Youth Conference Trek

About two weeks ago I had the rare opportunity to go on a pioneer trek for the 2nd time with my new stake. This in itself was a huge blessing, due to the fact that #1 most teens don't get to go on a trek at all, and I got to go twice, #2 I got to go with people I didn't know very well, but found it a blessing to get to know them all on a rare personal level, that wouldn't have happened any other way, and #3 it was held at our beautiful Clear Creek Family Ranch.

But the reason I've decided to blog about it on this specific blog is that I spent a lot of time with Uncle David in the 3 days I was at The Ranch.
Before Trek had started, we were asked to pick somebody, preferably a pioneer ancestor, to "bring with us" on the trek. The purpose of this was to allegedly help us become closer to our pioneer heritage. I know we have some pioneer heritage in our family, but a lot of people don't, so it was an option to just pick someone who you felt like would have been important to "bring with you." I was totally being lazy and waited at the last minuet possible to pick someone to bring with me. I had done no research about our ancestry, and I had no idea who to pick. Suddenly a very bright light bulb came on in my head and said "You dumby, just bring Uncle David with you!". I thought "Obviously, what a smart idea!", and wrote his name on the dog tag I was given for the occasion, and wore it around my neck the entire time.

This was one of the best decisions I've made in a long time. Being at The Ranch, a place David loved so dearly, and just thinking about him constantly was so great for me. I often felt David walking next to me on the difficult trail, and I knew that he'd never give up, and I surely couldn't give up either. David was in everything I did and saw, and I know he had fun with me at this trek. He literally was walking next to me, just how he was with us at Yellowstone on that hike to the waterfall. David still loves spending time with us, even when we can't see him. We miss you David, but I know you're still having fun with us!

Seven

Seven long months today our worlds were forever changed.  I am grateful for the many things about the Plan of Salvation that I am learning.  And I know that I've been strengthend through the Spirit, but I still wish we could have him back.  Life just isn't the same without him here.  Love you every day DJK.

Finding Joy in life

As I prepare for Retreat for Girls coming up in a couple of weeks, I am studying a talk called "Finding Joy in Life" by Richard G. Scott in April 1996. Here are some of my favorite parts:

"Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenge are events in life, not life itself. I do not minimize how hard some of these events are. They can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become more confining center of everything you do. The Lord inspired Lehi to declare the fundamental truth, "Men are that they MIGHT have joy." That is a conditional statement; 'they MIGHT have joy.; It is not conditional for the Lord. His intent is that each of us finds joy. It will not be conditional for you as you obey the commandments, have faith in the Master, and do the things that are necessary to have joy here on earth."

"Happiness never ends, but sadness does."

"No matter how difficult something you or a loved one faces, is should not take over your life and be the center of all your interest. Challenges are growth experiences.... Don't become so absorbed in a single event that you can't think of anything else or care for yourself or those who depend upon you. Remember, much like the mending of the body, the healing of some spiritual and emotional challenges take time. The Lord has said 'Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for loe, I am with thee, even unto the ends of they days,".

Charity

BD definition: "Charity. The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds or benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive.

Moroni 7:44-48:

  "If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things,  hopeth all things, endureth all things.

  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave onto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-

  But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."

 I just wanted to share with you these scriptures on charity because they reminded me of David's great example of charity. He always went out of his way to serve others, just like Jesus Christ would. I encourage all of you to pray unto the Father that you will be,"filled with love." It sure has helped me to be kinder to everyone around me and to have more charity in my heart.

Happy Father's Day David!

 Dear David,

I miss you David! We just got back from a fun family reunion at Clear Creek Family Ranch. We watched your movie, #1 Northfork Road and watched some videos from when you were a young kid. I wished you were there to see your cousins and to celebrate Father's Day with your dad and kids.

Thanks for your example of being a wonderful parent to your kids. Hopefully, I can become like you someday and raise my own kids into the gospel. Anyway, thanks for everything David, I love and miss you so very much and most of all HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! :)

Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day at the cemetery this year.  A group of us met up at David’s graveside to talk about memories and things we miss about him. 
 

I tried recording what mom and dad had to say, but my video didn’t turn out so great-so I’ll transcribe. 

 Mom shared this poem by Mary Frye:

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft star-shine at night.

So do not think of me as gone,

I am with you still, each new dawn.

 

Dad shared this:

“Last week Vice President Joe Biden gave a speech at a memorial service for veterans.  He talked about the loss of his wife and daughter in a car accident in December 1972. 

‘Biden urged the survivors to have hope. “It can and will get better. There will come a day, I promise, when your thoughts of your son or daughter or husband or wife will bring a smile to your face before it brings a tear.’ So I have hope.”

Afterwards we went to visit Grandma Bodell’s grave and then to Bodell Construction to have KFC and train rides.  It was good to be together as we remember David and Grandma.  It was neat to see how many people spend the day at the cemetery honoring their loved ones.  Loving and missing you David.  every. single. day.

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just thought this was interesting. I don't know who is reading the blog in Russia and Germany - but pretty cool! Brian thinks its just web-bots out searching for who-knows-what. But I like to imagine its someone who is needing inspiration and comes to our blog for support. 

even though we maintain this blog for our own needed support, i'd like to think that other people are gaining positive benefit from it as well. i hope people do pass along the url if they like what they read here and think it will help others. 

love and miss you all!

good night!