Whirlwind of a Week

Sunday: Father's Day

Not only was it Father's Day, but I also got to speak in sacrament... for the very first time in my entire life! My singles ward is teensy-weensy, but I still felt the pressure. My topic was Fathers of course:) I did really well, at least that's what I've been told. I controlled my emotions, so no one got to see my ugly crying face. After church, we had a family party. I love our family parties. They consist of re-living the "old days" and catching up on the new, Chris Farley quotes, singing and crazy dancing, playing games and food! This time we played croquet. I found out that I stink at that game. Once again Garrett showed off his freaky, double jointed thumb... Anyways, I'm grateful for all the fathers in my family. They're amazing men and I look for the qualities that they possess in my (distant, very distant) future eternal companion. I love my dad most of all!

Tuesday: Play date

Erica, Gage, Kennadee and I (oh and Tex) walked to Hooper park. More importantly we stopped off and got snowies on the way there. Delish! Gage wanted to sit in the stroller, but he made it clear that he was still a big boy despite the fact. The most hilarious thing ever was to watch Tex pull him down the street and eventually crash him into the curb. Kennadee surprised me and was totally independent on the playground. She was even sneaking chips out of an abandoned bag of BBQ Lays. We all had a blast playin with the other kids.

Wednesday: BSB Concert

Thirteen years ago, my mom, sister and I all went to the Backstreet Boys concert in Salt Lake. So when they came around again it was only obvious that we HAD to go again. Our entire family is die hard BSB fans. We all love them and know all their songs by heart. My mom and I met up with my aunt Kelly, cousin Brandon and his friend Reed, and my other cousin Jakelle and had dinner at JB's (on accident). There was so much laughing. I loved it. Then came the concert. Holy smokes! I have never screamed louder in my entire life. We missed Kevin, because he was our favorite, but the show was still amazing! Best one to date by far, and I got a t-shirt:)

Thursday-Saturday: Thousand Peaks Ranch

I'm gonna be honest. At first, I was a little nervous to agree to visit Erica's cabin with her. My main fear: SPIDERS! I'm not much of the outdoors type, but man oh man that has changed (maybe just a little bit). The beauty up there is unmatched to any place I've ever seen. I felt at peace with myself and the world. Being secluded and free from any outside communication was liberating. I didn't even bring my cell phone! The first night and halfway into the second day we didn't have water. Thanks Jake;) Don't worry. We managed to survive. Erica and I spent our time writing songs and strummin' on the ole geet, doing our Mor-Er photo shoot, star gazing, bird/dinosaur calling, hiking, hiking, and more hiking. On the last day, Jenkin, Erica, Jake and I hiked Blue Bell Falls. After about an hour and a half, strenuous hike, we finally reached the top. This was a major breakthrough for me. Along with spiders, I'm deathly afraid of heights. I was so scared to even walk by the edge seeing as it was a straight drop off of what seemed like a thousand feet (total exaggeration). With the encouragement of Erica, I was able to sit at the very edge of the falls. I didn't die! Even if it seemed like a cake walk to the others, I was so proud of myself. I accomplished something I thought was impossible. I'm so blessed with a best friend who was kind enough to share her little slice of heaven with me. Thanks Er Head! "That's why I come up here. NATURE!"

Seek the Higher Ground

"Those who journey to higher ground love the Lord with all their hearts. We see in their lives manifestations of that love. They seek their God in prayer and plead for His Holy Spirit. They humble themselves and open their hearts to the teachings of the prophets. They magnify their callings and seek to serve rather than be served. They stand as witnesses of God. They obey His commandments and grow strong in their testimony of the truth.

They also love Heavenly Father’s children, and their lives manifest that love. They care for their brothers and sisters. They nurture, serve, and sustain their spouses and children. In the spirit of love and kindness, they build up those around them. They give freely of their substance to others. They mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.

This journey to higher ground is the pathway of discipleship to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a journey that will ultimately lead us to exaltation with our families in the presence of the Father and the Son. Consequently, our journey to higher ground must include the house of the Lord. As we come unto Christ and journey to higher ground, we will desire to spend more time in His temples, because the temples represent higher ground, sacred ground.

In every age we are faced with a choice. We can trust in our own strength, or we can journey to higher ground and come unto Christ.

Each choice has a consequence.

Each consequence, a destination".-- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

To seek spiritual high ground is to rise above the world and its temptation and to follow our Savior. As converted followers of the Savior, we are commissioned to strengthen those around us. We get on high ground not just to save ourselves from the adversary but also so that we can lift others to safety. An important lesson I have learned is that one must be on higher ground to be able to lift someone up. There is no use in trying to help another person if we ourselves are not on a stable foundation from above. As we seek the higher ground, we are blessed with strength beyond our own to carry us through the times we are "tried, and persecuted unjustly, and mocked unfairly, and face temporal and spiritual storms of a magnitude that will seem unbearable to us, and experience bitter cups that we pray would pass from us". Live a better life and spiritually avoid the low pathway where the things of this world dominate.