Farewell to a boy

And in two years we will say hello to a man, tried and true after serving as a missionary in Cambodia.

We went to Central Point on Tuesday, July 8th. Six of us went to Ashland that evening to see the play, "A Wrinkle in Time."  It was interesting how they performed it. Grandpa watched Gideon and Joseph while we were gone.

On the 9th, Neil's birthday, we had a privilege of going to the temple with Zachary. Eldon and I were asked to be the witness couple. It was joyful to see Neil, Pam, Emily and Zachary arm in arm in the celestial room.

Neil's birthday dinner was a joint effort--special salad by Pam, tofu and veggies by Emily, and a chocolate torte by Zachary! 

The next day we took off to the coast. We stopped at the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. It was amazing walking through those huge trees.

We stayed in Brookings for two nights. We walked at the Harris Beach where Eldon looked for driftwood.

The next morning we headed out early on the Oregon Coast Trail. It was wet with the morning mist and we got soaked up to our knees.

The Whaleshead viewpoint was cool.

We drove up to Gold Beach and visited a myrtle wood store and watched a guy making a bowl.

Then we drove up the Rogue River to the Shrader Old Growth Trail. It was a mile long loop that was self guided.

Not much further on up a steep trail was the largest known myrtle tree in Oregon.

Tomorrow we head back to Central Point so we can go to church and hear Zachary's talk. It will be sad to say goodbye, but we're really excited for this chance for him to serve and know that he's worthy to do it.

I Want to Live the Gosepl

In Primary we are going to learn a song called "I Want to Live the Gospel." It goes:

I want to live the gospel, to know that its teachings are true,
To follow the plan of my Savior and live as he wants me to do.
I will try in all I do and say to live the gospel more each day.
I will try in all I do and say to live the gospel more each day.

It reminds me of a personal experience I plan to share with the children and I think I should share it with you too!

When I was about eleven or twelve I remember sitting up in our old apricot tree reading a book.

I liked to eat the apricots while I was reading! I remember how yummy they were.

The book I was reading was called "Added Upon" by Nephi Anderson. It was the first LDS fiction ever written. It is the story of a boy and girl who knew each other in the pre-existence, before they came to earth. Then they came here and met, and the last chapters were about them after this life was over.

It was the first time I understood about the Plan of Happiness, that this life is just a small part of eternity where we come to earth to live by faith.

I remember a strong feeling came over me that I wanted to know what Heavenly Father wanted me to do so I could return to Him.  If I only knew what that was!

Later I realized I did know.  I had learned it in Primary.  I realized what he wanted was simply 5 things:

1.  Have faith in him and his son, Jesus Christ.
2.  Repent of our sins (which we all need to do)
3.  Be baptized
4.  Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and let it guide us
5.  Endure to the end (or don't ever stop living the Gospel)

I hope I can do that!