It has been a busy week with so many different things going on....and now we are getting ready for our 4th of July weekend get-away! Can't wait....Las Vegas is looking better every day...even the heat. Looking forward to lots of time by the pool, a show and dinner out, going to see Eclipse, and don't forget the fireworks! Here is where we will be staying! And it was only $99 for the weekend! We have to sit through a time share presentation, but who cares... get that done Saturday morning and enjoy the rest of our trip. Also I am hoping to catch up with a friend from the mission...Should be a great few days! And we REALLY need the break!
As for all the drama that was going on around me...it feels good to be relieved of it all. I am still concerned about the individuals involved and always will be, but I can't do anything to help and I am just brought down and worn out by it all....so...life goes on and I feel better...I wish "them" the best of luck! I was told by one of "them" that I shouldn't write in my blog about things....my response was..it is my blog...don't read it...trust me there is so much more I could write wanting to, but I try to protect the guilty. This is my space for my thoughts and feelings. Sorry if that thought/comment offends anyone...but like I wrote before, I blog for me.
On a more serious note, I have been thinking about some things lately....here is part of the email that I sent to our missionary son this morning:
I hope you have a had a good week. Most of all I hope that you have had the opportunity to find new people to teach and that your investigators are progressing towards baptism. Ultimately that is the reason you are there right now, "to bring souls unto Christ". What a great responsibility that is. You wear that tag on your heart that has your name on it; Anziano Bona, but it also reads: "la Chiesa di Gesu' Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni." So every day you are also wearing the name of Christ.
I have thought a lot about that over the past few days. In church on Sunday Jill Wakefield (Brad's wife) gave a talk in church and she spoke about "the name we bear, or carry". She talked about how as she was growing up her father would tell her to remember to do or not do certain things and then as she became a teenager he explained more saying that she was a representative of the family everywhere she went and the things she did reflected on the family. She likened that to when we are baptized and we take upon us the name of Christ and that all we do and say are a reflection of Him. She also mentioned how we are so lucky, that we don't have to do things alone. Because we have been baptized, we have the opportunity every Sunday to take the sacrament and repent and renew those covenants that we made at the time of our baptism.
It made me think about all the times that I would say to you, "Remember who you are and what you stand for." I know that many times you would laugh at me and think that I was some silly mom...but it is true. If we are remembering at all times who we are and the name that we bear it makes a difference in how we act and what we do and say. I am starting now to use that same phrase with Brian. He took gets a smile on his face and kinda laughs, but as he gets older he will understand even more. So for now I let him smile.
The other thing that I'm trying to work on is during the sacrament to make sure that I am really thinking about the sacrament and what it represents and why we take it. All to often we are busy thinking and doing other things. I want to focus more on the real reason that we go to church...not the social aspect or the fact that "we are expected to go"....Also, something that I can report that I have done everyday since you entered the MTC. Not one night has passed that I haven't prayed before going to bed. Miracle I know! I still need to do better on the morning prayers...but I am really making sure that the night ones are said. I suppose because we go to bed somewhere between 10:30 PM or 11 PM and that is when you are getting up and starting your day....so I figure in a way it is our way to say our prayers together..it helps me feel closer to you! Also, I have really tried to be more sincere in my prayers and show more gratitude for specific things. It has helped me because now I really think about what I am saying when I pray.
I am thankful for your example to me. You having made the choice to serve and doing your best while you are out there has helped to bring back something to me that was missing. Thank you! Thank you for your desire to serve, your willingness, and your example. Also, thank you for the example that you set for your brother. He really looks up to you and wants to be like you. You should see on his facebook status how many times he has written stuff about you how he misses you and how proud of you he is for serving a mission! He is a mini Bona...and we love it!
Some time's we really don't think about the name that we carry everyday...but I am a Clifton, a Bona, and a child of my Father in Heaven, baptized into His church and bear the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. I no longer wear the tag of a missionary on the outside, but I do everyday on the inside....
I only hope that I can live my life in such a way that my light does shine forth, and people can see something different in me...
