Happy New Year!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the holidays.  Xela and Chris made a gingerbread house with all the candy trimmings.  And not one piece of candy has been eaten yet!  The frosting is so hard it's impossible to get any off.

We spent Christmas Eve with Nick Jr and his family.  The boys had fun wearing the new Santa suit Nick Jr got for Christmas.  Shouldn't every family own a Santa suit?

Chris and Xela

Xela and Samta Clause (Sam)

Samta Clause, and Jake Kringle

The week before Christmas I spent time with the El Paso grandsons teaching them new tricks!

Magnus learning a new skill.

Soren loves his Kanji dog

Mag the rock climber, and Soren the belayer!

I spent this day, December 31st, reading my 2010 journal. Lot's of ups and downs, disappointments, and tender mercies.  I noticed that the hardest days were those days when I wasn't pleased with myself, not those days that brought sadness from the "arm of flesh."  If my personal life is out of sync, like I'm not following goals, commitments, etc. then I have difficulty meeting other challenges head on with faith, with strength, with peace.  So my motto is:

 2010

I don't want to do again.

2011

  will be like heaven!   

My love to each and all of you.  You are remarkable, you are worthwhile, you are valuable! May 2011 be for you a bit of Heaven.

Merry Christmas!

HAPPY HOLYDAYS 

FROM THE NICK AND LINDA GOODMAN FAMILY

2010

Samuel Nicholas, age 6

Jacob Bear, age 3

Nick and Rachel's Boys  

Fountain Hills, AZ

Triathlon and Xterra Sport Coach, and Ironman

Dailan William, age 6, Soren Genson, age 21 mths, Magnus Nicholas, age 4

Gens and Nicci's boys

El Paso, Texas

Orthopaedic Surgeon, 2nd year resident

William Beaumont Army Medical Center/

Texas Tech University

Keira Jacalynn, age 8 months

Jorgen and Amy's little girl

Provo, Utah

Student at BYU-Provo

LIFE IS FULL OF DELIGHT, JOY, AND WONDER WITH SIX GRANDCHILDREN AND TWO MORE ON THE WAY!

Xela has planted roots in Arizona, changing lives at a boys' ranch as a therapist.  She completed her Masters in Social Work last Spring from ASU.

Anders lives in California where he's learning and growing.

Nick keeps taking care of his family in these extra-ordinary economic times.

Linda is a volunteer hospital chaplain, helps victims in the courts, and continues to run races!   

WE HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON IS THE BEST YOU'VE EVER HAD!

The Batmobile!

I'm in El Paso for another birthday.  Magnus turns four on December 15th, but we celebrated his birthday early because mom and dad went on a trip, and grandma is babysitting.  This is cheerful Soren to the left.  He will be two in March and for the most part is a happy boy.

The weather is gorgeous here, cooler than Tucson, but just as sunny and refreshing during the day.  I love sitting out on the winter grass (brown) watching the kids play in the sun.

Every party needs a pinata to make it complete.  Here is Dailan giving the star a good smack.  Unfortunately it didn't break on his turn, and he was a little disappointed, but after a couple of more children had their turn, the deed was done.  Candy went flying.

Gens and Nicci make friends so easily and readily.  Wherever they have lived they play host to many get togethers with friends and neighbors.  And plenty of kids.

Magnus on the left wanted a Batman birthday theme for his party.  We all tried to help this dream come true with Batman toys and decorations.  I drove over with a Batman cake which seemed to please this little masked superhero Magnus.

The funnest creation was the cardboard Batmobile I made!  I love doing research on the internet especially to find projects done by other moms and grandmoms.  I copied this as best as I could and it turned out quite nicely!  And it's still standing! 
  

Jake Bear's Birthday Car

Jacob Bear Goodman turned three years old in November.  The theme of his party was Lightening McQueen from "Cars."  I made him this little cardboard car he can get inside of and hold on to while he putt-putts around the house.  He loved it, and that made Grandma Tucson (their name for me!) feel so good.

