Only Five Miles??

A month ago I ran a grueling eight mile race. I had been running what seemed like hours; I was tired, thirsty, my legs hurt, and my lungs felt like they were going to burst. I had passed a few mile markers, but in my imagination knew that the next mile sign was going to say six or maybe even seven miles. Yay, I would almost be done! I rounded a corner, near the top of the hill, and could see the rest station with water waiting for me. There would be the blessed mile marker letting me know I could stop killing myself really soon. Ah, there is was, but it didn't say seven miles or even six miles. The sign said FIVE miles. What? I was sure I had been running at least six or seven miles already. This meant I had three more miles to run, not just one, not just two, but three! With disappointment in my heart and head what could I do but keep running, putting one foot in front of the other.

Is there a spiritual application? The distance I run in any race is the goal. In life I set other goals, such as losing weight, cleaning the house, doing an act of service each day, and helping my family become a "Families can be together forever" family. Some goals are accomplished at the one mile marker. Some take much longer, with no shortcuts. And although there might be heart-rending disappointments when I have yet a long ways to go, it's realizing I can continue putting one foot in front of the other, ever pressing forward. Seeing that five mile marker also helped me not delude myself into thinking the end is in sight, I can rest, but that there will always be more I can do, and to do it cheerfully.

Prison - Temple

I read a talk this week by Elder Jeffery R. Holland, an apostle of the Lord. It's a fireside talk he gave to the students at BYU in September 2008. The title is "Lessons from Liberty Jail. " (http://speeches.byu.edu) You can also read portions of the talk in the September 2009 Ensign magazine.

I love this talk. I totally agree when he says, "every one of us, in one way or another, ... is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail--spiritually speaking." The talk made me think about a friend from our ward in California. After hearing her story it seemed she was given a life sentence in prison, not just a little time.

Jennifer, a wife and mother of four young children was stricken with a fast, debilitating form of multiple sclerosis in her early forties. I looked at pictures of her before the disease, and was taken back at her beauty. Less than ten years later, the disease had taken its toll.

Many people told me how much she and her husband were in love, or so it seemed. Within a few years of getting the disease, her husband moved her to an apartment to live alone. He kept the children and the house that they had remodeled to accommodate her disability.

When I met Jennifer, she and her husband were still married, and the children would visit once a week. A couple of years after I met her he asked for a divorce, and married their daughter's former soccer coach within weeks. Soon Jennifer found out that their joint businesses and real estate holdings went into financial ruin.

Yet, my visits with her "strengthened my feeble knees and lifted my hands that hung down." With slurred words and a smile on her face she would tell me how blessed she was. Her Liberty Jail experience with all of its painful injustices was transformed into a sacred temple.

Elder Holland tells us that "man's extremity is God's opportunity." I will look at adversity in a more redemptive way.

Happy Birthday Sam!

My oldest grandson, Samuel Nicholas Goodman, turned five years old today. What an exciting time for him and his family, Nick, Rachel and Jake! There was a family party last night with roadkill, guts, brains, and all the disgusting trimmings (candy, of course). The theme of the party was "Sam vs. Wild." (If you've ever seen that reality show, you'll know what I'm talking about.)

Sam, 5, Nick Jr, and Jake Bear, 22 months

Two weeks in a row I've been able to spend time with my grandchildren even though they live 2-5 hours away. I am a blessed grandma. Family is truly what it's all about!!

El Paso, Texas

This isn't a picture of El Paso, but a "dear" family in Ruidoso, New Mexico, a side trip I took with Gens and his family while visiting with them in El Paso. We saw at least 50 deer along the side of the road, in the yards of mountain cabins, in the woods, all over. The kids loved it. We also saw four wild turkey.

I drove to El Paso (only about 5 hours from Tucson) to get a "grandma fix" with my three little grandsons. What a treat for me! I don't know that any mother ever feels like they would win the "mother of the year" award. I certainly don't, but being a grandma kind of reduces the pain of that thought. There aren't the expectations either way. Grandchildren just want the grandparents to love them, and grandparents freely give that love.

