This week...
...we celebrated Veteran's Day with school programs. Emma's school program was first. She served the veterans breakfast with her friend Hannah.
Each Veteran stood and gave their name, branch of service, and years served.
The student who invited the veteran also got to stand.
We are so grateful for Grandpa Erickson and his service.
Paul, Ben, and Claire's program was next. The third graders made up the choir and Paul was excited to learn the songs. During the program, students carried flags for each branch of service while their songs played and the veterans stood. That part gave me goosebumps. Their Uncle Travis attended this program in his uniform. We are grateful for his service as well.
...I volunteered extra hours at the school for hearing and vision screenings. It's always fun to see my own kids when I'm at their school volunteering.
...I found a face in a fence on the way to choir practice. Had to stop to get a picture of it. Thank you random neighbor.
...Lainey dressed herself for school today. Right down to her socks, as you can tell. I had to get a picture of this proud Lainey moment. She's such a little mom too. She yells out to me every day as she's running up to the door, "Bye mom! Love you! Have a good day!" Hey, that's what I'm supposed to say.
...Benjamin got his cast off. He was pretty excited for this day.
He wasn't so sure of his arm once the cast was gone; like it wasn't his real arm. Four weeks with it locked up is a long time.
This is a cool tree from the lobby. I love trees. They make me think of life and values and working hard. They make me think of the Vision of the Tree of Life from the Book of Mormon, Lehi's dream (1 Nephi 8). Beyond the large and spacious field and through the mists of darkness, at the end of the strait and narrow path, at the end of the rod of iron, was a tree. A tree which represents the love of God. Here's a bit of Lehi's account...
"And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit
thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever
before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to
exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."
Wouldn't that be an amazing tree to behold! Full with fruit so sweet, so beautiful and white, so desirable to compel you to share it. Of course it reminds me of life. We are given many opportunities in this life that bring fruits like unto that magnificent tree. With knowledge of Jesus Christ, his mission and gospel, we can taste and see the fruits of that tree each day. Trees symbolize all of this for me. They make me think of possibilities, promise, and hope.
...we enjoyed the fall colors. Love the rusty ones particularly well.
...the Young Women hiked Badger Mountain again-our annual Virtue Hike. This year we started out with breakfast first and then hiked. The dear fellow hiker we entreated to take our before picture just couldn't get it right.
Gotta get the temple view in there.
Brother Votaw with their dog.
Sister Shelly Norman and Sister Kuniko Votaw -super great women to work with.
Sister Norman almost didn't make it.
Yay! At the top. Let those Virtue Flags wave!
Alma Ruelas, Mckenna Slaugh, Mckenna, Emily Hale, Perla Valdovinos, Isabel Soriano, Natalie Marley, Emma Nieforth
Analogy time: This was part of the trail. The course to the left is the actual trail. Notice the signs along the way "Please stay on the trail." The course to the right is a short cut that people used to take to cut out a chunk of the hike. There is a sign now posted at the bottom of the short cut that strongly advises people to discontinue using the short cut. It isn't safe. Because of the rut worn into the side of the mountain, rainwater funnels right down that path. It wears away the mountain and washes out the original trail. Here's the application: Sometimes, as we travel down the straight and narrow path, we see other paths going off in different directions. There are plenty that look to be sort cuts, that if we would but follow where they lead we could eliminate much stress and hardship from our lives. But the reality is, we are better off on the path no matter how long or out of the way. Short cuts are often anything but short when it comes to decisions in life. Heavenly Father set the course and knows how best to bring us through victorious. Trust in Him. Stay on the path.
...we went to Lowe's. Hi ho, Hi ho, it's off to Lowe's we go. Jason made great progress on the cupboards in the family room.
He might be home with a day off from work, but he's still working.
Here's a look so far...
...this is the way Lainey plays. She brings everything from the playroom into her room and creates a nest. Everything is important and essential. You can't touch anything or put it away without her knowing. This time she made her bed for the night right in the middle of it all.
...we found a US flag in disrepair. Makes you think...