Las Vegas vs. Las Vegas

I am in Las Vegas, Nevada for a business meeting with Nick.  We are staying at the Suncoast Casino located on the northwest side close to Red Rock.  I've always thought Las Vegas was an ugly place until the last time I was here and we had meetings at this same casino.  The near-by red rock mountains are really quite beautiful. 

Our meeting is four days long and one of those days is Sunday, today!  I decided that I was going to go to church while here because I knew I needed to and because of the World Wide Training this weekend.  I logged on to LDS.org to find the closest meetinghouse and the name of a Bishop I could call to find out when these meetings were going to be.  This morning was the World Wide Training and at noon they were holding their Red Rock Stake Conference.  

What a contrast to walk through the casino, drive two miles to the meetinghouse, and walk into the Stake Center.  For one thing the church smells a lot better, and another thing people at church look and probably are happier.

I attended two great meetings.  The new handbook clarifies and outlines many important aspects of the administration of a 14 million strong world wide congregation.  I loved President Monson's story about moving the chair being used to confirm a new member back to face the congregation after an older high councilman said he always faces the chair towards the temple!  President Monson was a Bishop at the time and knew that practices such as this could be interpreted the wrong way.  I had to borrow someone's handbook to look at since mine is being held in Tucson.  Can't wait to really peruse it.

A Youth Choir sang two songs beautifully for Stake Conference.  I was impressed and touched by the spirit as they sang a unique rendition of "Have I Done Any Good," and "This is the Christ."  The talks that followed were uplifting and spiritual, and if I felt I didn't measure up before the meeting, I felt better afterwards especially from hearing a talk by a member of the Stake Presidency who told the story of taking his elderly aunt white-water rafting.  After two or three #3 category rapids with water dripping off her face she turned to him and said "old age is not for sissies!"  He reminded us that "Life is not for sissies!"  I am not and I will not be a sissy!       

Writing for Therapy

I have been keeping a journal for many years, on and off since 1974, but consistently since 1999.  Journals help keep me sane.  And now I blog weekly as well as continue writing in my journal, almost daily.  For me journaling and blogging are therapy because I can and I try to express myself (spill my guts), to get those feelings on paper.

A few years ago, Nick, Anders and I helped Nicci and Gens move back to Erie, Pa.  Although Gens was in Texas for Army camp, so not much help there.  Before we even got to Wilcox, Arizona there was one thing after another that went wrong, and I don't do wrong very well.  I didn't want my daughter-in-law, their German Shepherd, or my grandson to think I was a shrew so I thought to myself, "the only way I'm going to get through this cross country move is to write things down everyday to vent my frustration."  It really worked.  I started laughing at all the crazy things that happened like U-Hauls breaking down, flat tires, smoking cars, pet dog dressed up like an ugly child to get into the motel, sitting in the back seat in a 6 inch square piece of seat for two thousand miles, etc.  I wrote, and I wrote.

I find blogging to be just as therapeutic and fun because I get to share with others what is going on in my life.  Perhaps sometimes I might say too much, but if my experiences can help another as well as me, then I will write.  I have started another blog.  It is a release from pain, and a way to try and figure things out.  It's not private and in fact I want others who may be in a similar situation to read it, make comments, and hopefully find some comfort.  But it does put me in a very vulnerable place.

So to any who may read "Linda Goodman's Blog of Good Gripes and Other Stuff" you are welcome to read childreninprison.blogspot.com.  And if you know anyone who is experiencing what I am, please give them the link so they can read or comment if they would like.  I do not want to use our family's name, nor will my profile be accessible.  

I want you to know how much I enjoy, learn, and grow from reading your blog posts.  They truly are inspirational.

   
. 

Doing Hard Things!

I got back home on Tuesday after spending time with my grandchildren in El Paso and in Fountain Hills. We had so much fun together celebrating a birthday, playing, and decorating Halloween cupcakes.

Gens and his mother, the Witch!

