Alaskan friends

I had the privilege of meeting my new friend Cindy this summer.  She was visiting  our children's' hospital for her daughter who has a very difficult disease.  It has been a hard time for their family with being separated, not getting the results they wished for and having challenges at home.

Being in pageant was a wonderful distraction from their daily worries.  Her son enjoyed being a warrior every night, She and her daughter were able to perform several times as angels.  She managed to remain cheerful and friendly.  It seems one of the ways she managed to endure, stay cheerful,  and lift others was her gratitude. I learned from her that there is great power in being grateful and expressing that gratitude to others.  Every time I saw her she smiled, gave me a hug, and said how grateful she was to be able to be participants in the pageant.  She didn't sugarcoat her troubles and she willingly shared the challenges she face of extra hospital stays and challenges at work for her husband but she seems to be going on faith. Faith that the Lord is in charge. Faith that they can get through anything with His help. Faith that there are daily miracles that are recognized as we look for them and appreciate the source from whence they come.  I am sorry for their troubles but I appreciate their example and their friendship.

Another friend I am grateful to be able to pray for.

Elyssa

I got an interesting phone call a couple of weeks ago.  A young lady asking to talk to my husband, hoping to be able to help with pageant while she was in town. Actually while she was in the country. Turns out she was visiting from Germany, had served her mission here and was visiting people and wanted to help with the pageant.  Well I invited her to come stay at our home.  We met her one night for just a  few minutes. She was traveling with a friend who would be serving a mission here in November.  A couple of days later she was here to stay.

Elyssa was so easy and a delight.  Her English was very good. Her personality was fun and she was hard working.  She was a delight with the kids and made fast friends.  She is the oldest with 4 younger brothers so she was just fine with all the commotion our house brings as well as a few bodily function noises.

One of the many miracles was that she was able to gather several other German speaking friends she knew in the area and they were able to record a German translation of the pageant.  The day after she left a couple came through town on their way to the canyon lands and asked what was going on. They were invited to stay for pageant.  This couple said they would stay if we had it in German. Yep, we have it in German as of this week. They stayed, enjoyed the pageant and asked for a Book of Mormon.

Elyssa served in the temple, helped set up chairs, fences, scenery, went swimming, horseback riding, puppy cuddling and truly and cheerfully made the most out of every moment.  She recognized opportunities, blessings and miracles.  She shared of herself and had genuine interest in others. She made so many friends.  I feel so lucky to have had her come to my house so I could get to know her too.  We are friends on Facebook now and when one of my young woman got her mission call to Frankfurt, Germany I connected the 2 of them.  It is amazing to me how her one little light brightened our corner of the world and continues to shine.  I want to some day visit her in Germany but in the mean time I hope her friend gets put in our area and we continue to make good friends with our new German acquaintances.

Mountain distraction

With only Monday off from pageant performing, we took advantage of the evening and went up the mountain to cook hot dogs, s'mores and enjoy family time.

I probably should warn people I'm taking pictures. My candids are not always that flattering or fun but I like to see who was there and have a reminder of the fun we had.

Pageant season 2017

Being in the pageant every year is a true joy.  It is one of those things that I know takes over our lives and demands much but is so worth the effort.  We work hard but we also have wonderful experiences with those we are performing with and for, as well as those we represent on the hill. A very favorite part of the pageant is when Christ is depicted visiting the people in America.  It is an amazing feeling as we imagine what it was like for those people at that time.

Samuel the Lamanite (Brian) with Emily and Ella enjoying visiting the crowd each night before the performance.  She has been our social media person this year for the pageant and is sharing a lot of great stuff.

 Jack Josh and Nellie are performing this year with their parents.  Elise is 8 months pregnant with their little sister and hoping to meet her soon,

 Each night someone is chosen to portray the angel Moroni on top of the temple. This is a picture of Dane's turn.  Peter and John also get a turn this year.

 Might warriors - Simeon, Kyle, Sam, and Mark

 Isaac as a spear dancer and sacrificer meaning that he portrayed killing a young girl, carrying her up to the top and offering her as a sacrifice.  Obviously a part of the wicked time in the Book of Mormon scenes.

 Each night the Local Vocals perform before the pageant begins but this night they also got to sing the National Anthem.  Dane and Erica got to both be a part of this performance.

Every night we begin with a cast devotional. We receive directors notes, sing, pray, share scriptural insights and to be inspired by beautiful music. The wind and the sound system were a bit of a challenge but these two girls did a beautiful job singing a beautiful song.



And a news man shared his pictures of Dane as Angel Moroni.  Very impressive.

Blessing day

This blessing day has been a blessed day.  Just over a week from the last family event when we were all together for Dane's wedding and now we all came together to support the naming and blessing of Madelyn.  Her father blessed her with the priesthood he holds.  I then had the privilege of hearing testimony born of the importance, joy, and blessing of family from Rachel, Erica, John, Emily and many other good people.

I am so grateful to share strength and testimony together as we progress in seeking the Lord's plan for each of us and supporting one another in our efforts and successes

Uncle Sim

 After sacrament meeting we moved outside to the pavilion and enjoyed a nice dinner with great family.  We didn't get a picture of everyone but here are the highlights!

 Such a smart, cute foot decoration. It stays on, looks cute and shows off her decorated toe nails.

 And then we get the new parents with the grandparents.  This is my ninth grandchild and 3rd granddaughter.

My journey to understand light grew again through this song The Lord is My Light, hymn number 89.  This song shared so many truths with me today. One in particular was the chorus.

The Lord is my light;

He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads,
He leads me along.

He is my joy - I can feel joy because of my Savior

and my song - I want to shout and sing and give praises

By day and by night he leads - I need not fear, though darkness creeps in, He will lead me, be with me, comfort me each step of the way

He leads me along.

and again comfort and hope in verse 2

2. The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise,

Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.
Then how can I ever in darkness remain?

I will nourish and keep my faith stronger than sight that I may look up through the clouds and know of hope and joy. No darkness can ever remain!

Wedding 2017

There is so much I could say about this wonderful couple on their special day but I believe the pictures tell the story of light and love, family and joy.

Photographer was Uncle Brian at tibbets.smugmug.com

facetiming Grandparents in Vermont

This is my whole family!

and candids by Aunt Lauri are on Facebook and I don't know how to get them here.