Pioneer Day

The LDS Church celebrates one of my favorite holidays every July 24th. This was the date that the first pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. Over the next 20 or so years many people made great sacrifices in order to get to Utah to be among the Saints there. Both Elder Terry and I have pioneer ancestors. I am proud of the great heritage that I have.

David White Rogers and Martha Collins Rogers, the first Rogers ancestors to join the Church and who later travelled to Utah and settled in Provo.

This is Jacob Er Terry, one of the first Terrys to travel to Utah. His wife was Mary Riley Terry but there are no pictures available of her that I could find. Jacob Er was a childhood friend of Joseph Smith. When he heard about the Gospel when he was older he didn't want anyone but Joseph to baptize him which Joseph did.

In Utah, Pioneer Day is celebrated with a parade, fireworks and family get togethers. In Oregon, the Crane Branch held a Pioneer Day party which we were able to attend.

The sheep are in the meadow.

The Clark family has lived in this area for many years. This is the original home that was built in the early 1900's. It is in disrepair and nobody has lived in it for years, but it still stands as a reminder of those who first settled in the area.

We enjoyed good food and conversation. You can see me on the right hand side talking to Ann Clark. She is a teacher in a very small school and teaches K through 3rd grade. What a challenge!

The little girl making the funny face is Esther, the Branch President's daughter. I just loved watching her. I was ready to take her home with me at the end of the day. So cute!

While the adults visited, the kids had fun swimming in the river.

After the swimming. 

A family we have enjoyed getting to know. Don, his wife, Lucettie, who we hope will join the church one day, and their son Donald.

Elder Terry relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.