I was home for a couple of hours when the phone rang with bad news, the kind of news that makes a mother heartsick. I knew I had to do something or I would just feel sad, sad, and more sad.

Wednesday morning I took a friend on a hike in the Catalinas (love being out in the desert mountains, so cleansing) and Wednesday afternoon I congratulated new moms at the Women's Center, and visited a friend in the hospital. Thursday and Friday mornings I did my chaplain work at NWMC. This week there were a few patients who had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer who were seeking spiritual help and guidance. This "ministry" is so fulfilling, and even uplifting as I hope and work to bring comfort and peace through the spirit to those in need.

These were the easy things I did to feel better and make sense of the challenges in my life.

The hard thing was to run in a 10k race I hadn't trained for and dealing with a body that has been existing on fats and bad carbs for too long. But I had to do it. I had to get out there and sweat, feel pain, and work hard. And I did. I'm not sure, but I might have been one of the last to cross the finish line! I will admit I walked a lot.

The race was the 28th annual Oracle Run. Lot's of hills. (The picture to the right is me!)

I love running downhill, and I stink at running uphill. Right now my life is on an incline where I have to work hard to get to the top, but if I trust in the Lord, He has promised me that He will help me make it to the summit where I can then begin my descent, the validating part.

Families Should Be Forever!

Nick and Linda Goodman Family--1997

I sat and watched a civil case at Superior Court this week about a son who was counter-suing his mother who had sued him for $58,000. The law suit was for payment on a truck and money borrowed, and the counter-suit was for money the mother owed for work done by the son. They went back and forth, back and forth, when the judge finally said, "you need to take this out of court and sit down together as mother and son and work it out." Both sat in their seats shaking their heads like, "never!" I don't know what the outcome will be nor do I really care, but it sure got me thinking about the tragedy of this family being torn apart. There has to have been some time when this mother held her little baby boy, hugged her young son, and loved him. What happened?

I have seen other families being torn apart lately. I have a feeling that Heavenly Father is very sad when this happens. He is not pleased when mothers, fathers, children are at odds with each other, or when they are separated or separate themselves.

I met a young expectant mother of three whose husband was deported. I don't know where you stand on the immigration issue, but I know where I stood until I met her. This family should be together.

Divorce is running wild, even among the believers. No doubt some circumstances warrant this, but "can't we all just get along?"

I shared in my last post that the talks and spirit at General Conference chastened me. I searched the scriptures trying to find out why. One of the talks said if we want to be like Christ then we have to know who He is and what He says. I was prompted to read 3 Nephi which is about His visit to the Americas after the crucifixion. He teaches the people His new laws such as "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you." Also, "whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." And much, much more about loving, caring and forgiving each other.

I've certainly read this before, but there's new meaning in these "new laws." My experiences of late suggest that families must follow them if they are to succeed, and love each other the best way possible. Perhaps it begins with mothers and fathers.

The Refining Process

There was a story in the October Ensign about a young couple from Panama who were trying to get to the Guatemala Temple to be sealed for Time and All Eternity. If something could go wrong, it did, before and during their trip to Guatemala. The young man telling the story considered their experiences a "refining process."

I watched and listened to four sessions of General Conference this year. And as always it was wonderful, but this year I felt something different than I had in years past. I'm not sure why, if it's because of what I'm doing or not doing, or where I am in my life, but this year I felt "lacking"; I felt chastened. I'm still trying to figure this out by listening to the talks again, and reading the written word. I do appreciate the scripture: "For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth." Being refined is painful, but necessary for our greatest good.

Craftiness!

I apologize for the quality of these pictures, but my camera broke and I'm taking these with my phone. The lighting wasn't very good. I have been in a mood to create lately, so I thought I would share what I've been making.

