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There is no amount of words I could put on this page to express my gratitude for you and this trip. I have never felt so loved by a group I just met, nor have I ever been so in-tune with the Spirit. Before coming on the church history tour I had a lot of questions that never seemed to be answered which made me dislike going to church and staying faithful. I constantly found reasons not to go to church activities and if I did my mind wasn't present. Being on this trip made me realize that God will answer prayers and questions as long as we remain faithful. While I was here many of my prayers were answered and I had many promptings that I gladly acted upon. I now realize that Heavenly Father wasn't ignoring me, I just wasn't ready to receive the answer until my heart softened. My testimony in Heavenly Father, Joseph Smith, temples, our great free country, and our Savior have grown immensely. Phoebe Ozawa
*******************************************************I've learned more about the Gospel in these short 2 weeks than I ever have before. One of my favorite things that you said was, "If you keep the commandments, you will receive blessings; if you keep the commandment with exactness, you will receive miracles." I'm so grateful for the miracles that happened these past 2 weeks. I know when I go home things will change and I will really start concentrating on the basics more. Before I came on this trip my testimony was a 5 but because of you and because I learned how to pray specifically and ask what I desire to know, my testimony has grown to a 10. Alexis Lloyd
*******************************************************The Spirit was really speaking to me on this trip. I really struggled with testimony before this but now I know it's true. Heavenly Father placed me on this trip because He knew I needed it to make sure I don't leave the Church. I also found my love for this country on this trip. I want to serve in either in the army or politics. I am so glad to say that I have no doubt this church is true? This trip has truly changed my life and I can't wait to tell others to take it. Conner Radmall
*******************************************************Thank you so much for this trip. I didn't believe that I could have as much fun as I did on anything church related. I had planned on just going through the motions with the whole trip and just hanging out with my friend but as soon as we started singing in the first visitors center I could feel the Spirit all around. I got so many chances to strengthen my testimony and my faith in this Gospel. I got closer with my friends and made so many new friends. Before this trip I just thought that I could use the testimony of others to get by simply because I was born and raised in the church, was baptized at 8 and had the priesthood. I lost the desire for the Gospel when I was about 13. I didn't enjoy church or Mutual. I had absolutely no desire to go on a mission. I never acted against the church because I feared what my family would do because of it. I moved a little after I was in the 8th grade. I was in a new stake, a new ward and I didn't know anyone. I was fellowshipped and started to even enjoy mutual again but until this trip I still disliked Church. I knew as soon as we got to Adam-Ondi-Ahman that this Church was true, but I still didn't enjoy the Gospel until the Susquehanna River. I was standing there and just felt the priesthood coming all around and I felt I didn't deserve it. It was then I knew that I absolutely had to serve a mission. Thank you so much for this amazing experience. It feels like you fixed my soul on this trip. Thank you. Noah Egbert
*******************************************************The last two weeks have been among the best and most spiritual that I have ever had. While I already had a testimony of this church before the tour, it has grown stronger than I could have imagined. There is no doubt in my mind that this Church is true and even if a doubt ever did come, I know I can overcome it. Sister Ewell is an amazing teacher and with her lessons and then seeing the sites, the spirit was stronger than ever. Not only that but there were two weeks straight of such spiritual experiences. These past two weeks have had more strong spiritual moments than I had had in the past two years. Not only that but I know what I need to do to keep having such spiritual experiences. I had prayers answered on this trip and more importantly so many parts of my testimony strengthened! The only way I can describe how I feel is that the spirit of God like a fire is burning, and this trip has caused an inferno within me. All I can think to do is go to every person I know and spread the good word because I know what happiness it brings!!! I have always been anxious to serve a mission, but now that feeling is stronger than ever! This trip was not just spiritually amazing, I have gained so many close friends that I would have otherwise never met! I feel like I have known them forever and together we all encourage each other to be better. There is no way I could ever dream of inactivity after the things I have felt, seen and come to know. I quite simply have never been happier in my life and this is largely due to this trip. Braedon Tarone
*******************************************************I have been struggling this year a lot and been drifting from the Church. I didn't really want to go to church. This trip has strengthened my testimony more than it's ever been. You would ask little questions or make little comments and when we sang it made me think. This trip helped me with things to work on and to trust the Lord. You have challenged us to be 100%ers. I have felt your love so strongly these past two weeks. Also, I have felt Heavenly Fathers love so strongly more than I ever have. These past two weeks I've noticed how Satan has been getting to me. The Sacred Grove was very special and where Joseph Smith started it all. At first I didn't really want to come on this trip, but I will never regret coming. This was the most spiritual and important trip of my life. I want to thank you for helping me and believing so much in all of us. I noticed on this trip I felt peace and love and no worry. Before this trip I was extremely worried about the real world, but this whole trip I only felt the Spirit. I can't thank you enough for everything. You have helped me to be happy again.
