Our Trip to Pennsylvania!

On the 7,8, & 9 of August, Michal and I went out to Pennsylvania for a nice short trip. Jeff Gochoco (who was the last person I saw baptized on my mission) got married in the Washington DC temple so we went out for that! It was so much fun. I have so much to say about it!

Our first day there, I made sure that Michal tried one of the greatest Ice-cream places EVER... it is called "RITA's." It is DIVINE... It is a refine balanced ice cream between custard and Italian Ice. The blend couldn't be better!

Michal really liked it too and ever since I had him try Rita's he's been asking if there are any in Utah. Sadly no, but if I was rich enough to open up a franchise... I would, because this place rocks! Michal was even a little heartbroken that we weren't able to go on Saturday and Sunday because we had so much to do.

Later that night - Michal and I went to an open house, casual dinner for Jeff's family and friends that had traveled a long ways out to see him. It was a blast. Sister (Katie) Bastian and Sister (Eleanor) Clark were there! They were two of my companions that were also a part of Jeff's conversion process. It was so fun to see them again. They are just great. I LOVED being both of their companions and was so grateful that they were able to come out for Jeff's sealing. They had the funniest stories to talk about and it was so good to catch up with them. Also, Dave Vagnoni was there. He is a good friend of Jeff's and was also the one who baptized him when Jeff joined the Church. Dave was a good sport. We all teased him and drilled him about Dating, but he gave some pretty darn good answers. I think so highly of Dave and I really admire his values and his friendship. Michal said that if we ever move to Pennsylvania, he'd like to hang out with Dave and he can be one of his "buddies".

Also, at the Luncheon, I was able to meet Missy's family. Her mom came up to me and said, "I know that this sounds really ignorant, but I feel like I know you and that I've met you before." So I asked her what her name was and when she said "LEEDOM" I asked her if she lived in the Lebanon ward. Once I had said that she instantly remembered that I served as a missionary in her ward for 6 months. Then she was confused at why I was here at the lunch. So after I explained that I taught Jeff and they came out for my wedding, everything seemed to click for her. She said "Oh you're THAT Katie that they talk about." I hope that is a good thing... but it was fun to see people from the Palmyra/Lebanon area come as well. Pennsylvania is my home away from home, and it always feels good to return home.

I was pretty bummed that I forgot to bring my camera to the temple for when Jeff & Missy walked out, but Bishop Wilson & his wife were kind enough to let me go back to their house and pick it up before heading to his reception. The reception was so much fun, mostly the company. Michal was so funny... and once again, Dave got harassed about being single. Then they had dancing, which no one danced except the DJ himself... and that was about it. Saturday was such a busy day for us that we were beat by the end of the day and crashed when we returned to Bishop Wilson's home.

On Sunday, Michal & I went to the Lebanon Ward. It was SO good to see so many familiar friendly faces. The ward there has since been added on to and attendance has doubled. Also, less-active or part-member families that we were working really hard with were sitting there in Sacrament meeting. I almost cried when I found out that they were there... it made me feel like all of my hard work had paid off! It was so good to see them. After sacrament, I wanted to visit some investigators that I had worked really closely with, so we snuck out to visit them. Unfortunately, none of them were home, so we went to Hershey's Chocolate Factory and rode the Chocolate World ride. At the conclusion of the ride they give you chocolate from the factory. During the Winter, they would give out regular sized candy bars, sometimes even 2 or 3 (if you asked nice)... so that's why Michal wanted to go. I felt really bad because he must have been disappointed when he saw that they were only giving us a single hershey kiss. I think that he enjoyed the ride though. Here are some pictures from Hershey.

After our experience at Hershey, we were able to visit a few more families, including the Robinson Family, Holland Family, Winters Family, Miller Family, and Mastracola family. Michal LOVED all the families that we visited. Espcially, he loved talking to Bob (brother Holland about the car's and "cash for clunkers." He also LOVED the Mastracola's farm. They showed us their Cow, Horse, chieckens, roosters, and we got to eat a yummy cafe-rio style meal there! Michal said that he can't wait until he can go back and visit them on their farm again! I think it reminded him of the farms he used to work on in Poland.

Anyways - here are some pictures from the Mastracola's (or as Michal says: "the Coca-Cola's") farm:

Overall, it was a really fun trip and Michal is excited to go back so that I can show him Penn State. He is really wanting to check it out! It was worth it to see the families that I love so much, see Jeff get married, and show Michal my mission.