Spotlight Trip 2015

On Wednesday, Danni and her Spotlight group flew to LA to visit Universal Studios and Disneyland.  They had a VIP tour of Universal Studios and saw some stuff behind scenes.  They saw the prop,c costume, and sound room.  They saw movie and TV sets, where they certain shows like Castle, Jurrasic Park, Nacho Libre, Big Fat Liar, Pirates of the Caribbean.  They had a Who-ville village, NY city plane crash, small town city, plus a lot more.  They saw how they make earthquakes, rain, flash floods, shark attacks.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Behind the Scenes

Danni and Finch at Universal Studios

On Thursday and Friday, Spotlight spent time in Disneyland.  They did a workshop while they were there.  Danni said that she had a total blast at Disneyland.

Danni and Finch at Disneyland

Spotlight Group

On Saturday, they went to the beach.  Danni said that the water was so cold.  It looks like she had a lot of fun.

Danni and Jamie at the beach

Danni in her hotel room

Throw Back ThursdayKids's First Trip to CA

Here is a picture of Jim, Josh and Danni at the beach in 1999. The Pace family stayed at the Beach House in San Diego. Danni is currently in LA on a school drama trip. I'm thinking about her today and hoping she is having a blast.

Memorable MondayHorseback Riding

Angela, Danni, and I rode horses at camp this past week.  I remember when I was in YW, I rode a horse.  I remember that time when I climbed on to ride Tip.  I remember that I enjoyed going horseback riding and wanted to try again.  I'm so glad that I did.  I wanted to look back and remember the times that my kids rode horses.

We went camping just on the rim and ran across some campers who had their horses with them.  They offered our kids some rides around the campsite. Josh and Danni rode with the riders and Angela just sat on the horse.   It was so super fun for the kids and I loved the photo op.

Jon and Mindy had a horse at one of Riley's birthday party, so Josh and Danni had another chance to ride a horse.  This time they rode alone with guide helping them around their backyard.  Again, Angela just sat on the horse for a photo op.

 There was a camp fundraiser where the kids could pet farm animals and ride ponies.  Angela, Emily were thrilled to watch Pepperoni.  Miranda and Danni rode a horse together.

 On Easter Weekend, there was a Christian church holding an Easter celebration complete with Horseback Riding.  Angela and Emily rode a horse.  The trail hands guided the girls around the parking lot.

Angela

Emily

 Danni, Kaylynn, and Bree went horseback riding with one of Bree's friends.

Girl's Camp 2015Be Brave

Be Brave 

This year's camp theme was "Be Brave".  I was called to be a 4th leader and it was a total blast.  

4th years - ready to go

We left Tuesday morning for Green's Peak.  I was really worried about driving the girls to camp.  I got a little nervous when the dirt road got steep and there was a cliff on the side of the road.  The girls in my car sang the camp song and it helped me to be brave.  We didn't even get to camp yet and I had a spiritual experience.  I learned that we should help each other and support each other.  When we got to camp, we started that huge task of setting up.  The girls worked hard to set up 2 large tents and a canopy.  Afterwards, we drove to Show Low to go horseback riding.  Angela rode a horse named Ace, and I rode Tip.  I was a little scared at first, but after awhile I felt that I had better control of the horse.  My knee was killing me though because the stirrup was too high.  After we returned to camp just in time for dinner and a stargazing lesson.  It was an awesome first day.

Our campsite - see the large canopy and tents

Angela on Ace

Cowgirl helped Angela

Here I am riding Tip - he was a tall horse

Day 2 of girl's camp started off with a hike.  We drove up to the very top of Green's Peak.  Green's Peak is a little over 10,000 ft.   I heard that the drive to the peak was more narrow and steep than the road to the campsite.  I learned that it is brave to admit our weaknesses and ask for help.  One of the leaders that didn't drive was willing to take my vehicle up the peak.  I'm so glad that she did too.  It's okay to ask for help from our leaders and our Savior when we need it.   I'm having some amazing spiritual experiences and insights at girl's camp.  It was really windy up on top of Green's peak.  We took pictures and then we hiked down the mountain.  Some leaders returned vehicles to the campsite while others hiked down with the girls.  We had a trail guide going down the mountain with us..  We were told if we got lost, just follow the power lines down the mountain.  A group of us did fall behind and we lost sight of our trail guide.  We didn't see any power lines, so we just followed the trail down the mountain.  Finally we saw the power lines and I was relieved.  Our priesthood leader was with our group felt that we should follow a road that went another direction.  It was a main road and he felt it would lead us to the campsite.  We followed his direction and 5 minutes later, we arrived at our cars.  I learned how important it is to follow our priesthood leaders.  If we didn't, our hike would have been much longer.  Another lesson for me.

There is Green's Peak - you can see the road.
My dad wouldn't love to see those towers 

4th years girls and leaders on top of Green's Peak

Angela and I on top of Green's Peak 

Angela hiking down 

Angela and I on the hike

After the hike and lunch, we went canoeing.  The lake was half swamp , and half water.  Getting into the lake was a muddy mess.  Half of the girls were able to get far enough to enjoy canoeing and the other half got bogged down in the mud.  After our failed canoeing experience, we headed to one of our leader's homesteads for a much needed shower.  It was a fun packed day.

