Week #13:Camp Conference Begins

This Week...

...we had our Blue and Gold Banquet for the Cub Scouts. We had several planning hiccups. Once we got those figured out, we moved forward full steam. It turned out great! Our theme was "Our Cub Scouts are Super." We made it look superhero-y. The program cover photo says, "Don't judge a hero by the size of his cape" which was perfect for the Cubs with their neckerchiefs. We had superhero pops and Hero sandwiches on the menu. My friend Naya Wahler made the most amazing cupcakes and Marie Mackay made a great city skyline for pictures. We did the Chicken Dance and the plunger relay, both of which were a huge success. My favorite part was the opening flag ceremony. These boys did such a great job calling the commands and walking the flag in. It made me cry and I couldn't finish the Pledge of Allegiance. Then I told everyone how amazed I was at these young boys and how well they performed the ceremony. Just wonderful!

Paul received pins for Castaway and Cast Iron Chef from his leader Jason Buchanan. Benjamin received belt loops as well, but I didn't get a picture. They both love working on the adventures.

It has been so fun to work with these boys and to watch them grow. They enjoy their Cub Scout activities so much. It doesn't take much to get them excited and keep them excited. A little planning on my part, and we were all happy.

br:Levi Saab, Paul, Nathan Wahler, Saul Jimenez, Garrett King fr:Peyton Greenhalgh, Benjamin, Noah Wahler

I love the scouting program for the values that it instills in the boys. It's character building from the ground up. I love that we recite the Boy Scout Oath and Law at each den meeting now. I believe in them. Things are changing in the world and in the Boys Scouts of America program outside the church, but as long as our prophet tells us to do scouting then I trust there's a reason.

...our tulips have come up. I love the Spring time for this reason. Bulbs are my favorite. They are planted and forgotten and then make their debut in the Spring to bring so much color, joy, and life.

...we made our "camping" spots to watch conference and play conference Bingo. This is such an easy activity that keeps the kids' attention without a lot of fuss. For the first session, we had our friend Cierra here with her two daughters and two of her neighbor girls. It was a fun session. They were all working away at their Bingo boards and enjoying their pick from several different candy bar bowls. Cierra really enjoyed the conference and asked great questions such as, What happens when President Monson dies? Who will be the next prophet? Jason and I were able to explain the sweet simplicity of the order of God's church and the succession of a prophet. We explained that they become prophet based on when they were called to the Apostleship, but that they also meet in council as the quorum of the twelve to pray for confirmation. Cierra was impressed and contrasted this method to the presidential race, debates, and campaign trail. Even she could see the peace in the Lord's method.

Elder Cordon and Elder Scott came early so that Elder Cordon could make pumpkin bars. Elder Cordon even let Lainey be his little helper. There may have been more tasting than baking going on.

Here are some of my favorite little bits from the Saturday session...

"Immersing our families in the spirit will keep our children's hearts open to his influence." - Mary R. Durham

"None of us want tomorrow to destroy the feeling of today." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

...Happy Easter! What a blessed time of year to remember our Savior Jesus Christ - his life, death, and resurrection - and to be ever grateful to him.

We had an Easter Egg Hunt after church at Grandma Erickson's house with cousins. They have a nice size yard for hiding eggs...and hunting them.

...we had our Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet. This year's theme was "Our Cub Scouts are Super!" Marie Mackay helped me to make it a really fun event. She made the city landscape and helped with set up. The Program says: Don't Judge a Hero by the Size of His Cape. Naya made steller cupcakes. We had superhero suckers. We did the plunger relay and the chicken dance for activities. So fun! We had a great time at the photo booth. And awards were given out. It was a great event all around.

...time for an analogy. I caught this sign as I went on another walk and I got to thinking, as I most always do. Sometimes in life, we don't always get the answer we want or expect. It's as if God places yield signs along our path to tell us to slow down, to rethink, to repent. And sometimes we feel as though we reach a roundabout and our lives are completely turned around. Things happen to us that we may not have planned or expected. Other times we get into a rut of going through the motions. We are not moving forward in our progression, but simply going in circles - around and around and around. I know the answer to all of these feelings comes through the Holy Ghost from our Heavenly Father. He is aware of us. He will guide and direct our lives as we rely on Him.

...the tulips are coming up. This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love to watch them from the first bud poking through the ground to the beautiful flower that opens weeks later in the sun.

...we planted mom's blue spruce. We had a work day out in Mattawa in Grandma Zirker's garden. Jason came too so that we could get a lot done.

...we ran to Walmart late one night. Jason wanted some blueberries. Well, he got some and they ended up all over the ground. Those boxes don't hold up on impact.

