Into the Mystic: Part 3

On Memorial day morning we said goodbye to our campsite and drove back to Mystic Seaport to see a few last things.

One of the things that we still wanted to see was this whaling ship here.

I hope that people were shorter back when this ship was in commission, because I definitely wouldn't be comfortable on a boat like this for months or even years at a time.  I'm pretty sure I'd be a hunch back for awhile after getting off the boat.

And here was their toilet that went straight out into the ocean.

We also went to an exhibit on tattoos and scrimshaw at the seaport.  Here are a few of the scrimshaw pieces.

These are the tools that would be used for giving tattoos (often while on the rocking boat).

Connected to the Tattoo exhibit was a little exhibit on figureheads.

Evie had fun sucking on the carabiner attached to her little water bottle while sitting in the jogger.

We went to the cafe at the Seaport for lunch,

and I got this hot dog that they apparently though looked more impressive if it didn't fit in the bun.

After seeing the last of the things we wanted to see at Mystic Seaport we went down to the beach.

Evie was happy when we only had our feet in the water.

However, when she got wet from a wave she got scared and didn't want to be anywhere near the water.

She would even cry when one of us would go out into the water, apparently scared for us, too.

She did have fun walking (or being carried) along the beach and looking at sea shells and rocks, though.

Finding Joy Through Loving Service

Ahoy friends. I have just read a marvelous talk. And wanted to post my favorite section. Except, it got hard to narrow it down, because it all seemed powerful and relevant. So here is pretty much the whole last page. I highlighted my very favorite quote.

In all of our service, we need to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The still, small voice will let us know who needs our help and what we can do to help them.

And President Thomas S. Monson has counseled: "The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone."… Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives" ("What Have I Done for Someone Today?" Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2009, 85).

Brothers and sisters, may I reemphasize that the most important attribute of Heavenly Father and of His Beloved Son that we should desire and seek to possess within our lives is the gift of charity, "the pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47). From this gift springs our capacity to love and to serve others as the Savior did. 

The prophet Mormon taught us the supreme importance of this gift and told us how we can receive it: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure" (Moroni 7:48).

Great things are wrought through simple and small things. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another.

As we approach the Easter season, may we show our love and appreciation for the Savior's atoning sacrifice through our simple, compassionate acts of service to our brothers and sisters at home, at church, and in our communities. For this I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Finding Joy through Loving Service M. Russell Ballard April 2011

Into the Mystic: Part 2

Our second day down in the Mystic area we went to the Mystic Seaport.  Evie was the first one ready, co she waited patiently in the car eating cereal and reading (or eating) books while we finished getting ready.

When we got there Evie ended up pinned to Mommy looking like a little green starfish.

We were able to see a lot of big and old fashioned boats at the seaport.

We even got to get on and walk around most of the ships.

We even got shipwrecked on one of them.

Here is the aftermath of the shipwreck.

While there we all went on our first ride on a real steam boat.

Evie got tired of wearing her sun hat so I put it on instead.

Here are a few pictures of the lobster traps.

And here is one of the lobsters that was caught in them. It was the first time either Jen or I had ever tried lobster and the first time I'd ever heard a vegetarian say, "This part right here is really nice because it's just a big chunk of meat."

There were a variety of other interesting things to see there such as this rope yard,

this silly horse,

and a light house.

Once again Evie was the first one ready for bed, so she just played around in the back of the car while we unpacked.

We ate dinner at the picnic table inside of the mosquito net pavilion.

and Evie got to experience her first campfire and smore roasting session (though she didn't get to eat any).

And here is a bonus picture of the adorable little Evie for those who have made it to the end of this post.

To be concluded in Into the Mystic: Part 3