Jan 5

Yesterday I took the day off from study....Randy and I went to SL to the Church History Museum. There was no free parking. We packed all the quarters we could find and had about 1 hr 45 minutes and dashed to the museum. You CANNOT see the entire museum in that much time. The 1st floor has some amazing artifacts. There is a stained glass panel of the First Vision that an anonymous artist did for a ward in Los Angeles. It is is so lovely. Then there is a model of an immigrant ship, a 100-year-old handcart, the death masks of Joseph and Hyrum, tangible reminders that they were living people who gave up all for their faith. What really amazed me was a lovely hand embroidered sampler which was done in memory of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum. The stitcher was 13 years old! And she used her hair for the text of the sampler. It was an incredible piece of history and art. There are also many paintings, quilts, and a ships bunk that kids can climb into --- to experience a long voyage to the United States. The 1st floor took a whole hour....and I really wanted to dawdle.

The Nauvoo Temple exhibit is quite nice. I had forgotten about Moroni first being displayed horizontally on the Nauvoo Temple. The granite blocks are from the original temple. There is a diorama of the Joseph Smith farm in New York. Also the plat maps for the setting up of SL. The displayed quilts are artistic pieces in themselves and exquisite.

The second floor has a whole area dedicated to the Presidents of the Church. President Young's sun glasses are there! President George Albert Smith's "Order of the Buffalo" Scouting Award is there. A podium from the conference center.  David O. McKay outfit from Polynesia. Lorenzo Snow's exhibit included pieces from the construction of the Logan Temple. A gentle spirit pervades the area, no need to whisper but the inclination is to do so.  And there is a wonderful play area for kids - part of Nephi's ship, dress up clothes, a large truck to climb on....and activities related to doctrine and scriptures stories. A family was there playing and having a great time. Time! Time was running out - we didn't make it to the lower level. No more change! 

It was about 2:00 and I was hungry. Oh for a Carl's or a close "Subway" to no avail. Drove down to Trolley Square. I wanted to go and see the new Sam Weller's bookstore. No change for the parking meters! We debated on getting change...but decided to go to the Church Distribution Center. We didn't buy anything, but I enjoyed seeing the new Temple Dress styles.

Then on to Ogden, JO-ANN fabrics. Just to peruse their embroidery threads.

Then home to Marley who smiled and showed her teeth.

Randy and I have been watching "Foyle's War" a PBS Masterpieces that ran 7 seasons. I was able to buy seasons 1-5 for him at an excellent sale (It usually sells for $69.00 a season!- I paid $53.00 for 1-5) The stories are clean, and usually the effects of war on the moral compass is the theme. Inspector Foyle is a decent man - his son needs some work...and Samantha is a dear. This all takes place during WWII in a little town called Hastings (somewhere in England).  So at night - we watch 1 episode before we go to bed.

Randy and I have been reading our scriptures right after dinner and then having couple prayer. It is a balm to my soul. I'm so grateful for him.

I received an email yesterday from Jade Bischoff. She is an amazing young woman...and her note was so sweet. I'm not sure I deserved it, but it did make my day. Well - my day is wasting and I need to study, clean, practice, do laundry...etc...etc...etc...2012 seems very busy!