The other name that I wear is "I am an American". With it being the July 4th weekend I also want to express the love that I have for this great country of ours. We are so blessed to live in this land. Even if things are not the way people think they should be and even with all of our ups and downs as a nation...we are blessed to have this land and the freedoms that we do have. Every time I hear the national anthem, or see the American flag raised I get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I am proud to be an America and thankful that I was born in this great land. May God bless America and each one of us!
June 29, 2010
June 22, 2010
BREATHE
Breathe...that is what I need to do right now...that and believe in myself and my choices and decisions.
As adults we have to sometimes do things that are hard. Things we never really wanted to do...but they must be done.
I finally had to get rid of the drama...can't do it anymore....don't want to do it any more...won't do it any more.
In relationships there are givers and takers, that is how it is, and I know that...but I just can't give anymore.
I had to severe a relationship today...one that I'm not really happy about, but I needed to do it, for me! After years and years I have finally come to the realization that something will never change and that I don't want to play the game anymore. I have been hurt enough and seen other people get hurt and in some instances I feel like I should have spoken up sooner and could have saved some people some pain, but I didn't....now I am speaking up to save myself more pain.
I know that this makes sense to no one and I'm sorry...I'm here just writing to get out what I'm feeling right now.
More than anything I'm thankful for a husband who supports my decision and feels the same way I do. He is much more level headed, objective, and understanding then I am and he has better control of his emotions...so I figure if he feels the same way, then it must be okay, right?
I sure miss my boys...I wish they were both here so that I could put my arms around them and make sure they know how much I love them, how proud I am of them. But....Brian is out with friends and Robert is gone...for now....But I will make sure that they both know....
As for the relationship....I realized that there hasn't been one for years and I was just kidding myself and that it was time to move on...and that is what I'm doing.
So, I need to remember to breathe and believe....
As adults we have to sometimes do things that are hard. Things we never really wanted to do...but they must be done.
I finally had to get rid of the drama...can't do it anymore....don't want to do it any more...won't do it any more.
In relationships there are givers and takers, that is how it is, and I know that...but I just can't give anymore.
I had to severe a relationship today...one that I'm not really happy about, but I needed to do it, for me! After years and years I have finally come to the realization that something will never change and that I don't want to play the game anymore. I have been hurt enough and seen other people get hurt and in some instances I feel like I should have spoken up sooner and could have saved some people some pain, but I didn't....now I am speaking up to save myself more pain.
I know that this makes sense to no one and I'm sorry...I'm here just writing to get out what I'm feeling right now.
More than anything I'm thankful for a husband who supports my decision and feels the same way I do. He is much more level headed, objective, and understanding then I am and he has better control of his emotions...so I figure if he feels the same way, then it must be okay, right?
I sure miss my boys...I wish they were both here so that I could put my arms around them and make sure they know how much I love them, how proud I am of them. But....Brian is out with friends and Robert is gone...for now....But I will make sure that they both know....
As for the relationship....I realized that there hasn't been one for years and I was just kidding myself and that it was time to move on...and that is what I'm doing.
So, I need to remember to breathe and believe....
June 19, 2010
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
It will be Father's Day soon...so, I just wanted to do a big SHOUT OUT to the father's in my life!
Dad, thank you for being such a wonderful example to me. Thank you for always loving me and accepting me and forgiving me, especially when I was a kid and did some really dumb things! Thank you for showing me how to be a responsible parent and adult and to know what is important in life. Thank you for you example of a hard worker. Thank you for supporting our family while I was growing up. Thank you for all the wonderful family trips to all over....Thank you for the motorcycle rides, and buying me my own dirt bike. Thank you for my first car and my first job. Thank you for the piano lessons. Thank you for letting me go to Greece when I was 9! Thank you for not throwing me into the volcano in Hawaii and sacrificing me to the Hawaiian Gods. Thank you for the cruise when I graduated from high school with all of moms family...all those Greeks and we still survived! Thank you for moving to Utah. It really did change my life! Thank you for supporting me while I was on my mission and for the letters and funnies (comics) that you sent to me! Thank you for supporting my decision to marry Giovanni and for letting me go back to Italy to live. Thank you for being such a wonderful grandfather to my sons! They couldn't have a better example then you! Thank you for taking care of my mother when she was ill and slowly leaving us. During that time you showed me what true eternal love really is. I only hope that Gio and I will always love each other as much as you and mom did! Thank you also for being brave enough to follow your heart and soul and marry Lorraine! From your example we have also been able to see that the Lord's hand is in all things! Thank you for your strong testimony of the gospel and for helping me to learn and know for myself the teaching of our father in heaven and his desires for each one of us. Thank you for helping me find my own testimony.
