HOme AGaiN in UtaH

We left our loved Palmyra, NY mission on Nov. 13th -- finishing our fourth mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was one of those bitter-sweet times -- anxious to go home and see our family and friends there, but sad to leave those sacred Church History Sites and all our wonderful friends and missionaries there in Palmyra and the Rochester, NY Mission.

We went to Catawissa, PA and spent a couple of days with our grandson's cute little family, Jaron & Heather, Emmy, Carter, Ashton & Lilly. Oh, how we love these dear grandchildren and great grandchildren -- and ALL of our other children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We arrived home the 18th of Nov. and were met by our daughter, Kristi and our son, Glenn and grandson, Jacob. Also, my sister & her husband (Elder & Sister Bennett) came to welcome us home. What a fun WELCOME HOME!!

As many of you know, Kristi and Brent were doing a remodeling job on our home during this past summer, so it was such a pleasant treat to come home to a practically new home -- new kitchen & cupboards, new wood floor in the kitchen, freshly painted rooms and all new carpet, and a beautiful new front door ensemble. It is beautiful and we LOVE it! The kids have done a wonderful job, we thank them abundantly and will be in their debt for a long, long time. Our grandchildren, Clint & Katie also helped with the remodel job, thanks to you too. We are so grateful for the talents of all of these and their love and willingness to help with this project. It certainly was a "labor of love" and we appreciate it so very much. (I'll try to attach some pictures and stuff later.)

On Sunday (the 22nd of Nov.) we were asked to report our mission in Sacrament mtg. -- it seemed so sudden, but we were happy to have the opportunity and get it done so soon. All of our children were here -- Glenn & Susan, Brooke, Jacob came up from Highland, UT and our son, Kevin & Edith Ann and family (Kristin, Justin, Kyle, & Kelley) came from Calif. on Sat. and were here to spend the whole Thanksgiving week with us. We went to Inkom, ID to Kristi & Brent's house for Thanksgiving dinner and a wonderful day -- their children, Trisha & Danny and kids, Ali & Grant came from Clarkston, WA and Clint & Katie and Corgin were there too. What a wonderful THANKSGIVING we had -- and so very much to be thankful for.

We have felt the joy and blessings from our Heavenly Father so greatly in the past 18 months and we feel to offer our gratitude and thanks to Him for the wonderful experience of serving at the "Birthplace of the Restoration." It certainly has been a privilege and an honor to serve at these sacred Sites where the Prophet Joseph Smith lived, where that glorious vision took place, where the Book of Mormon plates were found and translated and published, and where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized and brought forth the truths and authority needed for this last dispensation of time. We pray that we and all of our family will ALWAYS serve our Heavenly Father and follow the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate the Savior's birth this Christmas season -- we wish all of our wonderful family and friends a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BeaUtiFul WEsTeRn NY

These are the beautiful mini mums at the Welcome Center
at the Joseph Smith Sr. farm -- touched with overnight frost!

Looking across the Smith farm to beautiful autumn trees.

In Palmyra, NY some of the last of the beautiful yellow leaves in the yard of this lovely old house.





Welcome to the Peter Whitmer Farm, Fayette, NY.

A first view of the Whitmer farm: sign & flowers, flag, colorful trees, and the beautiful Chapel. This Chapel (one of a kind) was built in 1980 for the 150th Anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.




At the Whitmer Farm, the lovely flowers and trees beginning to change colors and make for a BEAUTIFUL autumn.




Finally, the same trees at the Whitmer Farm on Oct 22nd. By the next week the leaves were all gone.

FAREWELL TO ELDER & SISTER BENNETT

I know you're "trunky," but this is ridiculous!!
"She can't ride in the trunk, Gary!"
Preparations, preparations -- of course it will all fit.



"We've got all the stuff from our house, but what about the stuff at Hamblins? "
Let's go see!

"We're rearranging, AGAIN?"
"These suction bags are growing!!"






"Did you make enough room for the TV?"
"Do you think it will fit?"

"Hurry, shut the doors before the load shifts!!"
The last "Farewell" and "Good-byes."






Last Sister hug!! "We won't be far behind you."

OUR FONDEST FAREWELL!!

To the Bennetts (aka; Linda and Gary):
You have fought a good fight, you have finished the work you were sent here to do. What an asset you have been to this mission -- the GREAT tour givers, the Office guru and "car-czar", the all around computer genius, the other half of the crazy party gals, and all around good friends to everyone who serves here in the Rochester NY Mission. What else could we expect from two WONDERFUL people like you two.

It's been our blessing and our privilege to serve here with you. The togetherness has been great as we're shared work and family together. Being able to share adventures here at these Sacred Church History Sites, where the roots of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints first had their beginning will long be remembered. We've made some wonderful memories here that will be cherished forever!!

The FIRST is LAST -- Kevin's Family Visits

The Kevin Hamblin Family
Kelley, Kristin, Edith Ann, Kevin, Justin, Kyle

They arrived in NY on July 15, 2009 - this is at our apartment.

Visiting the Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette, NY
Kyle, Kristin & Justin enjoying the grass, flowers, & sign!

The Hamblin Family inside the Whitmer Log Home where the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
was organized on 6 April 1830

The Angel Moroni Monument
atop the Hill Cumorah.






