July 6, 2015

On July 4, 2015 we, as missionaries, participated in the Randolph, Vermont, parade.  There was preparation early in the morning, mostly blowing up 250 balloons with mormon.org written on them. We would be handing them out to the children along the route. The float was built a couple of years ago by Elder and Sister Mooney and Elder and Sister Harmon.  They are home now, but the float still is the best one in all the parades.

Elder Wilson and Elder Ence unloading the monument

This monument comes apart for easy transport, although it is heavy it does not weight tons. 

Elder Broberg and Elder Ence 

securing the shaft

Then came the hundreds of balloons. They were tied to the "gator" so we would have easy access to cut the strings to hand to the children along the route.

Diana said to Roger

"Don't get carried away dad"

Now the float is ready for the 2 mile long parade where 5,000 people would see our sign, carry our balloons, receive pass-along cards and eat some good candy.

Roger drove the gator

I walked and handed out balloons

It was fun to experience a parade as an old person.  And I was able to get my walk in for the morning.

It was our time at the visitor center after the parade.  We knew it would be a long day, but had no idea it would be sweet.

There were a lot of people come to the center on the 4th.  We had about a hundred and fifty visitors and 25 of them were non-members. I love teaching the reason for this site. This is truly a place where people can come and feel, some place away from the confusion of the world.

I taught a family visiting here from the Philippines. They told me that their families in the Philippines were excited that they could come here.  The sweet little mother wept the minute she entered the visitor center and the tears flowed for the whole tour. The children, of course, loved the golf cart tour. She said as they left "Thank you sister, this is the best 4th of July I have ever had." It was a great 4th of the July for me too.

Doctrine and Covenants 98:4-5

"And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land; it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.

And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me."

I love my Father in Heaven.  I love that He has made us free.  I love the freedoms of this land as laid out by the "Founding Fathers."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.  I know it.

A place of peace, joy, and remembrance

of the Birth of God's Prophet

Joseph Smith