Waterton

We decided to go to Waterton tonight and surprise the kids.  We haven’t been for a long time and it was such a beautiful night that I snuck the kids swimming suits and towels into the van and we headed out.  The kids had such a fun time playing at the spray park and since there was hardly anyone around they had the run of the place. 

After playing in the water and at the playground for quite a while, we finally pulled them away to get dressed and go find something to eat.  We ate at Zum’s while I remembered all the crazy summers I worked there.  The crazy thing is that after all these years, there are still some of the same things in the gift store!

We stopped for a while after dinner to let the kids throw rocks in the lake.  It was such a perfect night that all I wanted to do is plant myself in a lawn chair with a good book and stay forever!  I don’t remember a more perfect evening in Waterton.  No wind, no bugs and the perfect temperature.

A Holy Woman

On the weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Tri-Stake Relief Society Conference where Sister Wendy Watson Nelson and Sister Sheri Dew were the guest speakers.  Initially, I wasn't sure I wanted to put in the effort to attend.  Lennard was gone, I would have to find a babysitter, and I don't enjoy huge crowds.  When I found a babysitter without any problems, I decided that I'd better just go and just make sure I was there early enough to get a seat.  The doors opened at 1:00 and I arrived at about 1:05.  There was a line up clear to the street to get in to the high school!  Apparently there were about 40 women in line at noon!  I managed to find a seat on the chairs (instead of the bleachers) and sit on an aisle (which helps).  Since my mom is in Nauvoo, my sister-in-law, Trisha, came and sat with me.

Sister Nelson made a number of great points in her talk, but the thing that impressed me the most was when she asked the question: "What would a holy woman do?"  As she told stories and examples of things a holy woman would do, it made me think about my own life and how I need to make a greater effort to be 'holy'.

D&C 46:33 "And ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually."
D&C 60:7 "...For I am able to make you holy."

She also told us that we could pray for assistance from our loved ones that have passed on to be a help and guidance for family members that are struggling.  That we have the right to ask for angels to help us.

Moroni 7:29 "And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men."

Another statement she made is that we need to keep our covenants with more exactness.

"Holiness is a product of covenant living." (Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, Ensign Oct 2002)

All of these statements had me examining myself and giving me a greater desire to DO.  At one point of her talk she said, "If you've been meaning to do something - DO it!"  So, yesterday, while the kids were out playing, I pulled out my scriptures and started to study.  What does it really mean to be holy?

Most of the references I found all had to to with the Holy Ghost or temples, etc., but I found a quote by President James E. Faust (Ensign, May 2005, 62, 67-68):

"Holiness is the strength of the soul.  It comes by faith and through obedience to God's laws and ordinances.  God then purifies the heart by faith and the heart become purged from that which is profane and unworthy.  When holiness is achieved by conforming to God's will, one knows intuitively that which is wrong."

The word holy in Hebrew is qadash which means to be sanctified, consecrated, and dedicated or to be separated from the world and worldliness.

Leviticus 19:2 - "...be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy."

"Take time to be holy each day of your lives."
 - Harold B. Lee, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, 2000, pgs 175-84)

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her speak and would have loved to listen to her longer!  Sister Dew ended up with very little time to speak, unfortunately, but her talk definitely worked with Sister Nelson's.  She asked us the question, "What do you KNOW for sure?"  She said that through making covenants that we are given access to power.  We need to always be learning and growing and that questions are good as they lead to answers.  They help us to keep growing.  I love that.  So many times we get nervous when we hear others (or ourselves) asking why about some gospel principle.  She was very clear in that if we never ask questions, we'll never grow.  Just because someone has questions, or doubts, it doesn't make them a bad person or someone to be shunned.  By asking questions and being willing to put the work in to find answers we progress in our gospel knowledge.

Over the last few days, I have definitely caught myself replying to the kids and stopping myself and asking if that is how a holy woman would respond to them.  Sometimes it was... sometimes it wasn't. I am definitely learning to be a better mom and wife.  I can only hope that my family can see that and have patience when I'm not as 'holy' as I should be.