Giovanni, thank you for being the man that you are! Your life was hard growing up having lost your father at such a young age, but you grew into the type of man that he would want you to be and that he would be proud of! Thank you for listening to your family as you grew. Thank you for your desire to want to have a good education. Thank you for listening to the missionaries when they came to your home. Thank you for returning back to church after several years of inactivity. Thank you for following me to the US after my mission so that we would have the opportunity to get to know each other better and to "approfondire la nostra amicizia"! It has been a wonderful 20 years. Thank you for being the father of our children. Thank you for your example to them of hard work, dedication, and doing whatever it takes to take care of your family. Thank you for all the bathrooms that you have cleaned, diapers you have changes, soccer games you have coached, vomit you have cleaned up, dinners you have cooked, laundry you have done, kitchens you have cleaned, doctors appointments that you have gone to. Thank you for being there for our sons when I couldn't be. Thank you for the walks and long talks, the movies, holding hands, diet Pepsi's you have bought. Thank you for being there when my mother passed away and holding me in your arms while I cried. Thank you for you testimony and for your strong desire to want to be better everyday! Thank you for being the father that you are and for raising two amazing sons! I could never have done it without you!
Thank you also to my Father in Heaven. He is the one who has made all of this possible in my life. Without Him I would not be. I would not have my father, my husband or my sons. I am so thankful to know that He is my Father and loves me unconditionally just like the two other men in my life. I feel blessed everyday for my testimony of the gospel. And to know that I will be with my family for eternity.
Happy Father's Day!
Dad, thank you for being such a wonderful example to me. Thank you for always loving me and accepting me and forgiving me, especially when I was a kid and did some really dumb things! Thank you for showing me how to be a responsible parent and adult and to know what is important in life. Thank you for you example of a hard worker. Thank you for supporting our family while I was growing up. Thank you for all the wonderful family trips to all over....Thank you for the motorcycle rides, and buying me my own dirt bike. Thank you for my first car and my first job. Thank you for the piano lessons. Thank you for letting me go to Greece when I was 9! Thank you for not throwing me into the volcano in Hawaii and sacrificing me to the Hawaiian Gods. Thank you for the cruise when I graduated from high school with all of moms family...all those Greeks and we still survived! Thank you for moving to Utah. It really did change my life! Thank you for supporting me while I was on my mission and for the letters and funnies (comics) that you sent to me! Thank you for supporting my decision to marry Giovanni and for letting me go back to Italy to live. Thank you for being such a wonderful grandfather to my sons! They couldn't have a better example then you! Thank you for taking care of my mother when she was ill and slowly leaving us. During that time you showed me what true eternal love really is. I only hope that Gio and I will always love each other as much as you and mom did! Thank you also for being brave enough to follow your heart and soul and marry Lorraine! From your example we have also been able to see that the Lord's hand is in all things! Thank you for your strong testimony of the gospel and for helping me to learn and know for myself the teaching of our father in heaven and his desires for each one of us. Thank you for helping me find my own testimony.
Giovanni, thank you for being the man that you are! Your life was hard growing up having lost your father at such a young age, but you grew into the type of man that he would want you to be and that he would be proud of! Thank you for listening to your family as you grew. Thank you for your desire to want to have a good education. Thank you for listening to the missionaries when they came to your home. Thank you for returning back to church after several years of inactivity. Thank you for following me to the US after my mission so that we would have the opportunity to get to know each other better and to "approfondire la nostra amicizia"! It has been a wonderful 20 years. Thank you for being the father of our children. Thank you for your example to them of hard work, dedication, and doing whatever it takes to take care of your family. Thank you for all the bathrooms that you have cleaned, diapers you have changes, soccer games you have coached, vomit you have cleaned up, dinners you have cooked, laundry you have done, kitchens you have cleaned, doctors appointments that you have gone to. Thank you for being there for our sons when I couldn't be. Thank you for the walks and long talks, the movies, holding hands, diet Pepsi's you have bought. Thank you for being there when my mother passed away and holding me in your arms while I cried. Thank you for you testimony and for your strong desire to want to be better everyday! Thank you for being the father that you are and for raising two amazing sons! I could never have done it without you!
