Blessed

This morning as I was driving to work I was grumbling because it's getting darker in the morning and that means that summer is really over and I really hate driving with headlights shining in my eyes. Anyways, as I get on the freeway I look up towards the mountains and I see one of the most beautiful sunrises. The clouds were all pink and orangey (sunrises and sunsets are about the only time that I really like the color pink). I have learned to recognize that the time I feel the Spirit the strongest is in nature and through music. So I turn my radio down and I just take in this beautiful sunrise. Then it hits me. I start thinking about all that I am blessed with.

This year Jon and I have truly been blessed. We have a home that we can be proud of. Sure, it's not a big home and we wish we had more land but it's ours and we have don't have to stress each month over our mortgage payment. I can open my pantry or fridge and there is plenty of food there and even little splurges of treats. We have cars that are in working order. We both have wonderful jobs that we enjoy. I could go on and on listing our many blessings but I won't.

Then as I'm thinking about all these blessings I recognize that they come from the Lord. I know that we have been blessed financially because we have been faithful in paying our tithing and we have also really strived this year to follow the counsel of our church leaders to get out of debt. Besides our house I would say our debt is small but even so it is amazing the peace of mind and freedom that comes as you get out of debt. I know that if we are faithful tithe payers the Lord will take care of us. Bad things may come our way but we will be given the necessities we need to relieve our burdens.

Here's to many more beautiful sunrises!

Boston

Last weekend Jon took off to visit his brother in Boston. Even though he wouldn't show it (you know how boys are), I knew Jon was really excited to hang out with his brother in Boston. He said he did a lot of walking and he came back with blisters to prove it. Besides the constant rain, the red eye flight and being squished on the plane by a rather large man he didn't have any complaints. I really hate being alone at night - I am such a scaredy cat. I am proud to say that I made it through the weekend without having to go stay at my parents house. Here are some highlights of his trip.

Some of the architecture - this building is supposed to be imploding on itself


And here lies the Boston Tea Party. Jon searched and searched for the Boston Tea Party and then he finally figured that this was it. Apparently it is being restored.


One of the cobblestone sidewalks. Girls, try walking on this in high heels. I couldn't do it - my ankles would be in bad shape


Look hard - there's a city kitty (aka rat) They are everywhere


One of the many churches


Jon hanging out on the coast


Evidence of the infamous Boston Bump


That is one little door


Puddles left over from the rainstorm

O'Keefe Campout

Every September Jon and I go camping with his parents up to the Uinta's. We have gone every year since we have been married. It is something I look forward to every year. It kicks off the fall season. This year we didn't get to camp as long as we normally do, but we still had a great time. Some of our wheelin' friends joined in the fun this year. It did rain on us, but that's expected as it rains every year. The best part was the fishing. Jon was catching them left and right. He probably caught at least thirty the whole weekend. I wasn't so lucky but I came away with eight, but I did loose about six lures. Good thing lures aren't that exspensive. Here are some highlights of our trip.

Just as soon as we pulled up a moose came out in the clearing and gave us a show


Jon's dad and I went out in the canoe and here he is with one of many fish he caught


Jon and Scott after their fishing excursion in the canoe


The others hung out on the dam to fish


Jon hiding from the camera


Jon's mom cooking us dinner


Jon with one of many fish that he caught


Me, with my beautiful fish

Canning

Despite all the work it takes I really do love canning. I really love it when you take the jars out of the pot and you hear the popping sound. This sweet sound tells me that it actually worked and my jars have sealed. This year I canned tomatoes and raspberry jam. Since I didn't plant any tomatoes this year I had to buy some. The one year I really need to can tomatoes is the year I don't plant any. Oh well that's how life goes. I spent a good part of the day last Saturday dedicated to canning. I made a mess of my kitchen and my feet were killing me for several hours later but it was worth it. I got 16 pints and 3 quarts of tomatoes and 10 pints of raspberry jam. I really love the sense of accomplishment that comes with canning. So here's some pictures of my accomplishment.


Before


My big mess


After

State Fair

It is tradition that Jon and I got to the State Fair each year with Jon's parents. I look forward to this every year. The animals are always fun to watch and pet. I also enjoy looking at all the crafts, food, pictures, etc. that people in our state submit. My mother-in-law and I were looking at the canned items and it was really interesting to see what people made. For example, geranium jelly (who knew you could do that and how do you make it), basil jelly (I can't imagine putting that on my morning toast), pickled watermelon rind (I would never think to do that with a watermelon rind), but there were also items that were a little more common like raspberry jam. Besides all the usual items you look for at the fair there is also the joy of people watching. That's a joy in itself. So here's my tribute to the Utah State Fair!

The sheep sleeping on each other


All the cows in a row - so well behaved


Here Bessie!


The goat is trying to escape


Jon petting a goat


Now that is one ugly chicken


This one was just singing away


Lop eared rabbit


One of the tigers from the India Tiger show


Cute little piglets


That is one big pig

LABOR-less Weekend

Labor Day Weekend Jon and I went down to St. George for a little fun in the sun. My parents have a timeshare down there and it was their week and since they weren't going to be down there till Sunday night (along with my sister Nancy) they invited us to use it for the weekend. It was nice to get away and just relax by the pool and play a little miniature golf. Our main reason for going was to scuba dive Sand Hollow Resevoir. This dive experience was much better than Blue Lake. We could actually see where we were going. Sand Hollow has a section roped off for just swimmers and this is where all the scuba divers go. In this section a local dive shop has sunk an airplane and then they also have an obstacle course which is pretty fun. We went with my sister Nancy and met up with our friends Steve and Tiffany. It was a great weekend and just nice to get away.

Here's a picture of the sunken airplane. This was taken about two years ago, now its covered with a green film.

Scuba Diving

Last night Jon and I along with some friends went to Blue Lake in Wendover to go scuba diving. This was the first time I had been since I certified. I was a little nervous about the whole thing. Blue Lake is a popular spot for divers as it is a warm spring fed lake and the water is pretty warm. We got in the lake and decided to go under. I think I descended too fast because I got down and my ear was in pain and I couldn't equalize it. So Jon and I went back to the surface. Our friends came up soon after we did and we all decided to swim towards the middle of the lake and then go down. The second time we went down I didn't have any problems equalizing.

The lake was so merky we couldn't see anything - not even five feet away. If no one has touched the botton of the lake and stirred up all the silt then the lake is usually clear. Not the case this time. I was a little scared of not being able to see anything. I clinged to Jon. Not letting go of him at all. I made sure one hand was always touching him. Since he is the more experienced diver I put my trust in him. And then this got me thinking about life. Many times I go through life thinking I can do everything on my own. When really I can't and I need to cling to my Heavenly Father and let him lead me. It was so easy for me to put my trust in Jon but it's not always easy to put my trust in the Lord. Probably because I'm stubborn and want things done my way. Something to work on I guess. We got home late last night but needless to say it was a fun trip and I can't wait to do it again.