Utah Family Vacation

I have been holding my breath since March hoping that my family would still be able to come to Utah this summer. Chelsea and Jeff were supposed to have a family reunion with the Vocana family and planned Kyler’s baptism around the reunion since his birthday was the same week. The reunion ended up getting canceled due to COVID, but the trip and baptism still happened. They spent a few days visiting friends before our family time.  

They came over to my house for lunch and to see where I live. It was fun to have them here. 

Mom and Dad flew in that evening and our first stop was Cafe Rio. It was only my second time eating in a restaurant since COVID started. There was almost no one there so that was nice. 

We didn’t have set plans for Tuesday morning so we went up to Silver Lake up Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike around. They kids loved all the little animals and the deer we saw. We packed a picnic and enjoyed the cooler temperatures up there. 

After being friends with Celsey and her family for years and years, she finally got to meet my family. Her parents invited us over to swim in their pool and then have pizza for dinner. The kids had fun meeting each other and playing together and it was fun to get the families together. 

Kyler celebrated his 8th birthday while they were here. He is pretty easy going and wasn’t super particular about what he wanted to do for his birthday. He started the day with birthday donuts and swimming. We went to In N Out for lunch and Classic Fun center for jumping and skating. The main thing he said he wanted was to go to a trampoline place. The kids loved running around and jumping and decided they wanted to skate towards the end. All of the kids ended up skating and having fun. I held Kenzie’s hands and helped her skate. 

It was pretty hot inside the fun center so the kids happily enjoyed a snow cone. 

Malea and her family were on their way home from Yellowstone and happened to be staying in Sandy that night. Malea and Abby stopped by for a quick visit. It was fun to see them. After they left, Jeff’s parents came over for dinner and birthday brownies and more swimming. I haven’t been with any of their kids on their birthday for a while so it was really fun to celebrate all day. 

Kyler’s baptism was one of the big reasons for the trip. With all of the restrictions we weren’t sure at one point if we would be able to have the baptism. Fortunately we were still able to have it, and Kyler had all the people that could be there in person to celebrate with him. It was a very initiate and special baptism since everyone there was there for him. Even his uncle Kyle presided over the baptism since he is in the bishopric. It was a different experience all being in masks, but it was still a special day. 

Kenzie put on my heels during the lunch and refused to take them off. She was very committed to wearing them even in her family picture and walking up the stairs. 

After everything was all cleaned up, we got checked out of the hotel and sent them on their way to spend a couple of days with the Vocana family. I took mom and dad to St. George. It was so nice to spend time with family after not really knowing how long it would be before we could see family with COVID restrictions. 

Endure to the End

I have heard the phrase endure to the end basically my entire life. What does that even mean? The word in endure has a little bit of negativity associated with it. It makes me think I am barely surviving. There are moments when we all feel that way, but no one wants to spend their whole life barely making it. This article sponsored by the Mormon Channel answers that question along with tips to do more than barely make it.

What Does It Really Mean to Endure It to The End?

When His disciples asked Him about the future, Jesus often told them parables or referred to the fact that the future was in God’s hands and not something they should worry about. In the book of Matthew, though, He does provide some information for them. He tells them “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).

One message from that chapter is that things aren’t always perfect in this world, but God does have a plan and He wants you to endure to the end. That doesn’t mean silently putting up with problems that seem insurmountable or unacceptable. To endure to the end doesn’t mean simply tolerating life until it’s over – it means facing trials with patience, faith, and even joy, when possible. With Jesus, you can find hope and positivity even in times that may otherwise feel joyless.

Henry B. Eyring provides three helpful suggestions you can use to approach life and endure it, no matter what happens.

1. Pray

Satan wants you to feel hopeless and defeated; he wants you to live without joy or hope, because that makes it more likely you’ll turn from God. God wants us to overcome that hopelessness (D&C 10:5), and prayer is one way to do so. Prayer is also the way you can communicate regularly with God to better understand how you should live your life.

Here are some ways you can rely on God through prayer in times of sadness or loneliness.

• Talk to Him as you would a friend; you don’t have to specifically ask for anything, and simply sharing your burden can help you feel better.
• Make it a point to thank God for something real and unique every day; praising and showing gratitude reminds you of the joy that still exists in life.
• Pray for those who have caused you harm; praying can help you forgive, and forgiveness removes the burden of anger and helps you experience more joy.
  
  
  
  

2. Keep the commandments

Keeping God’s commandments is a way for you to demonstrate your love for God and others (John 14:15). It also helps ensure you follow God’s will in your life, and remaining within God’s plan is one of the best ways to endure to the end. In Philippians, Paul writes that he can “do all things through Christ which strengtheneth” him (Phil. 4:13), and that verse is true for you too. But that’s only true if you’re acting with Jesus.

