WHEN IN UTAH...

When in Utah, is it customary to go to Temple Square? We thought that it would be a fun (free) place to hang out for the afternoon!

First stop was Chic-Fil-A. Who knew that it would be dress like a cow day and get free food??? We ended up picking the wrong spot for sure!!! BUT, the kids did get their picture taken with the cow!

First stop was by the conference center and the kids wanted a picture. Somehow Will ended up being the only adult sitting! 

Our family! This is suiting I think!

Myah and Kate

We checked out the North Visitor's Center and the Christus statue.

There was a cool wall downstairs there and I had the kids stand against the wall. I didn't notice at the time, but the word Listen is in the center. Very fitting I think.

Dawson doesn't do escalators... so when he actually did it, we had him go back down and up again so we could mark this in the books! Way to go Dawson!

Our family in front of the Salt Lake Temple

We also ran over to the church museum

And the Beehive house

And the Joseph Smith Memorial building (I LOVE the view up there!)

Yes, this is usually the face that we get from Dawson! Sad, huh???

The day slipped away by going to the hotel, swimming, and ordering Watasch Pizza (which was pretty good.) We enjoyed our time to be in Utah and also to visit with the Bohney family!

I AM THANKFUL #18

I am thankful for temples on the earth today and for the knowledge that we can be a family after we part from this life.


Our story: Brandon and I were married November 20th, 1999 by an awesome Stake President. It was a very special day for us and also for our family. Brandon's mom and dad and Brandon's brother all have the same anniversary. It makes it easy for us to remember the date!

We started our family right away. In October 2000, Faith was born to us. We took the temple prep classes and filled out the paperwork (Brandon was married before in the temple) and waited. The week of Christmas in 2000, we received a letter from the First Presidency that stated we could go to the temple and be sealed. It was the best Christmas present that year!

The temple closes right after the holidays for cleaning. So, February 7th, 2001, our family headed up to the Idaho Falls temple to be sealed. It was a wonderful (yet long) day for us and our family. We were grateful to have over 40 people go through with us. The best part was when they brought Faith to the sealing room. She was 4 months old by then. She wore her blessing dress that Grandma Cindy made for her. She had a white Binky and white crocheted blanket. Faith looked peacefully (not a peep) at the chandelier and at everyone who had come. I will always remember that moment.

On November 20th, each year, we celebrate our anniversary. But on February 7th, we have a family party with the kids and remind them that this is the date that we became a forever family. It is a wonderful opportunity to talk to our children about the temple and get them excited about 'going there someday.'



We are blessed by temples on the earth today.

What it says about temples on mormon.org:

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Family relationships can last forever—not just for this life.

Just as some of life’s sweetest joys can come through family associations, the loss of a beloved family member can be a source of our deepest sorrows.

Jesus Christ gave power to His disciples to seal families together forever when He said, “And it will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).

Death does not need to be the end of our relationships with cherished loved ones. The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that the “same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there [in eternity], only it will be coupled with eternal glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:2).

Family members who accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ and follow His example can be together forever through sacred ordinances performed in God’s holy temples. These ordinances seal a husband and wife together for all eternity and children to their parents as an eternal family. (See: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”)

THREE STORIES

This summer, I have been touched by many amazing stories. Here are 3 that have really reminded me of what is really important and changed my life.

Home Extreme Makeover came to Pocatello to help a family on 8th Avenue. This is an amazing story --- I just wish that as a community, we could have done this without something like Home Extreme Makeover to pull everyone together.


Their story and full press release:

Pocatello, ID August 18, 2010-The EMHE team is starting their latest build off on a high note in Pocatello, Idaho. The Marshall-Spreiers are a family of breakouts with a passion for singing and a true love of the performing arts. A single mother of nine, Jane Marshall braved a courageous battle with breast cancer 2 years ago. During her recovery, a faulty dryer vent resulted in a fire that ravaged the family home. The house was left uninhabitable and Jane was forced to use her insurance money to seek out alternative living arrangements. Now the money has run out and they are doing everything they can to stay positive despite half the family living in a one-bedroom cottage and the other half living in friend's motor home.

