Guatemala in pictures

High adventure

Such a tremendous group of boys and men! I'm so grateful for those willing to serve and love my boy
and give him experiences that are fun and exciting, as well as sweet moments to feel the Spirit.

Two things...

Who looks this good (I'm talking about Jacob Ethan here) after twelve miles straight up
a mountain? Sweet tulip fields, this man. Actually, now that I think about it, I guess I
might look this good. Because after my imminent death, the mortician would work some
makeup magic. And let's be honest here, even a mortician is better at makeup than I am.

And to add insult to injury, why can my dog take better selfies than I can? Good grief,
I give up. And I won't blame Jacob in the future if he only takes selfies with Denali.
After all, their cuteness is off the charts. Mortician makeup not even necessary.

Lettering fun

Cousins visiting and afternoons spent lettering.
These girls are the sweetest. I'm so grateful they get to be friends and family.

Holiday celebrations

Dinner and fireworks with the Davises the night before the 4th. It was with just three
of my siblings and their families, and of course my sweet Dad, and it was such a nice
night. We talked and laughed and ate great food. I'm grateful we were a part of it. 

Lunch and cherry pit spitting with the Allens on the afternoon of the 4th. All four
siblings in the area were there, along with another brother and his family from Illinois.
It was such a fun few hours of talking and laughing and playing and being together.

Sacrifice and gratitude

What a sacred day to really think about what we have and why we have it. I feel gratitude to the deepest part of my heart for my God, who has truly blessed America. For the defenders of this nation and their continual and constant sacrifice. And to far too many who have paid the ultimate price for my freedom. I am so humbled by what they have given, in order to make my life possible.

The things of eternity

Today, Jacob and I had the chance to attend the temple together. And not only did we get to be there at the same time (which doesn't happen as often as we would want), but we were able to be there to perform sealings, with my sweet Dad acting as the sealer.

A sealing is an ordinance performed in the temple eternally uniting a husband and wife, or children and their parents. And a sealer is one who has the authority to perform that ordinance. Being a part of this work, in behalf of those who have passed on, so that they have the privilege of being with their family forever if they desire, is unlike anything I do in mortality. I love it so.

And having the opportunity of participating in that ordinance with my incredible Dad is one of the sweetest things I do on a regular basis. But having Jacob with me yesterday made everything even more wonderful and right.

It is interesting to me that when I am dealing with the things of eternity, time seems to stand still. Everything feels more clear and more sacred and what is important seems tremendously important. And everything else just falls away, because it just doesn't matter. My Father in Heaven is so kind to give me that reminder whenever I choose to seek Him and so often, when I need it most. Today was one of those times.

Fearless

Don't let this serene smile fool you. This girl has no fear and today she displayed it by doing
a front flip off the diving board. Twice. After my heart settled down, I asked her how she knew
she could do a flip into the pool. She responded, "I didn't. I just wondered if I could, so I tried it."