.: Promised Land 2012

I wanted to post some pictures from our week in Bath, NC. Every year we participate in "The Promised Land," a pageant/production. Each year mid-week I tell myself I won't do this again, but then when Saturday night rolls around and I see what the pageant does for my kids and their testimonies, I know I will. Each year one of the things I cherish is meeting new friends. This year we got to stay with actual Taylor family descendants, who just so happened to own a little house right on the water. Our kids got along swimmingly (pardon the pun) and it was just wonderful. Here's a picture of our kids all together on the dock.

Here's a picture of the three older kids in the "Christ in America" scene. What a wonderful opportunity it is to act out that scene.

Here's a picture of me playing Elizabeth Patrick Taylor, and some of her 10 children. This is when they are in Far West and get the news that a mob is headed their way, and it's time to pick up and move again.

Another picture with an amazing Bath sunset.

Me singing "I Believe in You." Elizabeth's husband William dies just before reaching Nauvoo, and she is realizes that she must lean on her own testimony to continue the difficult journey West, in pursuit of religious freedom.

One of my favorite scenes. "I Love Old Glory," where a revolutionary soldier has no weapon and knows he might die in the NC battle at the Guilford Courthouse, but he says his best weapon is the American flag.

One of my favorite people, Peggy, holding Lizzy and getting ready for the cast picture.

Lizzy's face gives away how extremely hot it was Friday and Saturday night.

Lucy wasn't planning on being in the Nephite scene, but then at rehearsals she really wanted to be in it and did great, so I actually made her costume Thursday afternoon.

I love this little Hollywood pose.

Cute Lucy again. The kids were so excited to realize that the waters are FULL of jellyfish. Everywhere!

Another cute Lucy pic.

Lucy singing "Spirit of God" at the end of the play.

A good pic of Mason. He's too cool for a real smile.

Again, "Spirit of God." My favorite part of the entire pageant. In fact, I always break down and cry when I see all these kids singing, and they know all the words to all the verses. That alone is worth it to me.

My favorite picture of the whole week. I love my costume, even though now I realize that it's not historically correct. The neckline would have been scandalously low for the mid-1800's. But seriously, that crocheted collar was a doiley, and it went on so nicely and I've just always felt good in it. So I will continue to be the "lady in red" of the pageant.