Thank you also to my Father in Heaven. He is the one who has made all of this possible in my life. Without Him I would not be. I would not have my father, my husband or my sons. I am so thankful to know that He is my Father and loves me unconditionally just like the two other men in my life. I feel blessed everyday for my testimony of the gospel. And to know that I will be with my family for eternity.
Happy Father's Day!
June 16, 2010
FUNNY LETTER FROM ROBERT
Oh my goodness....My son will never cease to amaze me. From the other side of the world he is still able to make me laugh to the point that I have tears.
I sure miss that guy! I am sure thankful that Brian is still around! Robert calls him a "baller". I suppose that is a compliment.
What would I do with out these three in my life?
I love this picture of these guys...taken on Brian's 11th b-day when they hiked "Y Mountain"
June 14, 2010
PARENTING 101
At what point does one stop being a parent? When is it time to tell our children to stand on their own two feet and grow up? When do we tell them we aren't going to help them any longer and they are on their own? When do we stop caring about our kids and tell them to go out into the world and find their own way? Does that point ever come?
These are just a few questions that have plagued me over the past few weeks. None of them have to do with me or my children, but with a family I know. A family, that at this point in time, doesn't really seem to be a family anymore. In fact, one of the children in the family made the comment, "I feel abandoned. We are like a clock that is missing an essential part, and now we aren't able to work and keep time". How sad for anyone to feel that way, at any age.
This family has been through some very tough times. Job loss...over and over again, financial instability who knows how many times. They have moved more times than I have fingers, kids with learning disabilities, etc.
I can't even imagine having having all the problems/issues that they have had. I know that not every thing is their fault, however, they have also made some not so wise choices and as we all know there is a consequence to every choice.
There has also been some dishonesty and lying along the way as well, and problems with other family members etc...so it has just not been good.
I am sure that there were times when this family was very happy and they did love one another, but now the parents are divorced and each one is having to find their own way in the world. And it sucks. Really, there is no other way to describe what is happening to them now.
Mom and Dad are now divorced and the kids are in their 20's. Mom found a place for herself to stay, but can't have anyone there with her...and says that she just can't worry about her kids anymore. They are grown and need to take care of themselves....WOW!
Dad says that he needs to be on his own and have his life and that his children are grown and need to find their own way and he can't help them forever...DOUBLE WOW!
The daughter just got a job with a place to stay, but she too has had so much instability, that who knows...honestly.
The son, well, he has nothing. No job, place to stay, or money. And the parent's don't feel that it is there responsibility to help.
Now, I know for a fact that this family has been helped for years by the church and by the father's family. And he is a grown man, and there has been help until just recently. In fact, there are times that the family would have never made it without the help of others. They have actually lived off of others for a long time.
And what kills me is now the parents feel no sense of responsibility to help their children and these kids are worried about being homeless. How sick and wrong is that!
Drama...yes there is a lot of that and I wish that I could help, but I can't...all I can do is pray for each one of them and I do, everyday, and I think about them all the time.
But what it has done is make me think. As a parent what is my responsibility towards my sons. Am I here to help them their whole lives. Do I support them, let them live with me, give them money, pay for an apartment for them, take out loans for them, go into debt for them? Do I charge up my credit cards for them, what? What is expected of me?
I realized that my first responsibility is to love and nurture them. As a small child I am here to feed and cloth them. Teach them and help them to learn and give them the things they need, and yes even the things they want. But not all at one time...somethings you have to wait for...(Like Brian's Wii- he had to wait 2 years and do certain things to earn it.) But I can admit that our boys are spoiled...however...they also understand that they need to do certain things as well.
That is where work ethic and school responsibilities, and home, etc all come into play. We also have the obligation to teach our children how to be productive in society. How to work, to care for themselves, and others. To respect other people, to be honest and have integrity. To not hurt other people and to be accepting. That doesn't mean to agree or condone a certain behavior, but to realize that we are all different and to understand and accept that and not judge.
