We Know Better

This evening, Jane and I took Angus out for a walk in the green fields

to visit Christian, who was outside working with the cows.

We talked about dating, boys, and her plans to cook 

through her Pinterest board this summer. 

We also discussed how to stay strong and 

trust God when things don't go as planned.

We both have friends who have chosen different paths taking them 

away from God, and sometimes,

it seems like there is no difference between choosing God

and choosing the world.  In fact, sometimes it seems like

choosing the world is easier.

But we know better.

We know there is power, protection, and peace in having a

covenant relationship with God.

We have seen it.

We have felt it, and we choose to live it every day.

Jane has become one of my best friends, 

bringing her positive light and love into my life.

Her perspective is bright and optimistic. 

She has faith, and she believes and trusts God.

I love her quick wit and calm (and often spicy) demeanor.

It's a different season when daughters become more like friends-

that you buy toothpaste and favorite granola bars for.

Upon returning home, I discovered four ticks 

on my jeans and two under my shirt. 

Jane had three on her as well. I dread tick season.

Here is my favorite talk from Jane's stake conference talk last week:

"I am a substitute teacher, and on Friday, I substituted for

 a math teacher who was very obviously Christian. 

He had choir music printed out on his desk, and scriptures scribbled on sticky notes.

 I didn't meet or speak to him directly, but he inspired me, 

and I copied out one of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon, 

Jesus Christ’s own words, and left it on his desk along with the

 address of the chapel and what time we meet on Sundays. 

The great thing about the Savior's instruction to 

‘preach the gospel to every creature’ is that it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. 

My sticky note scripture sure wasn’t, but it was an invitation to come unto Christ. 

Jesus is always the answer. Jesus is the universal language.

 He bridges gaps in age, culture, and life experiences. 

This is why I share the gospel."

A Ray Of Light

After General Conference earlier this month, 

and around the dinner table, our family shared

with each other, our favorite talks, and the inspiration we received.

Jane told us her favorite talk was one called 'Pillars and Rays,'

by Elder Alexander Dushku.

It was a beautiful talk about God's light and our personal relationship with Him.

We learned that Elder Dushku also served his mission in Lisbon, Portugal.

I thought Jane was going to cry; she felt so connected.

A few days later, Jane was asked to speak at the Sunday session of stake conference

and was overwhelmed and excited when she heard Elder Dushku

was going to be visiting our conference!

She was asked to share her talk about missionary work and her

dedication and love in those 18 months of her life.

Elder Dushku and his wife, Jennifer, had a lovely visit with Jane

and our family.  We all felt so honored.

It was a tender mercy for Jane to have this experience.

I also shamelessly name-dropped Elder Oliver Nielson as an eligible 

suitor in nine months for one of the Dushku daughters.

(Did I really do that?)

On Saturday, Jane, Christian, and I attended the two-part adult session

 and met Gigs and Lottie

in the park next to our church building in between sessions for dinner.

We sat in the back of the car, eating our favorite veggie burgers.

Next to the gas can.  

Yummy.

"May we recognize and receive His glorious light and then choose 

Him over the darkness of the world—always and forever."

-Elder Alexander Dushku

Listen

 

This morning, after waking up, I went into Lottie's room to make sure

her alarm had gone off, and she was getting up.

When I opened the door, she was wide awake in her room, 

immediately telling me to "shush."

Then she said, 

"Listen."

So I did, and I heard music playing.

I looked at her, and she nodded to me.

"Do you know what this is?" She asked.

"No, what?" I asked.

"It's Taylor Swift's new album," She replied.

"Oh, that's so cool," I said.  "It came out? How is it?"

"I'm only on the second song, and they sound the same

but that happened with Midnights, too.  It will get better."

She said to me while getting out of bed.

I think that Taylor Swift has a distinctive style.

And some may argue that her songs sound the same.

 (I'm one of them, sometimes).

But the truth is, each song is interesting to listen to,

with artful words and emotions.

Despite not identifying as a 'Swiftie,' I must confess that 

I genuinely like her music and appreciate her talent.

On our way to school, I couldn't help but snap a quick pic

of Lottie taking a photo of the car display. 

You see, Taylor's new songs were playing, 

and it just felt like a moment worth remembering.

Maybe for posterity's sake.

Then my friend Camille sent me a photo of Lottie

at the school awards ceremony, where Lottie was recognized for

good grades.  

I had no idea about this and felt like a bad mom for not going.

But good job, Punny!

Cuddling

 This morning, I checked on Claire in Africa on Google maps.

She's currently living on the beach, 

saving lives and cuddling babies.

Go, Claire, Go!

Brothers On Maps

 This afternoon, I used Google Maps to find the hospital

 in Ghana, where Claire has been working. 

It's been incredibly inspiring to hear how much she's been loving 

her time there, assisting in surgeries and providing wound care 

to patients using the skills she learned at the Arizona Burn Center. 

Later, I took a trip down memory lane with Lod and showed 

her on Maps all the houses our family has ever lived in.

It was so lovely to recall all the beautiful memories we shared 

together in Utah, Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico, and North Carolina. 

