Nauvoo, Part 1

July 4, 2011

My sister Melissa has been living in South Dakota because her husband Lyle has been doing his internship out there this summer. She has been lonely--so me being the good sister I am went to visit. We ended up doing a drive out to Nauvoo.

When I flew out, I hit the Minneapolis area. I had never been to Minnesota before--so new state number one I was in. All I got a picture of there was this...

too bad I was by myself so I couldn't put my face in...

Then, I flew into Sioux Falls--for which at the time I got there--it was late. It was also the Fourth of July--and I was amazed at how many places were doing fireworks from the airplane. The best part though was as we were flying to Sioux Falls--God was busy doing his own lightning show in the sky. It was beautiful.

The next morning, Melissa and I decided to head out to Nauvoo in Lyle's car. Our original plan had been to drive up through Missouri. But--the Missouri River has been flooding terribly this summer--so we were not able to go through Omaha. We ended up just driving to Nauvoo through Iowa. I got some interesting pictures of the flooding though.

This McDonalds was very prepared in Iowa while the Subway next door was not so much.

The levy along the interstate to keep the water off

Melissa and I made it to Nauvoo that night. We got there and drove by the temple very first. As we were driving by the temple, we noticed that below they were set up for the pageant. We went to check it out and found out it was night one of the pageant. We were lucky--and it was one of the best pageants I've been to!

Me at the Nauvoo Temple

They had different pioneer activities set up all around the pageant area

Missy and I cut the log with the saw--we were pretty fast.

The cast of the pageant

The Nauvoo Pageant was pretty amazing. I think that I learned a lot from the pageant--mostly what I posted about previously. I learned about the importance of following the prophet and having faith. It was a good reminder to me of believing and not giving up on the things I know to be true. I think that I came out of the pageant with new appreciation for the Nauvoo saints and all they went through. The pageant though was just the beginning...

Pioneer Trail Hike 1

July 2, 2011

Every year I hike the pioneer trail around the 24th of July. I just was called to be the Sports and Fitness Co-Chair in my ward--so I decided that it would be fun to take my ward there. But I wanted to time it and check the trail before I went. So, my former roommate Linda and I went to test it.

An Aha Moment--Men are that they might have JOY!

July 18, 2011

So--I feel the need to write about an aha moment I had recently. It was while I was in Nauvoo (which I will have to blog about more later). I went to Nauvoo for a few days with Missy a few weeks ago, and while I was there--I had a message I felt was especially for me. Which happens to me every once in a while. 

This time while I was there, the scripture 2 Nephi 2:25 "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy" stuck out to me. Men are that they might have joy....that phrase kept ringing in my head. Nauvoo was a time of joy in the lives of the pioneers. They had been through so much pain and suffering up until then--being forced to move from Palmyra, Ohio, Missouri... They were driven away and finally had a place where they were able to receive so many important things. While there--they received some of the most important things of the restored gospel--one of those being the joy of celestial marriage. 

Now--I am 29. I have lived a fair chunk of my life--and done a lot with it. I can say that at this point--I am not disappointed for any of the things that has happened to me in my life. But--I realize how easy it is for a young LDS woman like myself to get lost in the disappointment and loss of hopes of that joy of celestial marriage and to dwell on the fact that they are single. I have friends that I hear it from all the time. But--there are times where I do wonder--is there something wrong with me? But--after my recent experience in Nauvoo--I think I am reminded that the Lord knows best--and for now--it is up to me to endure--and to do it with JOY!

I have decided that my new goal right now is to have joy in the journey--because my journey is unique in and of itself. From everything I have been through in my whole life--I have only been blessed with things that were better. There have been times that I thought things should have gone one way over others--but right now--I am realizing that where I am at this moment is where I need to be--and it is the best thing that Heavenly Father could ever give to me. I am becoming an amazing woman and I am contributing to the world. 

I know that the journey is tough in some points--and not everyone (especially me) is perfect. But--I feel that focusing on the joy of it will make it all the more easier. So--men are that they might have joy. That is the theme in this act of my life!

Batting Cages

June 28, 2011

My school was having the annual Teacher vs 6th grade softball game--and I've never played! And I haven't played softball for a few years--so I decided it was time to hit the cages. My friends Hawley and Becca decided to come with me. We got a couple shots of us with our glamorous helmets.

Becca, Hawley and I batting at Boondocks! 

Hawley showing us how it is done!

Taylorsville Days

June 25, 2011

My cousin Amanda wanted to attend Taylorsville Days, so I decided to attend with them. We had the chance to go on some rides--well Owen did--and I got to go down the big slide with him too.

I got some cute pics of the kids though having some fun!

Owen loved riding the train

And the pony

He was in deep thought

This one I at least got him to smile! 

Little Penny was tired!

 Later that night--my friend Jason wanted to go back and watch the fireworks, so we did. And I think it was one of the best firework shows I have seen. Especially because I missed them on the 4th of July! We found a nice spot on the grass to watch the Abba-cadabbra show and the fireworks lasted for about a good 30 minutes. It was pretty impressive!

Pipeline Trail Hike

June 22, 2011

Gabe and I hike about once a year--so here was our hike for 2011. I decided to go up to the Pipeline trail that I had snowshoed earlier this winter. We hiked a bit of it and got some fun pictures.

A view of the valley below

Part of the Grandeur Peak Trail

The trail

I took a picture of this bridge in the winter too

Gabe was getting ready to pose for an advertisement water

Gabe was modeling his Powerade

Powerade--the drink of champions

We found this tree floating in the air by the trail. 

Wildflowers at Craters of the Moon

June 18, 2011

My mom has a thing for the wildflowers out at Craters of the Moon National Park. She loves them! But they are soooo tiny! Every year we drive out to see them. She had gone the weekend before I came home for Father's Day--but they weren't open yet. So--for Father's Day weekend we drove out to see them. Here's some pictures we got that day: