Summa time

I don't love they way Blogger completely nastifies all photographs, but I will post this anyway. This is one of my favorite shots of Steven wake-boarding last summer just outside Reno at Boca. We only go every so often seeing as how we don't own a boat! But whenever someone charitable invites us we jump at the chance. (Thank you Foote's !) I enjoy watching Steven wake-board. He doesn't do any crazy tricks, but I love the way he cuts in and out of the wake. It's a bit more like surfing.

P.S. Dear Surfing...I still dream about you. Let's get together sometime.

The Millennium

Steven and I get to teach Sunday School at church once a month. Even though I'm not the best at delivering them I love preparing the lessons. I always learn so much during prep. Today we got to talk about the Millennium. What a fun topic! There is so much to cover; how to prepare for it, signs of it, what it will actually be like...This is what I focused on. I put together a little fact sheet that I think I'll post here. So here it is.

Facts about the Millennium

Gathered from Gospel Principles, Unit 9, D&C 101, and LDS.org

- The Millennium refers to the 1,000 years following Christ’s Second Coming. (This is patterned after the Lord’s period of rest following the six creative periods.)

- The wicked will be destroyed.

- The earth will become anew.

- Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and all will see him.

- Mortals will live on the earth. Jesus and immortal beings (resurrected saints) will probably not live on the earth the whole time but will frequently visit the earth.

- The Millennium will be a time of righteousness and peace on the earth.

- Everyone will be good, but not everyone will have received the fullness of the gospel. (Everyone living at this time will inherit the terrestrial or celestial kingdom.)

- There will be lots of missionary work. Temples will continue to be built and key ordinances for the living and dead will still happen.

- Agency will still exist. For a time many will continue to believe their false religions and ideas, but eventually everyone will accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

- With the help of revelation ancestral records will be traced all the way back to Adam and Eve.

- People will be granted what they righteously desire.

- The whole earth will be a delightful garden as it was when Adam and Eve lived.

- The continents will not be divided, but will all be gathered together as it was at first.

- Satan is bound and has no power or influence. Children will grow up without sin.

- There will be no war. People will live in peace and harmony.

- All animals will be at peace. All will eat grass and grain.

- The Lord will be our King. Christ will lead the church and also the political government. Government will be based on righteousness and will preserve the freedoms of all people. Mortals (members and non-members) will hold other government positions, and will receive help from resurrected beings.

- No sorrow, disease, or death. People will grow “as old as trees” when the time comes to “die” they will instantly become immortal instead.

- New truths will be revealed. Including how the earth was created and what will become of it.

- At the end of the Millenium Satan will be “loosed for a little season.” Some will turn away from Heavenly Father. The armies of Satan will fight against the hosts of heaven (led by Michael/Adam.) Satan will be defeated and cast out forever. The final judgment will come. Kingdoms will be assigned to people.

 

Sometimes, Like Today

Summer is here. I am unsettled about this year’s arrival.  A three-month calendar without a single set of X’s or arrows sits in my office. No volleyball here to there, no reunion this to that, no trip to CA, no beach, no camping, not even work work work. No blotches of ink anywhere. I have all the time in the world to do anything I want and yet, no desire to do it.  I could use money as my scapegoat (or rather lack thereof) but the truth is, I feel lost. And no worldly thing can fill this void.

My life is full of constant flipping and flopping; a giant handful of variables that seem to get jumbled like a giant Rubik’s Cube. One variable changes and everything gets jumbled up, seems impossible to ever piece back together. I never could figure those things out.

Instead of a silly toy that I can stuff in a drawer when I’ve grown tired of trying, I’m handling the fragile fragments of my life. And while I may not know how to sort it all out, it’s not going to piece itself back together. Days, holidays, and seasons could pass but that colorful jumbled mess will look the same as it did when I left it. After every rested break comes an enthusiastic and determined attempt. This will be the time. I can figure this out! A few good strokes and suddenly a glimpse of resolve, progress in the right direction…that dissipates a few strokes more. To keep spinning round in circles seems pointless. Even to go back is impossible.

Before long three options seem to present themselves. Stop once more and try again later, hand it over to someone who knows how to do it, or learn to love the disruptive pattern. On days like today, I feel like handing it over.

