Journal August 2, 2009

We went to Utah Lake yesterday. It was so great. It was the first time I was on the lake this year. I also went to Jacki’s and took Jackson with me yesterday morning for Logan’s birthday party (he turned 3 yesterday). Then Jackson and I met up with dad, Mindi and Dave and kids at the lake. I brought lunch from Wendy’s with me, of course they messed up the whole order. I ordered 4 grilled chicken club sandwiches, two regular and two without mayo, they came as fried chicken clubs on three of the orders and one spicy chicken no club. I didn’t check them at Wendy’s and it was too late to do anything about them on the lake. But it was still fun.

My hair is growing slowly. It has so many curliques that it looks a lot shorter than it is. I mostly go without my wig around the house. But I have an added bonus of more hair growing on my face. I feel like the bearded lady in the circus. Jack says it isn’t that bad but I don’t feel very beautiful. But oh well, I am happy to be alive.

This was catch up week for me because we have been gone so much this last month. So I was mostly in my office all week. I had been working on sending packages to Jon, Jess, Jett, Ben, Jordan and Bradon. I finally got them all ready and mailed Friday. I bought Jon and his friends matching ties. I thought it would be way cool if they chose a day each month to wear the tie to remind them of their friendship and the great unity of serving together as missionaries throughout the world. A little hokey I know, but I still wanted to do it. It made me happy to think of them doing it so even if they don’t I will be happy thinking they are.

My lesson today for Sunday School class (I teach the 12-14 year olds) is on Peace in Troubled Times. The scripture reference is Ephesians 6: 10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

My favorite quote in the lesson is from Prophet George Albert Smith. He gave this promise to church members to remember in troubled times. “There are two influences in the world. The one is the influence of our Heavenly Father and the other is the influence of Satan. We can take our choice which territory we want to live in, that of our Heavenly Father or that of Satan. There is a line of demarcation, well defined. On one side of the line is the Lord’s territory. On the other side of the line is the devil’s territory. If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line, you are perfectly safe, because the adversary of all righteousness cannot cross that line.”
Then my lesson ends with these profound and true words. This world increasingly challenges our faith in God and our standards of righteousness. If we would be able to stand, as Paul says, we must prepare now by wearing the armor of righteousness. With it we can move forward knowing that all will be well. Our righteousness will bring us peace even in the midst of troubled times. So, there you go. Wonderful words from a Prophet and so needed today.

I am trying to set up a time to go to the lake with friends and family. I need to go up to Jordanelle and Deer Creek and see if I can see an area where people can hang out while they are waiting for turns to ride the boat. We use to do this all the time a Flaming Gorge. We would load up food, chairs, games etc for the day. The difference is that there were lots of beach areas where you could bring the boat right up to where you were hanging out and so it was easy to trade people in and out of the boat and everyone still had fun even if they weren’t in the boat.


I know this church is true. I am so thankful to have to missionaries out in the world sharing this glorious news. I love my family so much. I love my Savior and I am so thankful for the atonement, for the opportunity we have to repent and try harder to live as Heavenly Father wants us to. I have so many blessings, so much in my life. I sometimes feel like I want to sing/shout right out loud with the joy of it all (sometimes I do when no one is around because that would be embarrassing if someone heard me shouting for no reason). I want to try harder to stand for righteousness, to wear the armor of God, to be part of the Lord’s territory at all times.