I have had some harvest fabric for a long time and decided to make a couple of throw pillows to add festivity to our harvest home. The fabric pumpkins in front of the pillow are covered toilet rolls! They are cute, easy to make, and I love to decorate the house every fall with these fabric pumpkins. The pink splotch you see is a burp cloth. I found some flannel lying around in my fabric bin, got a pattern online, and voila! The white cloth is a dresser scarf with Halloween patches, glitter, and spooky characters that I painted. Not professional, but fun to do. Next is the beginnings of a crocheted scarf. I decided that I waste a lot of time just watching TV and should be productive so I re-learned how to crochet. The bag of granola next to the scarf is a homemade recipe without any oil, and I must say it is delish and much healthier than store bought.

This is Sam (1st grandson) and a little friend of his from his 6th birthday party--theme: robots. I made a robot for him out of cardboard boxes, added stuff and painted it silver. It was so fun to put together and has inspired me to be more creative with gifts to my grandkids.

I have added another dimension to the creativity and that is I'm giving everything away to others. This is not a noble act, it's just a fact that I don't need more stuff in my home, but I still want to feel that fulfillment of creating something. So who knows, you might be the recipient of a homemade craft from me!

Do you promise? Yes, I promise!

I have been thinking about promises lately.

I volunteer at Pima County Jail as an advocate for victims of crime. Within 24 hours of being arrested defendants appear before a judge who reads their case and determines if they will be released on their own recognizance, post bail, or stay incarcerated. If any victims show up to this video court, I let them know what their rights are as victims.

When I'm not talking to a victim I sit in the courtroom (if you want to call it that, it's actually a cafeteria/meeting room) and watch individuals on video camera from the jail while they talk to the judge who is sitting behind the judge's bench a few feet from the room I'm in.

The judge sometimes reminds the defendant that they didn't show up for a hearing that they had promised they would show up for, or he tells them when the next hearing is and he asks, "do you promise to show up?" At which they always reply, "yes sir, I promise I will show up." The judge makes sure they say they "promise." To me, it's almost like a joke.

Because of this exchange I assume saying you "promise" must mean something important. But I worry in today's world it doesn't mean much more than nothing. I've had discussions with those who think the "f" word is just a word, that it doesn't mean anything. Or perhaps even the word "love" doesn't mean anything.

I'm going to change that at least for myself. If I promise something--I will follow through. If I make a covenant, I will keep it.

Tell me what does a promise mean to you?

My Weekend In Oregon

I flew to Oregon on Saturday to meet my two older brothers so we could all attend the oldest brother's 50th high school reunion. We lived in a very small community so his graduating class had only 13 people! Four came to the reunion. The high school and elementary school were all in one building so I knew his and my other brother's friends very well. Everyone gathers on Labor Day weekend in Cascade Locks (40 miles east of Portland up the Columbia River Gorge) for the annual high school reunion and Old Timers picnic. So I got to see a few of my classmates as well. It was really fun seeing old friends and buddies, but the best part was spending the whole weekend with my two brothers and the younger one's wife. We laughed, we cried, we hiked, we ate, we talked and talked. I adored them when I was growing up and I still do!

I grew up living on a fish hatchery. My dad was a fish hatcheryman. This meant living at the end of the dirt road next to a creek (or crick as we called it) out in the country. The fish would make their way up the creek to spawn their eggs and then die! What a way to go!

Louise, Buck and I are standing outside of the little cabin we rented for the weekend. It was perfect and fun!

This is Coach Wayne Sabin. He was my brothers' football, basketball and track coach in 1958-61. I was a fat little grade schooler and had the biggest crush on him (used to save his cigarette butts when he came to visit our family. GROSS, huh!) He is a national champion discuss thrower and taught me how to throw the discus this trip--told me I had potential!

We hiked a 4 mile round trip canyon trail to the Punch Bowl up Eagle Creek. This is my brother Buck who almost died a few years ago from heart failure. He had a heart transplant and the miracle took place.

Buck, Linda, and B.J.