Angela and I standing in the muck, before our canoe trip 

Check out all the muddy shoes

We really need a shower

Day 3 - We went rappelling, did crafts, and did some fun COPE activities.  I don't know what COPE stands for, but it' was a lot of fun.  The girls had to learn to work as a team.  I didn't go rappelling.  I know that I should have, but I didn't every thing else until then, so I chickened out.    We spent a lot of time making yummy food and sitting by the fire.  We were so lucky not to have fire restrictions this year.

Brave leaders who rappelled down the mountain

Spider Web 

Angela going through the spider web

Dutch Oven Pizza

Dutch Oven Chicken

FIRE - What a special treat to have

 Day 4 - We packed up our stuff early because it was going to rain.  It rained at night, so when it stopped, we packed up our stuff and headed back to the homestead.  All activities planned that day were cancelled, so we hung out making dog tags.  The girls had a blast.  We arrived at main camp and did our 4th year welcome home skit.  Afterwards, we spent time with our wards.  Our ward had a surprise trip to Sonic planned.  That was a lot of fun to sit and hear about the experiences the other girls were having at girl's camp while eating ice cream.  That evening was Bishop's night.  I love our Bishop and he loves to go to girl's camp and feel the spirit.  He just had surgery 4 days before and still came.  You can tell he really loves the girls.

My girls and I - I couldn't wait to see Danni

Sonic Trip

Pic with the Biship

Danni went to Girl's Camp as a YCL 2 leader.  I wanted to share some of the pics that she took.

Danni, Brittany, and Jocelyn

They napped a little too much

Danni - Flo
Britt - Baby Flo
I wish I could have seen it

Horseback Riding - Britt and Danni
What a great hat Britt!!!!!

These two stick together

The theme was for camp this year is "Be Brave".  The leaders wanted the girls to learn to be brave in their everyday life and every decision they make.  

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Phillipians 4:13

Wednesday June 3rd - Be Believing -  “And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.”  Moroni 7:33

Thursday June 4th - Be Obedient - “…[they] were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.”  3 Nephi 6: 14

Friday June 5th - Be Virtuous - “…let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God”   D&C 121:45  

The camp song is "Brave" by Hillary Weeks

" There are moments when you feel it, and you know

Something amazing is happening within your soul

And nothing can hold back what's inside you

Let it move you, let it lead your heart

Don't be afraid to let yourself believe in who you are

Cause today you're gonna be

Brave, you are brave

Let your brave come through

Let it define you

You are meant to be brave

Get your shoes, grab your courage. open the door

You're about to see a you you've never seen before

And heaven will be there, beside you.

In the moments when the walls seem way too high

Trust your instincts, breathe, and start to climb

Cause you have always been

Brave, you are brave

Let your brave come through

Let it define you

Cause you are meant to be brave

When you think you can't 

Strong when you have fallen

Bold enough to stand and be

Brave, brave

Brave, you are brave

Let you brave come through

Let it define you

Cause you are meant to be brave

You are brace 

Let your brave come through

Let it define you

Cause you are meant to be brave

There are moments when you feel it, and you know

Something amazing is happening within your soul

and nothing can hold back what's inside you."

I loved Girl's Camp this year.  I loved being apart of this amazing program this year.  I learned a lot about myself and how I can be brave in the decisions that I make.  I learned a lot from the girls that I was with this past week.  They were kind, helpful, and just great to be with. 

Elder Perry

1922-1915

It was sad to hear the L. Tom Perry passed away.  He looks so much like Marden, Jim's dad.   I read in an article his last testimony and I wanted to share with my family through my blog.  Here is the articles from LDS Living

"At Elder L. Tom Perry’s funeral in the Tabernacle today, Elders Dallin H. Oaks and M. Russell Ballard both delivered heartfelt tributes to their colleague and friend. During his address, Elder Ballard related the following:

“Three days prior to his passing, Elder . . . Oaks and I called on Elder and Sister Perry. We had a tender visit, and as always, Elder Perry spoke of his love of the members of the Church, and his great anxiety and concern for their spiritual well-being.”

Elder Oaks remembered Elder Perry saying, “I just worry about what is going on in the world! How did we get mixed up in this mess?” Elder Perry continued, “Worldwide morals are declining. At the same time, we have populations all over the world that are suffering. We have lost our good, strong Christian beliefs—it is just a tough time.”

Then Elder Oaks said, “As was typical of Elder Perry, he did not linger on the negative.” He smiled as he recalled these words from a dying apostle: “We have a lot of great talented help in the Church! These young kids who come along—I just love them. They’re strong!”

Elder Ballard recounted the advice that Elder Perry wanted the people of the Church to hear. “[I wish I] could get every member of the Church to go and partake of the sacrament, and when they took the bread, they’d ask themselves, ‘Who am I? What am I doing? How am I living? Where am I going? What should I be accomplishing?’ as they renew their covenants with the Lord.” He finished, “The minute they’d pick up the bread, something [would] happen.”

In those final quiet days, Elder Perry delivered this testimony to his brethren in the apostleship. “Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. Everything depends on Him. We’d better find a way to stay close to him, and if [we] can’t, there’s not much hope. [He] is what we need.”

Throw Back ThursdayGirls Camp 2010

Girls Camp 2010 - Danni's first year

I didn't blog about Danni's first year at Girl's Camp, so I'm using it as a Throw Back Thursday..  Here are some pictures of her first year at girl's camp.  I didn't go with her, but it looks like she had a great time.

Memorable MondayJosh's School Pics

Now that Josh has graduated from high school, I can look back at all of his school pics.  He has grown up over the years.  I remember every school picture day making sure that he looked his best and hoping that the picture would turn out great.