FEAR FACTOR EVENT FOR ACTIVITY DAYS

We had 13 of our girls show up and man, did we have a great time.
We did a Fear Factor event, which was a mixture of Fear Factor and Minute To Win It, (but Fear Factor sounds so much cooler.)

One event was a blind tasting.  There were three fruits and three vegetables.  When you don't know what you're eating, it's a tough thing to decipher!

Another event was mummification.  Teams had rolls of toilet paper to turn their mates into mummies.  The girls got quite creative.

One event was a blowing relay.  Teams used two cups and a straw.  They had to blow the cups from one end of the table to the other and then tag their team mate to do the same.  If the cup was blown to the floor, they had to start over.  The girls mastered control very quickly and showed the best sportsmanship.  I was very impressed.

Two other events were speed bingo, using a scripture bingo I found online (now I can't find the site I used) and cookie face relay (you put a cookie on your forehead and have to get the cookie to your mouth using only your face muscles - no hands.  Absolutely hilarious!)

Our last event (and hands down the favorite) was the ice cream sundae event.  Ice cream, lots of whipped cream, chocolate syrup and sprinkles and you guessed it - no hands.

The girls were such great sports, had loads of fun and demonstrated wonderful team work and sportsmanship.  I see a summertime version in our near future.

HE IS RISEN

"In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: 'He is not here: for he is risen.'" -Thomas S. Monson

I'm so incredibly grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To know that he has taken on my sins and rescued my soul is overwhelming at times. I'm thankful for the peace that comes with knowing that if I choose to follow him and try my best to be like him, that I can live with him again. I'm thankful for the knowledge that our families can be eternal and I look forward to the day to see my loved ones who have passed.

I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend!

MY AUNT AND UNCLE ARE SERVING

a mission for our church on Temple Square. They are amazing and I'm so proud of them!
Jill took us downtown to stroll the temple grounds and find them.If you're downtown in the next 6 months, stop by and see them, and tell them hello. You're going to love them.

PS - I have another aunt and uncle who are serving a second mission in Palmyra, New York. If you are in that area, look for Elder and Sister Young. They are awesome. I was lucky enough to see them in the mission field in 2007. I love that area of New York; it's absolutely beautiful.

THE DAY WE LEFT UTAH

it was absolutely gorgeous, which was a welcomed sight because it was dumping thick snow the night before.
We had a few hours to spare before our plane left, so we drove down to Provo.

We met my aunt and uncle for lunch and my father couldn't stop himself, much to our delight, from making a snow angel outside the restaurant.

We stopped by to check out the progress of the Provo Tabernacle.

I love that they are saving the brick. I wish we could have spent a little more time in Provo, but Delta doesn't wait for sightseers.

SMALL MIRACLES

and hope are seen amongst the tragedy and debris of the burnt historic Provo Tabernacle.

photo via KSL

Firefighters found this painting called "The Second Coming" by Harry Anderson that is charred except around the image of Christ.

FORGIVENESS

Wow.

Loved this powerful, touching, amazing video.....

I HAD AN AMAZING MORNING

with my sister and family at the temple.
It was a morning of reverence, sacredness, peace, happiness and love....

I seriously have the best family.

I'm so happy...

HAPPY EASTER

Hymn 136 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my humble soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heavenly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives and while he lives, I'll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives, my mansion to prepare.
He lives, to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet, the joy this sentence gives.
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior still the same.
Oh, sweet, the joy this sentence gives.
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

I hope you have had a lovely Easter Sunday.

STAKE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

was Saturday afternoon and I was asked to decorate the church gym for the luncheon.
I decided to do a whimsical garden party.
All the linens were white, 4" pansy pots were placed in white bags, chairs had white covers with 9" wide light green tulle strips tied in a bow at the base of the seat, all 32 tables had a bouquet of white balloons and all eating utensils and glasses were clear...

Ruth and Kim helped me with the linens, tulle and place settings Friday morning and Stephanie helped me bag the pansies and do the balloons Friday night and in the wee hours Saturday morning.

We may have watched She's The Man twice while decorating Friday night and there may have been some helium incidences.

A huge thank you to Al's Nursery in Woodburn who had a wonderfully huge assortment of gorgeous pansies and were kind enough to pull all the ones I needed, were thoughtful enough to pick them so they were all the exact same color of velvet purple and gave us a wonderful price.

I was so impressed with their customer service and assortment of beautiful plants, they will be the nursery I go to for all my gardening needs.

If you're local, it's worth the 20 minute drive to Woodburn. They were amazing!