We had the very sweet opportunity to attend the Ward we were members of in the late fifties, early sixties on fast Sunday. I have not been back there for nearly 50 years; it was such a walk down memory lane and to be with my brothers who are a vital part of those memories. One woman came up to me, introduced herself (I did remember her from days past) and quoted something my mother had taught her in a Mutual (YW) lesson. My mother had shared a promise from my Patriarchal Blessing with the class. This sister remembered it right on. After Sacrament Meeting the Bishop called us into his office to tell us what a great influence my oldest brother (they went to college together) and my parents had on his conversion to the gospel when he was a young guy. I was filled with a witness of the marvelous work and wonder performed by my parents. Either I had forgotten or I had no idea, but it was electrifying!

This is Chris Feinauer who was a little boy when I went to church in Hood River, Oregon. His dad was our Bishop sometime way back when, but we became reacquainted years later when he came to BYU and we were in the same BYU Ward. Chris and his family just happened to be visiting the same day we were. They sat behind us in Sacrament meeting and the thought crossed my mind and felt good in my heart that perhaps his mom and dad and mine were sitting together pleased as can be with our little reunion. Hey, maybe they orchestrated it! Interesting fact about Chris is that he was just appointed BYU's Alumni Association President.

This picture just kind of says it all! I jump for joy at the reaffirming, uplifting, testimony building experience I had being with my brothers, seeing old friends, feeling close to my mom and dad, and once again sensing I am loved by a giving Heavenly Father.

Saturday's Hike

I have not been hiking since girls camp in June because I was concentrating on training for the half marathon race last week. But it's over and I just bummed around during the week using "recovery" as my excuse, so on Saturday I decided I would go on a long hike in one of my favorite spots, the Tortolita Mountains. This hike starts out at the new Ritz Carleton Resort and goes up into the mountains behind the resort then heads north up the canyon for about an 8+mile round trip trek. The day could not have been nicer, weather wise. The mountainsides were green with ocotillo, wild flowers, and fruit bearing yucca plants. I had never seen these before.

Yucca Fruit

Beautiful View of the Tortolitas

This hike is on the Wild Mustang trail via Upper Javelina via the Wild Burro Trail. And it is remote. I did not see one other person the four hours I was hiking, so if you want to get away and be alone this is a good place. Yeah, I know it might not be a good idea to go hiking by myself, but I did leave a note with Nick telling him where I was going. Often I love the solitude of a hike way out yonder to be one with nature and commune with God. I believe the spirit likes to go hiking, too, because I certainly feel peace out there.

I DID IT-- Park City Marathon!!!

Last Saturday, August 21, I ran the Park City Half Marathon with Jorgen and Amy. Keira decided she just was too tired so her Grandma Holker took care of her.

I wish I could say my time improved from two years ago, but I can't, in fact I was 18 minutes slower! I felt good until about mile 9, then I started running like an old lady! My legs kept cramping so I walked about 1/2 mile into mile 11. But I recovered enough to begin running again and finish at a decent pace for me. Considering I hadn't trained well (no long runs) this summer I'm not too terribly disappointed. And I can say or shout THIRTEEN.ONE MILES IS A LONG WAYS!!! But my feet didn't hurt. So there!

The week before the race was powerful. During the day I was in classes soaking up as much spiritual information as I could at BYU Education Week and at night I played grandma to Keira. I loved doing both!

At Ed Week the spirit taught me that I need to make my prayers much more meaningful and truly commune with my Father in heaven. I was taught the scriptures are full of wonderful insights that I'm not tapping into. I had a confirmation that sharing my testimony via my blog, facebook, and other social networks is a mighty force for good. I learned that many of the signs for the second coming have happened and are happening, and that we do not need to fear if we are following Jesus Christ. Sometimes we may have to bite the bullet or grit our teeth to fight the natural man, but it's worth it. You, me, all of us have been saved for these exciting, although trying times so we can influence others to find joy and happiness. I know I have.

IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!

Last Thursday I decided I would run my one and only long training run (trying for 11 miles) for the half-marathon I'm running on August 21st, Park City, Utah. This summer has been so difficult to train effectively, too hot, been out of town a lot, didn't feel like it, etc., etc. But it's crunch time and I have to get a long run in so I won't die towards the end of the race.

