For the Beauty of the Earth...

We worked hard to get some jumping pictures...couldn't resist the expression on this one

Owie Kazowie!  Even downstream it was hot!

Knowing that our window of seeing the fall colors was closing, we went hiking to the hot pots this week.  The colors were muted but it was still a fairyland as the leaves lay on the ground and some floated down as we walked along the trail.  Kira tested out the natural springs and found the water surprisingly HOT.

Waterfall at the end of Grotto hike...very cold water

The next day I went with the Activity Day girls to The Grotto.  It was still pretty awesome!

Game Night...Quiddly--I came in 2nd--what's with that?

Looking thrilled to be riding with Grandpa

 It has been a week of interacting with friends and family.  Kinda like a big breath before we all hunker down for winter.  One night right before dinner, I returned something to a friend's house.  They were heating up a can of Campbells.  I thought...they must be desperate.  I invited them up for left over Enchilda soup that I had made for a luncheon at my house that day with the friends that I serve in the temple with.  Lots of fresh veggies from the garden I interjected....so they came and we had a great meal and great conversation. 



I answered the phone this week to a friend in Washington.  It was the anniversary of the death of her sweet missionary son.  He was in Durban right before Bryce arrived at the MTC in Jo-Burg and fell while hiking with companions.  We had a good visit and reflected on the journey and the blessing of friends and family.  The phone is an amazing thing.  I am so grateful that we can always reach out and call someone!!!




THE CABIN

This is how they get Edie to sleep...not a comforting picture for Grandma

We planned a get together at Whit's family cabin.  It had been a year since we last went up with family.  We invited extended family and we got one taker...my mom.  She is 91 and still going good after having hip surgery.  We took a couple of walks while the others rode ...it was pretty muddy. 

We also celebrated Winston's 2nd birthday.  Kira wanted to try her cake decorating skills and worked on "Bob" while we visited.  We were all very impressed with the end result and clapped and cheered.  Winston picked up Bob and tried to eat him which was very age appropriate and yummy since he was all made of chocolate.  Hurray for birthdays.  Hurray for Whit's family having an awesome cabin and sharing it with us.
One last thought.  I spent an afternoon with a best friend who called me up and asked me to go check on another friend.  We went ready to go to work because our friend has dealt with a lot of depression.  It shows...alot.  We tried to help organize things for her and visit.  It was a sobering reminder of how much we need each other and how often we do the opposite and shut ourselves off from others.  In my case...think we are too busy to stop.  Conference reminds us over and over again that we need to be helping and serving others.  I need a big neon sign ....in each room of my house with some great quote to inspire me because each time I follow the prompting and forget my agenda, I end up having an awesome experience and still get everything that is important done for the day.  I don't know how that works but I know I have been blessed time and again by those that pay attention to promptings and come to my aid.

"Seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch — it's a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day — and then one more, and then one more after that, until we've lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness." -President Thomas S. Monson

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.....for the beauty of the earth.