To Hear a Prophet

Today was Stake Conference for our congregation (ward, as we call them), which means the group of wards in our area (a Stake of Zion) meet together in one big meeting to hear from the leaders of the Stake and others whom they ask to speak. For the logistics of everyone getting to fit, the meeting is broadcast to the various church buildings, so we still went to the same building as our regular church meeting.

After conference we came home, had lunch, got a picnic dinner ready, and headed back out to the Alamo Dome San Antonio for a special visit!

President Russel M. Nelson, a man we regard as a Prophet -- yes, like unto Moses, Noah, Isaiah, Peter and others -- came to San Antonio to speak along with his wife. David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came as well with his wife, and Adrian Ochoa, a member of the Quorum of the 70 with his wife.

We parked at a mall and took a bus to the actual arena. This was probably the highlight for a number of our children!

"How do you feel about riding on the bus?" This face was part of his response. 

Cheese! 

Us in front of the Alamodome 

The arena about 20 minutes before start time

Over 20,000 people showed up and, as you can see, we were up in the nosebleeds! I believe President Nelson is a prophet of God, and I particularly loved his wife's insight and testimony of his divine calling. 

New Braunfels Christmas Lighting

For those of you who get triggered by people starting Christmas celebrations before Thanksgiving, skip this post. You've been warned! 😂

New Braunfels had their lighting of downtown tonight.

It was nice for it to be so warm! Well, I guess a lot of people here wouldn't have used the word warm to describe it, but for Christmas lights time? We sure thought it was!

Before 

After

Okay so, those were the best pics I got. That's... not that interesting. But, well, the event was somewhat anti-climatic for us too. The kids' favorite part was seeing deer as we came and went!

Glass and Lake, or Glass Lake?

Today we went first to Wimberley Glassworks. It was really cool! They are glass-blowers, making all sorts of beautiful glass pieces. We learned about how the furnaces work, about glass temperatures, and much more, all while we watched them make a number of Christmas Tree Ornaments.

It was free to watch, but none of the pieces are cheap, neither in quality nor price!

The workshop.

Someone is trying to fall to their doom in this picture. Thanks Mom for saving her! 

This was just as they were getting started. At this station, he prepped the glass and applied the coloring to it

There's a video of most of the process on our youtube channel.

From there we went up to see Canyon Lake. A member of our congregation works there as an engineer and gave us a bit of a tour. He showed us an active beehive in a tree and told us some interesting facts about the history and the area. The limestone makes the water fairly clear.

Active Honeybee Hive 

 The water was pretty cold. They didn't care much!

This girl. So cute!

 There were a couple fall-ins. Those weren't as happy moments.

This is the spillway. In 2002, massive flash flooding caused a huge overflow. The water that came over this spillway quickly created a deep ravine on its way to the river below.

This lake has many a gorgeous sunset. We had some cold kids who wanted to get moving, though, so this was as much as we got to see of that.

Recess

My favorite class in school ever was.... Recess! I was sad the day my Mom told me 7th grade wouldn't have recess. I actually didn't even understand at first -- what could that mean? What do you do when it's recess time, just sit there doing nothing? I didn't get it.

So now, I'm the recess teacher! 😂

Look at me Dad! Is this cool?! 

Because playgrounds are only fun if you can climb over them. 

This lovely park is just a block away from our Airbnb 

With plenty of lawn to play catch

Lyndon B Johnson Birthplace and Ranch

Texas is beautiful. I really like the landscape and terrain here!

We had a lovely trip today up to the Lyndon B Johnson State Park to see where he was born, where he went to school, and where he spent about a fourth of his presidency.

The Home Lyndon was Born In 

Across the Street from his Birth-home, toward the Pedernales River 

The Schoolhouse Lyndon Attended 

Bonnie reading to us

Benjo practicing his roping skills

Lyndon built an airstrip on his ranch and often would meet with his cabinet here, in this beautiful serene place, to deliberate over matters of state. I can't say I blame him for wanting to be here rather than D.C. It's gorgeous here!

From his Birthplace Home Porch 

The Pedernales River. If it was summer, perhaps we'd have gone for a swim!

It was cold with a cold wind blowing, and I'm sad I missed taking pictures of Air Force One (or One Half, as he called it, as it was deliberately a smaller plane to work with his airstrip) and the Texas White House. Bonnie did take a picture of a few signs at least.

And the kids love browsing the gift shops, which I think will be a consistent theme of our field trips.

She LOOOOVED these hats! 

All stuffed animals must be played with, especially snakes

Wonder what policies this girl would put in place

Upon their death, the Johnson's passed the ranch on to the National Parks service with the desire that it continue operating as an active farm and ranch.

As we learned about this previous POTUS we found that, while we disagree with many of his policy decisions, he had many admirable qualities. I believe this is more common than the forces polarizing people on ideologies would like to believe.

Days Go By

So I think I'm going to abandon the idea of posting every day, but I do intend to post often, especially when we go on field trips, and other times too.

Over the weekend we hammered out the logistics of our month pretty well at this point, and in detail for this week.

Kids finished their Geography unit for Alabama and have moved on to South Carolina. It's awesome what they, and we all, are learning! People and places that I've never known before.

Sunday we went to church and, on our way out drove around town a little. We decided to find the Faust Street Bridge. It's lovely!

Some Interesting History 

It was a bit cold, but fun to cross anyway. Amy ran across and back a couple times. 

Beautiful event location! 

Benjamin may have been more excited about the train crossing the other bridge than anything else 

This is a very popular tubing river during the summer

The next day we took a tour through one of the oldest churches in the area, the St Peter & Paul Catholic Church and School.

Some interesting history for those who like to read it 

 Cute Familam

Eliza at the doors 

 They were cold, but they wanted a picture by the statue anyway

Next to the church, this sign offers some more details

The Alamo & The Temple

You know those days where you're trying to get out the door and four hours later you're wondering why you haven't left yet? Today was one of those!

It reminded me of that Michael McIntyre sketch about "people with no kids don't know." (Not linked to here as it contains some swearing--you can youtube it if you wish.)

But we did finally leave, even if the clock didn't say AM! Maybe it analog--did you think of that?! I didn't think so!!!

But late departure aside, we had a pleasant day!

 Benjo's super hero pose after washing a full sink of dishes!

 Get in the car? Anyone? Anyone? Hello? Bueller?

Here we go just a-walkin' down the street singing... Eh, well, we weren't singing. This time. 

Cool models of different time periods that showed the Alamo's progression 

The iconic Alamo chapel 

Six Flags hung over Texas 

The kids favorite part: squirrels. Yes, both figuratively and literally, SQUIRREL! 

Though this guy talking about guns did capture their interest for a time 

Everything's bigger in... 

And now for the trivia... what is this a picture of?

Look closely. You may have to zoom in, but when you see it, you'll know. :-)

From the Alamo, we drove to the LDS San Antonio Temple where my wife and I took turns participating in temple work while the other stayed out with the kiddos.

 The beautiful San Antonio Temple

The awake girls touching the temple 

 Girls being a bit silly, but look at the beautiful stain glass!

This temple has multiple large, gorgeous windows.

And of course, the girls' favorite part. The fountain!

(Only perhaps because they saw now squirrels there.)