Abe's (and my) trip to Philadelphia

A few years ago my mom decided to take her grandkids on a trip after their senior years of high school. So far there have always been two in the same grade, which makes it fun for cousins to go together. This year, even though Abe has been at BYU all year, it was technically his senior year and his cousin Katy's too. Abe wanted to go to Alaska or Hawaii, but COVID restrictions made both of those impractical, so Katy chose Philadelphia. And Kenneth (my brother) and I got to go along too!

I've never been to Philadelphia, but we had been studying the American Revolution for homeschool this year, so it was fun to see a lot of the sites we'd learned about. (Too bad Abe wasn't studying them with us this time. But we did have a Revolutionary War Unit several years ago, and he hopefully remembered SOME of it!)

I was worried that it was going to be too hot and humid in Philadelphia, and it WAS hot for a couple of the days, but it was mostly pretty bearable. We had some clouds and sprinkling rain off and on, which helped a lot. And Abe and Katy were great travelers—easygoing and uncomplaining. We had a lot of fun being together.

Here are some of the things Abe and I liked best from the trip:

This was a cool room in the Constitution Center—it had life-sized statues of all the signers of the Constitution, standing in a hall the same size as the room they signed it in. The sculptors had done a ton of research to get heights, body shapes, facial features, and even clothing as accurate as possible for each man. It was pretty cool to walk around and see them all standing around like real people. Out of the corner of your eye, you could almost mistake them for real people!

We liked walking around Independence Hall and thinking about how we were walking where all the Founding Fathers walked! Abe and I didn't get to go inside (we left a day earlier than the others) but Kenneth and my mom and Katy said it was great. (Of course, Kenneth also said they ate a fine meal of Roast Rabbit there, so I don't know how much we should trust him…)

We did get to go into Congress Hall, next door, where the Bill of Rights was drafted and George Washington was sworn in for his second term. That was great too.

We went to the Philadelphia Temple grounds and walked around. It is cool to see the temple right in the middle of the city like that, and feel so peaceful within that little space. We learned that the huge apartment building behind the temple (that tall thin tan-colored one in this picture) was built by the Church too, to help revitalize the downtown area when they built the temple.

My cousin had told my mom that, oddly, a Macy's department store in Philadelphia was home to the largest pipe organ in the world. Of all things. So we made a stop to see it, and it was so cool! It is called the Wanamaker Organ (after the guy that had it built there, I guess). They've been restoring it and they have concerts every day…just right amidst the shopping and everything.

We walked upstairs to see the console, which is pretty amazing in itself. Six manuals! Even more than the Conference Center organ, which has five. And sooooo many stops. While we were looking at it we were so lucky to encounter one of the guys who is restoring the organ, and he seemed happy to talk about it to us. He let us come up and look closer at the console, and he even played a few things for us and showed us the range of instruments it can play. He said it is not built for a huge sound, like an organ in a cathedral might be, but more for variety. There are a TON of different sounds this organ can produce, including bells and chimes along with all the flute and woodwind and string stops.

Then, after he showed us some of the organ sounds, he took us back actually into the pipes of the organ itself and showed us how the restoration is proceeding, and how they are converting pneumatic action to digital, etc. It was amazing!! I have been back behind the pipes of the Conference Center organ and it was one of my favorite things ever, so I was super happy to get to see this one too! We felt really lucky that we happened along right at the right time and ran into the right person!

We came back another day to hear one of the organ recitals, and that was also cool, but nothing could beat getting right up close to this beautiful instrument.

On the Sunday we drove out to Valley Forge, maybe 40 minutes away from Philadelphia. All the insides of the buildings were still closed for the pandemic, but we walked around the outsides and looked at the log cabin replicas, etc. Most of the stuff there does not date back to the Revolutionary Era (they have planted it and cultivated it more like a park than a preservation site, to "evoke an emotional response," as the signs said) but some of the old stone buildings are original, like the one in this pictures—General Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge. That was cool to see.