I Had A Baby or Something Like It!

Today I ran 8 miles over the toughest course I have ever run. I kept thinking this is like getting pregnant and giving birth again. Why do I say that? Because I did this same course last year in the Sahuaro National Park Labor (get it?) Day Race and wanted to die at the end! "I'm never doing this again!!" Isn't that like childbirth--you forget how much it hurt? I even had a transition area today, at the top of the two mile hill--it had to get better after that grueling, painful part. I'm not sure when I was able to push, maybe as I came around the corner and saw the finish line. Will I do it again? Hmm, give me another nine months, we'll see?

Actually, as I was running and thought of this analogy, I also thought of how this can apply to life, to anyone's life, especially women. By nature we love, we care, and we can forgive very quickly. That's not to say men can't, but we have been blessed with an extra measure of these things. Life is labor. Some experiences can cause a lot of pain. Sure there are epidurals and other ways to lessen the pain (maybe that could be family, friends, scriptures, prayer, etc.) but our body has to do hard work to produce the ultimate, beautiful result, a new born baby---or faith, or hope, or courage to do what the Lord has commanded. I am as thrilled when I "give birth" to these divine qualities as I was when I gave birth to a sweet little spirit.

The Sky At Sunset

The sky was unusually beautiful tonight at sunset. This is the view looking west and

this is the view looking east during the same time frame. I saw the eastern clouds first and thought, "how beautiful." Then I looked west towards the setting sun. I look east again, and was amazed at the light within the clouds, as if there was a light source behind those clouds rather than a reflection from the sun on the western horizon.

The rain storm we had last night was refreshing and stimulating. The washes were running, the creosote was sharing its unusual fragrance, and my roof didn't leak!!

On Labor Day I'm running my first race since last April. It is a hard one. Eight miles of dirt and pavement, two of those miles are all uphill! Last year I tried running that hill, this year I'm going to walk it. I'm happy to be on the racing circuit again, especially since I've relaxed nutritionally.

Our House in California

This is the front entrance to our home in LaCrescenta, California which is where there are fierce fires raging in the mountains only a couple of miles above our street. Many of my friends who live less than half a mile from our house have been evacuated. I haven't been worried about our house, because there are hundreds of homes between us and the fire, but I have been very concerned for friends and neighbors as well as the community. I guess the air quality has been horrible as you can well imagine.

California is a beautiful place to live. I enjoyed my 5 1/2 years there, especially the little community where we lived. We were 20 minutes from downtown LA, 30 minutes from Six Flags, 30 minutes from Universal Studios (my fav), and 45 minutes, on a good day, from Disneyland, oh, and 45 minutes from the beach (only went there a handful of times). And there are three temples within an hour plus from our house!

But California wasn't home. Arizona is! I love the desert, with the peace and tranquility I feel here. I love the wildlife. I love being able to play outside nearly every day of the year! I love the Catalina Mountains in my "back yard." I even love the heat. I love the friends I've made over the years. And most of all I love that three of my children live close by, and the two who don't, aren't that far away.

I do pray the fires within yards of my California community will respond to the tireless efforts of the firefighters by turning northward and burning themselves out.

The World is Beautiful!

How can a person not love life when surrounded with such beauty as these flower gardens on the Provo Temple grounds! It was such a great way to end my week in Provo for Education Week.

But the blessings of this week haven't ended yet because on Sunday I get to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication with Jorgen and Amy.

I was filled to overflowing with spiritual stuff from my Education Week classes. The theme was "In thy light shall we see light." Learning about the atonement and the saving grace of Jesus Christ was the underlying theme. There is nothing His atonement will not cover! I felt hope.

I was taught the skills one needs to overcome addictions. An addiction to anything affects the mind, the body, and the spirit. A person cannot overcome this debilitating disease unless all three are worked on together.