Diana Hammond
I took my family of 7, and myself, on the tour with Ginger Ewell. She was in our ward. My husband had recently died and this was something we had always wanted to do. So I took the kids. That tour was one of the best highlights of my life! I loved every minute of it! I then took my parents with me on the tour to see the Nauvoo Temple. It was just as pleasureable and testimony-building as the long tour with my kids. I love Ginger anyway. We ALL learned SO much about church and national history first hand. I was glad that my kids were all older (the 2 youngest were 9 and 10). I wanted them to be old enough to remember this experience and be able to remember some of the places that they visited firsthand. And they still do remember. I loved, especially, the small testimony meeting we had on the banks of the Susquehannah River and then having all the men sing Praise to the Man. It just sent chills down my spine! I have recommended this tour to a LOT of people, and I would give anything to be able to go again, and take my recent sons-in-law (both of whom are history buffs!). Yes, a great testimony builder for everyone! I often read through the book we were given at the beginning of our tour and were supposed to read each night. SO MUCH information in that book! Thank you to Bro. & Sis. Ewell and their wonderful family for a fantastic tour!. Debra Malone
*******************************************************"Life changing! Testimony Building! You couldn't ask for better tour guides or experience! Every detail attended too! Everyone feels like they are loved and are known. Some who experience feeling loved for the 1st time! Thanks for the tour!" Wells Leavitt
*******************************************************Absolutely--after my 3 kids went on the tour and then I went on the tour i recommended it to relatives and three of my nieces and nephews have gone too. Tammy Schefcik
*******************************************************My three children went on the tour for their senior trips the summer before graduation. They loved the trip and came home with a much strengthened testimony. They felt independent with a group of teenagers and I had the reassurance of great chaperones who kept them safe. Egbert Amanda
*******************************************************I have had 6 of my children participate in the church history tours , some going a second time because they enjoyed it so much! Ginger Ewell gave great motivational history of the church and the leaders and provided spiritual uplifting experiences that strengthened my children's testimonies. I definitely recommend the youth church history tours and look forward to the time my husband and I can sign up and go! Joann Pace
*******************************************************This trip will always be on the "top ten" list of favorites from my life's experiences. I learned so much and grew to understand and love the Prophet Joseph Smith and the pioneers more than I did previously. I highly recommend this trip! Joni Flandro
*******************************************************We have been blessed to travel many wonderful places. But the fall church history tour we took in 2003, stands out as a favorite. Amos Angilee - 2003
*******************************************************I was waiting for an answer to my petition to Heavenly Father that this church was true, it was answered after a series of spiritual experiences. Taylor Cousineau - 2009
*******************************************************It's quite remarkable how many personal resolutions I've made just because of the things I've experienced in the past two weeks. I feel revitalized in the Gospel. The Latter Day Tour was the extra boost that I needed to get me on an unwavering path towards the Celestial Kingdom. I'm forever in debt to the Ewell's for bringing this about and giving me that last push in the right direction. They are truly performing the Lord's work. I have a #10 testimony and a lot of the credit is owed to this spectacular trip. It will remain with me for all of eternity. Kelsey Costello
*******************************************************I can say that I was heading toward the wrong path and light was getting dim but you have brought me back on the straight and narrow path and to the brightness of Christ's light. Thank you for helping me build my Number 10 testimony. Name withheld
*******************************************************Thank you for taking my weak testimony and strengthing it enormously. Matthew Ireland
*******************************************************There have been times when I have seriously considered taking my own life. But this trip has changed my entire perspective on life! My Heavenly Father loves me, and I need to serve him. This has become my goal: to serve the Lord throughout my life. Thank you for this trip. It has given me the will to live again. This Gospel has truly saved my life. I love you and your examples. Please continue doing this trip. so other youth can feel as I feel. Name Withheld
*******************************************************Who knew that 13 days out of your whole life can affect you forever? Ashley Fernelius
*******************************************************The Church history tour was the best thing I could and did do during the summer. I have felt the spirit ten-fold like I never have before. I went with an open heart and I did feel the spirit at the historical sites.. I wrote down those feelings in my journal; I took what you said to heart about journal writing. It really is important because you easily forget. I felt the spirit magnificently at the Sacred Grove. I just want to let you know that you made the church history tour so fun, and spiritual. Lucas Quinney