Bloom Where You Are Planted

Last year we had some petunias in pots in the backyard.  This year we had several flowers spring up in the patio.  I wasn't sure that I wanted them growing in the patio, but I'm glad that James knew what the plants looked like and let them grow.  Life might not always bring you the perfect situation that you have always dreamed of, but it's important to not be so caught up in the ideal that you miss the beauty around you. 

 I was recently at a get-together with several babies.  It was hard, as it has been often over the years.  All indications are that I am recovering well physically from my miscarriage, but I'll be 40 shortly, and I just don't know what Heavenly Father has in store for me regarding a baby of my own.   I know I want to rejoice in the blessings of others and enjoy being around people of all ages, and bloom where I am planted, regardless of the situation.

 

 

Pioneer Trek 2013

James and I were called to help with Youth Conference this summer.  We ended up being on the food committee for the Pioneer Trek. We had a lot of fun planning.  James was happy to cook for so many in his dutch ovens.   We met some amazing, dedicated people.  The trek itself was pretty hot.  It was hard when so many of us were exhausted, but we had a lot of people chip in, and we made it through.  We sure didn't smell very good by the end of the trek, but it was worth it to hear the testimonies of those youth and the lessons they had learned.  We even got a lot of compliments on the food.

Cleaning the temple doors

James and I were busy getting ready for Trek, but felt it important to go help clean the temple.  I had the simple task of cleaning some of the interior doors.  At first glance, they looked pretty clean.  As I got closer, I could see that there were indeed a few scuffs or other marks.  It was interesting to note that there was more dirt on the lower areas of the door.  The door itself had the design of spires, and narrowed to points at the top of the door.  With a rag and some simple cleaner, the doors were fairly easy to clean.  There were a few spots that were a little more difficult to clean, and took some time or some scrubbing.

It's amazing how inspiring the temple can be.  Even simple or mundane things can lead our thoughts to the plan of salvation and the atonement of Christ.  I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ.  It is truly through the atonement of that we can be restored and become clean again.  Some of the challenges in life are fairly simple to recognize and overcome.  As we repent , forgive, and serve each other, we will be healed.  Other challenges are more complex.  We may need extra help.  We may need counseling or need to talk to our Bishop.  It may take months, years, or longer to heal. There are many situations that will not be able to fix to our satisfaction.  We can find the love of God and a measure of peace in any situation.   As we come unto God, he will show us our weaknesses.  As we recognize ways we can improve, we can become more like our Father in Heaven.   And as we are perfected, we will see God.

4th of July Celebrations

We spent some time over the 4th of July with some friends at the campground at Pohick Bay.   They have a water park with some water slides.  Joy was right at the height limit, and got to go down a few times before there was a switch in lifeguards.  Her first words at the bottom were "That was so fun, can I go again!"

Antietam National Battlefield

We made a stop on the way home... to avoid some of the DC rush hour traffic.  It was a great trip, we saw historical sites, lighthouses,  and family!

Upper Michigan

After a few days seeing lighthouses we continued to the upper peninsula to visit family.  My mother grew up in Ishpeming, Michigan, and spent summers on Lake Michigamme.  My Aunt Julie was impressed that I was the first of my generation to bring my spouse to the "U.P."  (Upper Peninsula).  It was nice to see my grandparents gravesite, and hear family stories from my Aunts and Uncles, as well as my Mom's Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  We of course ate pasties and hiked to Old Baldy.  We even stopped at the Da Yoopers Tourist Trap so that James had an even better idea of what being a "Yooper" is all about.

 

Lighthouses on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron

Lake Michigan

Lake Huron

Icebreaker

The Icebreaker Mackinaw was retired in 2006 and is now a museum.  It was pretty cool to see how life was aboard the ship and learn about how extending traffic on the shipping season on the Great Lakes was so important.

 

Road Trip

First stop on our road trip was in Kirtland, Ohio.  Ok, first stop where we got out and planned to spend some time.  :-)

Some of the sites we were able to see included: Newel K Whitney store, school of the prophets, the first Bishop's storehouse, the Kirtland temple, an ashery, a sawmill, and an original piece of the book of Abraham.  I am so grateful for the missionaries and other volunteers who allow visiting these locations such a spiritual experience.  And I am so grateful for the restoration of the keys of the priesthood that are on the earth today.

 

Baseball, Botanicals, and Berries

We took the kids to their first National's baseball game.  The older boys were much more interested than the girls, but good times were had by all.  Unfortunately the Nationals only scored one point - but it was an exciting home run in the bottom of the ninth.  Afterwards we stopped by the botanical garden downtown.