If we sin, then repent, but still remember the sin, it does not mean we haven't been forgiven. The memories serve to remind us not to sin again. How often do we get hung up or Satan trips us up with past mistakes we can't seem to shake?

We are living in a seriously decaying world, but "be of good cheer" happiness is the design of our existence and we can be happy as well as feel joy amidst the pains of life!

Romero Pools

These pictures aren't in any particular order, but just the scenery one can see while hiking to Romero Pools and the pools themselves. I think this possibly could be my favorite hike because of the length and ascent. My heart definitely beats at a healthy intensity.

Last week I was a paper girl and this week who I was meant to be: a hiker! Being in the mountains and out in nature de-stresses me faster than anything else. I love it! And I love spending time with my creator while there.

I've seen more water in the pools, but there was enough for a little refreshing dip for those inclined to do so.

The trail past Romero Pools leads to Mt. Lemmon and someday I hope to do this as a backpacking hike, and spend the night on the mountain.

This picture was taken past the pools on the trail further on. The rock formations are solid and massive and beautiful. It was a good place to stop and pray. I enjoy praying. I feel comfortable enough to tell my God everything and anything. I wonder if He gets tired of the drama of my life?

Hiking to the pools was a great escape for me, the trouble is I have to come back down to reality.
I hope everyone has such a place in their life to de-stress and feel peace and joy even if for a short time.

"When Ye Are In the Service ..."

Last Sunday was Tucson North Stake Conference. It was the first one with the new Stake Presidency. My friend had served as the Stake President for years, as a counselor for years before that, and as a Bishop even before that. As I pulled into the stake center parking lot on Sunday morning, who should greet me in a bright orange workman's vest, but our past Stake President. He was directing drivers to park their cars in an orderly fashion.

I was awestruck to see this man serving in such a humble way, when just a few months ago he was in his office preparing to address hundreds of members of "his" stake. Knowing this long time friend, he wasn't parking cars for any other reason than he desires to serve.

I'm Your New Paperboy, er Girl!

Because of certain circumstances I have had to help #5 child with his new job, paper carrier. So for the past several nights, or rather early morning, I have set my alarm for 2:00 A.M. and driven with Anders to the newspaper folding place at Arizona Pavillion to fold and either bag (if there's a chance of rain) or rubber band over 300 newspapers. We then head off for the La Cholla air park and Rancho Vistoso to throw the papers before 6:00 A.M., the newspaper's deadline. I'm usually home by 6:45 for a little nap. It's not too bad, but I wouldn't want to make a career out of it. I'm hoping I only have a couple more days being a papergirl! It is seriously cutting into my hiking and running!

It's really dark that time of the morning in the foothills of the Tortolita Mts. so I like to drive with my brights on. There's very little traffic which means I can keep them on most of the time. The light of Christ is like the brights on a car. We can see so much better when we keep His bright light shining in our lives.

Another Inspiring Story

This video is twelve plus minutes, but well worth watching. I will think about his young man when I don't think I can run one more step or take one more discouraging minute!

more about "Walk On - ESPN Video", posted with vodpod

The Party's Over!

The happy couple in our backyard. All the hard work paid off--the yard looked beautiful (at least that's what my friends told me!).

This weekend was the last big wedding celebration for Jorgen and Amy. It was chaotic, but very, very fun. Who knows when we will all be together again, so we tried for a family portrait. That was a bit of a joke in 90+ degree weather, 99% humidity, and five little boys, as well as ten adults!!! Plus we had to make haste because guests were arriving as we were taking pictures. A very big thanks to two of my favorite people, Danette and Kelly Hillman, for enduring hours of heat to get just the right pictures.

Amy with Dailan and Sammy. I think they're in love with her.

Would you say these boys take after their Grandma? What a lively group of Goodmen! They had so much fun the entire evening running here and there, up and down, over and under, in and out.

We even had a visit from "Spidey." He did his work and saved the party from destruction. Hmm, now that I think about it, he and his friends were the destruction!