It is a lovely, peaceful place.

I loved this covered bridge.

And Kenneth made a rock skip nine times in this river.

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Armed with righteousness, we can do so many things

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday Afternoon Session of the April 1993 Conference.

For the sake of variety, I keep trying NOT to choose Elder Maxwell's talks to write about. There are often other good talks too! But…there's just something about the things Elder Maxwell chooses to talk about. They always seem so fresh and relevant! I can't not choose them. So, here are some great quotes from "Behold, the Enemy is Combined."

Granted, occasionally a few defectors or dissidents may try to vex us as they hyperventilate over their particular concerns, but it is the engulfing effects of that deteriorating world on Church members which is the “clear and present danger.” “Evils and designs” really do operate through “conspiring [individuals] in the last days.” The Lord has even announced, “Behold, the enemy is combined.”…

Scary! But it feels true. I've been thinking so much about the alienation and despair of these times we live in. I was reading a comment thread (I know, it was a mistake) where people were discussing their loved ones who had fallen away from religion or the church, and reaffirming the reasons why it was better to choose NOT to leave their faith. Then someone else chimed in saying how hypocritical it was to discuss a loved one's "invalid" reasons for leaving instead of just loving that person and trying to understand. I guess I see that perspective, but for me it's so disturbing and sad when those I love can't seem to SEE and FEEL the joy I see and feel in the gospel. I can't help going over it in my head: what went wrong? How can I avoid it? How can I help my children avoid it? How can I help EVERYONE I love avoid it? To me, Elder Maxwell's quote perfectly encapsulates all that is left when faith (and even "faith community") is abandoned: 

What of neighboring? Long ago, Tocqueville anticipated how individualism, unenriched by family and community, could produce the “lonely crowd,” saying:

“Thus not only does democracy make every man forget his ancestors, but it hides his descendants and separates his contemporaries from him; it throws him back forever upon himself alone and threatens in the end to confine him entirely within the solitude of his own heart.”

I just want so much more for myself and those I love. I want us to be joined forever! And one with the Savior! Elder Maxwell goes on to say:

Even with its flaws, the family is basic, and since no other institution can compensate fully for failure in the family, why then, instead of enhancing the family, the desperate search for substitutes? Why not require family impact studies before proceeding with this program or that remedy, since of all environmental concerns the family should be first? Hundreds of governmental departments and programs protect various interests, but which one protects the family?

Then he gives some comfort (or at least a plan of action!):

Only reform and self-restraint, institutional and individual, can finally rescue society! Only a sufficient number of sin-resistant souls can change the marketplace. As Church members, we should be part of that sin-resistant counterculture. Instead, too many members are sliding down the slope, though perhaps at a slower pace.

In a “wheat and tares” world, how unusually blessed faithful members are to have the precious and constant gift of the Holy Ghost with reminders of what is right and of the covenants we have made. “For behold, … the Holy Ghost … will show unto you all things what ye should do.” Whatever the decibels of decadence, these need not overwhelm the still, small voice! Some of the best sermons we will ever hear will be thus prompted from the pulpit of memory—to an audience of one!

It's encouraging to remember that we do have the Holy Ghost on our side when we seek Him. I can certainly do more to become a "sin-resistant soul" myself, no matter what others choose! And I like  these other things Elder Maxwell says we can do to combat the enemy too: 

With the enemy combined, it is so vital to keep “in the right way.” Orthodoxy in thought and behavior brings safety and felicity as the storms come, including “every wind of doctrine.” Happily, amid such winds the Holy Ghost not only helps us to recognize plain truth but also plain nonsense!

Orthodoxy ensures balance between the gospel’s powerful and correct principles. In the body of gospel doctrine, not only are justice and mercy “fitly joined together [for] effectual working,” but so is everything else! But the gospel’s principles do require synchronization. When pulled apart from each other or isolated, men’s interpretations and implementations of these doctrines may be wild.…

Even during these difficult times, members “armed with righteousness” can do so many things. We can have love at home, even though the love of many waxes cold in the world. We can have inner peace even though peace has been taken from the earth.

