A Camping We A Go!

 I had a rough week, emotionally.

I'm just feeling down.  Empty.  Not sure what to do with myself since all of my kids are getting older.  I miss the days when I was needed 24/7.  Now I'm having a difficult time figuring out what my role is in life.  It's been hard, but I know I will figure it out eventually.  I am so incredibly blessed.  Borrowing from the Young Women Theme, I know that I am a daughter of Heavenly Parents who love me and that I have a divine nature and eternal destiny.  As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I will strive to become like Him.  I will seek and act upon personal revelation and try to minister to others in His holy name.  I will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.  As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I will cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day.  With faith, I will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the blessings and ordinances of the Holy Temple.

That's all that really matters, right?

I am just a week or so away from finishing the Book of Mormon again.  This is the fastest that I have ever read it!  Finishing it in 30 days, total.  I have loved every minute of it and have really learned a lot.  I have recognized the importance of being DILIGENT.  The Lord doesn't ask for perfection, just diligence.  We can all do that!  I have also been thinking about the word "Believe", which I learned last year means "To Fully Love".  When we believe something, we fully love it.  Alma teaches us that if we just desire to believe, to fully love, than it will open the door for the Holy Ghost to enter in and testify of truth.  There are many things about the gospel that I fully love.  As I have fully loved the Savior, Joseph Smith, and The Book of Mormon, the Holy Ghost has testified to me of the truthfulness of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon.  I know, without a doubt, not of myself, but through the Holy Ghost that our Savior lives and that He descended bellow all things in order to save us.  He has the ability to comprehend all things and succor every single one of us in our trials, tribulations, and tests.  I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be the prophet of the restoration.  That he did, indeed, see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in the sacred grove that spring morning in 1820.  I know that we can all also have the ability to receive personal revelation if we are wiling to put in the spiritual work necessary to obtain it.  I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book because the Holy Ghost has entered into my heart and told me so.  The feeling was so intense that I will never be able to deny it.  I fully love that President Nelson is the true and living prophet of God on the Earth today.  The Holy Ghost has testified this truth to my mind and heart.  What a blessing it is to have been baptized and confirmed...and to have the ability to have a member of the Godhead (The Holy Ghost) with me at all times as long as I live my life in a manner that invites the spirit and not repels it.

Anyway, even though it was an emotionally difficult week, there really isn't any room to complain.  The knowledge that I have of the Plan of Happiness/Redemption/Salvation brings me joy.  It is the only true plan and purpose that I need to worry about in this life.  Nothing else really matters.


We went camping this Friday!  It was so wonderful to be out in nature with my family.  It really doesn't get better!  Well, I'm sure it would have been better to be inside of the temple with them all...but aside from the temple it just doesn't get any better!

We went to a camping ground in Tehachappi.  We decided to nickname the campground, "Camp Fee Fee".  We must have seen about 5 little white dogs.  For years our kids have been scared of little white dogs and we always call those dogs "Fee Fee".  I don't know why, but it's hilarious!  Caitlyn was especially terrified of the Fee Fee's this camping trip.  She was constantly on the lookout!  Fee Fee is coming!  Ha Ha!

We spent some time fishing!  Of course, the boys just caught seaweed!











It was so nice sitting by the campfire and listening to Lizzie play her ukulele! 






It was awesome to see Elk!






Camping wouldn't be camping without roasting marshmallows, of course!























Last weekend Mason and Caitlyn went to Max's birthday party and had a blast on this blow-up water slide/pool!






My nice, chubby, round ball of curious workmanship! 


Lizzie found this "Bertha" at Goodwill a few weeks ago.  She is going to save it for a white elephant gift!  It's definitely one-of-a-kind!

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