Before our Journey's Through

I like this little story that was delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell, on "The Spoken Word" last Sunday. It is more than a pioneer story. It is the story of all of our lives, and the process of reaching our destination. We have disappointments, and set-backs along the way and we often cannot change things to give us the end result we envision for ourselves and our loved ones. But...we can be faithful and strong in the journey, we can find joy where we are on the path. We can all do the very best to come through our challenges, having become stronger and better for them, even if we never see the desired outcome. Here is the story.... Enjoy

Too often we measure success by the outcome: a goal achieved, a task accomplished, a journey completed. But perhaps a better measure of success might be what happens along the way: the strength revealed, the lessons taught, the sacrifices made. For some, however, great efforts don’t always produce desired outcomes. Even while demonstrating courage and endurance, some might not reach the journey’s end. And yet their wholehearted efforts deserve praise and recognition. Their success might not be as measurable, but for those who witness their struggle, it can be even more inspiring.
In 1855 James Loader left his homeland of England and led his family in a handcart journey of more than a thousand miles. Their goal was the Great Basin of the American West. En route James became sick, but he determined to keep pulling the handcart. Only after collapsing twice from weakness would he let his daughters bear the burden without him.
But James still found ways to help his family. He used what little strength he had to make tent pins, explaining that his family would need them when the winter storms came. “You will not be able to make [them],” he told his daughters, “your hands will be so cold.”1
James did not live long enough to weather those storms. He never set foot in the valley he longed to see. In one sense, he did not “make it.” But in every way that really matters, James was a success. He forged a lasting legacy of love, determination, and faith for his family and for all who admire the pioneering spirit.
He showed us all that success often comes all along the way, even “before our journey’s through.”

Christmas In July

Randy and Cheri had us for June and July (the Christmas gift)

I have talked about, and posted pictures of past months,

detailing what the kids have done for us this year. Randy came for two days this

week and worked on the floor installation. We really appreciate the beautiful

laminate that he donated to the cause. It was originally going to be a dance

floor, for Danielle. I told her she can come dance on it anytime she feels the urge!

Here it is....our new floor!

We LOVE it!


Is this beautiful or what?

Here Randy is doing the molding in the pantry

All finished....Thank you Randy.....
For your expert craftsmanship and for donating

your time and materials. It's beautiful!

HEROES

We do not have to look far to find heroes in the scriptures. Jesus Christ himself, and a number of prophets and others are good examples. But, right here and now, in the every day goings and comings of our lives, there are also heroes. I have had a lot of people in my life, who at one time or another have been true heroes in my eyes.
Today’s hero is a seventeen year old boy in my ward. He is battling with bone cancer in his jaw. He is a sweet, quiet boy. I enjoyed having him in my Sunday School class for about a year. He always had good insights about how to apply the teachings of the scriptures to every day life. He faithfully came every week to give the sacrament to my mother when she was too ill to go out to meetings, or during the winter when she was shut in. She loved him so much, along with the other young men who served her. He often speaks of the love that mom had for the Lord. All of the Young Men in the ward will long remember how she dressed up in her Sunday clothes no matter how hard it was for her so that she was ready for the Sacrament. Today I saw the reverence that Alex has for this sacred ordinance.
Chemotherapy is hard at best, but Alex has had a severe reaction to it, leaving him with horrible sores in his mouth and throat, that make speaking and swallowing extremely painful. This past week, he asked his doctor if he would change his Chemo schedule to Mondays instead of Friday, so he would feel well enough to go to church on Sundays. There he was this morning at the sacrament table. His every move showed his reverence and respect, but when he knelt and began to carefully speak each word of the Sacrament prayer, I was moved to tears. This beautiful boy, struggling to fulfill his responsibility as a Priest, and blessing the bread so that I could partake of it, has touched me deeply. Today, Alex Wells, is my hero.

The above photo is of Alex in the center, and those surrounding him are the ones who shaved their heads a week ago in support of him. I took the photos at that event, and the Bishop asked me to make up a little page to put in the case next to the bishops office. I am proud of the men, boys, and one girl who participated last week. Alex is loved! We are all expecting a miracle for him.

July 4th

I hope that everyone had a nice fourth of July. Early AM here, Ralph ran the 10 K race in Sandy. He finished in one hour, 8 minutes. He was the only runner in his age category. I wonder where all the other 73 year old men were??? I went up to the top of Brighton Canyon with Ryan, Becky, and Rory for a breakfast that their old singles ward does every year. Rory was so cute, but a handful. She only wanted to run around and DID NOT want mom or daddy to follow her in the huge crowd. She was scowling at them and pushing them away. I have never seen this "approaching 2 behavior" in her before. Hmmmm it was really kind of cute, but then on the other hand...... :-/

Ralph spent quite a bit of time at the Sandy Center. We had cold salads for dinner and later, we went to the fireworks at the Sandy Center. I was trying to get some of those professional- looking fireworks shots. I browsed the internet for articles on how to do that. I followed their directions, but did not get the results that I wanted, although the pics I did capture, are beautiful and different, as you will see below. I will go with my own ideas next time. There were also some things I did not try. I would like to find a place with fireworks and a body of water to catch reflections. Any ideas anyone?
Robert’s were practically giving away decorations this past week and I have included some pictures of things that I got to liven up the yard and the house. I love this little berry garland and the metal wire and letters spelling out AMERICA!
These red white and blue star lights on the fence are my favorite decoration.

Thoughts have turned to the July’s of my youth. Those were care free days of playing outside with neighbors. Every fourth, Jerry and I could pretty much depend on three things. Those magical bubbles to blow, and caps for our cap guns, and water pistols. If we did not have cap guns, we improvised with hitting the caps with rocks to pop them. I loved the smell of those, and the little bit of burned paper around each one. Jerry and I always looked forward to sparklers which were the only fireworks we had. After dark, we could see the fireworks low in the sky, coming from Murray Park. It was so exciting to go outside in the back yard and watch for them. Many times we would sleep out on the grass in our back yard with our friends. Sometimes we were in a little pup tent, other times we were right out in the open. We would walk down to "Joe’s Stand" earlier in the day for some penny candy to eat outside before going to sleep. Those were such simple, happy days. If we were hot, we had home made popsicles made in the ice cube trays, with round toothpicks for sticks. Then we all ran through the sprinklers on the grass in our underwear!!! Only the older kids had swimming suits.
When I got into my teen years, I always went with my boyfriend and his large family to Liberty park for a picnic and the fireworks. Those are happy memories also.
Nothing matches the joy of taking our small children to fireworks on the 4th. We spread out a blanket and sat together. Sometimes we had a picnic right there before they started, other years, we went to the mountains or a park earlier in the day. Lot's of times we ate a BBQ with my parent's in their backyard. Mom's hamburgers were sooo Good. She put all kinds of goddies in the meat, and she grew the tomatoes and corn on the cob that went with the meal.
Now I look forward to reading everyone’s blogs, and looking at their photos and descriptions of the fun they have in their families.