In our home the rule was with Robert and will be with Brian, as long as we are financially able to do so, get A's in school and maybe a B or two and we will pay your insurance and cell phone. We will not pay gas for you to drive. That is the child's responsibility. Robert got a job with the school district cleaning the school for the summer when he was 15, then he started working for Provo City in the Parks and Rec dept and did that job up until he left on his mission. It wasn't a lot of money, but it paid his gas, fun, etc....And he was still able to do sports, get good grades, and have a life. It will be the same for Brian.
Work and education! Two very important things....
But, if you knew that your kids wouldn't have a place to stay, do you help them or not?
At 20 something, I would say yes....even older, however, yes...after you have done everything that you can do there does come a time when your "child" needs to stand on their own two feet....I think that at almost 50 that is a good time for it to happen.
I don't really think there is a right or wrong answer here...I just know that every day with kids there are new challenges and new problems. The best that we can do is pray and hope for answers. Our children are here on loan from our Father in Heaven. He has given us the responsibility to take care of His precious children for a while. I know that He will never turn His back on us. He will always love us and will forgive us over and over again, just like a parent does...but He too has to let us grow and learn and suffer...but while we are young He tries to lead us and guide us...
I try to follow His parenting manual.
These are just a few questions that have plagued me over the past few weeks. None of them have to do with me or my children, but with a family I know. A family, that at this point in time, doesn't really seem to be a family anymore. In fact, one of the children in the family made the comment, "I feel abandoned. We are like a clock that is missing an essential part, and now we aren't able to work and keep time". How sad for anyone to feel that way, at any age.
This family has been through some very tough times. Job loss...over and over again, financial instability who knows how many times. They have moved more times than I have fingers, kids with learning disabilities, etc.
I can't even imagine having having all the problems/issues that they have had. I know that not every thing is their fault, however, they have also made some not so wise choices and as we all know there is a consequence to every choice.
There has also been some dishonesty and lying along the way as well, and problems with other family members etc...so it has just not been good.
I am sure that there were times when this family was very happy and they did love one another, but now the parents are divorced and each one is having to find their own way in the world. And it sucks. Really, there is no other way to describe what is happening to them now.
Mom and Dad are now divorced and the kids are in their 20's. Mom found a place for herself to stay, but can't have anyone there with her...and says that she just can't worry about her kids anymore. They are grown and need to take care of themselves....WOW!
Dad says that he needs to be on his own and have his life and that his children are grown and need to find their own way and he can't help them forever...DOUBLE WOW!
The daughter just got a job with a place to stay, but she too has had so much instability, that who knows...honestly.
The son, well, he has nothing. No job, place to stay, or money. And the parent's don't feel that it is there responsibility to help.
Now, I know for a fact that this family has been helped for years by the church and by the father's family. And he is a grown man, and there has been help until just recently. In fact, there are times that the family would have never made it without the help of others. They have actually lived off of others for a long time.
And what kills me is now the parents feel no sense of responsibility to help their children and these kids are worried about being homeless. How sick and wrong is that!
Drama...yes there is a lot of that and I wish that I could help, but I can't...all I can do is pray for each one of them and I do, everyday, and I think about them all the time.
But what it has done is make me think. As a parent what is my responsibility towards my sons. Am I here to help them their whole lives. Do I support them, let them live with me, give them money, pay for an apartment for them, take out loans for them, go into debt for them? Do I charge up my credit cards for them, what? What is expected of me?
I realized that my first responsibility is to love and nurture them. As a small child I am here to feed and cloth them. Teach them and help them to learn and give them the things they need, and yes even the things they want. But not all at one time...somethings you have to wait for...(Like Brian's Wii- he had to wait 2 years and do certain things to earn it.) But I can admit that our boys are spoiled...however...they also understand that they need to do certain things as well.
That is where work ethic and school responsibilities, and home, etc all come into play. We also have the obligation to teach our children how to be productive in society. How to work, to care for themselves, and others. To respect other people, to be honest and have integrity. To not hurt other people and to be accepting. That doesn't mean to agree or condone a certain behavior, but to realize that we are all different and to understand and accept that and not judge.
