Thoughts...

I have been blog surfing and have seen quite a few funny blogs. Mine seems to always be so serious. I have a lot of serious experiences that I want to share, but that does not mean that I am serious all the time. I promise. I have Fun!

So here is another serious post...

Last week in Sunday school a guy shared a scripture that said we are basically commanded to bare testimony and share the spiritual things we are taught.

So here is one "AH-HA" moment I had the other day that I consider a spiritual experience and want to share... I am not the best with words and I am not claiming to be the most spiritual person, however if someone else can learn from my experiences then they are definitely worth sharing, even if the sharing only helps me.

I have often wondered about the scripture in the New Testament where Christ asks some guys to leave everything they have and come follow Him. (I was going to look it up, but I haven't so I am just assuming you all know the story) Anyways, I believe the story goes that one of the guys can't give up all his riches and leave everything behind. So then my wondering leads me to thinking what would I do if I was asked to give up everything I had to Follow HIM? Would I be able to do it? Would I do it with a willing, happy heart, and would I even be willing to do it at all???

I have thought how could that actually happen? What would it actually look like? Will we all be asked to walk to Missouri or Adam-ondi-ahmen(sp?)? My ah-ha moment was when I realised that I have, in a way, been asked to give up alot to follow Him (though nothing compared to others, it seems like a lot to me). I maybe have not been the happiest camper the whole way but I recognize He has been with me, supporting me, helping me carry the load I believe He has asked me to carry.

Can you see instances in your life where you have been asked to give up something that you love to follow Him? Some women give up careers to have families, some people give up alcohol or other addictions, some people give up homes, cars, fancy stuff. Some people, when they choose to follow Him, even lose their families. What have you been asked to give up to follow HIM? How have you done? I am glad that I have had this opportunity to examine my attitude and realize that I can do it, only with His help of course.

Here is a picture of the boys at a Roadrunners baseball game in St. G at the Bruce Hurst field. We were able to go to two games this last week together and it was a lot of fun. It's hot, but nice to be doing something together as a family. Thanks to my Uncle Ed for his help. He is the best announcer in the WORLD!

(I started this post on the 8th and finished it on the 15th...)

Time.....

Here are some kindof random thoughts I have been having lately....

But first here is a picture Dave took on his phone and sent to my phone...

The sunsets are amazing in St. G, as they can be everywhere, but I have a special connection with them in St. G.

Joey and David Leishman

are my favorites!!!!

It is about time I post again. I have been enjoying the amount of time we have been in St. G lately. I love seeing my family! I also enjoy seeing random people that I have not seen for months or years. Luckily we have FB and blogs to keep us up to date with each other so when we actually see each other it is not terribly awkard.

My family is the BEST ever, I swear!

I love seeing friends all over town.

My internship is going well in South Jordan. I am enjoying working with these youth, making a difference in people's lives. I love these kids. It is hard to hear about the crap they have been through, but it is nice to be able to help them through it. I am greatful for the chance Heavenly Father has given me to help others. I hope and pray that I can be an instrument in His hands for good, without neglecting my own children, of course. I have to remember that they are HIS children though and He will not forget them!

The last two weeks for FHE we have played games. We played Sorry and Yahtzee. I love spending time with my boys! I miss them when we are not together. I am trusting that they are being watched over though. As long as I am doing what is right I know all will be well. I don't know what the Lord's definition of "well" is either, but I KNOW that I can do all things with His help.

That is it for now.

Lots-o-love-

Marilla

Dixie...

This was our second week of touring St. George for FHE.
More to come I am sure.
I did not have a camera so I got this picture off the internet somewhere.
Anyways my dad used to hike this mountain/hill and so did I, with my brothers and cousins almost every Sunday growing up. It was sure fun to take the boys up there to introduce them to my childhood a little more.

I Love St. George and all the fun adventurous stuff there is to do there!
We did a lot of things this weekend and as soon as I have access to some pictures I'll post them.
My bro Rob and his girl Emily got hitched, yes you're welcome, it was my doing. And my other Bro Joe had his baby Rylan blessed. Plus we hung out so much with my amazing, wonderful, fun, Republican family. And I loved hanging out with the twins!!!