Utopia

I feel like my last two posts fell into stereotypical blogginess. I apologize for this and am going to try to be more original with this post and just speak to the world (all nine of you) about more random and everyday occurrences.  

First off, we are starting a compound. Over the years (usually after Steven has shared his dreams of owning land and a milk cow) many friends have requested to live near us, and even on the farm with us. Some of you have already reserved your first order of grass fed beef, and who knows when you'll actually get it. We have had many joint business offers along the way. Think Water Buffalo cheese and Purple Cows...ever had one? They will be for sale in the farm store and diner.

Many of you reading this know that being a "farmer" is far from the top of my list. I have never been big on stinky animals who require constant care. (Except for our sweet dog Leila who is sick and VERY stinky at the moment.) I am still pushing for plants rather than animals. A beautiful orchard perhaps. It's the business venture that excites me more than anything else. But here are the benefits/requirements I foresee. About 40 acres of photographic bliss. Having my own studio outbuilding to work in whenever and however I please (not only promised, but proposed by Steven.) Steven and I both envision building a farm store that can also transform into a stage for wedding celebrations, community gathering, and artistic events. And greatest of all, family. I plan on having one no matter where and how we live. But for Steven, the thought of raising his children on such an interactive scene with chores, work and bonding to be had, is the most exciting of all.

Long before this plan was ever considered a few criteria were discussed. When we were dating (seriously) Steven promised that we would either reside in a beach community of my choice at some point in our marriage, or he would take me on a vacation to Hawaii. And guess what, while on our honeymoon in Monterey we passed a beautiful ranch right there on the coast with cows grazing in the pasture. So it is possible to combine the two!! We just have to make a couple mil first. 

So for those of you who would like to join us, let it be known! And don't worry, my final criteria is that it's close to a thriving city (Nordstrom and all.) So it won't be in the middle of nowhere!          

Easter Egg Hunt

This is part II of our trip to Oregon. Aunt Anne (in red sweater) organized an Easter Egg Hunt for all the kiddies at the family ranch. No better place for such an event! This is the same ranch that Steven and I lived on for 3 months as newly-weds.

Pear Blossom

Eets a rrrace...I ope I win. Rat Race, Anyone? Well we certainly did not win any races but we did run them! We went to Oregon last weekend to participate in the "Pear Blossom" with Steven's family. I opted for the 5k rather than trying to run the 10-miler. A choice I am still glad I made!! There is no proof of me running, except maybe on Jill's camera?? But after finishing my race early in the morn I stuck around to cheer everyone on and document the finish. 

I ran the 5k with my sister-in-law Jill and my 12-year-old nephew Seamus. Steven ran the 10-miler with his brother Brian, two of his sisters, two brothers-in-law, and cousin-in-law. And cousin Christina walked the 10-mile. Even this kids ran a mile!

And they're off...yes, that's Steven flailing his arm.

And here they come...oh wait this is the guy who kicked everyone's trash and ran 5 minute miles.

There they are.

I was thoroughly impressed with Steven's time. Training here in the cold and snow was really hard to do. He managed to keep up with his brother and ran the race in 80 minutes. 

(10 8-minute miles. Good job boys.)

Mi Hermano

It's already been about 2 weeks since my brother reported to the MTC in Provo. It is pretty surreal to see your little brother get to this stage in life. I realize that the decision to serve a two year mission is a choice and I couldn't be more proud and grateful for his decision to do so. 

Watching Sean speak at church at his "farewell" gave me the warmest feeling about what a great missionary he is going to be. His understanding of the scriptures is wonderful. Sean has always been an unselfish individual. He has always been the (only) one in the family who asks to please not give any gifts on birthdays and holidays. He sees no point in worldly things, while his two consumer loving sisters try to convince him of the value of a great sale and the unsurpassable feeling of new clothes hugging your skin. A quality that will surely add to his success as a mouthpiece for the Lord.

I was able to be there with the fam as we dropped him off at the MTC. He will be studying spanish as he prepares for the Missouri, Independence mission. His courage and strength have enlightened me an encouraged me to be better and strive for more in my own life. And for that I am so grateful! Thanks for being so wonderful Sean! We love you.