In our home the rule was with Robert and will be with Brian, as long as we are financially able to do so, get A's in school and maybe a B or two and we will pay your insurance and cell phone. We will not pay gas for you to drive. That is the child's responsibility. Robert got a job with the school district cleaning the school for the summer when he was 15, then he started working for Provo City in the Parks and Rec dept and did that job up until he left on his mission. It wasn't a lot of money, but it paid his gas, fun, etc....And he was still able to do sports, get good grades, and have a life. It will be the same for Brian.
Work and education! Two very important things....
But, if you knew that your kids wouldn't have a place to stay, do you help them or not?
At 20 something, I would say yes....even older, however, yes...after you have done everything that you can do there does come a time when your "child" needs to stand on their own two feet....I think that at almost 50 that is a good time for it to happen.
I don't really think there is a right or wrong answer here...I just know that every day with kids there are new challenges and new problems. The best that we can do is pray and hope for answers. Our children are here on loan from our Father in Heaven. He has given us the responsibility to take care of His precious children for a while. I know that He will never turn His back on us. He will always love us and will forgive us over and over again, just like a parent does...but He too has to let us grow and learn and suffer...but while we are young He tries to lead us and guide us...
I try to follow His parenting manual.
June 11, 2010
CAMP BIG SPRINGS
Well, 5th Grade officially came to an end today for Brian. He returned from Camp Big Springs, which is also known as
5th Grade Camp.
He had a great time. He was in a tent with 20+ other 5th graders and more than half were from his school.
He said that he made some new friends and even "checked out the girls", but when asked him if he got their names he said no....obviously Robert didn't teach him enough before he left on his mission! LOL!
They had different classes learning about the enviornment, prey and preditors,the food cycle, weather, etc.
They also had crafts and fun and games and went on a few hikes, etc. Typical camp stuff!
I noticed that him being gone almost two weeks has made him a bit more independent. I suppose that is a good thing. One of my friends (an old mission buddy and now father of teen-agers) said that we must be doing something right with how we are raising Brian if he is slowly finding himself. I suppose and know that is a compliment...but where is my little baby boy of 11 yrs ago? He is growing up into a young man so quickly now. Every day I notice more and more how he is changing...and growing. Thank goodness at home he will still let me give him a hug and a kiss on th cheek!!!
Can you tell the before and after pictures? And Brian really loved the zipline, so I'm glad that one of his friends took his picture while he was doing it!
The weather held out okay for them...rained at night, but that helped to keep the days cool and the area where they were was green and lush! Thank you to our school distirict who still felt like this program was imprtant enought to keep funding it so that the kids could have this great opportunity!!!
THERAPY
I know several people who go to therapy for different reasons...and to different types of therapy: physical, mental, etc....
I am no doctor and I know that some people really do need therapy and I would never, never, ever put myself in a position to judge any of them. Even I went through a period of time, years ago, when I went to a therapist...I'm sure many of you have heard his name before: Lynn Scoresby. He was a good man and helped a lot. I don't think that he solved all my issues, maybe too because I wouldn't let him...I was young and afraid. And I thought I was crazy and didn't want to be. My mother went with me a few times, but mainly she drove me so that I would actually go to my appointments.
(I say that with a big smile on my face).
Then when I was in the MTC I went to a therapist there...some of the earlier "issues" hadn't be resolved...well...I can't remember the mans name who I saw, but I remember what he looked like, and I remember his soft soothing voice. He mainly helped me to deal with my stress issues and my self worth issues.
He would tell me to find my "happy place" and go there and relax and take a break. We worked a lot on techniques to help me stay calm and to also like myself.
He helped me A LOT! And as sit here writing his name has just come to my mind. Brother Peterson. At the time his office was where the International Office is at the MTC...wow, where did that memory come from???
I will forever be thankful to him, because he really did help me find my "happy place" and to like me. Of course there have been times when I have liked myself more than other times, but overall, I'm okay with me.
I feel blessed to have served my mission in Italy and to have met Giovanni. It really was destiny...I will save that story for another time, but I will write about it too.....
Brother Peterson also told me to write and to express myself...to let out what I feel inside..and that would help me.
