Keeping up with the Paces: June 2014

Monday, June 30, 2014

Memorable Monday
Surprise Birthday Party

Lisa's birthday is a week before mine. We are not even a year apart, my poor mom. I planned a surprise birthday party for Lisa one year. My mom wanted to have the party be a surprise for me too. I send out invites and my mom said she would mail them. She quickly added my name on the invites before she sent them. She bought a cake with both of our names and put it in the fridge, not the best hiding spot. I was on to her from the beginning, but never mentioned it. She had so much fun adding my name to the birthday party list. One day she asked me if I ever knew. I told the truth that I knew from the beginning. "Why didn't you say anything?" she asked. She worked hard and I wanted her to think that I was surprised. My mom didn't have to plan my surprise party, I did. It was a great success and everyone had a blast!!

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Josh's talk

For Sacrament Meeting, Josh and Colby talked about their experiences at camp, Colby talked about Camp Geronimo and Josh talked about Stake Encampment. It was great to hear Josh talk about his experiences and how his experiences can relate to real life. I enjoy hearing Josh's talks.

"Good morning brothers and sisters. Yesterday, me and some of the young men got back from a 5 day camping trip called encampment. It was a lot of fun, but there were also many spiritual experiences. In it, we were separated into different tribes. The theme for the encampment was “We are as The Armies of Helaman”. The main 2 focuses of the camp were our parents influence was in our lives, and not going it alone. Our parents are our first teachers in life. Because they followed their mothers’ teachings and knew for themselves of the truth of what they were taught, they were capable of so much.
The next thing I learned was to rely on others. At the camp, we had several battles with other tribes. In one battle, I saw some of the enemy ganging up on someone on my team. Then I thought, isn’t our life like this? Doesn’t everyone struggle? When I saw my teammate struggling, my first reaction was “I need to help him!!” we should be this way with everyone around us. We all have challenges and, at times, we need help! So we should extend our help towards someone we see struggling. There are many ways we can help, whether its missionary work, giving advice, or just being a good friend. Everyone at some time needs our help, and it is our responsibility as brothers and sisters to help them. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Stake Encampment

Mesa South Stake Encampment 2014

Army of Helaman

"And they enter into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage"

Alma 53:17

Themes:
Wednesday - Know what is true and be true to what you know
Thursday - True faith squeezes out doubt
Friday - Be faithful and obey and the Lord will guide your way.

Our stake held an encampment for those boys 14-18. Josh was the representative for our ward and helped plan the event. He was the captain of the Mulek tribe. His teammates were Ryan Joran, Donovan Blau, Kyle Meeker, Garrison Turcotte, Jonathan Ajca, and Chris Boeru. It was a great experience for Josh to be a captain and he learned some valuable leadership skills. His leaders were very impressed by him and so are his parents. It looked like he had a great time!!

Stake Encampment

Josh and Chris

Friday, June 27, 2014

Throw Back Thursday
Josh's First Camping Trip

I'm throwing it way back to one of our earlier family camping trips up on the rim. Camping with the kids are some of my fondest memories. Josh is at Stake Encampment this week and we are really missing him.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Memorable Monday
Priesthood

How has holding the priesthood blessed you and your family?
Each one of my children received a blessing after they were born. Being a priesthood holder makes me think of my family and how I can bless them.

What does it meat to you to hold the priesthood?
The priesthood is the power of God. It blesses me by helping me serve others.

Jim ordained Josh as a priest

Jim baptized and confirmed Danni

Jim blessed Angela before her surgery

Emily blessed Emily

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Throw Back Thursday
Deacon Ordination

Throw Back Thursday - This is August 2008 after Josh was ordained a deacon. My nephew was just ordained on Sunday and I wanted to look back when Josh was 12.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Memorable Monday
A Fun Dad

Jim is an awesome and fun dad!! He does so much for the kids, most of which the kids will never know,. Here are just some pics of Jim with each of the kids just playing and having fun.

Jim loves to go quading, and when we went to Benson, he would go quading with the kids. He is always willing to give the kids rides, even when they ask him for the 10th time that day. I'm not sure who had more fun - Jim or the kids? Actually, Jim is totally having the most fun, but the kids love it.

Jim and Josh quading

Jim would drive the kids to the snow to play for a couple of hours. The drive to the snow was at least 2 1/2 hours. He would help make a snowman with the kids. He always ended up in a snow ball fight, and usually he started it. The kids always had so much fun with Jim on these trips, but I think Jim had a blast too. After everyone was cold and tired, he would have to travel the 2 1/2 hour that it took to get there.