I woke up a little late (6:30) but it seemed like a cooler day since it had rained the night before so I piddled around until 7:30 to get out the door. I put on running shorts instead of the knee length shorts I usually wear and I wore my newer shoes, same brand, but a little different style. One mile into the run I noticed my inner thighs began to burn. Uh, oh, where's the vaseline? Then 3 1/2 miles into the run my FEET WERE KILLING ME! And oh yeah, it was hot outside along with the nasty humidity!

I was at Overton and La Cholla with that long 2 mile hill. My run became a walk up the hill until Lambert, then I ran for another mile to Shannon. Then I had to stop and walk so I could concentrate on how much my feet hurt because I couldn't concentrate on breathing, hips, knees, and boiling brains as well as feet all at the same time.

I made it home limping, screaming, and worried. How am I ever going to run 13.1 miles?

I relaxed and rested for the rest of the day by going to the movies and shopping! (I still like the dog best.) Today I felt recovered enough to go out again, shorter run (5 miles), earlier (5:10), knee length shorts, and MY OLD FAITHFUL, TRUSTY SHOES! (New ones on the right, old ones on the left) I actually enjoyed myself. Now, as for the half marathon--I will just do my best and if I need to walk, I'll walk, but I am going to put my best friends on my feet.

Best Friends Forever!

Being a part of the military, and especially living overseas, opens many doors for finding, cultivating, and keeping friends, and that would be "bff" or best friends forever. We were in the Navy, and yes, I say we, because the job of Navy wife is the hardest, or so it said on the commissary (grocery store) bags, for 6 years. As soon as Nick graduated from the University of Arizona Law School we began his law career at the San Diego Naval Base, then Newport, Rhode Island War College and Officer Training School, next the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Naval Base (a whole other blog), and lastly Rota, Spain Naval Base which was shared with the Spanish Navy. I still keep in touch with a few from Cuba and many from Spain. And it's not only because of being military, but military and members of an organized faith such as my faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that keeps us close.

Terry Christensen, Jeanie Peck, Linda, Sue VerHoef, Sidney Smith, Monica White

We were all young families, it has been 24 years ago, when we lived in southern Spain. Some, whose families were complete, and others who continued having children after we moved on. The group has grown exponentially! Or in other words there's a whole lot more of us now! What you are seeing here are just a few of the many families that moved in, moved out, and were a part of the Rota Branch. One had moved to the Azores before we left, and the others were there for another couple of years. Six of us got together in Utah for our 2nd reunion since we moved stateside in 1986.

Here's a few of the ever growing group. Parents, kids, grandkids! The oldest child in the group, a young teenager then is now in her 40's. Gulp, am I getting old, too?

Life has truly taken us on different roads since those days. Each has traveled the road of pain and disappointment, the road of sorrow, as well as the road of happiness and joy. I find it quite wonderful that all these roads led us back together for a respite or rest stop, even an oasis, just long enough for us to reconnect, share, hug, increase our feelings of love for each other, and to gird up our loins for the next adventurous road.

Nick and Linda, Sue VerHoef, Sidney Smith
Gary and Monica White, Jeanie Peck, Terry and Nyle Christensen, Michael Smith

Life is Good

I'm in Utah for my nephew, Adam's wedding, a Gent (my side) family reunion, hugging Keira, visiting Jorgen and Amy, another reunion of friends we knew while stationed in Spain and another wedding (the daughter of one of the families from Spain).

Keira Jacalynn, 3 months

Adam and Maile, July 23, 2010

Jorgen, Grandpa, Keira, and Amy

My heart is full to overflowing with feelings of gratitude and love for all the good that exists in my life. Yet I know if it weren't for the bad I would not understand or appreciate the good.

