LAIE, HAWAII TEMPLE

This is one of my favorite temples.  It is so beautiful and peaceful. 

I love meandering on the grounds - beautiful flowers, green foliage, amazing breeze and blue, blue skies. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.

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.

THIS WEEKEND I WAS IN PORTLAND WITH

five of my favorite people, at Time Out For Women, for a spiritual ooomph and boy did I get it.  Most of the time I felt like the speakers were talking directly to me.  My heart is full, my spirit is excited and refreshed and I feel loved and motivated.

I was so happy to have this weekend with my Soul Sisters.  They are incredible, beautiful women and wonderful example to me in motherhood, friendship and life experiences.

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.

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.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I THOUGHT OF

General Conference as a day off of church.
Now, I look forward to watching it on television and to listen to the guidance it provides.
Stephanie and I received tickets (super duper close!) from Kacy to attend the Saturday morning session at the Conference Center.
I had never been to a live session before and it was amazing to be that close to the prophet and other men of God.
And to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir live - their music pierces your soul.

Hearing to remember to express gratitude for what I have and not to focus on what I lack, to slow down a little, that my self worth has nothing to do with my to-do list, etc....made my heart full.
I always hear one or two talks that I feel are spoken just to me.
One of my favorite talks from the Saturday morning session was this one.

Before I left for the airport on Monday, Stephanie and I had lunch with Kacy and toured a few places on Temple Square. We had a wonderful weekend where we were fed physically and spiritually. I can't think of a better way to have a bon voyage weekend than all the things we did!

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...