We went on a boat ride
on the Erie Canal aboard the
"Colonial Bell."
It was a beautiful day &
a wonderful trip.





We had our "rained out"
picnic inside the garage.
It was fun any way!

It's Pageant time:

Hill Cumorah Pageant, the
largest outdoor theater in
the Nation. Seating for
9,000 people -- cast of
hundreds! Excitement!

The cast members mingle with the guests. Great opportunities for picture taking and gathering referral cards -- and making friends.




We visited Niagara Falls and went on the "Maid of the Mist" boat ride up into the Horseshoe Falls. It was a wet ride, but it was fun!

Here we are up on the scenic deck that overlooks the river and both the Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. The American Falls can be seen directly behind us.

It was soooooo FUN having our children and grandchildren
here with us. THANKS FOR COMING!!!!
It was LOTS of FUN

FUN TIMES -- FAMILY ADVENTURES

Glenn and Susan Hamblin Family
Jacob, Susan, Glenn and Brooke

"Welcome to our little home in Palmyra, NY"
They arrived on July 7th, a few days before the
Hill Cumorah Pageant.
We went to the Pageant dress rehearsal on Thurs. night, July 9th.
It's a good thing we did because when we went again on Sat. night
it was rained out mid-way during the performance.
This was only the third time in twenty years that the
Pageant has been rained out, and it poured!
Boy, did we get wet!

This was their tour at the Joseph Smith frame home
on the Smith Farm.

Jake at the Peter Whitmer Farm where the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
was organized on April 6, 1830.
He is standing next to the sculpture of the
Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood
which is displayed in the Visitor's Center there.

We attended a session at the Palmyra Temple.
It overlooks the beautiful Sacred Grove,
what a peaceful and lovely place!

Elder Hamblin (Dad), Susan, and Sister Hamblin (Mom)
on the Temple grounds after our session there.

Our Erie Canal Adventure on the Colonial Belle.
Glenn, Brook, Jake and Susan.

Before we boarded the boat at the Erie Canal.
Mom, Brooke, Jake, and Dad.

Aboard the Colonial Belle -- enjoying beautiful sunshine and
a cool breeze on the upper deck.
(Glenn on the phone razzing Kristi about their rainy ride in June).

This is a video of Jake dancing and entertaining all
the guests on the boat during our Erie Canal cruise.
They all loved it!!

Susan, Jake, Brooke and Glenn

ready to say, "Goodbye" to their vacation in NY.
We hated to see them go, the weather had been GREAT and our
times together had been FUN.
We hope testimonies have been strengthened and a wonderful
re-awakening of the restoration of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been enjoyed.
HERE WHERE IT ALL HAPPENED

We LOVE all of you. THANK YOU for coming!!

SPECIAL PEOPLE - SPECIAL PLACES

Our daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and Brent
visited us in mid June.
We were so glad they came to see these wonderful Church History Sites. And, of course we were happy to have them visit us too.

Here are the four of us with the Christus at the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center.

Brent and Kristi at the Book of Mormon exhibit at the bottom of the Hill Cumorah.

We also visited and took a tour of the Church Girl's Camp on Seneca Lake. I think Kristi was adequately impressed with the facilities there, though she thought these NY girls must be pretty spoiled. Especially with having lake front property and swimming in this beautiful lake.

This is sunset on Seneca Lake -- note the fishing boat in the shine pattern of the sun.
Kristi took this picture and I thought she did a GREAT job.

Jaron and Heather and the 4 kids came up from Pennsylvania for a day to see their parents and us. We went to Niagara Falls and did the Maid of the Mist boat ride. It was pretty cold and VERY wet and rainy. Emmy and Ashton really didn't like all the WET,
but Lilly didn't complain nor did Carter.

Actually Carter gave it "Two Thumbs Up"
and he really LOVED it.

Catch Up Blog

It's Lilac Time

Early in May each year Rochester, NY has a Lilac Festival.
People from all over the world come to see the lilacs here. It is REALLY beautiful.
Lilacs of all different colors, and sizes cover a whole hillside.

This is us by some beautiful lilac bushes.

Elder Hamblin amidst the lilacs.

Some really pretty novelty hybrid.

A variety of bushes, different sizes and colors.

More lovely and different lilacs.

GReaT GranDKidS

WELCOME, WELCOME to the Simonson family!!
Shortly after Jaron & Heather moved to Pennsylvania, Heather and the great grandkids came to Palmyra for a quick overnight visit with us. It was so fun to see our precious little ones again.

This is Emmy, Carter, Ashton and Lilly standing in front of the Christus at the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center.

And Heather and Lilly in the Resource Room at the Visitor's Center.

Ashton looking at one of the Book of Mormon story videos.

And Emmy and Carter discovering it was raining when we came out of the Visitor's Center. You'd think these were kids from the West who had never seen rain. HA! HA!

Earlier that morning we went to the top of the Hill Cumorah and saw the Angel Moroni Statue and the kids loved the lush green hill and all the things to see.
They also went to the Smith Family Farm while we were gone on our Site assignment, but it started to rain so they didn't get to go to the Sacred Grove.
That will leave us something special to do when they come next time. We hope Jaron will be able to come with them then.
Thank You for coming! We have missed all of you so very much
and we loved having you here.