A Dream Come True!

We are going to be in St. George a lot for the next couple months, and it is a dream come true! (I know this picture is small, but it is all I have for now.)

We took our boys to the white sands in Snow Canyon State Park for FHE Monday.

The reason I say it is a dream come true is because as a youth my family, friends and I hung out there a lot.
I am excited our boys are a little older now and I can take them to do the things I loved to do when I was younger.
We will go to the sand dunes in Snow Canyon next week for FHE probably. Then one day we'll probably hike the volcano, and go on many of the other fun-awe inspiring hikes that I used to go on. I am excited!

More Recently...

I went to Washington DC!
I went for a International Social Work Conference with a 6 of my "classmates".
This is some of us at the Conference. I do not have very many pictures, my camera battery died, so I am going to get a disc from the other ladies with more pictures.

Tiffany Winder brought her hubby Greg, and her friend Jen met up with us for a few days.
It was a blast hanging out with these guys. We got an awesome behind the scenes tour of the Capitol.

Brittany and I saw a lot of sites together. It was amazing and FUN! Thanks Britt.
At the monuments, specifically Lincoln's.

Here are my cute boys in their Souvenirs from Mom.
I thought David would appreciate this because this the 44th President of the United States of America.

I think Joseph Truman sounds like a great name for a future President.

We got season Passes to Seven Peaks earlier this year, and last weekend they opened. I am excited for the fun we'll have there this Summer!

The boys after the long day at the water park. I love that they are such good buddies. This is practically how they sleep every night.

David and his teachers, Miss Ellen and Mrs. Ellis at his Kindergarten graduation from Edgemont Elementary.

Daddy and Uncle Drew at the Kindergarten Graduation.

Here is my little man with his Mohawk, this was just for fun. He was a little shy at his graduation performance, but it was very cute!

Lately...

I recognize it has been a while since I last posted. I did not mean to keep a sad post up for so long. Anyways we have been doing a lot of fun Summer stuff. So here is a little for you all...
We have been camping.
One of the nights we were camping it was a Tongan wards' Fathers and Sons outing. We happened to be camping in the same camp ground as them. They were roasting a pig and let the boys help turn it a couple times. Dave even ate some with them, but not me, I was sound asleep. (He thought he had the swine flu afterwards, but I told him you don't get it from pigs)We have been to the Trafalga a little family fun center a few times, which included Bumper Cars, Mini Golf, Dippin' Dots, and lots of fun Arcade Games.

We went to St. G for Mothers Day weekend, had a swimming party at Uncle Ed and Cheryls' home...

Then we had dinner at my moms with the whole fam damily...This is in the evening playing fun games and chatting about EVERYTHING...

Oh and last night Dave and I took this lovely picture that I wanted to share.
I love him!

Life!

Lately I have been feeling like I am living someone else's life. I have felt a little out of place to say the least. I feel like I am Living a Dream. The things I am doing right now are part of my life dream, they simply are not happening on my time table. The Lord's "timetable" is often different from our own.

This past weekend we went camping. Last weekend we were in St. G. It has been a blast! I'll post some pictures later. As I have said before Dave is the cameraman now that my camera died, so as soon as he uploads the pictures I'll post some.

My mom got me this for Mothers Day.

This is what it is...

I know it is blurry so this is what it says, Father and Daughter "Celebrating the bond of love between fathers and daughters".
This last week was my dad's birthday. I don't know why, but I bawled. I just wanted to be able to call him and say "hi" and ask how his day was? My dad has been gone physically for almost 9 years now. I say physically because I know he is here with me in some form that doesn't allow me to see him. It is kinda strange how when someone close to us dies we never know when we're going to have a sad moment and just miss them like crazy!
On my dad's birthday I just wanted him to be here so I could see him and hear his voice and give him a hug. I know that he is with me more now than he could have been if he were alive, but it is not always easy. I am grateful I have learned from this experience because I have empathy for others and can "morn with those that morn" better, and "comfort those who stand in need of comfort" better, but that does not always make it easy.
I love life and I love learning. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who does not let us do it alone.