I love this quote from Elder David A. Bednar, "Pray for strength to learn from, change, or accept our circumstances rather than praying relentlessly for God to change our circumstances according to our will."
We all experience hardships and times of trial. Have you ever found yourself praying that God would take the trial away from you? I know I have. It is important to remember that the Lord can see more than we can, He can see the big picture. The hard times may not be but fun, but someday we will look back and be grateful that we experienced them because we learned so much.
June 4, 2015
June 2, 2015
Get Air
Have you ever been to a trampoline park? Trampoline parks didn't exist when I was a kid, my first time going was the other day with the young women in our ward. I wasn't sure what to expect, in fact I wasn't sure I even wanted to jump. The last few times I have been on a trampoline, it made me feel sick. Well, I decided to put on my big girl pants and give it a go and I had so much fun!
I played trampoline dodge ball, slack lined, and jumped into pits of foam with the girls. Would I do it again? You bet! I'm so glad I gave trampolines another try!
I played trampoline dodge ball, slack lined, and jumped into pits of foam with the girls. Would I do it again? You bet! I'm so glad I gave trampolines another try!
Labels:
Body
June 1, 2015
Temple Challenge
We learned several months ago that the youth in our ward would be making a trip to the temple in May and Andy and I challenged them to find a certain number of family names to take with them on the trip. The youth surprised us and passed our predetermined goal- we now owe them a party. They has so many family names that we weren't able to get them all done this temple trip. We couldn't be more proud of the youth in our ward! They are such good kids!
Andy and I were able to go to the temple with the youth and we brought a few of our own family names. I love taking family names to the temple, it makes the temple experience that much more personal. I set a goal last year to take a family name with me each time I went to the temple and it has been a very worthwhile goal and experience. Taking a family name to the temple is something I recommend everyone try.
The temple holds a special place in my heart. I love being able to enter into the house of the Lord and feel the peace and calming presence that resides there. I learn so much at the temple and even though it is far away I look forward to making the trip to Portland as often as we can.
Andy and I were able to go to the temple with the youth and we brought a few of our own family names. I love taking family names to the temple, it makes the temple experience that much more personal. I set a goal last year to take a family name with me each time I went to the temple and it has been a very worthwhile goal and experience. Taking a family name to the temple is something I recommend everyone try.
The temple holds a special place in my heart. I love being able to enter into the house of the Lord and feel the peace and calming presence that resides there. I learn so much at the temple and even though it is far away I look forward to making the trip to Portland as often as we can.
Labels:
Spirit
May 31, 2015
Banana Boats
Most people love roasting marshmellows and eating smores while sitting around a campfire. I have never really been a huge fan of smores, but I sure do love a good banana boat. What is a banana boat? A banana boat is only the BEST campfire treat ever!
Ingredients:
1 banana
Marshmellows
Chocolate of choice - I prefer dark
Instructions:
Rinse the banana. Then cut off the stem at the top and the hard brown spot at the bottom of the banana. Next cut the banana length wise but do not cut all the way through the banana and the peel. Cut just enough so you can create a space to fill with chocolate and marshmellows. Stuff the banana with the chocolate and marshmellows. Wrap the stuffed banana in aluminum foil and place in the coals of your fire. Once the chocolate and marshmellows have suffiently softened pull the bananas out of the fire-- becareful not to burn yourself. Dig in and enjoy!
*Note: leave the banana peel on the banana the entire time.
Ingredients:
1 banana
Marshmellows
Chocolate of choice - I prefer dark
Instructions:
Rinse the banana. Then cut off the stem at the top and the hard brown spot at the bottom of the banana. Next cut the banana length wise but do not cut all the way through the banana and the peel. Cut just enough so you can create a space to fill with chocolate and marshmellows. Stuff the banana with the chocolate and marshmellows. Wrap the stuffed banana in aluminum foil and place in the coals of your fire. Once the chocolate and marshmellows have suffiently softened pull the bananas out of the fire-- becareful not to burn yourself. Dig in and enjoy!
*Note: leave the banana peel on the banana the entire time.
Labels:
Recipes
May 29, 2015
Astoria, Oregon
When I was a little kid the Astoria Clowns would always march (aka ride bikes and drive clown cars) in our local parade. The clowns were a bit on the creepy looking side but they always intrigued me-- maybe that is why I went to clown school as a teenager. Cool creepy clowns and The Goonies naturally made me want to visit Astoria, Oregon.
On our way back from climbing Mount St. Helens we decided to take a little bit of a scenic route back so we could make a special stop to...drum roll...Astoria!
Our first stop was a church yard sale and barbeque. We didn't find anything at the yard sale but we did manage to snag ourselves some lunch and directions to The Goonies house.
