In sacrament meeting this morning several people gave reports on the Stake Youth Trek which was held this week in the hills near Vernon.
Jace loved his family and had a great experience. They even had a family cheer as they gathered in a circle and put their families in the middle and shouted, "Go family!"
Ty was pioneer Peter McBride and told about his experiences. His said his family was chaotic. Peter McBride was a 6 year old when he crossed the plains and his father died.
Macy was impressed with one of the girls on the trek who got run over by a cart and kept going and never complained.
Brother Nichols was a pa. He said he was proud of the youth in this stake. Holly, from our ward, got blisters on her feet the first day and never complained. He said that the wagon master, Brother John W., was brutal. He called one of the more difficult hills, John's Revenge.
Brother Wilhelm said that this is indeed a choice generation.
Sister Nichols said they walked 30 miles and she loved when they sang, "Nearer My God to Thee."
Layne H. said he learned that working together makes work easier.
Finally it was time for the high councilman, Brother Wright to speak. He reminded us that the gospel does matter in our lives. He told the story of his parents who came from broken families and did not grow up with the gospel. When the missionaries taught them they embraced it. We need to strengthen and unify our families and all members. He said an indication of unity was seen on the trek this week among the 170 youth who participated.
Brother Smith taught Sunday School. The lesson was Old Testament #23, "The Lord Be Between Thee and Me For Ever."
It was the story of Jonathan, David and Saul. Brother Smith focused on how the gospel helps us in our relationships. It was a great lesson.
Sister Grapp taught Relief Society. The lesson was based on Elder Cook's conference address, "Prepared to Meet God." I felt like the lesson went very well and we had a good discussion. Elder Cook says that the Church's three-fold mission is based on Moses, Elias, and Elijah visiting the Kirtland Temple.
First Moses appeared and committed the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, which is missionary work.
Second, Elias appeared and committed the keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, which includes the restoration of the Abrahamic covenant. President Russell M. Nelson has taught that the purpose of the covenants keys is to prepare members for the kingdom of God. He said: "We know who we are and we know what God expects of us."
Third, Elijah appeared and committed the keys of the sealing power in this dispensation, which is family history and temple ordinances enabling salvation for the living and the dead.
There are, under the direction of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, three executive councils at Church headquarters that oversee these divinely appointed responsibilities based on the keys that were restored in the Kirtland Temple. They are the Missionary Executive Council, the Priesthood and Family Executive Council, and the Temple and Family History Executive Council.
After sacrament meeting we had the youth help us distribute the cookies to all of the men in the congregation. We had plenty so we let the young men have some too.
On the way home from church I went with James to take bless the sacrament for Sister Peeler. Brother and Sister Peeler and Brother and Sister Smith were waiting for us when we got there. Brother Smith blessed the bread and James blessed the water. It was a very sacred and spiritual experience. We all gave Sister Peeler a hug and she had tears in her eyes. She is in an extreme amount of pain from bulging disks in her back and a compression fracture in her back.
I miss seeing her at church so much.
Darrel, Trina and the kids only stayed for sacrament meeting.
I love this family with all my heart!
After lunch and a couple of Razr rides, we went over to the Howard's to see their horses. Ruby wanted to say hello to Pepper, the pony she rode last year. Pepper was in a pen with his wife and one other Shetland pony. His wife is expecting.
There were two baby filly's, one two weeks old and one six days old. They were so cute. Another mare, Mirage, Moai's mom, is due any day.
Bull was walking around with us, Chocolate, and the twins, Solo and Eyore were in a pen next to Pepper and the girls. Moai was down at the other barn and a new mare was in a pen by herself.
I think Rowan enjoyed the dogs, Molly and Mya, as much as he did the horses. Ruby spent most of her time with Pepper.
Ruby renewing her friendship with Pepper
while the girls look on.
Brother Howard and the gang visiting
Chocolate, Eyore, and Solo.
Rowan and Kreed felt bad that the dogs were
in cage. They liked Molly, the shaggy one
the best. Mya, the Alaskan Husky, was a
little more spirited and I think a little jealous
that the boys were giving Molly so much attention.
Bull and Lola saying hello to one of the babies.
I guess Molly renamed Bull, Oreo when she was
here last year. Brother Howard says the horses don't
get named right away. They have to earn their names.
The kids all wanted to know what the babies' names
were.
Grandpa and Lola visiting Mirage who is about
to deliver any day now.
Mirage loved all of the attention. When the girls
would stop petting her, she would stick her head
through the bars and look at them. She especially
liked Kayla.
So cute. I want one!
Is this an acceptible Sunday activity?
We had strawberry cake and brownies for dinner. Lola and I played bowling and some people watched TV or played games. Uno seems to be a favorite on this trip.
James helped Rowan to set a trap to catch one of the bunnies.
We all had family prayer together.
Those are Darrel's feet you see on the back of
the couch.
Lola wanted to make sure that grandpa knew that
grandma is the boss of the cabin.
I made cookies for Talon who
is going to Washington to work
for the summer.
The Allen family children at the
Cardston, Alberta temple.
Jackson, who is in our ward and
getting ready to serve a mission in
the Philippines, got his endowments
on Saturday. His sister lives in Alberta.
