Our Time in Ashland

         Jenna had been accepted to Southern Oregon University which we toured on the 19^th. We had invited Jenna’s friend Kylee to go with us. We had to have proof of vaccination or else a negative result on a “last 24 hour” test.  I thought Kylee would have had that already but was not able to get either in time for our tour and so ended up not going with us which is really too bad.  I think she would have enjoyed it.

        We arrived in Ashland very early in the morning.  The elements were dark but there were buildings lit up with Christmas décor.  It was as though Ashland embraced us with welcoming arms.  It was so beautiful and inviting.

We had arrived early and thus able to get a decent parking spot in front of the admissions building which is where the event started.  Those in charge admitted us into the building so that we would not freeze as it has been cold outside.  I’m pretty certain that we were the first registered for the orientation/tour package.

        A breakfast bar had been set up for all of the participants.  We enjoyed scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy and fruit before the morning orientation, separating the students from family members and going on tour.     There was a scavenger photo contest presented for whatever students had desire to participate – which of course Jenna did.  Here are some of the photographs that she took: 

        The theatre didn’t seem to offer a separate course as some of the other departments and so we ended up with the digital cinema.  I enjoyed seeing the work of some of the students as they presented footage and talked about some of the challenges that they had. 

        We ate lunch.  There were a variety of options.  I selected a “build it” sandwich as there was no line.  Jenna selected pizza which looked good but was the worse tasting pizza either one of us have had.  I enjoyed the sandwich though. 

        After that we toured the housing area.  Jenna seemed comfortable with being able to live there – which she may end up doing.  We had gone to the library as she had a question for the admissions with the theatre department but the library only offered the basic admission and had set up computers for that.  On our return to the Stevenson  Union building we met a senior majoring in theatre.  She and Jenna swapped information to keep in touch.  I thought that was cool.  Very impressed with how friendly everyone was.  Jenna will fit in well.

        Our last stop was at the financial sources and then return back home.  It is only about an hour and a half from where we live.  I like that she will still be close enough to visit.  And she does already have at least two friends who attend.  Guess we will have a better idea where she will be going within the next four months.

Between Two Weathers

           Joseph Smith knelt in a grove of trees in fervent prayer and was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  This is known as “the first vision” which took place in early spring 1820. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/the-first-vision-fe5db8d?lang=eng

According to the equinox the first day of spring begins at the end of March (usually 20 – 22 depending on the year I guess) and ends in June on the same numbered date.  My definition of spring includes blossoms on trees, buds starting to peek their heads out of stems promising to become flowers.

https://beneaththewraps.blogspot.com/2016/02/spring-arrived-early.html

 I have always seen spring as a promise of growth.  That means no snow, no wind and no darkness. Or so was my belief when I lived in Salt Lake.  I remember seeing the blossoms and buds appearing in February 2016 our first year in Oregon.  It is so different from Salt Lake. The grass is green from October to June. 

 

https://beneaththewraps.blogspot.com/2016/02/spring-arrived-early.html

There hasn’t been much in the way of snow though we’ve had days of bleakness, heavy rain, fog and winds.  There are signs of snow in the hills – but it doesn’t last.  Still, I have seen more signs of autumn this year than of spring – which should take place in six and a half weeks.  The grass is green in Oregon but buried beneath the snow in Palmyra.

It was probably 2 and a half months after the date of the first vision when my family visited Palmyra on June 14, 2020 so today would be closer to the date of the first vision than would our only visit.  There has been speculation that March 26, 1820 (here and here) was the actual date of the first vision – but it is only speculation.  Artists portray the first vision as happening in the cool green grass and doesn’t give the impression that the ground was still muddy with moisture left by the winter snow. 

https://bookofmormoncentral.org/blog/celebrating-the-restoration-
day-3-differences-and-similarities-in-the-first-vision-accounts

 And yet there appeared to be a lot of snow on the ground in Palmyra yesterday – not that I was able to go in person, but through the inspired technology I was able to attend a virtual tour offered for seminary teachers and their students.  The pictures I took look so much different than the ones I screenshot yesterday morning.  Of course not all of the locations are exactly the same.  

    I am also sharing some inside pictures that we were not able to see in June due to the pandemic.  A virtual tour would have looked differently then.  I think I appreciated it more yesterday than I may have in June though who can say for certain. 

angling the appearance of Father and Son

it isn't known exactly which part of the grove They appeared

one experience that was shared was about hiding 
the plates in the loft and an empty stone box below.
The empty box was found and the culprits smashed
the box and left.  They hadn't bother checking the loft

I never understood why those who claimed not to 
believe in the plates would try to find them

the focus was on the temple.  I did
not get a picture of the temple
when we'd gone in June

This fireplace is said to be one of 
many hiding places of the golden plates

yesterday

June 14, 2020

Randy and Carrie have moved back to Utah now.  The photographs we took are now distant memories.  It’s pretty likely we will not be returning to New York again.

Day 4: Palmyra

On Sunday Randy took us to Palmyra.  We had passed the Palmyra Temple and Hill Cumorah in Manchaster.  I did not take pictures as we hadn’t stopped.  The plan was to visit the sacred grove in Palmyra and hit the other sites on our return.

 Once again Randy played tour guide as we led ourselves around, read signs and took many pictures. 

Jenna is so great at taking selfies

Love this picture that Jenna took of her brother and niece

LaTiesha, Randy, Devin, Roland

When the missionaries finally showed up we were told that the visitor center was closed (due to COVID of course) but that virtual tours were offered.  We decided we would forgo the tour as Randy had done a good job and we were all hungry and wanted food. 

We drove through the city of Palmyra but did not find food there, but some interesting sites.  

four churches are located at one intersection

I could not capture all four churches in one photo.  

This picture taken from Wikipedia shows four
churches that can be seen at the intersection

We ended up at a Burger King.  We’d gone through the drive-thru and then learned the dining room was open.  It may be first time I have been inside of a food place this year.  No, it was the second time.  I remember having Chinese once before the pandemic started

not the best picture as it appears to be double exposed.  Really too
bright of  reflection but I thought it a cute photo of Devin.

We did not return to Manchester.  I did not get pictures but figure I can pull some off the internet.  I don’t have to see a place with my naked eyes to know that it exists.  

The next day Randy introduced us to a movie called The Fighting Preacher.  Here is a trailer.  I enjoyed learning more about the sacred grove and other church sights from having watched this movie.