Happy 24th of July!
This morning at 2:00 a.m. we took C to the Scout Service Center so he could board the bus to go to the BSA 100 year Celebration National Jamboree being held for the last time at Fort AP Hill in Virginia. Originally, three years ago, plans were that B was going with him as a Scoutmaster in charge of 36 boys. We recruited, gathered, and worked until about a year ago to have that happen. However, with the economic downturn, there were many from all the troops that dropped, and because B was the new scoutmaster on the list, he got pushed out. The Utah National Parks Council leadership disbanded his troop, disbursing those remaining into the other troops. Other boys picked where they wanted to go, but our C was the last one to be placed in a troop, waiting to see where there would be room. In the end, he doesn't know anyone in his troop! He is an outstanding young man, and will make friends, and memories to last his lifetime, but my heart wishes that B was with him! J went five years ago, also with a group we really didn't know. He made a fabulous friend of C.N.! Couldn't have hand picked a better companion for J, that friendship will be a lifelong friendship and those two are both super achievers, headed to great places! I pray for a similar miracle for C in the next 3 weeks!
I am so thankful for my pioneer ancestors! I am grateful for the sacrifices they made for the Gospel so that I could be raised in Utah, as a member of the church! Tonight we lite fireworks after the great barbecue in Winchester Hills (D&C.C. did a fabulous job and are amazing!). I just can't watch fireworks without wishing music was playing so we always find a way to have music. It didn't seem quite right to have the regular American favorites playing tonight. Today is about Mormon pioneers! The founders of our country were certainly pioneers, however, July 24th is the celebration of the entry of the Mormon's into the Salt Lake Valley. I am so thankful for them! I can't imagine the sacrifices they endured! Thank you! During the past months, we have attended the temple often with J! My teens have all done baptisms, J was privileged to do Initatories with his Grandpa Val being the voice (special memories!!!). I was fortunate to find a couple of names on my own lines that needed their temple work done. My Mom had some names from a friend that we did. Other names have come from people I would not have expected! It has been a special month in so many ways! Memories forever!
Tonight the last song we played was "Have you Forgotten" which is really about 9-11 and the terrible events that occurred on that day in America in 2001. Following which we took the opportunity to teach the kids about the importance of "Remembering." Of course not just the events of that terrible day, but remembering the ultimate gift of the Savior! Remembering the gift the pioneers gave us. Remembering the miracles that God works for us daily! Thank you! Thankfully, we have much to REMEMBER! Can't help but also remember these great people in my life! As I write the song "How Great Thou Art" is playing, a favorite of Farmor's! I am so thankful for her! I hope that I have taught my children about the greats that have gone before them. J talked about this family favorite song in his testimony at Snowbird three weeks ago tomorrow. I am so thankful for him! I will remember!
This morning at 2:00 a.m. we took C to the Scout Service Center so he could board the bus to go to the BSA 100 year Celebration National Jamboree being held for the last time at Fort AP Hill in Virginia. Originally, three years ago, plans were that B was going with him as a Scoutmaster in charge of 36 boys. We recruited, gathered, and worked until about a year ago to have that happen. However, with the economic downturn, there were many from all the troops that dropped, and because B was the new scoutmaster on the list, he got pushed out. The Utah National Parks Council leadership disbanded his troop, disbursing those remaining into the other troops. Other boys picked where they wanted to go, but our C was the last one to be placed in a troop, waiting to see where there would be room. In the end, he doesn't know anyone in his troop! He is an outstanding young man, and will make friends, and memories to last his lifetime, but my heart wishes that B was with him! J went five years ago, also with a group we really didn't know. He made a fabulous friend of C.N.! Couldn't have hand picked a better companion for J, that friendship will be a lifelong friendship and those two are both super achievers, headed to great places! I pray for a similar miracle for C in the next 3 weeks!
I am so thankful for my pioneer ancestors! I am grateful for the sacrifices they made for the Gospel so that I could be raised in Utah, as a member of the church! Tonight we lite fireworks after the great barbecue in Winchester Hills (D&C.C. did a fabulous job and are amazing!). I just can't watch fireworks without wishing music was playing so we always find a way to have music. It didn't seem quite right to have the regular American favorites playing tonight. Today is about Mormon pioneers! The founders of our country were certainly pioneers, however, July 24th is the celebration of the entry of the Mormon's into the Salt Lake Valley. I am so thankful for them! I can't imagine the sacrifices they endured! Thank you! During the past months, we have attended the temple often with J! My teens have all done baptisms, J was privileged to do Initatories with his Grandpa Val being the voice (special memories!!!). I was fortunate to find a couple of names on my own lines that needed their temple work done. My Mom had some names from a friend that we did. Other names have come from people I would not have expected! It has been a special month in so many ways! Memories forever!
Tonight the last song we played was "Have you Forgotten" which is really about 9-11 and the terrible events that occurred on that day in America in 2001. Following which we took the opportunity to teach the kids about the importance of "Remembering." Of course not just the events of that terrible day, but remembering the ultimate gift of the Savior! Remembering the gift the pioneers gave us. Remembering the miracles that God works for us daily! Thank you! Thankfully, we have much to REMEMBER! Can't help but also remember these great people in my life! As I write the song "How Great Thou Art" is playing, a favorite of Farmor's! I am so thankful for her! I hope that I have taught my children about the greats that have gone before them. J talked about this family favorite song in his testimony at Snowbird three weeks ago tomorrow. I am so thankful for him! I will remember!