Shine On

Our youth got their shine on this week as they attended youth conference at Temple Square.

So proud of these kids.

"Arise and Shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations." D&C 115:5

My dream vacation...

...would be to spend weeks touring the southwest and see as many petroglyphs as I can.  I've been told it would take decades.  I aim to find out.

I am drawn to these carvings.

A friend invited me over to see some on her families private property this morning.  I saw some shapes and symbols that I've never seen before.

The more I see, the more I realize how we really don't know as much as we think we do.

Precious to these particular locals, was wildlife.  More then half of the images I saw were versions of deer, antelope, or sheep of some kind.

Thanks MZ for taking me on a trip back in time.  Got in a mini vacay this morning.

Anxiously Engaged

Anxiety comes and goes in waves for me.

With no rhyme or reason to it's madness, it appears suddenly and then withdraws just as it arrived...through the back door of my sanity.

I spent the entire last night dreaming of a hike from yesterday.  I've gotten myself so worked up over it and other insignificant details of the day that I practically woke in a frenzy.  Who does that?  Who takes something so wonderful and twists and analyzes it until it becomes a frayed disaster?
Well, me.

I've about worried myself to death on some other unrelated an petty matters as well.

And then I woke to the horrific news of last night.

Now, I pretty much think we should all never leave our house ever again.

But something good can come from all this anxiety.  I can use it to anxiously engage my thoughts and prayer for those who have suffered and lost much.

"Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God.  A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, ANXIOUS to bless the whole human race."
Joseph Smith, 1840

It's okay to be anxiously engaged....just channeled for good.

God bless this nation, in spite of ourselves.

All In A Week

I need to get some photos on here for my blog book.  I don't think we're taking any 'vacations' this summer but I think we'll count a quick trip up north this year.  We saw a lot of people in a short time.

It's funny, because all of my pictures always involve being outside and 95% of the time we're hiking.

While in SLC, we made a mad dash for the hills above U of U with Chris and Kris and their littles.  We visited the "living room", where barcaloungers are replaced with chaises made of stone.  Actually quite comfy.  Maggie the sheepdog came too.  And what hike is complete without a squirt of water from Uncle Boyd?

And then we rushed home and two of our nephews came to visit us in Dixie.  They both really wanted to climb Angel's Landing.  Two attempts were made this week and both times the hike was closed so one day they settled for Hidden Canyon. 

And one night Beau and Bridger Koolaid dyed their hair.  

While Lola watched from her kennel.

And the morning of the second attempt on Angel's Landing we stumbled upon these bucks hanging out near the Zion's Visitor Center.

And we made our way out of the park with another plan in mind for an adventure.

On our drive over the mountains to Kanarraville, Boyd saved a sheep.

Collin watched a Golden Eagle devouring her lunch of cottontail rabbit.

And then we finally accomplished the mission we set out for....hiking Kanarraville Creek.

And then we all went into mourning when the boys went home right afterwards.  Bridger is missing her besties.

And peppered throughout the week, I hiked a few days with Desert Cliffs. My Solomon shoes and I go everywhere together.  

And today we have rain! The desert smells so incredibly yummy. Someday, someone will develop a smell-o-vision app to add to our photos.

I'm grateful for every opportunity I have to do the things I love so much. Road tripping, family, friends on the trail...all make for a perfect week.

This Land Was Made For You and Me