Here is what I have been up to today! Yum!
Alisa and I were assigned to make 100 chocolate covered strawberries for our Standards Night for Young Women tonight. I thought they would take forever, but it went really fast and they turned out great! The secret was adding a little Crisco to the melting chocolate—I read that online. And I used Ghirardelli Chocolate chips. I mixed equal parts semi-sweet with milk and I thought it was the perfect blend.
There is a giveaway going on! Not from me, but from one of my favorite designers, Elizabeth Kartchner. I like her Dear Lizzy line and her blog is fun to browse.
She has a fun new book from her signature series. It looks like it is packed with fun ideas. Check it out!
We made a weekend trip to St George to attend a wedding. Mickenna and Greg were married in the temple on Friday. We are so excited for them. It was a beautiful sealing and fun to spend time with family again. We drove Thursday and went to Cedar City to see “Les Miserables”, which was fantastic. It has been a few years since we have seen it performed live and I was in heaven.
Friday morning was spent at the temple,
with a family lunch after. We spent the afternoon swimming at the hotel with many family members who decided to stay another night before heading home like we did. I was so glad that worked out and we could spend more time together.
Saturday we returned home. It is hard to believe that summer is so close to an end. School is back in session, vacations are over…now we just need cooler temperatures!
Once again, I am posting my monthly collage before all of my entries are written and posted for the month. Seems I am falling further and further behind!
July was a great month for us. We were able to spend time with family, visit new and familiar sites, celebrate Kelly’s birthday and enjoy the beginning of monsoon storm season.
If you want to join in on the monthly photos go here!
This time around in my study of the Book of Mormon, I have learned to have so much love for Alma. I know it is because I have learned so much from Alma. I am speaking of Alma the Younger, although over time, father and son became so much alike, it is hard to distinguish them. Alma is impressive-such faith and sacrifice-his example has not been lost on me in previous study. I just think I have been able to see deeper meanings, applicable to my life. Last year, I remember really “feeling” his yearning as a parent. This time, I see what to do about those yearnings. I may have to add to my list in the future, since I still have more time with him in the pages to come, but I wanted to get these things written down, more cemented in my mind.
First, the Atonement-the hope, breadth and width of Christ’s sacrifice. I don’t understand how it works, yet I know it does work. It reaches everyone. There is nothing that the Atonement won’t cover-be it sin, transgression, weakness, or trial or pain. Alma not only experiences the atonement in his own life but he teaches of its’ power so eloquently. No wonder people were moved to action after hearing his testimony.
Next, the power of the word of God. Alma believes that the word of God is able to change people so completely that he gives up the judgment seat to go and teach the people. Someone, like myself, may think that the position of power would be the best way to help others. But no matter how clear your motives are, or how much you love someone, you can’t force anyone to choose the right. There is no law that can rule the heart. You may put people in submission, but you can’t change their heart. As a parent or leader, I think that remembering that truth is vital.
Lastly, at least for now, is the power of the Holy Ghost. His life was changed after a visit from an angel. Yet, whenever he speaks, especially when asked about how he knows what he is teaching, he always answers that he studied, prayed and even fasted to know the truth and that the Holy Ghost testified to him. He doesn’t even add his experience with angel, as further explanation. We see time and time again when the Lord has answered prayers miraculously and yet the people still fall away. So that is not a guarantee. Alma, just like all of us, know that not everyone is going to get a visit from an angel, so there has to be a way for everyone to gain a testimony. I love that I can know for myself. Through effort on my part and the power of the Holy Ghost I can know the truth so deeply that it changes me and how I live.
On the way home, we stopped a few times to get out and stretch our legs and see some interesting sites. Along the road we stopped to get pictures of the beauty that we witnessed as we drove—some amazing rock formations and scenery.
We stopped in
Monticello to se the temple there
We stopped in Bluff when we spotted some historical sites as we drove through. We found this fort and this great old home built in the 1890’s.
Today was the day we were supposed to drive home, arriving at a decent hour, so that we were ready for church and work the next week. But then someone mentioned “repelling” and “slot canyon” in the same sentence and all the pre-determined plans were forgotten. How do you pass up an opportunity like that? Besides, Maryn had missed most of the excitement we had been having. So…Kelly and Maryn went with Andrew, Becky, Evan and Megan to this fun adventure!
I wasn’t there but here is the story—mostly in pictures!
Hiking in and finding the hole.
Beginning the descent.
Enjoying the day.
Andrew, our selfless guide for the weekend
I guess it is technically day 2, we just started earlier than the rest of the family! Anyway,
Maryn and Megan arrived late in the night, but we were so excited to finally be all together. There was some technical difficulties in getting everyone to the same activity, so the families split up a bit. We decided to go to Arches National Park.
What an amazing place. Heavenly Father’s creations are truly magnificent!
We found a heart fossil and what looks like the beginning of an arch!
There are our peeps in the arch…
our peeps up close!
Kelly and the VanO’s at the arch
Day 2 of the Hillman Family Reunion was a family float trip down a slower portion of the river. We had several kayaks, singles and
doubles and one large raft, for the smaller folks. There were a few spots with fun rapids that made your heart beat a bit faster, but for the most part it was just a relaxing, slow ride that took most of the day. It was hot, so what better way to spend the day than in the water, floating by beautiful scenery with your family?
The big kids had fun tipping their kayaks and 
rode them upside down most of the way. Everyone traded in and out of kayaks, partners and even out of the big raft once and a while. Sam loved the kayak and was excited to show off his skills, as did Beth and Annie. 
About half way, we stopped for lunch at a resort, for a much needed break. It felt good to walk on solid ground and stretch our legs a bit. Once we filled our bellies and water bottles, re-sunscreened everyone, 
we were ready to go again. It was quite a sight to see all of us lined up on the dock with our kayaks. When did we get to be so large in numbers?