3. Serve the Lord

It’s common when facing struggle, stress, or sadness to dwell on those things. That can lead to depression, anxiety, and lack of joy. One way to keep yourself from dwelling on negative things and to actively endure whatever you might face is to serve the Lord. For many people, that means serving others. Some things you might do to serve God and others include:

• Volunteering in the Church
• Volunteering in the community
• Making it a point to call or visit friends or sick community/church members
• Donating items or money to charities close to your heart
• Simply talking to others about your struggles and your hope in God
  
  
  

God wants you to be happy and provides a way for you to endure every challenge. Whatever you are called to face, you can endure it — and endure it well. By praying, keeping the commandments, and serving the Lord, you endure challenges hour-by-hour and day-by-day until your time on the earth is finished and God says, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21, 23).

Girls Camp 2017

I went to 4 years of church girls camp as a teenager and never looked back. I never went as a youth leader, and I have always hoped I wouldn't have to go back as an adult leader. A few years ago I had to go back but only for dinner and evening activities-not bad at all. 

I'll be honest, when I got asked to help out this summer I was apprehensive. Taking the whole week off of work right now wasn't very feasible so I went up for the day on Wednesday. Going for 1 day (and no nights) was perfect. I did a craft with the girls and helped them with some of their fun activities (zip line and archery), made sure they stayed hydrated and cleaned up their trash, had fun with them, and left to come to my own house to shower and sleep in my own bed. One day is definitely the way to go:)

unblogged bloggables-karlee's baptism

the whole reason for the california trip was karlee's baptism. it was the perfect day, and we were all so happy to be there. 

entry table in the foyer-baptism pictures, blessing picture, scriptures, flowers

karlee and jeff before the baptism

refreshments-fruit, vegetable tray, cheese and crackers, cookies, cupcakes

karlee with grandma and grandpa vocana

karlee with my parents

karlee's baptism was such a special day. i'm so happy i was able to be there.

churchy...prayer in numbers

it's been an unintentional several months since i did a churchy post. if we're being honest, i keep forgetting to post on the first sunday of the month. the first sunday quickly turns into the second, and it keeps not happening. i want to get back to monthly churchy posts.

i have always believed in prayer. i really can't ever remember learning about prayer. i feel like it is something i have always known. since i was a little girl, i pray daily to my Heavenly Father. i pray over meals. i pray when i need/want something. i pray for other people. i pray in gratitude. prayer is such a big part of my everyday life.

i currently have the opportunity to join friends of various and some of even no faith in prayer for our friend ana who is battling cancer. she is in the middle of very intense chemo treatments. one of our friends organized a prayer chain so that someone is praying for her every 15 minutes throughout the entire day. my time is 11:00pm. every night at 11:00, i stop whatever i am doing to pray. someone also suggested starting out our workouts each day with a prayerful plank for our friend ana. as part of my workout everyday this month, i pray for my friend ana (and recently another friend amber).

i believe so strongly in the power of prayer, but it is such a blessing to participate in something even bigger. joining thousands of people every single day multiple times a day to plead with Heavenly Father in behalf of our friend and her family gives me a much greater understanding of prayer and the ability we have to turn to a higher power. i know there is a God who listens to every one of those prayers. He may not choose to grant our requests, but i know they are heard. 

churchy

have you ever heard of family home evening? it's basically like it sounds-spending an evening at home with your family. many many years ago, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints implemented family home evening. as the world gets more and more out of control, the need to spend time at home with the family seems increasingly important. 

if you're wondering what family home evening is or if it sounds like something you might want to try with your family, here is a short video explaining a little more.
watch the video

we all know i get together with friends on monday night. we have started incorporating a short spiritual message to our night. i love the difference it makes in the week. 

as always, let me know if you have any questions about family home evening or any other churchy things.

churchy...being still

Doctrine and Covenants 101:16

16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.

i've talked a few times lately about being busy which is pretty much the opposite of being still. i am not the kind of person that really likes to be still. i like to have a lot going on. i like to be busy. i like noise. i also believe in a God who hears and answers prayers. recently i've been thinking a lot about prayer. i know that God gives us answers to our prayers. it may not always be the answer we expect or want, but those answers do come. i guess i have been thinking more about answers than actual prayers. i make the time to pray. i have a habit of praying first thing in the morning and last thing at night and sometimes during the day. often times those prayers are rushed. i say what i have to say, and that's it. how am i ever supposed to get answers to my prayers if i don't give God the time to talk to me? 

it seems obvious when i type it out. God isn't going to talk to me/answer my prayers if i'm too busy to even listen. part of the need for me to be still is to give time and place in my life for God to speak to me. i need to work on this. i need to work on opening my heart and mind more often so that i can be guided. i've spent some time this week thinking about what it means to be still and how i can be more still in my life. what does it mean to you to be still?

churchy...lds general conference

i somehow completely missed my churchy post last month. i'm posting a couple of days early this month. this weekend is lds general conference. in utah (and a few other states), it means we spend the weekend listening to the prophet and apostles speak to us. we get to watch it on tv here, but it is also on the internet for others.

this weekend is about much more than watching people talk on tv, it's about inspiring messages from the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. they speak on a variety of topics specifically for us at this time.

i love conference weekend. it is a good chance for me to reflect on my life, goals, and things i need to do. i look forward to the messages and the inspiration i know i will receive. visit lds.org to learn more about general conference.