First off, upstate New York is so green and beautiful! The humidity and I didn't agree very well, but other than that I absolutely loved New York!
In order to not make this the longest blog post in the history of blogging, I have decided to only give you my favorite parts of the trip.
LAX Airport: When We Thought It Couldn't Get Any Better...
The rest of the trip went a lot better, and we stopped at the DC airport (on the 4th of July might I add)!
And we couldn't wait to get to New York!!!
To start the trip off we flew out of LAX at 10:30 PM. We had all day to pack, so we thought we were prepared and ready to go! But we got to the airport and two of our bags were overweight!! So we were rearranging our stuff and stuffing it in our backpacks while there was a huge line behind us. When we finally were good to go, some lady next to us started clapping for us! All I could do was laugh! Good times! Good times! Security went well, thank goodness! When we got to the gate, we realized they had changed the gate on us and had to walk the new gate which was at least 20 gates away or so. Then they proceeded to change the gate 2 more times before we took off. Definitely not a relaxing night at the airport!
The rest of the trip went a lot better, and we stopped at the DC airport (on the 4th of July might I add)!  |
| So excited that Washington DC is right outside :) |
And we couldn't wait to get to New York!!!
Niagara Falls: Happy Birthday America!!!
Our first day in New York was a hot and muggy one. We did lots of walking and sightseeing that day and we were so grateful for the mist from the falls when we got closer to the falls :) We did the Maid of the Mists, a boat ride up to the falls, and the Cave of the Winds, a pretty walk 10 feet away from one of the waterfalls!
We even got free souviners...blue and yellow ponchos and fantastic shoes!!
And we got WET! At least some of us were happy that we were able to cool off :)
The Falls at night are sooo PRETTY!! This is a MUST to add to your bucket list!
Picture compliment of Jenny Udall :)
Her photography skills are much better than mine!
Palmyra, NY: Those SIXTEEN Crazy Days :)
In order to condense all the crazyness and fun into my blog, I decided to give you the TOP TEN reasons why pageant was so amazing:
10. Palmyra, NY
It is such a neat town! I loved everything about it from the corner with a beautiful church on each of its corners to the Chill N Grill where they have the biggest and best ice cream cones ever!!!
9. The Part
I was chosen to be a Ceremoinal Dancer. What is that?! That was exactly my first reaction to it too. haha Definitely a wierd role, but I was a wicked Judean dancer who danced in front of the High Priest. I also didn't listen to the prophet Lehi and ended up chasing him off the stage.
I was also in the scene where Christ comes to the Americas and was one of the adults who got to watch over the children. That meant I was right up close to them as they got to touch Christ's hands. That was such a touching experience to see those sweet faces. They were so well behaved and sweet!!
I was chosen to be a Ceremoinal Dancer. What is that?! That was exactly my first reaction to it too. haha Definitely a wierd role, but I was a wicked Judean dancer who danced in front of the High Priest. I also didn't listen to the prophet Lehi and ended up chasing him off the stage.
I was also in the scene where Christ comes to the Americas and was one of the adults who got to watch over the children. That meant I was right up close to them as they got to touch Christ's hands. That was such a touching experience to see those sweet faces. They were so well behaved and sweet!!
8. Costumes
Not only were the costumes phenomenal, the people that made them and helped us put them on every night were the sweetest people ever!! I loved visiting with them and having them braid my hair!
The other Ceremonial Dancers and I all joked that we had a carpet around our waists. We definitely did. They were so confusing to put on that I needed help every time I put it on. Our makeup was also another feat in itself. This is probably the only time I will ever put on black eyeshadow, but I can say I did it :) And it ended up looking FABULOUS!!
Not only were the costumes phenomenal, the people that made them and helped us put them on every night were the sweetest people ever!! I loved visiting with them and having them braid my hair!
The other Ceremonial Dancers and I all joked that we had a carpet around our waists. We definitely did. They were so confusing to put on that I needed help every time I put it on. Our makeup was also another feat in itself. This is probably the only time I will ever put on black eyeshadow, but I can say I did it :) And it ended up looking FABULOUS!!
7. The Crazy Schedule
Wake up around 7 am. Be at the Hill by 8:30. Rehearsals, cast team time, eat, more rehearsals...work,work, work. 11:00 go home and crash. Repeat again and again. SOOO EXHAUSTING!!
