“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet”
Happy Holidays, Toledo! From the Stranahan craft fair to the ward Christmas party to the Children's Wonderland to ice skating to the Lights at the Toledo Zoo, we had festive holidays. There's even a song about the Toledo holiday season. It's called Happy Holidays Toledo by Sheri LaFontaine.
Recently, I’ve been pondering on how the places where I have roots have influenced and shaped my life. As I’ve been contemplating, I’ve realized how grateful I am for the place that I was raised, the place that I go to college, and the place that I served my mission. I wanted to share just a few reasons with the world why I love the places that I call home :)
Buckeyes! haha not the buckeyes from the tree, the buckeyes that Ohioans love to make. These chocolate covered peanut butter balls have easily become one of my favorite desserts, and many of my friends.
Good Football! I never had worry about finding a good game on tv. Football is a big deal, especially when OSU plays U of M. I’m grateful for many nights of Friday night football in high school and sitting riveted during the OSU vs. U of M games. (Disclaimer: I am a Michigan fan. I know, I betrayed my state) :D
Beautiful Autumns! From the time I was 9 until I left home at 18, I lived next to a park. And during the Autumn, that park turned into an absolutely beautiful red, orange, and gold paradise. I loved walking and running through the canopy of beautiful Fall leaves. That's not even mentioning the apple picking, brisk mornings, football games, Halloween adventures, and pumpkin patches.
My Cute House by the Park! Can I just say that I think my house is really cute? Not only did I grow up next to a park, I grew up across the street from a Walmart. Nature and Civilization all within 5 minutes :)
The History! -> Sauder Village, Greenfield Village I grew up going on vacation to Doll Shows, Star Trek Conventions, and museums. I have to say, I enjoyed the museums much more than the first two :D I have so many wonderful memories at Sauder Village, a pioneer village recreated as well as Greenfield Village, Michigan, home to Daniel Webster's home, the Wright brothers shop, and Menlow Plaza, the birthplace of the incandescent light bulb.
Kirtland! I. love. Kirtland, Ohio. I have been there almost every year of my life at least once, and the foundations of my testimony of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came from my experiences there. We toook family trips there, youth trips there, and had Girls Camp behind the john Johnson farm. There is truly a special spirit in this special place, especially in the Newel K. Whitney store, in the John Johnson Farm, and in the Kirtland Temple.
Closeness of a Temple! Speaking of temples, I'm grateful for the proximity of a temple growing up so that we, as youth, could go and do baptisms for the dead. The Columbus, Ohio LDS temple is small, but beautiful and a very sacred place for me in the foundations of my testimony.
A good education! I went to a good elementary school, a good middle school, and a good high school. My high school is recognized for its good academics and great extracurricular activities. How grateful I am for a good education brought to me by good teachers and good peers who put money into the schools so that I could be prepared for college and life beyond.
The Toledo Zoo! I didn't realize that the Toledo Zoo is well loved by not just locals. I mean, I thought it was great. Especially the penguins.
Cedar Point! Do I need say more about living 2 hours from the roller coaster capital of the world? For those of you that think Six Flags and Disneyland are cool, that's because you haven't been to Cedar Point before. If you don't know what Cedar Point is, click here.
Pure Michigan! I spent a lot of childhood summers alongside Lake Erie, vising the lighthouses, swinging on Empire Beach, tubing down the Great Bear River, finding shells in the water, or swinging on Empire Beach. Michigan is a beautiful place, and I loved being able to see so much of it as both of my grandparents are from there.
Happy Holidays, Toledo! From the Stranahan craft fair to the ward Christmas party to the Children's Wonderland to ice skating to the Lights at the Toledo Zoo, we had festive holidays. There's even a song about the Toledo holiday season. It's called Happy Holidays Toledo by Sheri LaFontaine.
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