We had such an amazing time in each of those places!!

Then she asked me to go to Umi and Grampa's house in Provo.

I discovered my dad's image on the camera outside while 

he was pulling a hose to water the flower pots near the garage.

But on closer look, I've concluded that he's cleaning

out his car and hosing down the mats.

This is because I can see the 1980s vacuum propped up against

the house, and there is only one reason why the vacuum is outside.

To clean the car, right?

I should be a detective.

I felt a sting of homesickness.

I miss my dad. 

I miss Provo, but in my mind,  Provo is still as glorious as it was
when I lived there. It's different now.

 I need to brace for the change I'll be met with when

we drop Claire and Jane off for school this fall.

I love that Google Maps captured a photo of my dad working on his lawn, 

wearing a BYU football shirt, with Marley, the dog - resting peacefully

 under the front yard tree. I can also see the pumpkins on the front porch, 

probably the ones he grew out back for the grandkids. 

I only wish I could have seen my mom, 

who was probably inside reading a book under the fan.

(PS...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY, MOM!)

I visited my brother Matt's house, where I grew up. 

While on the way, I "drove" past my best cousins 

Jayne and Katie's house- they lived just across the street from us.

I noticed that my Uncle Dave, who is my dad's brother, 

was outside mowing the lawn at his house. 

He stopped to wave at the Google car as it drove by.

I love "Uncle Brother Dave," as my kids called him when they were young.

After finding the Clark brothers on Google Maps,

 I texted Lucy, my mom, cousins Katie, Jayne, and Aunt Lisa

 (who is Dave's wife), all of whom still live in Provo.

 It was a fun way to reminisce about growing up in 

Provo and share other unforgettable memories.

He Is Patient As They Grow

I have a few concerns regarding the current state of affairs

such as job security, inflation 

(like my deodorant costing $8 - are you kidding me?),

and the conduct of certain officials in positions of power. 

Here are a few things I am not worried about in the country:

Claire:

Jane:

Oliver:

Nicholas:

Charlotte:

I love these kids so much.

They are amazing people who have lived amazing little lives

 and are doing amazing things. 

 "The youth today are among Heavenly Father’s most noble spirits...

 They were born in these days to gather Israel through their powerful 

witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He knows each one of 

them and knows their great potential. He is patient as they grow. 

He will redeem and protect them. He will heal and guide them.

He will inspire them."

-Michael T. Nelson

 

Stillestead At Dusk

Tonight, we went for a stroll to check on the cattle 

who are now at the edge of the pasture, furthest from the house.

 Christian has divided the pastures into sections and rotates the

 cows about every three days throughout about 50 acres of land. 

It's good for the cows, and it's good for the land. Spring is so 

beautiful here, and it smells so good; earthy, fresh, and clean.

We followed each other along the trail while 

Angus jumped in and out of the woods next to us, living his best life. 

I think I was living my best life, too.

At 7:34, I took a photo as we started 

out on our little family walk. 

This is what it looked like at 8:01:

True Sib Love Always

Tonight, after dinner we sat around enjoying the evening

until Lottie announced she had

homework that she had "forgotten about." 

So, while Christian and Lod finished up a few math problems,

 (homework on Sunday night around 10:00

at my house is just a typical Sunday activity.  Sadly.)

I cleaned up dinner and started making lunches for Monday.

Then, we had family scripture study and family prayer.

Just before we said our goodnights and before we all went to our separate rooms,

 I pulled up a photo taken 17 years ago of Gigs and Jane together on my phone. 

 Gigs, 6 months, Jane, 4, when we lived in Mesa, Arizona. (2007)

We all had a good laugh.

Jane stopped growing at 5'3, and Gigs is still 

sprouting up over 6 feet!

But he'll always be the younger, taller brother,

and she'll always be the shorter, older sister.

 

Make A Difference

We dropped Claire off at the airport for her  

16-hour flight to Accra to be a part of a medical mission,

Ghana Make a Difference

She's going to fly into Ghana a day before her group so she can 

visit and serve in the temple before she leaves for the hospital

to start working.

GO, CLAIRE, GO!

She left her roller skates at home.

 

Run In The Blood

 For Lottie's birthday, we gave her horse lessons,

 and today was her first lesson!

She's a natural!  

Her horse, Baylee, was such a gentle sweetheart 

(and 30 years old! Perfect for first-time lessons!)

I didn't want to be a helicopter mom, but I also wanted to watch her as she

saddled the horse, ride, rise & post, and learn proper horse commands.

So I hid in the bushes.  

Just this first lesson.

I LOVED horse lessons as a young girl (about the same age as Lod).

And I LOVED my instructor, Candace; she was college-age, calm, and fearless,

and I consider her one of my greatest mentors.

She had a way of making me feel good about myself, 

and the way I worked with my horse.

Candace prepared me to show in competitions, 

and that was such a cool chapter of my life.

I want Lottie to feel this same confidence in herself.

Her instructor, Megan,

is just as fearless and wonderful as Candace was to me

and I think Lod will love it.

Besides, horses run in our blood: