This week has gone by really fast.  Tuesday was our P-Day so we went out into Amish country, visited several stores, had lunch at the Dutchman's Restaurant, stopped at the White House Chocolate Factory and tasted all their samples.  Course then we had to buy some.  We also went on out to the End of the Commons General Store and purchased a bit of bulk items.  Was a fun day and we saw new country.  Tours were really slow this week so we did quite a bit of studying and visiting.  We also drove out to Lake Erie.  Was a beautiful sight and sooo big.  One gentleman stopped and was visiting with us and told us that the Canadian border was 90 miles across. 

                                                
Lake Erie with the Geese                                                                     Fairport Harbor Lighthouse

This harbor was where many of the missionaries left from headed into Canada and the Eastern states.
It is a museum but we didn't take the time right now to go inside.  Another time.....

As we were driving down to our Chardon Branch on Veterans Day, they had the big hook and ladder truck out over the highway in the middle of town and it was so neat to see the flag waving.

We also had the opportunity to go with Elder and Sister Miles who are FM missionaries to go into the Joseph Smith home and Joseph's variety store that the church has recently purchased.  The Church of Christ have had some of their missionaries living in the home so it isn't as it was and has a lot of work needed to be respresentative of that time.  The old store is really in disrepair.  The historical people from SL have been all through it but there is still lots of old 'stuff' in there and we were able to wander around and look at it all.  Below are some of the photos.  Owen probably would have loved it all and packed it home in a heartbeat.  The building has had several businesses in it since the time but was quite interesting.

An old drill press

Things gathered in a pile

 

 

All of us standing in the basement of Joseph's Variety Store

 

It is amazing as we learn more of the area all of the preparations made for the church to be in this area and all of the building of the basics of the church that took place as the saints were here.  This area had definitly been prepared for the gospel and when commanded to gather to the Ohio, here they were promised strength and power and knowledge.  They did not question but did as their prophet said because they knew he communicated with God the Father and Jesus Christ.  Many of the programs and basics of the church began here, the foundations, and  when their purpose was accomplished, they moved on.  What a blessing it is for us to be here, to walk in their footsteps and feel of their spirit and gain a resolve to do better!   Another Great Week!!!