Going back to 1870!

Last night, I went to Duke Homestead! I was able to go back in time to an 1870 old fashioned Christmas. As you will see from the pictures, we were able to listen as people dressed in clothing told the story "Twas the Night Before Christmas." (It was only about 30 yrs. old at the time.) We sang Christmas Carols by the fireside, drank apple cider and had popcorn popped over an open fire. It was well worth the hour and a half wait.(This is the Duke home as we cross the bridge!)















This is one of the houses on the homestead.



























This is our guide we were led down a path lit by luminaries and lantern.












Popping corn over the oven fire.












Children were making corn husk dolls.















Musicians were wonderful!




















This is me visiting back in 1870. I guess time travel does something to your face. Must be velocity in which you are traveling, because I have a strange look in my eye.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Time is flying

So, I started my summer vacation on June 11th and thought I am not sure what I am going to do with my time. However, now that it is July 11th, I am wondering where the time has gone and how am I going to get everything accomplished that I need to.

I have been very busy catching up on things around the house and getting ready for teaching in the fall. I have gone to several wonderful workshops and been getting some order in my hectic life.

At the end of June, I went to a place close to Carthage, NC and went on a trek (reenactment of sorts with the Mormon Pioneers) with the church youth group. We were hiking, camping and getting dirty for 5 days. Gratefully, we had port-a-potties and able to use deodorant because we did not shower for 5 days. It was a wonderful experience and I felt the Lord's hand in our activities as He blessed us physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and especially spiritually.

Lately, Heavenly Father has really blessed me to see his hand in my life and how much He cares for each of his children. It is interesting how the scriptures have been coming alive not necessarily as I am reading them, but how they are coming to my mind and helping me in situations later during the day.

I am grateful to have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and to have the Bible, the Book of Mormon and other standard scriptures in my life as a steady foundation to turn to. Last night, I went to my volunteer meeting at the museum for the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit. It was suggested that the people who had the dead sea scrolls had 3 different versions that they were drawing their own conclusions from to gain understanding of the books of Deuteronomy and the other books. He indicated that this might be a better way to understand what is true instead of saying this is right and that is wrong. We know that by the mouth of two or three witnesses the word shall be established; however, I don't think it is that the same word translated 2-3 times makes it established. The Lord knows what he is doing and is amazing to see what will best help His people. The Book of Mormon is that witness and I am grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith being willing to go through all of the trials to make sure it was translated.

So, I also am grateful to be a citizen of the United States of America. Things are very difficult economically and in other areas, but that does not mean we are not blessed with a great country. Maybe we need to follow JFK's advise and see what we can do for our country instead of always relying on our country to do for us.

Benjamin, Laurelin and I went to the Raleigh 4th of July Celebration, but unfortunately were rained out. However, Benjamin and I caught a glimpse of the fire works on Saturday night.

Well, There are few more things coming up before I start a new year, my second year, of teaching, but I will write again soon to let you all in on the adventures!

And the South Wept for Generations

Bennett Place

A little farm down the main county road, in what is now know as Durham, NC , is where the document was signed between the Union and Confederate States to end the Civil War. This was the reenactment of this blessed and mournful day depending if you were a Yankee or a Confederate.


The Union Camp outside of Bennett Place


The farm is being guarded while negotiations are
occuring.


Confederate soldiers guard the other side.

Jakers

On April 11, 2007, Jacob David Gourley joined our family. Although I have not been able to spoil him like I would like to and be with him as often as I would like, I was fortunate enough to spend a few days with him last summer and at Christmas. He is getting go big it is amazing. My favorite part has been reading, singing and playing with Jake. I miss not being able to see him grow up. He is becoming such a big boy.





Suzauntie and Jake reading a book. He has the same sleeping disorder his Suzauntie has which is start reading I start sleeping.

Look I am a big boy now
Look No Hands!
Watch out world! Here I come!

After moving to N.C., I have been able to see some pretty interesting events. Growing up in Indiana the state fair was a fairly big event, but I don't think it has anything on the N.C. state fair. Parents take their kids out of school to go and it is the place to be. It has the games, the rides, concerts, food (funnel cakes, homemade root beer, deep friend everything and BBQ) and of course all of the events for the various types of show people. Here are two of the award winners.

Tom the Turkey was worth of $12,00 for his poise, personality, and good looks.

Linus wouldn't have any problem finding the great pumpkin if these were in his patch.



I realized rather quickly that N.C. was a different place when these Rose Maple Moths landed on my front door and stayed for a few days.

Since Benjamin is a rabbit fan, we went to a bunny farm where they breed dwarf rabbits. They are very cute and there were a lot of them .

The prize winning bunny!

Talk about some tiny little babies.

Benjamin and the bunny bonding.

I really enjoy animals, but I think I would prefer to have them in the barn rather than in my house.

Mt. Pilot

On our way out of Mt. Airy, we stopped at the largest open faced granite mine.


Mt. Pilot is domed shape and stands high above the trees.

This is another view of the Mt. Pilot

This is me at Mt. Pilot

This is the view from the Mt. Pilot

On our way up the Mt., we saw a heard of deer

They were so cute. There were probably 5 or 6 of them.