Wake up around 7 am. Be at the Hill by 8:30. Rehearsals, cast team time, eat, more rehearsals...work,work, work. 11:00 go home and crash. Repeat again and again. SOOO EXHAUSTING!!
6. S6
AHH! I had the best cast team! We had so much fun the second week when we went to the lake, mulched a trail for service, and went to the Church History sites. Enough said, they are the best!
AHH! I had the best cast team! We had so much fun the second week when we went to the lake, mulched a trail for service, and went to the Church History sites. Enough said, they are the best!
5. Service
The cast was filled with so many thoughtful people! I would always turn around and someone was doing something for someone else or quietly doing their part to help out. This pageant was such an example to me of when you lose yourself in the work, you end up finding yourself. I saw a HUGE change in myself when I was able to just think about others and not worry about what I was doing. I love this scripture because I know it is true!
"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 10:39
The cast was filled with so many thoughtful people! I would always turn around and someone was doing something for someone else or quietly doing their part to help out. This pageant was such an example to me of when you lose yourself in the work, you end up finding yourself. I saw a HUGE change in myself when I was able to just think about others and not worry about what I was doing. I love this scripture because I know it is true!
"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 10:39
4. Family and Friends
It was so amazing to share this special experience with my family and my Uncle Tom, Aunt Karen, Katy and Chris. We all had fun dressing up and looking absolutely rediculous together! I also had Julie, Mallory, Grandma and Grandpa Udall, and Grandma and Grandpa Pierce travel to NY to come see us!! I also ran into a friend from school and my roommate!! Such a small world! :)
It was so amazing to share this special experience with my family and my Uncle Tom, Aunt Karen, Katy and Chris. We all had fun dressing up and looking absolutely rediculous together! I also had Julie, Mallory, Grandma and Grandpa Udall, and Grandma and Grandpa Pierce travel to NY to come see us!! I also ran into a friend from school and my roommate!! Such a small world! :)
3. Sacred Grove
Our hotel was a 5 minute walk away from the Sacred Grove. I went a total of 4 times while I was in New York. One time I was on a run and decided that I didn't feel like running, so I just sat in the Sacred Grove for a while. You get a feeling like no other when you walk in there. It is so peaceful and I wish I could live next door to the Sacred Grove.
Our hotel was a 5 minute walk away from the Sacred Grove. I went a total of 4 times while I was in New York. One time I was on a run and decided that I didn't feel like running, so I just sat in the Sacred Grove for a while. You get a feeling like no other when you walk in there. It is so peaceful and I wish I could live next door to the Sacred Grove.
2. Missionary Work
Before every performance we got to go out and talk to people in the audience! It was so fun to meet people and find out where they are from and why they are coming to pageant. I got some really funny looks and was told I looked like Princess Leia a lot. But it was so special to go out and tell people why I was at pageant--I came to testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel and that as we come to Him and through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ we can all return and live with Him one day. I came to share that with thousands of people who saw the show :)
The sister missionaries were such wonderful examples to me of how we can share this message with others. They are so loving and kind, you just have to love them!! They have inspired me to be a better missionary and serve a mission one day :)
Before every performance we got to go out and talk to people in the audience! It was so fun to meet people and find out where they are from and why they are coming to pageant. I got some really funny looks and was told I looked like Princess Leia a lot. But it was so special to go out and tell people why I was at pageant--I came to testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel and that as we come to Him and through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ we can all return and live with Him one day. I came to share that with thousands of people who saw the show :)
The sister missionaries were such wonderful examples to me of how we can share this message with others. They are so loving and kind, you just have to love them!! They have inspired me to be a better missionary and serve a mission one day :)
1. Spirit of the Hill
The Hill Cumorah had such a spirit about it. I don't even really know how to describe it but say it is WONDERFUL! Sometimes I would just be sitting there and be overwhelmed with such a warm feeling. You couldn't help but have a smile on your face because you just felt so good inside all of the time! There is such a peace and happiness on that hill--it's contagious!
Well, Congrats if you read this whole post! It's a NOVEL! But if you are ever thinking about The Hill Cumorah Pageant--being in it or seeing it--YOU SHOULD!!!! :)
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