Why am I writing all this you ask?? Because a few days ago I was asked by someone why do I blog? Do people even read my blog, does anyone really care what I write? My answer to her was, I don't know who reads it, and if no one does that is okay...it is my "therapy". It is my "happy place". I love to do it. I like to change the backgrounds, find music, add pictures, write about my family and kids. It makes me feel good. That is why I do it...for therapy. I think that everyone needs a "happy place" and this is mine.
I don't write everything personal that happens in my life, but I write what I want and feel to write. I'm not much of a journal keeper, so this is my journal. This is my legacy that I leave to all those that read. And I plan on doing it as long as I can because it makes me happy and brings me joy!
That is why I blog!
June 8, 2010
TREK
"Walk With Me"
was the theme of the Pioneer Trek that the youth in our ward went on for youth conference this year. Brian was able to attend because anyone turning 12 during the year was given special permission to go. He had an amazing time. It seems as though many miracles happend during those 3 1/2 days that they were gone. There were approx 67 youth and about 35-40 leaders who went. It was an overwhelming site to see everyone at the church getting ready to leave. Already just with them dressed and loading the buses there was a special spirit there.
I have to admit that when we said good bye to our "little pioneer" I was a bit nervous. However I knew the exeprience he would have there and the things he would learn would be things that I couldn't teach him here at home.
For the remainder of Trek, Brian became: George Dove age 14 born 1842 in England...he was a memeber of the Hodgett Wagon Company.George Dove along with 3 other men saved many pioneers on October 18/19 from the North latte River. There were some pioneers that were so weak and as they began to cross the waters (which were freezing) they couldn't go any further. George and others went back and forth several times into the river to save the saints. There were 13-18 people who died that day, but many were saved because of the heroic actions of 4.
Here are a few short comments from Brian's journal:
Day 1:
Bus ride to Wyoming.
Walked pushing/pulling carrs 3 miles
Arrived at camp and set up
Had dinned and did some square dancig
Day 2:
Took down camp
Walked to Martis Cove and Dan Jones Cove
Heared stories about Pioneers from Martin's Cove
The spirit was so stong!!!
Day 3:
Took down camp
River crossing
Woman's pul
10 mile Trek
Testimony meeting-almost all the youth bore their testimony about Trek
The spirit was so strong and the testimony meeting was great.
Day 4:
Took down camp
Packed our stuff
Came home
Here are some pictures that Brian took
We were told after of stories about how the wind was blowing 50-60 mph on Friday night and the leaders didn't know if they should end youth conference then and come home or stay. After a lot of prayers and divine inspiration Bishop Chipman felt like they should stay. Once the choice was made the winds died down and the night was calm until in the morning when they were all packing up to come home then the winds picked up again. I really think the Lord wanted for them all to witness that miracle, along with so many others.
Here are a few arrival photos.
Even though Giovanni and I didn't go on Trek, we have been so moved by the expieriences and stories from others. We feel so blessed to live where we do and to be among such strong saints.
We have been told by other's of the testimony that Brian bore on Friday evening...here is a line from it:
"I am here on Trek being a pioneer and my brother, Robert, is on his mission in Italy, doing his own Trek and bringing the gospel to people there..." We never know how the things we do say will influence another.
So thankful for pioneers' and especially for my two sons!
MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial day was a great day. We went with our friends the Basile's and Viapiano's up to a park in Provo Canyon and had a picnic and played some games and just sat around and talked and enjoyed nature. It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect. Not to hot or cold.
The kids and men had fun playing badminton and soccer nd they climed up the trail near where we were.
I love picnics Italian style. As American's we do hot dogs, haburgers, sandwiches, etc..but not Italians. We had ribs, pot roast, salad, bread, browines, fruit, coconut, chips, dip, etc. It was delcious.
The kids and men had fun playing badminton and soccer nd they climed up the trail near where we were.
I love picnics Italian style. As American's we do hot dogs, haburgers, sandwiches, etc..but not Italians. We had ribs, pot roast, salad, bread, browines, fruit, coconut, chips, dip, etc. It was delcious.
Here are a few pictures:
Thanks friends for a wonderful day!
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