When Jane discovered she had cancer, the eight children living at the broken down home became warriors in their own right. Her 18-year-old son stepped up to the plate and challenged himself to hold his family together. At the time, Noah realized he would need to put his education on hold until his mother finished out her treatments. Sophie (18), Ruth Anne (17), Daniel (15), Elizabeth (14), Elijah (12), Isabelle (9), and Kate (9) have all had to grow up at fast, but they still remain positive and strive to achieve their dreams. Even during these difficult times, Jane tries to lead by example. She encourages the children to laugh, play and not give up on life. As a family they also celebrate the human spirit by finding ways to give back to the community (anonymously).

The Marshall-Spreiers family's luck is about to change, and they are finally getting something they deserve. On August 18th, the Extreme Makeover Home Edition Team arrived to fine tune their living arrangements. The shell of their burned out 2,000 square foot home is about to be demolished so they can enjoy their love of music that binds them together. In just seven days, the family will be able to begin a whole new composition.

The Marshall-Spreiers will go on vacation to Key West, while "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" team leader Ty Pennington, designers Jillian Harris, Paul DiMeo and Ed Sanders, local builder Rockwell Development, and community volunteers rebuild the structure. The location address is: 243 South 8th Ave. Pocatello, ID 83201

ABC's Emmy-winning hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be selecting one of five families in Southeast Idaho to be featured on it's award winning show that helps change the lives of families and inspires remarkable community support. Each week, the show renovates the entire home of a deserving family, traveling across the country.

Their house:


Demo:



Starting from the foundation:



Up we go:


Windows donated by Franklin Building Co.


Say what? Already?


Bricking anyone?


And siding. Yes, it's BLUE!



Working in the rain:


The driveway:



Don't forget the fence:


Finishing touches:



Ready?




The reveal:



One more highlight. 8 full ride scholarships ... 1 for each child!




I guess that my opinion about the world is changing, as it should. What is really important? When we know of those around us who are lonely, suffering, or in need, do we need to be asked to give of ourselves and provide service?

I heard about the story of Preslee in July. She fell in a canal and was life flighted to PCMC. Her story is on this blog on the right hand side here. Their story is truly amazing and really puts everything into perspective. Here is a small excerpt from her blog:

For all of you who have lost a child, or who will in the future, I'm not going to pretend it isn't the most painful and difficult thing I've ever experienced. I've always wanted to be a mother, and have loved every single moment. To all the mom's out there I think you're simply amazing. I don't think we realize how much time we give up, and how much we love doing what we do for our children. To revert back to only having myself and Patrick to think about is difficult. It's painful to wake up each morning to silence and not hearing Preslee call out "mama." I miss the long stroller walks and reading her books. I miss the tender moments I had with her saying her nightly prayers right before bed. I even miss the tantrums thrown in public. :) I miss everything about that little girl. Again, it's so difficult to go back being consumed with myself, and not focused on Preslee.

President Thomas S. Monson, stated: “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.” That's what being a mother is, it's service. That's why it brings so much joy. So tonight, when you've had a long day and your kids are on your nerves, realize how much different you would be without them.

When I read and followed the story of Preslee and her mom and dad, I have been finding myself taking it all in, practicing patience more often, and really thinking about how my life would be different. My children are my life and my joy. And though I cannot express that in words as beautifully as they have, I love being a mom. This story capivates me and encourages me to do better everyday day.

Ashley and Preslee:



After finding that story, I heard from a friend about another similar story that happened about 2 years ago in Park City. Her story is found here. This is a website that she has created for those that are grieving. It's a very touching story as well. One more link
is an article that she was interviewed for in July of this year.

I'm sharing these thoughts today to let you know how grateful I am for the experiences of life and the knowledge that families can be together forever. To be able to give service to the neighbors down the street, acquaintances, and most importantly, my family. Have a wonderful day giving service!!!

BOISE VACATION - PART 5

We stayed around Sunday morning and waited for Sondra to get back from the airport. She brought Brady to the airport to see his dad in SLC! I think that leaving vacation is always bitter-sweet. The thought of home and your own bed is very tempting, but we wanted to spend time with Sondra and could have easily over stayed our visit.

As our last stop, we decided that it would be very appropriate to stop at the Boise Temple. I have never been there, just seen it from the freeway. It was such a fun way to end our vacation.

I love to see the temple,

I'm going there someday.

To feel the Holy Spirit

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young,

This is my sacred duty.

Our hope is that experiences like these will help our children remember what is important. Family IS everything!

The temple gives us our family for eternity.