photo shoot (sort of)

Do your kids like to take pictures?  Mine? Not so much.  But on our last day in Cali I convinced/bribbed/guilt tripped them into letting me take just a few.  If Drew goes on a mission, next summer will likely be his last family trip here for awhile.  But, let's not talk about that right now cause dang. I'm still just trying to get through Sadie's mission.

 

Next week, it's back to school. 

cali love

 Top ten things I love about California:
1. I've never seen a scorpion here.
2. It's not 115 degrees.
3. Sleeping in.
4. Ridiculously large pizza.
5. You can get almost anywhere on a long board.
6. Complete lack of anything resembling a schedule.
7. Beach time.
8. The ocean breeze.
9. Dessert.
10. Summer and all of it's blissful freedom.

 

 

stay strong

Many of you are now familiar with the horrible tragedy that occurred last week in Houston, TX.  Six of seven members of the Stay family were brutally murdered in their home by an ex-brother-in-law of the Stays.   Sadie emailed me last Monday to share this horrific news.  Sadly, Sadie also told me of connection with this family.  Sadie's current companion, Sis. McLean, before being transferred to College Station, served in the Stay family's ward.  She was very close with the family and spent time with them in their home, including skyping her own family from the Stay's computer just last mother's day.
       So, once again, as I have done so many times in my life, I have found myself on my knees again asking, "why?" In the end, I always come back to this…. There are some things in this life that I will never understand.  And that's okay.  That's what faith is about. Trusting in our Heavenly Father's love, no matter what.    I am SO not great at memorizing scriptures, or helping my kids memorize them for that matter.  But, several years ago, we decided to come up with our "family" scripture. It's one that I've reflected on again and again.
     "And now,  I Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Ether 12:6

Cassidy Stay, age fifteen, was the only survivor of her immediate family.  Miraculously, she survived, and was able to call 911.   She also testified of the help of angels,

"[Angels] protect [God's] children in times of great need. After she had been shot on Wednesday, she said it felt as though the angels were there with her, putting their hands over her mouth - whispering to her to be quiet, 'I was quiet when I needed to be quiet,' she told us." said Lyon to KPRC-TV, "We have wondered whether those angels might have been her brothers and sisters."

Today, Sadie sent me this picture.  A blue ribbon in memory of the Stay family. 

Prayers matter.  Prayers count.  Please join me in asking our Heavenly Father to bless Cassidy and all of those affected by this senseless act. 

bryce canyon (again)

     Almost ten months ago, right after Gregg and I dropped Sadie at the MTC, we drove to Bryce Canyon to spend the night.  Bryce also happened to be the first stop of our rv adventure.  I cannot even explain the flood of emotion that hit me when we arrived.  Everything came back… that crazy pit in my stomach and even some tears thinking about the last time we were there. BUT, then,  after a few minutes, that horrible feeling was replaced with something kind of amazing as I realized that I wasn't in that "place" anymore.  A lot has happened since Sadie left.  And "wow" I thought, "she's already served half her mission", and I'm not stuck in that day in the past.  And the rest of our time in Bryce was fabulous.

Quote of the day at Bryce Canyon: Sierra (whose humor is more dry than the arizona desert),

                       Wow. Good thing this place is a registered national park .  It'd be tough developing it into housing.