JULY 24TH, 2013 PIONEER DAY CELEBRATION.

Jeffery R. Holland and his wife at a General Conference.

He is an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

A very wonderful man, a leader in the church, I so love his talks

and quotes, such a humble yet powerful servant for Jesus Christ.

We got to see quite a bit of him this July 24th weekend. We 

attended a Luau and Hawaiian program given in his honor.

We got to sit quite close to he and his wife, it was fun to see

the people come up and talk to him, he was so gracious and 

kind to everyone.

They were so cute together too, Patricia has written a book 

that I just love, it has a poem in it about peace that I have marked.

He was so generous in taking time for everyone.

There was a professional group that were there to perform

Hawaiian dances etc. they were really good!

The fire dancer at the end was so awesome!

Headed home, the moon was gigantic, so we

went up on the hill over St. George, the moon

and the Temple together was Heavenly!

Next morning on the 24th, we attended a breakfast put on by

our Stake (church) it was free and so good! This old guy came

in this, an old fashioned Jag, it was beautiful.

I love July 24th, as we in our church celebrate the Pioneer's

journey  and settling of Utah. We went to a parade in 

Washington City, it was such a good parade.

This flag represents the flag that Captain Moroni made

 as they were about to fight a great war.... "He rent 

(tore off) his coat, and he took a piece thereof,and wrote upon it:

In memory of our God, our religion,and freedom, and our peace,

our wives, and our children," and he fastened it upon the end of

a pole.

Captain Moroni and The Title of Liberty Flag
 

The warriors who fought this great battle were young men who

were valiant in courage, and integrity, great faith, they knew that

their God would protect them. They had been taught by their

mothers that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

They went forward with the strength and power of God. They

succeeded because they did obey and perform every word of

command with exactness, and according  to their faith, it was

done unto them. There were 2,000 of them and they were young,

and none of them were killed.

These young men in this parade were representing the 2,000

young men in this historic story from the Book of Mormon. 

They each made their own costumes, and felt it an honor

to march in representation of the faithful 2,000 warriors.

The Boy Scouts of America were represented.

Elder Holland and his wife rode in a Pioneer carriage. They 

stopped right by us and I got to have a few words with them.

The missionaries were represented also, young men and

women from all over the globe that are called to go and 

serve all over the world.

They were singing; "Called To Serve Him Heavenly King of Glory"

it was very moving to think of these, our young people who prepare

and eagerly wait to receive their calls, all over the world, Each

putting their lives on hold to go and serve the Lord for 2 years.

I loved the old water mill, it sits on a corner

of the park where the early pioneers had a 

cotton mill. During the Civil War, cotton

was raised in St. George and shipped off

to all over the world.

Later in the day, we drove up to Zion Park...

I love driving through the tunnel in the 

mountain. It has been there for years and 

years. This is a window in the tunnel.

The red rock mountains rise up so steep above that it

just takes your breath away!

Headed into the tunnel...

A window in the tunnel...

Going out the other end...

Every where you look, giant mountains.

We turned around and went back through the tunnel,

coming out the other end...beautiful.

Utah and it's arches, they are everywhere!

A little deer walked out right in front of our car.

We went to a Kabob-a-que at the park.

Lots of people there for the free dinner.

Great music for our entertainment, lots of games going

on for .the kids

Loved this tiny puppy, the lady was bottle

feeding it still, so sweet!

The pies went of forever...so delicious!

Lots of yummy food,

There was a man there, he was a wheelwright, a maker of

wheels, wagons. My great great grandfather was also a

wheelwright, he came with the very first company of 

Pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley, now Salt Lake City. 

They settled Utah along with people who came from

every country to join the Mormon church,

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They 

came for religious freedom and suffered so much. But

today, Utah has blossomed like a rose and is doing

very well.

This man's ancestors were wheelwrights also, and he

was continuing on the family traditions.

Throwing in a few pictures of my little cottage kitchen...

I love it!

I found the table cloth at a thrift store...

also the little pot and plate, love them~

This too, love the thrift store!

Just homey-cottage-cute.

Lots of pictures...a big day celebrating the 24th

we had a great time with just Ron and I, taking 

the day to remember our Pioneer ancestors.

July is nearly over! How did that happen? 

******