Sunday, July 5, 2009

OUR TRIP TO TENNESSEE


We decided a few months ago to go to Tennessee to Tessa's birthday and baptism. So we arranged for airline tickets-----and the time has come. What a great experience!
Since we serve as ordinance workers in the Twin Falls Temple, we needed to take the time of the temple maintenance for the trip. It worked out perfectly for us.
We really want to thank Candace for being willing to take us to the airport and babysit our car during our trip.
We left Burley on June 23rd and flew to Nashville via Denver. We arrived in Nashville and immediately found Rozy and Jesikah. It was late and we drove straight to Clarksville to Rozanne and Eric's beautiful new home.





We took a little tour and saw the beauty of this new home. The beauty wasn't only in the home, but in the family who lives there. We experienced family prayer and scripture study every night. They have a great spirit about their home. Rozy is especially talented in decorating and has done a great job in decorating and picking furniture for their home. Eric, as always, is always there to "get the job done". We had our own beautiful bedroom and bathroom in the downstairs and everything was in readiness for us to come.




The next day, June 24th, we took the grand tour of the house and saw all of the great things and the nice rooms the kids have. Then in the afternoon we went on a tour of Clarksville. The people in Tennessee seem to be very religious and there is a church about on every corner.




We toured a visitors center down near the Cumberland River. It is a big, lazy river. We found out that a big part of the early settlements in Clarksville were tobacco farmers. They have a special kind of tobacco that has a higher nicotine content than others. :) The river was a big part of their transport and industry.




On Thursday we got up early and took in a free movie. Dad and I haven't been to a movie in a long time----so that was fun. Then we topped it off by going to the Cold Stone Ice Cream Shop. I really love that place! Later on, we went shopping at a bookstore and toured the houses that are in Rozanne's subdivision. There are some wonderful houses there. Mike wanted us to find some ideas for his new home. It was fun going around and seeing all the beautiful homes in the area.

We went to Cracker Barrel for supper and ate some southern catfish and all the southern trimmings including corn muffins, biscuits, sweet potatoes, baked apples, etc. We enjoyed it very much.




Friday, Eric did not have to work, so we decided to go to Fort Donalson. It is a Civil War Fort which was very important in the war. The surrender of this Fort was a big part of conquering the rivers and cutting off supplies and troops for the Confederate Army.



This picture was taken at the Visitor's Center where we watched a video and learned about the Fort and the events that happened there.





This cabin is a replica of the cabins the soldiers lived in as they were building the earthen fort or barricade which was originally 10 feet high.




This cannon battery protected the river. The Union Army had gun boats which came down the river---both metal boats and wooden boats which were armed and took out a lot of troops and weapons. These cannons were made to stop the gun boats.




After we finished touring the Fort, we went for some authentic southern barbecue. We ate at a place called "Ricks" hmmmm They had barbecued chicken and pork, baked beans, coleslaw, and other southern foods. They had a pie called a chocolate chess pie----boy was it good. Never heard of that kind of pie before.








v>Tessa had a wonderful birthday with lots of fun. Jesikah even made the pin the tail on the donkey game and drew the pictures herself. Tessa is such a nice girl. They had hot dogs and the trimmings, and even broke a pinata. Eight years old is an amazing age----and Tessa is really growing up to be a good, kind and caring young girl. Congratulations Tessa. We love you.




Then on Sunday the event we went to Tennessee for took place----Tessa's baptism. It was a beautiful day and Tessa looked so pretty in her new white baptism dress. She was striking with her long dark hair, beautiful blue eyes and looked so clean and perfect for her baptism.

During church the power went off and Tessa (and the rest of us) were a little nervous that her baptism would be postponed. We were leaving early the next morning. She said a little prayer and her prayer was answered. The baptism was held and was a very spiritual feast. During Tessa and Jesikah's song about Baptism, the spirit was sweet and tender and then they hugged at the end. Tessa was very touched during her baptism and really felt the spirit of the Lord.

Grandpa and I felt like we were in the presence of angels. We were so honored to be there. Thank you Rozanne, Eric, Alex, Jesikah, Tessa, and Jarem for making us so comfortable. We enjoyed our stay with you.