The Blairs: Memorial Day weekend!

So it took us about three weeks to talk about where we wanted to go on Ammon's four-day weekend and about three minutes to decide once we had left our house. We were already driving once we decided we would just head on up to Cincinnati. Covington, Kentucky, is right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati so we were able to stay there. Saturday night we went to a place called The Newport Levee and we got to do a little bit of [window] shopping, see the aquarium, eat dinner and walk around in the very humid air. We even heard the Reds playing the Indians. That night once we were in our hotel, Ammon had this bright idea...how far is Kirtland? he asked me. So about five hours later, we got Matthew up extra early, stayed in our pj's and headed even more up north. We got to Kirtland about four hours later and about ten minutes before church started. Matthew and I changed in the parking lot (Ammon forgot his suit on the hanger by the door before we left so needless to say, he looked like a convert sitting in the foyer), and we went to the ward that was about three times the size of our ward here in Kentucky.

We got to go to all the Chruch's sites after church and the next day. There had been a big young single adult group there that day so we stuck out like a sore thumb since we were actually married and under the age of 30 (literally). I have been there before but I never realized how wealthy Newel K. Whitney really was. He owned a home, a store, a sawmill, an ashery and a stable and he went on to give up every single room he had for the church, including the sawmill and ashery (which back then made more money in one week than a normal person made in a year). It was no wonder that he was the first bishop. The top room where the school of the prophets was had to be my favorite part of the trip. I can't believe in as small of a room that it was, that Christ appeared to about a dozen and a half men. We got to see all four spots Christ and Heavenly Father came while the saints were in the Ohio area. Kirtland had a wonderful feel around the little town. The vistors' center had this amazing bronze statue exhibit of Christ upstairs and Ammon said it was his favorite part. Pictures do not do the statues justice because they truly took your breath away.

We then went to the John Johnson farm home about 45 minutes outside of Kirtland. That was where Chris was baptized and confirmed so it was so cool to go back to the room (the second of four places Christ was) and where they received the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. Little Joseph (one of the Murdock twins they adopted) who died when he got tarred and feathered was only 11-months old and since Matthew is that exact age, it hit me extra hard, especially knowing that they had lost three babies within that time frame. We also found out that the church paid $4.1 million for the renovation of this house. They also told us that the number one reason for church history sites is to strengthen the testimonies of members, second is to help reactivate those that aren't and third is to get converts. I thought it was interesting that it was in that order, but it is good to know that the church is so willing to spend money so that we can feel the spirit.

On Monday we were able to see the Kirtland temple, where Christ also came BUT it was not the same. It was just a shame knowing that the same spirit couldn't be felt in a temple like it could in a little tiny room. The building itself is huge though and so tall. The "Community of Christ" (we call them Reorganites thanks to my dad) is very particular about what pictures we can take and even made us pay 2 bucks to see the tour. It was cool seeing where Jospeh Smith had the vision of his brother in the Celestial Kingdom though and it was even cooler that I can say I played my violin in the same room that Christ was in (almost five years ago now, I can't believe it). We got to see the graves of the Smith twins that were born and died the same day. The twins they adopted were born the same day, which I didn't know, so at least they had that void to fill (for the time being at least). I do have to give the RLDS church props though. They only have a few things in their favor (as far as land and property go) and they always take very good care of the sites. So once we do get them, there won't be much work that we will have to do (other than a dedicatory prayer!). Most of the temple is original so it was cool walking on the floors and sitting in the benches that the Saints walked and worked so hard for so many years ago.

Before we left to go back down to Cincinnati, we got to go the last place Kirtland had to offer--the Isaac Morley Farm. There isn't much there--just a few benches to sit as the missionaries tell of what happened--but it was almost pitiful that you could feel the spirit in a grove of trees more than you could a temple. Christ also went there (in a little schoolhouse when people were bearing their testimonies) so it was nice knowing wonderful visions could happen in such simple circumstances.

We drove back down that day and on our way, Ammon really wanted to see the Amish way of life. We went about 45 minutes out of our way to see this little store that wasn't much of what we thought. The Amish there drove cars, wore Nikes and sold name-brand things. It wasn't the amazing homemade food Ammon was looking for, but it was fun to see them dressed differently anyway.

That night, once we'd reached Cincinnati again, Ammon went into the Marriott to see their prices. When they told him it was $199 for that night, he wasn't sure what he was going to say as he walked out of the hotel. He asked them for military discount and we ended up getting this AMAZING room for only $91! The next day, we just went to the mall and headed back down to Fort Knox. It was such a good trip and a great vacation from the military life (Ammon loved getting away and it was nice for me to have him around for a change!).

Anyone who hasn't been to Kirtland definitely should make the trip. It was very much worth the drive, and even though Matthew won't remember one single thing, one of the senior missionaries told us how important it is to take even our small children to places they can feel the spirit. He said even if they can't remember, they feel the spirit even at 11-months. I had never thought of that before. He told us to keep taking our children any place that the spirit dwells because it is there they learn how to feel the spirit themselves.