Warriors of Light

HERE WE GO!!! Twenty-six 4th Year YW (15 year olds), six YCLs (Youth Camp Leader, 16-17 year olds), two adult leaders (older than the girls), and five Priesthood Leaders (we've never had this many) pose at the beginning of our two day, 12 mile backpacking hike on the Butterfly Trail, Mt. Lemmon. We are fresh, clean, and eager to hit the trail. At lease some of the group was! As I began my hike up the road I remembered what I was in for over the next couple of days. Pain, dirt, little sleep, more pain, more dirt, and less sleep were to be my companions! I asked myself, "and why am I doing this?"

Even days before the hike began I felt some doubt because of nose bleeds I kept having. They were gushers and I just couldn't see being out there on the trail dripping blood all over. I asked my home teacher for a priesthood blessing of healing, did some research on the whys and what to dos about nose bleeds so I did feel more confident after arming myself with faith and with knowledge.

The first day was grueling! We had back packs that kept breaking (hand me downs from "big brother scout"), bad shoes, twisted ankles, blisters, fatigue, and other stuff to slow us down. It took 7 hours from the time we left until the last group of hikers made it to the campsite, which was only 6 miles. As I hiked into our campsite I thought to myself, "Nah, not going to do this again."

The first night I gave up my tent and my sleeping pad to a girl that struggled the entire time. She kept getting leg cramps, threw up a lot, and had to rest an unbelievable amount of time. It was decided that the next morning she would have to hike with the Priesthood leader, who carried his pack and her pack most of the way, the one mile trail to the main highway and go back to Camp Zion. Another girl felt she, too, was to sick to hike the last 6 miles with the rest of us, and so hiked out with them. But when she got back to camp her YW leader let her rest a bit, hydrate, and then they hiked back out of camp and met us later on the trail. Impressive!

The whole group woke up the second day not really sure they could make it to the end. There were tears and there was fear. I had similar thoughts, too, especially when it came to putting that back pack back on. It hurt! We had a little pep talk about praying for strength that our burdens would be made lighter. I know it worked for me and many of the girls.

A few of us got up at 4:45 the second morning and hiked up Mt. Bigelow to watch the sunrise. WOW!

My co-leader, Kristen Mitchell, thought the Tarzan yell should be our signature cheer! Where I got the energy, I don't know!

We arrived at our second night's camp spot much quicker than the first night which gave us several hours of recovery time. The girls were cheerful and grateful. I was still thinking they can do the hike without me next year.

The last morning was my turn to lead the devotional. I chose to talk to the girls about having the courage to stand for truth and righteousness, and specifically talk about the Family Proclamation. I had had a dream the month before that I needed to talk to them about families being under attack and how they can help by their example of righteous living. As I listened during the hike to the young women share stories of their families, many of whom come from non-traditional and somewhat dysfunctional families I knew there was purpose in that dream.

We all walked into camp amidst cheers, tears, and love. I was relieved of the burden of my back pack by a sweet sister and led to a foot bath, back rub, and refreshing ice cold drink. Ah, it felt so good. But I'm still thinking that I just can't do this another year--a whole lot of work, I'm tired, and it's too hard! I went to take a much needed shower to wash off the grunge. I began to feel something stirring in my heart. I argued, "No, I'm too old, I can't do this!" I got dressed and the feeling persisted. I kept arguing, but finally I felt a strong prompting that this is where I'm supposed to be, teaching girls that they (we) can do hard things.

I told the Stake leaders if they want me back I will lead next year's 4th year hike. I have already started planning and preparing!

The Hymns

Last Saturday I drove to Mesa to attend the 9:30 session at the temple; my daughter-in-law joined me which was wonderful to share that experience with her. On the way up I listened to one of my books on CD, but told myself that as I got closer to the Temple I should put in a Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD to prepare me for service and sacred instruction. Just as I drove onto the 202 "How Firm a Foundation" began playing.

A flood of glorious memories washed over me, and the water works began. It wasn't the song necessarily, but thinking about all of the beloved hymns I sang as a child in church with my family. The hymns are powerful spiritual giants who lift, inspire, and invite the listener and singer to desire only what is good in life. I love to sing and to listen to the hymns.