We also saw the school where the movie Kindergarten Cop was filmed. I've never seen the movie, but Andy has-- he was excited!
We talked with some locals and they suggested we see the Astoria Column and Fort Clatsop.
We didn't have the slightest idea what the Astoria Column was but decided that since multiple people recommended it we better check it out, boy were we in for a treat. The Astoria Column is a 125 foot column. We learned very quickly that climbing up and down a flight of 164 stairs is a painful process after climbing a mountain.
Inside the column is a spiral staircase that takes you up to the top. From the top you get a 360 degree view and you can throw planes off the top. Andy enjoyed throwing his plane off the top and watching it sail across the street. I made the mistake of looking straight down, that fear of falling gets me every time.
Our final stop was Fort Clatsop, this is where Lewis and Clark were said to have wintered. We really enjoyed walking on the trails and learning a little bit more about history.
We hope to make another trip to Astoria someday so we can visit some of the museums, there are a lot of museums in Astoria.
On our way back from climbing Mount St. Helens we decided to take a little bit of a scenic route back so we could make a special stop to...drum roll...Astoria!
Our first stop was a church yard sale and barbeque. We didn't find anything at the yard sale but we did manage to snag ourselves some lunch and directions to The Goonies house.
We also saw the school where the movie Kindergarten Cop was filmed. I've never seen the movie, but Andy has-- he was excited!
We talked with some locals and they suggested we see the Astoria Column and Fort Clatsop.
We didn't have the slightest idea what the Astoria Column was but decided that since multiple people recommended it we better check it out, boy were we in for a treat. The Astoria Column is a 125 foot column. We learned very quickly that climbing up and down a flight of 164 stairs is a painful process after climbing a mountain.
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On top of the Astoria Column-- we look pretty good having not showered in 4 days. |
Our final stop was Fort Clatsop, this is where Lewis and Clark were said to have wintered. We really enjoyed walking on the trails and learning a little bit more about history.
We hope to make another trip to Astoria someday so we can visit some of the museums, there are a lot of museums in Astoria.
May 28, 2015
Thursday Thought
I don't watch a lot of TV, there typically isn't enough time in my day for that. One show I do enjoy watching though is Once Upon A Time. One night as I was watching an episode David (a.k.a. Prince Charming) said, "There will always be people in the world who make you want to give up. Don't make their jobs any easier." When I heard him say this fireworks starting going off in my head.
How many times has someone said something mean or unkind to you? Has whatever unkind thing that person said made you want to give up? I know I have experienced this on more than one occasion. Do you really want to give someone who is being unloving that kind of power over you? I don't think so. It's time to let it go, move on with your head held high and be the awesome person you are! It's time to take charge of your life and live that life that you have always imagined!
How many times has someone said something mean or unkind to you? Has whatever unkind thing that person said made you want to give up? I know I have experienced this on more than one occasion. Do you really want to give someone who is being unloving that kind of power over you? I don't think so. It's time to let it go, move on with your head held high and be the awesome person you are! It's time to take charge of your life and live that life that you have always imagined!
Labels:
Mind
May 26, 2015
Ape Caves & Lava Canyon
We thought it would be fun to camp at Climbers Bivouac a few extra days so we could explore the Ape Caves and Lava Canyon. We went and explored the Ape Caves Friday morning and spent the afternoon at Lava Canyon.
The Ape Caves were really BIG! Neither of us had been in a cave that big before. We chose to go down the lower cave because it involved less climbing and we were pretty stiff and sore from our hike. Next time, I think we will go through the upper cave.
Lava Canyon was so beautiful! The water that runs through the canyon is a brilliant blue color-- the pictures we took don't do the water justice. The trail is rough and kind of steep. We walked across a swinging bridge and Andy decided it would be fun to swing it side to side while we were in the middle of it-- I didn't think that was very fun, that fear of falling gets to me.
Out of the two stops, we enjoyed Lava Canyon the best. Lava Canyon is a must see if you are ever in the area.
The Ape Caves were really BIG! Neither of us had been in a cave that big before. We chose to go down the lower cave because it involved less climbing and we were pretty stiff and sore from our hike. Next time, I think we will go through the upper cave.
Lava Canyon was so beautiful! The water that runs through the canyon is a brilliant blue color-- the pictures we took don't do the water justice. The trail is rough and kind of steep. We walked across a swinging bridge and Andy decided it would be fun to swing it side to side while we were in the middle of it-- I didn't think that was very fun, that fear of falling gets to me.
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Andy jumping on the bridge. |
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Joy! |
Out of the two stops, we enjoyed Lava Canyon the best. Lava Canyon is a must see if you are ever in the area.
Labels:
Body
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