or click here.

Nauvoo Teaser

My Young Single Adult (YSA) branch went on a trip to Nauvoo this week for spring break. It was such a wonderful trip. The spirit taught me many things on the trip and I am stronger because of it. I can't do the whole trip justice right nowbecause I am still very sleepy (more on that later) and I took over 800 pictures on the trip so haven't had time to sort through them. So here are two as a teaser of what's to come.

 

 

Stay tuned for more about the trip. It was amazing! I'm so glad I got the chance to go.

Rodeo

For my non Houstonian readers, every year there is a big Livestock show and Rodeo here in Houston. It goes on every night for about 3 weeks in February and March. It is the thing to do and is actually pretty fun. After the Rodeo they have a concert from some big musician that unfortunately for me is usually country. (I'm just not into country music but you are free to enjoy it.) Well, fortunately this year Bruno Mars was on the list and we were lucky enough to snatch a nose bleed ticket before it sold out on the first day tickets were available.

It was great! Bruno sure knows how to work the audience and is so charming in concert. He also sounds good live unlike some. We all had a great time.

 I must admitt that he makes me want to swoon. But then I remember that he is really short and that helps me not get overly crazy about him.

 Contrary to what the empty seats behind us would suggest this is actual during the rodeo. We got there a little late but a lot came even later then us. The concert at the end is the draw.

 It was almost as fun watching Fatima's face during the concert because she was so happy.

 See now when the concert has started the seats are full.

 I was also having fun trying out my new camera during the show. It takes some really nice photos.


It was fun! So worth staying up late on a work night.

The One and Only

Today I went on an adventure that I didn't know was possible in Texas until last night at 8 PM. I went to the one and only Castle in Texas. Complete with drawbridge, moat, and gators.That's right, there is a CASTLE in Texas. Here are some pictures to prove it.

See it does exist and I was there.

We got lost on our way to the castle because they don't give out the address so people can't show up any time. They have you meet at the bakery and then you caravan over to the castle. Well the lead car took off before we could turn around and get in line so we ended up wondering the roads forever trying to find it. And eventually did. It was kind of frustrating but we got over it and still had fun.

The rest of the tour group started before us so we got to walk around alone which allowed us to take these awesome pictures that we might not have gotten with the big group. So I guess getting lost wasn't all bad.

They do rent out the rooms as a B&B and you can host events there too. How cool is that. I think it would be awesome to have a weekend trip to a castle.

So for those of you wanting to get a better look before you book your weekend trip let's see more.

I believe they call this the Dining Hall. They even host Murder Mysteries here. So fun right?

 

They even have a chapel so if you are looking for a venue for your wedding... Though it is very small. I was standing in the door way to take this picture. You might need to use another room for the ceremony.

 Doesn't this just make you see a bride and groom standing down there infront of the table? Or have I just looked at too many wedding pictures in my day?

And incase the party gets to crazy you can lock people up in here.

Or for the kids perhaps? ;)

 

I kid, of course.

 

Check out this view.



Please pretend that my eyes are not closed here. It is such a great picture other wise.

 As you can see, Whitney thinks this is a great place to find Zombies. Or become one.

 

I think this may be my favorite photo I took there. The window could use a washing but it kind of adds to the old time castle effect.

Check out this sink. I thought it was awesome. I loved how it made it look like it fit in. If they had running water in the middle ages, I would believe that the sinks might look like this.

 



 The Kitchen. Again a clever way to make something modern fit in.

 

They said that they make their own wine there as well.

The owner of the castle Mike Newman does live in the castle. This is his bed. He always wanted his own castle so he built one. See dreams do come true.

 And look they use chainmail as their shower curtain. But some how I don't think that keeps the water in very well.

Here are the guards watching the drawbridge. Are they dwarves or am I just a giant?

 They even have their own catapult.

 

Here we are all outside the castle. It was quite the fun adventure to see. And it was so cold outside with the piercing wind that it felt like we had left Texas.

 

As we were leaving Bellville, where the castle is, we saw that they were having a car show. So we stopped to see them.

 

 

But this one is my favorite.

 

It was such a great adventure. I really enjoyed it. It got all my creative juices flowing of all the awesome things you could do at a castle. I definately forsee future trips out there especially now I know how to get there.

 

If you are interested in taking a trip out there you can find the info at newmancastle.com and the murder mystery at murderbychocolate.com then click on castle.