Why Me? Why Not Me?

Several months ago I was asked to be the Stake 4th year leader for Girls Camp which means a two-day backpacking hike of about 10+ miles on the Butterfly Trail, Mt. Lemmon. I thought it was rather humorous that they would feel inspired to ask a 60+ year old sister to do so. Of course I said, "oh, yes, I would love to; this will be fun!" I haven't done a lot of backpacking, but I do feel confident in my hiking abilities, you know, "just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving," and that will get you anywhere! Up the trail, down the road, through a trial.

Today, Friday, a few of us, Bishop MaGee (priesthood leader and hiker extraordinaire), Caryn (Stake Camp Director), Julie and Jana (Stake YW Presidency), Wendy and Leslie (3rd year leaders who stayed with us just as far as the 3rd year hike went), and me hiked this trail, only we didn't do the loop of 10+ miles that I will do with the girls, we hiked about 6 miles from one trailhead to another. I'm tired. It is a tough trail, a lot of going up, up, up, and a little going down, down, down. I wasn't carrying a 35 pound pack today, only a 3 pound day pack. We saw breathtaking views of Tucson, as well as the other side of the mountain looking towards San Manuel. There are still visible results of the 2002 fire, but Mother Nature is doing her job and has filled the forest with green ferns, flowering trees, wild strawberry plants, and much more. It was peaceful and serene.

Even with all its beauty I am concerned. I have stewardship for nearly 30 fifteen year old girls. Physically, am I capable of doing this? These young women will need my love, my care. How can I possibly strengthen these youth when I will be concentrating on putting my own one foot in front of the other with a 30 pound pack on my back? Deep breath, Linda. I have faced trails and I have faced trials before (it's more than coincidence these two words are similar in spelling). I can do this, but not alone, daily I will need spiritual help, as in all the trails or trials I have met.

The Happy Hikers

Can you see the wild turkey? We saw three!

We had lunch at this little spring.

Indian paintbrush is my favorite mountain flower, and can you see the cactus growing out of a rock!

Caryn is standing behind a jet engine that fell from an aircraft flying overhead many years ago.

Rick is standing among a field of ferns.

Could this be my "sacred grove?"

Halfway through the hike and still alive!

The Next Piece of the Puzzle

The wood floors were put in this week after spending hours and hours last week (and a boat load of cement dust all over everything) taking out the tile. I liked my tile floors, but since we knocked down some walls which left a few bare spots we had to make a change because that kind of tile isn't made anymore! So, all we have left to do on the remodel is the back splash, stove hood, baseboard, and finish the lighting. Oh, and a little paint. I must admit I do love cooking in my kitchen! Gee, and it's only been 10 months since the tornado ripped our roof off!

Angels and Demons

Because of all the hype about the movie Angels and Demons I thought I had better read the book before I went to see the movie. I read The DaVinci Code by the same author and saw the movie, but didn't have much of an interest in reading the pre-quel, too many other books to read. It was good--very intriguing, clean (very little swearing), full of action, and a suprise ending. Now I'm ready to see the movie.

What I Did With the Church Magazines

My Project

I really appreciated all the suggestions to my perplexing question--"should I keep the church magazines or should I recycle them?" As I was contemplating what to do, I remembered all the yummy recipes in The Friend, the thought provoking Mormon Ads in The New Era along with great original music. And of course I wanted to keep the conference issues of the Ensign. So I spent many hours going through each magazine cutting out the Kitchen Kraft pages, along with any music I could find in the children's magazine and The New Era, and the Mormon Ads. I put those in sheet protectors, and I now have three notebooks full of wonderful stuff. Plus I have 39 Ensign magazines with talks by prophets, seers, and revelators! Perhaps I should take this project one step further and give the notebooks away as gifts. Maybe someday...

HELP!!!

A Carload of Ensign, New Era, and The Friend Magazines

I was taking my 20+ years worth of church magazines to the DI pod when I started feeling guilty for doing so. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR OLD CHURCH MAGAZINES?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Nick and Linda Goodman Family
1987

Mother's Day for some reason has never been one of my favorite days. I'm sure it is because of my expectations--you know, it's all about me! I could spend a lot of time sharing my thoughts about motherhood, being a woman, etc., etc., but I won't. I'll save that for another day. I just want to wish ALL of you a very good day, and tell you how much I admire you for what you do in your lives. I love reading each and every post you write. I learn from you; I'm a better person because of you!

Look What I Ran Into Today!

Isn't this a gorgeous desert creature? I didn't take this picture, but I did get some pictures with my phone of the one I saw on the Wild Mustang trail in the Tortolitas about halfway through my hike today. I came upon a black and pink gila monstor sunning himself on a big boulder. It is always such a gift to see something unusual out on the trail. Another unusual thing I saw on the trail today was not one other soul the whole 12 mile loop I was hiking. The reason for such a long hike--I'm trying to get in shape for the girl's camp 4th year backpacking hike I'm doing in June! More details on that later.


Last night I watched a favorite, feel good family movie, " Where the Red Fern Grows." One of the best parts is where a young boy and his two faithful hunting hounds have treed their first raccoon. The only problem is the tree is huge. The situation is the master has to chop the tree down, then the hounds attack the raccoon and they have raccoon soup for supper. The boy soon begins to realize it’s going to be a very big job. After awhile he is resting against the tree when his family finds him and tells him it’s time to go home. I think he has actually been there all night. He says he can’t go home because he had promised his dogs if they treed a raccoon he would do the rest. His ma insists he go home. He says he can’t. So his pa brings an ax from the wagon. Billy continues to chop at the tree for many more hours. He finally puts the ax down, looks up into the heavens and says, “I’ve done my part, can’t you help me a little and do the rest?” With help from a breeze that just happens to begin blowing, it is enough to cause the tree to come crashing down along with the unsuspecting raccoon. I love this part. Because I am learning that I am expected to sweat and toil first at whatever I am trying to accomplish whether it be to overcome a bad habit, repair a broken relationship, carry a heavy burden or anything else before the Lord will extend his hand to strengthen me. Although he may want to, some of my prayers cannot be answered how or when I want them to be even if they are desired good. My preparation and growth is the given good. But I can be strengthened and my burdens will be made light.