Pittsburgh

Before I jump on into the good stuff, I need to explain the last post. My sister thought it would be funny to post that poem about how much I love my sister. I do love my sisters, but would NEVER post a picture or poem like that up to express my love for any one of my sisters. The poem would be much cheesier and the picture would be a little bit more attractive.... thanks Meg!

This last week was a busy one! My parents moved Emily down to BYU. It was fun to see her get settled into the dorm life. Not much time had passed and Emily's number had been given out to several guys... this should be fun! Sean came on Thursday to drive back with me to Pittsburgh, and we had dinner with both of our families the night before we took off. Thanks mom and dad for bringing all that crab and sturgeon.

We left Salt Lake City at around 4:30 am. The drive wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. That doesn't mean that I would be happy to go retrace my steps in Wyoming or Nebraska. The first night we stopped and stayed with some mutual friends (Rhett was Sean's college roommate, and I grew up with his family), who are in medical school, in Des Moines, IA. It was fun to catch up with the Andelins! Rhett and his wife, Crystal, have three adorable little girls- yep, Rhett is a ladies man!



We stopped in Carthage and Nauvoo, Ill. Both were beautiful places, but I am still a bigger fan of the Sacred Grove. We crossed both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers- the Mississippi looks like chocolate milk, so murky. It was fun to go through and do a session in the Nauvoo temple.


The original door that held the four men, with the original bullet holes.


Just a bit blurry- the window Joseph fell through to the ground.


Below the window Joseph fell through




Beautiful Carthage




Gorgeous Nauvoo temple over looking the Mississippi River (which looks like chocolate milk)


Where Joseph, and some of the other Smiths, are buried (to the left- Hyrum, to the right- Emma)

We cruised from Nauvoo to Pittsburgh in about 14 hours or so. It was rough to drive through the night, but worth it to get the trip done with! Start to finish, the trip lasted from Friday at 4:30 am- Sunday at 11 am.

Even though I am far from my family and close friends, it feels like home here. I know this is where I need to be right now, and love that I get to spend solid amounts of time with Sean- without being tied to the phone. I am grateful for the wonderful roommate I have, Kerri, and her amazing hospitality. I am also grateful that the ward, and Sean's dental friends have welcomed me with open arms. I am excited to see what the next year has in store! I will post pictures of my place soon, but here are the ones from the trip!