Yes, “the enemy is combined,” but when we are combined with the Lord’s “chariots of fire,” then “they that be with us are more than they that be with them”!

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Various items

Beautiful May! It's one of my favorite months. It was quite hot and dry as Memorial Day approached, but Sam and I still saw irises by the lake on one of our bike rides. I should say, our only bike ride, since it had been months since we'd been out, and I was so sore the next day that I felt no urgency to go again anytime soon. Sebastian rides miles every day! Often fifteen or twenty miles without even thinking about it. I don't know how he does it! Although, it IS nice how much ground you can cover so quickly on a bike.

Now. Let us peruse the pictures I've taken lately and see if there is anything of interest.

ITEM 1: I found this note in Teddy's pants pocket when I did the laundry a few weeks ago. The great thing is, I think it was a note he wrote to himself—to remind himself "not to plaie with Ziggy today at all becues he was not plaeing the memre gam with me." But then also, quite magnanimously, allowing that he would play with Ziggy again "tommoro." And it makes sense really, to a write a note about it—because otherwise one does tend to forget to hold a grudge as long as one wishes to, and often one ends up accidentally playing with little brothers even when they don't deserve it!

It does eventually all blow over, at any rate, because practically every Sunday morning these two brothers come running in to my room as soon as they're dressed in their Sunday clothes, saying "Take a picture of how handsome we are!" I am glad to oblige.

ITEM 2: There was a total lunar eclipse in May. (This blurry picture is all I've got, sorry. You can kind of see that the moon has a bite out of it? At least you can see it doesn't look full.) It was early in the morning, and I got up to watch some of it before getting anyone else up. The little kids all wanted to be awakened, and even a couple of the big boys grudgingly said, "Okay, fine, wake me up right at totality." But just as things were getting really good—and I'd gotten up a few of the little kids—the moon moved into a bank of clouds, and sadly, it never emerged! For awhile we thought it might…the clouds seemed wispy enough at first…but then they thickened and by the time they dispersed, the moon had disappeared behind the mountains and the sun was coming up. Sad. Luckily, there will be another eclipse next year!

We did get to see the beginnings of a pretty sunrise, though!

ITEM 3: We got Sam a firepit for Father's Day, but we gave it to him early because we…couldn't help ourselves. So we got to roast some Memorial Day hot dogs and marshmallows in the backyard!

Here, Malachi is pleased with his perfectly-roasted marshmallow. It's a good one…perhaps even up to my own standards. Not of roasting, of course—as you know I never roast my own marshmallows—but of eating. Had he offered this one to me, I would have eaten it. Instead, he greedily ate it himself! Hmmph.

I must say, it was nice to have a high chair to put Gus in, so he wasn't constantly wandering around grabbing at people with his marshmallow-y hands. And we could pop him right into the bathtub after he ate. You can't do THAT when having a campfire up in the canyon!

He was slightly perturbed by the stickiness. Not perturbed enough to stop eating it, of course.

People made up all sorts of weird games of basketball while they waited for the fire to die down.

And Ziggy made…whatever this is, a podium perhaps? And gave a loud singing/yelling sort of concert, complete with cymbal-bashing. So…an excellent evening, all in all.

ITEM 4: Another night. Another outdoor meal. This time a picnic at Cove Pond. Since there's only one picture, this probably oughtn't to have been its own item (I was just teaching Malachi how when you're doing an outline you never write an "A" heading without a "B" to follow) but it's too late to change it now!

ITEM 5: The sunsets have been spectacular lately. I only wish these stormy clouds would turn into the rain we so much need, but at least they are pretty!