T-Ball Fun!

It was Ben’s last t-ball game tonight.  He has had so much fun playing and learning a new game.  It has been extremely entertaining watching these kids.  At least they’ve figured out what base to run to first now! 

Ben loves getting to run around the bases.  When he was standing on 3rd base this afternoon he yelled out to Lennard to yell ‘yay’ when he got to home.  As he was half way there, he turned to Lennard and yelled, “Now!”  We both yelled ‘Hooray!’ and he lit right up.  It was so cute!

After playing a few innings, the kids all get together as a team and and race around the bases.

At the end of the game, they all lined up to thank the other team for a good game.  So cute.

I’m going to miss seeing these kids play together every Tuesday night!

Father’s Day

Since Lennard will be gone to New Brunswick for Father’s Day, we decided to celebrate early.  Emma was so excited to give him the gift she made him at preschool.  I love the questionnaire she filled out.  

 

Only ONE More Day!

How is it possible that the school year is pretty well over?!  It has gone by so fast.  Emma has thoroughly enjoyed her year at preschool and is now very excited for kindergarten.  She wasn’t impressed that she had to wait until summer holidays were over to start kindergarten! 

The year has been such a good experience for her.  She has met new friends and learned that she’s not the ‘boss’ all the time!  Mrs. Toth has been so kind and all the EA’s have been great.  Emma decided that she wanted pictures taken today, since Wednesday (on their last day), they will be in swimming suits and getting muddy, wet and being painted!  Emma loved having Mrs. Hansen be her ‘helper’.  I think all the EAs have been wonderful, but Emma has talked more about Mrs. Hansen than anyone else.

I am so thankful that she’s had such a positive first experience at school. 

He’s Home!

My mom and I spent the day together in Lethbridge.  (Shannon watched my kids for me!)  As we were talking we both came to the conclusion that the guys had probably driven all night long and would arrive at home sometime today.  When we talked to them they said that they both hadn’t slept very well last night and then when we’d ask where they were they would give really vague answers… ‘on the road’, ‘in some town’, etc.  Then, the best ‘evidence’… I get alerts from our bank when our Visa is used… and they had fueled up at 2:30 in the morning! 

Anyways, we had a blast shopping together and finding my mom some clothes for Nauvoo.  I even managed to find five new shirts and a pair of capris!  Astonishing for me!  Always at the back of our minds though was the question of when they would get home.  I guessed that it would be around 4 or 5:00, so when mom got a text from dad saying that ‘there would be someone coming to the airport to get fuel and could she please plan on being there at 4:30’, we had our answer!

We got home in good time, picked up the kids and headed out to the airport to await their arrival.  Sure enough, 4:30 rolled around and in drove Lennard and dad!  Apparently there were no hotels with rooms available in Dryden, so they kept driving.  Then, the next town and the next town was the same thing.  They then just decided to keep driving!  Lennard was completely exhausted.

We unloaded everything out of Lon’s trailer and got it all into our hangar.  It’s going to be a big project just figuring out what and where everything is!

We didn’t stay at the airport too much longer after that as Lennard was almost falling asleep standing up.  We headed home and after about a half hour visit with him, he crashed hard.  Emma went down the hallway about half an hour after he fell asleep and started laughing because he was snoring.  It’s so good to have him home.  Now the fun starts!

 

Oh – and yes, he was impressed that we’d got the floor done on the mezzanine.  Mom also painted the new fence and we got the ceiling put back in to the maintenance shed too!  Lots of projects!

We’ve Gone and Done It!

Yikes!  It’s official!  We’ve bought an airplane kit.  Lennard sent me these pictures today at noon.  They met John at 7:30 this morning and by noon they had everything loaded into the trailer and were back on the road again headed home!  Not sure what we’ve got ourselves in to, but I really hope we can make this work for us.