Week #12: 50 Years!

This Week...

...my parents celebrated 50 years of marriage. They hosted a hot dog roast in their backyard. The day was drizzly and grey, but it was absolutely fun. They made a fire right off the car port in the garden. It was close to the house and had enough room for everyone to gather.

I visited inside with mom at first and then sat around the fire with my dad for a while. It was fun to see my siblings and nieces and nephews. I am so thankful to my parents for all of their effort to provide for us kids and to help us learn, grow, and work hard. I remember sitting out in the rec room with mom during my high school years, reading my scriptures as she prepared her seminary lessons. I remember countless times riding passenger with dad as we made trips to Othello for parts or checked water around home. I remember telling them "Remember Who You Are!" when they went out together in the evenings or having them come to my sports games in high school. I remember having to weed the vegetable garden back when we had huge patches of strawberries, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, and squash...and I remember having to do it twice in one day because dad didn't think we'd done a good enough job. I remember Mom reading the Alliance and Freedom Factor (by Gerald N. Lund) out loud to us. I remember the kicks to my back side if I neglected to feed the animals or overflowed their pens because I left the water running. I remember meetings and planning and oriental trading orders for camp when my mom served in the stake young women. Not to mention the time we had together at camp. I remember building a new corral in the winter months, bundled with so many layers of work clothes and coats to try and stay warm. Some things I'd like to forget...like castrating wiener pigs, de-horning cattle, sorting the cattle and pigs, or plucking chickens. I only had to attempt to chop a chicken head off once and it didn't go well. Needless to say, I didn't ever do it again. Mom and Dad, thanks for all the memories.

...we went to the temple. "The Temple is an ever present reminder that God intends the family to be eternal." - Ezra Taft Benson

...we stopped off at Ranch and Home to check on some possible garden box options. We couldn't help but stop to look at the baby chicks.

...we have been blessed with such a beautiful Earth. It never ceases to inspire me. "Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible - and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

...Madison Avenue is blooming. I am grateful every day that the City of Pasco planted these trees down both sides of the street. This is one of my favorite roads to travel because of the trees.

...someone left some beautiful flowers on my front porch. It was so fun to see these beauties when I got home.

...I took a walk down Madison Avenue. Only I didn't do much walking. I was stopping to enjoy every little thing. The wind chimes reminded me of visiting my grandparent's house as a young girl. The blue shy and white, puffy clouds reminded me of Sunday afternoons when I was young. Time seemed to move slower then. The chirping birds caused me to breathe deep and feel happy. The smell of freshly mowed grass caused me to smile big. Yes, it was a good day for a walk.

Spring is so close you can feel it in the air...and see it on the trees.

Analogy Time! 
These arrows really caught my attention. This could be any number of messages...Keep moving forward! Stay on the Straight and Narrow Path! Choose the Right! Follow the Prophet, Don't go astray! Heavenly Father has not left us without arrows indicating the correct path for our feet to follow on the road back to Him.

This one made me think of the statement by Elder Carl B. Cook, "It's better to look up." We know who we are and where we want to go. Heaven is our goal and we need to live our lives with that goal in mind.  It's better to look to the source of all knowledge, peace, and comfort as we seek to understand the road signs and direction of our life's path. I know that he will direct us right and true. He will help us reach our full potential. No where to go but up!

...the ward held a breakfast and Easter egg hunt. That's always a highlight with the kids. Jason stopped off while he was on shift and that's always a highlight with the primary kids.

Valery took a turn sitting in the driver's seat and then they got a picture with Jason.

Sister Tidwell wanted a turn in the backseat. That one isn't as comfortable. And let's face it, this is the only way she'll get to experience it. Haha!

...Emma, Claire, and I attended the stake women's service project and conference on Saturday. I love that I get to attend with my daughters. These events will make for years of memories and service that will be invaluable to all of us.

I love the words from the speakers. It's always such an infusion of faith and comfort to listen at General Conference time. And I love that we can then read them over and over to ponder the messages and meaning for our individual lives. Here's a few thoughts I liked.

"When you go to comfort and serve anyone for the Savior,

he prepares the way before you." -Henry B. Eyring

...we bought another tree for the backyard. I love the white blossoms. This one is called a Spring Snow.

We sure enjoy interacting with Kathy. We appreciate all of her help in setting up our yard and planning the landscaping.

...we stopped off at Zerorez to say hi to Tyson and Whitney. They were working hard. These two are definitely favorites of ours.

...Paul participated in the District Pinewood Derby. He didn't place, but he had a great time racing. This is Paul's last derby as a Cub Scout.