Jim and Danni making a snowman

Jim would take the kids camping which was the kids loved. Jim worked with the scouts and went camping with them often. He really enjoyed camping with just our family and prefered to any other camping trip. He set up the equipment (tent, tables, and canopy) and he cooked almost every meal. He worked really hard, and the kids really enjoyed spending time with their dad.

Jim and Angela camping

Jim would go on any rides with the kids - the mild ones and the crazy ones. My kids don't usually ride the crazy ones, but Jim would volunteer in a heartbeat if they did. Sometimes, he rides the scary ones all by himself. He is a kid at heart!!!

Jim and Emily on carousel

Friday, June 13, 2014

AZ Magic of Music and Dance

Danni headed off to Fountain Hills for the week to volunteer her time to help disable youth put on a performance for their families. Each day, some students from Mrs. Stones went to practice the play and interact with the youth. Danni was partnered with Grace, who played Elsa in the play. She had an amazing voice and sang beautifully. This week was dedicated to a choir teacher, German Aguilar who died tragically in Europe who helped with this program in the past. One touching moment was when Danni comforted Grace during the tribute. Grace knew German when he volunteer in the past. This was an amazing experience for Danni!!!!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Throw Back Thursday
Making Melodies

Danni is such a performer. She loves to sing, dance, and act. Here is is in a music group singing her heart out.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Project Connect

Lisa and I were involved in Project Connect. Actually Lisa volunteered and I took pics. It's a neat program to help those who are needing assistance and pairing them up with volunteers. We were able to hear their stories and their struggles which could easily be our own. This program is done through United Way and was held at the inter-stake center. The volunteers were members of the 4 stakes surrounding Mesa High. There were so many volunteers at this event that it helped the community in a big way. It was a great experience and maybe next time I will pass the camera off and be a volunteer and help someone one to one.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Memorable Monday
A Family Campout to Remember

Our Family loves to go camping. We often went camping near the mountains by our home. One camping trip, we decided to go somewhere else. We went to a place called Mirror Lake. This campout was far away. On our way to the campout, we stopped and visited my Grandpa Wall. His house was on the way to Mirror Lake. We loved visiting with him. Grandma Wall had passed away. He made homemade root beer. We drank it and thought it was good. It was the first time I knew that you could make homemade root beer. After our visit, we headed up to the mountains. Later that evening, Grandpa Wall came to visit us at the camp. He brought some ice cream with him. We visited with him some more. I don't remember much about the trip or the scenery, but I will always remember that Grandpa came to visit us. It was a neat experience for us. When Grandpa was sick, we could always remember the campout when he came to visit

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Girl's Camp

This year, I was asked to serve in the kitchen at Girl's Camp. I served in the kitchen 3 yrs ago, so I knew how much work I would do. I was assigned a job to price breakfast items and then I went shopping with Mindy Shirts to go buy the food. We had a blast and went to 5 stores in 5 hours. We bought a lot of food for Girl's Camp, so they should eat very well at camp.

I went up Tuesday morning to help set up camp and get a jump start on the cooking. The cooking staff is amazing and I'm so glad that I got to know them better. The YCL girls worked super hard to transform the lodge to represent the theme "Let It Spark".

Ready for Girl's Camp

The girls arrived Wednesday morning, and camp officially began. I was super busy in the kitchen, but made time to take some photos. I passed off a couple of cameras off to Danni and Jocelyn while keeping one for myself. I wanted to know what my girls did while they were at camp.

My Girls and I at camp

I really enjoyed the spirit that I felt at camp. It was really strong and it deeply touched my heart. Whenever there was a break in the kitchen, I took the opportunity to be with my girls, especially Angela. Those were some of the most rewarding parts of camp. I'm so grateful that I was able to go to camp again this year with my girls. I LOVE IT!!!!

The theme for camp is "Let It Spark"

S- Seek

P- Pray

A- Act

R- Repentance

K-Knowledge

Wednesday's theme is Seek, Pray, Act. The scripture is found in James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Thursday's theme is Repentance The scripture is found in D&C 58:42 - "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more."

Friday's theme is Knowledge The scripture is found in Moroni 10:4-5 - "And when ye shall receive this things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may the know the truth of all things."

Saturday's theme is "Let It Spark" The scripture is found in D&C 112:10 - "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answers to they prayers."

Danni had fun with her friends

Ang and her friends at camp

pics of me at camp

The Camp Song - "Right Where You Are"

1- Life's a maze 2- If you get 3-Every turn that you take
That unfolds Turned around Helps you see
As you go It's not too late Where that light leads
Just remember Start all over
It's okay Every day is a chance
If you can't tell To find the path
How each piece That moves you
Fits Together Forward

Oh, you don't need

All the answers

For you to see

That in your heart

There's a light

That guide

if you let it spark

Right where you are