ITEM 6: Gus and Sebastian snuggling. I don't know who adores who more. Babies do bring out the hidden goodness in teenagers, it seems! 

Oh, and bunnies do too, I guess.

Seb even lets Gus play his drums! Actually Seb's quite good about his drums with everyone. He is giving the two older girls drum lessons…he gives them rhythm exercises, and writes down assignments for them in a little notebook, and makes sure they always wear earplugs. It's so nice and they LOVE it.

ITEM 7: The girls had a summer ballet performance, and of course the costumes were their favorite part. It wasn't a ballet with a story this time…or not much of one. But they danced to some great music like "Appalachian Spring" and their costumes seemed vaguely…shepherdess-like? Or rustic young maidens of some sort? Milkmaids? Nymphs? Anyway, they were all darling.

Ooh! What lovely spiral buns these ballerinas have…if I do say so myself. Do you know how long it takes to do buns in the hair of three little girls with long thick hair? Well…I don't, because I always underestimate it and we end up having to rush frantically out the door…but I can say it's quite awhile. 

I love to watch them dancing!

ITEM 8: Our neighbor gave us a foosball table that he wanted to clear out of his garage, and it has been SO FUN. There have been many, many tournaments, and all the children are getting so good at it that they can easily beat me (not hard) and Sam (harder). Is it good to be good at foosball? Like, is it one of those skills that will come in handy some day, or is it something you ought to be ashamed of because it shows how much time you devoted to something so trivial? Ha ha. Just a little joke. I do love hearing people laughing and groaning and yelping with glee downstairs as they play with each other.

While I was watching the foosball tournament, I noticed Gus playing so sweetly by himself. I don't get to just sit and watch him very often, and I was surprised at all the things he was doing. Like getting the baby doll in and out of the high chair, and kissing her on the head.

And setting himself a little meal of toast…and then eating it!

ITEM 9: Ziggy's latest hats. This flowerpot was an interesting choice. He wore it to our ward potluck in the park and got many admiring comments.

This fish hat is his latest favorite. He wears it to bed, of course. Sometimes he's fine with taking it off and other times it upsets him greatly. Once I had to take it off for some reason or another (a bath, maybe?) and he started SOBBING and yelling, "I'm bad without my hat! I'm bad without my hat!" ??!? Poor little man. Who knows what is going on inside that head of his. 

ITEM 10: Daisy was trying to draw herself and getting frustrated with how hard it was, so Sam showed her the method where you draw a grid on top of a photograph and then just copy each square of the grid one by one onto your drawing paper. It's amazing how much it helps!

ITEM 11: We went to Sebastian's last band concert of the year and it was SO GOOD. It had a movie theme and the conductor wore a different hat (or sometimes whole costume) for each piece. Ziggy was ENTHRALLED. There was a even a dinosaur that appeared on stage for one of the songs, and danced!! 

And of course, running wildly around in the high school commons while waiting for Seb to emerge after the concert is always quite thrilling.

ITEM 12: Which should have been way back with Item 5, now that I think of it. But this was another sunset…even more spectacular because it kept changing and getting even prettier. First we were all outside admiring it, and then we had to send the little boys to bed, but the rest of us couldn't bear to stay inside—the light was too beautiful!

Sam and our nice neighbor were out working on our shared fence…trying to improve the drainage or something. It was very companionable and heartwarming to watch them out there helping each other with wheelbarrows and borrowing each other's tools. It was just what you LIKE to see two neighbor men doing.

Gradually I became aware of an apparition at the little boy's bedroom window.

Two apparitions. You can't really blame them. To go to bed while it's still light…and everyone is having fun without you outside…it is quite a cross to bear. Not to mention the fact that Ziggy and Teddy ADORE Tyson (the aforementioned neighbor). He (Tyson) calls Ziggy "Lord Zig" which delights everyone, but especially Lord Zig himself.

It was a beautiful, beautiful evening! And I think the boys even fell asleep. Three hours later.

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