Kimberly's Visit

My sister, Kimberly, came to visit us in April. It was so wonderful to be with her again! She brought a game for the kids (Rat-a-Tat-Cat) that she then played with them often. (It's still a favorite.) And she brought the book Miss Buncle's Book for me. She played with the kids so I could read it. She has always been amazingly thoughtful. (As are all of my family members.)

She has already visited the church history sites nearby, so we tried some new things.  Mark Twain and his family lived with his sister-in-law in Elmira (during the summers?) and he wrote his most famous novels there.  They built a freestanding study for him on their farm.  It has been moved to the Elmira College campus.  We also visited his family plot in the nearby cemetery.

After Elmira, we headed to Corning and the glass factory.  While Kimberly was at a demonstration we had seen, the kids designed some things that could be made into a glass figure in one of the demonstrations. They choose a couple each day.  Theirs weren't picked, but maybe next time.

Another day, we headed to Harmony (now Oakland) PA to see where the priesthood was restored.  They are going to rebuild Joseph and Emma's home.  For now, you can see a monument, their child's headstone in the cemetery, and the Susquehannah bank where he and Oliver Cowdery were baptized.  This might sound silly, but I touched some of the low branches on old trees near the home, because I knew that Joseph Smith probably had.  It was a beautiful, peaceful place.

We had a little birthday breakfast for Kimberly before she left.  I wish she could have met the people in my ward, but it was General Conference.

I hope that more people will come visit!  And that Kimberly and Mom will come back soon!