I must thank those good friends who helped me at the open house: The Hillmans, Sharron, Lee, Sarah, Jeri, Robin, Julie, and WGGM gals for the yummy cupcake bites. And I thank Heavenly Father for making an overcast day and no rain in the evening! I am blessed abundantly.

Making It To TheTop

Over two years ago when I began my quest of de-stressing my life by hiking, Shaila and I decided to venture out and conquer Mt. Baldy in CA. Or I should say we attempted to conquer this 10,000' mountain. We were almost to the top after having hiked for five hours. I was actually crawling on my hands and knees on parts of the trail because of cramps in my calves and thighs. We lost the trail near the top. I was tired and ready to call it quits so we headed down what we thought was the trail home but ended up bushwhacking our way down a very steep shale watershed. Scary!

Two years ago next month Nick and I hiked Mt. Timpanogos near Provo, Ut. Well, at least he made it to the top. We were about a half mile from the summit when a storm hit us, blowing us into the mountain. We were encased in thick clouds and pelted with icy rain. I freaked and said "no way." Nick tried to encourage me to continue up the vertical climb up the side of the mountain, but I was too scared to continue. I hiked back to the saddle and waited for about an hour for him to return from the top.

When I was in Provo last week for Jorgen's wedding, Shaila, my nephew Adam, and I hiked Y Mountain, and not just to the "Y" but beyond to the top. Jorgen and Amy hiked it this summer and said it was a quick hike and very beautiful. The day was overcast, so great for hiking because it wasn't too hot. But soon we were drenched from the rain storm, covered in mosquito bites, and stung with the biggest neddles I have ever seen in my life. These would put Jurassic Park to shame. But we persevered knowing the top was just around the corner or over the next rise! After hiking for three hours and still no sign of the top we turned around and started hiking back to the valley. On our way down a hiker passed us heading the same direction. We asked him if he made it to the top and explained where it is that we turned back, near the meadow of wild yellow daisies. He said, "oh, you were only about 15 minutes from the top." Not what I wanted to hear.

Adam, Linda, and Shaila at the end of the hike

Adam and me in the middle of the hike.

The point of this post is to share three failed attempts to make it to the top of something. Plus on my blog I have listed races I have been planning on doing and, well, for one reason or another I'm backing out such as not enough training time. I am not going to make this a habit! Now these mountains will always be there and I can try it again, in fact I plan on it before I get too old! But, there lies the quandary--if I wait too long to redo a failed attempt at anything in life, I may run out of time.

Jorgen's Married!

I flew up to Salt Lake City on Wednesday because Amy had invited me to attend the temple with her that evening. What a special time to spend with my son and his wife to be.

Amy, Jorgen, and Mom outside of the Jordan River Temple

We spent the day Thursday just relaxing then hosting a bar-b-que at a beautiful park up Provo Canyon. There were over 50 people who came, mostly family of Amy's. She has a really fun family, three sisters and one brother as well as a great Mom and Dad. It kind of reminded me of when the Goodman family or the Gent family all get together. Lots of people, lots of food, and lots of fun!

Jack and Nancy Holker, Amy and Jorgen Goodman, Linda and Nick Goodman

The Mt. Timpanogos Temple where Jorgen and Amy were sealed for Time and all Eternity is one of the most beautiful temples I've seen. The setting, with the mountains in the background and colorful flower beds gracing the temple grounds is probably why I think so. But I'm pretty sure what really makes a temple beautiful is knowing what they're for.

Dad, Mom, Amy, Jorgen, and sister Xela

Because of various circumstances Shaila was the only sibling who made it to celebrate Jorgen's special day in Utah. They have always been very close. When they were little and played together I would think of puppies and kittens. They would run, jump, roll around, poke, laugh, fight, scratch, run, jump, and roll around some more. It was delightful to watch!

The reception Friday night was non-stop guests coming through the line. I'm sure the whole neighborhood, which would be their Ward as well, turned out. I even had a few friends who live in Utah show-up. One friend from Wyoming whom I hadn't seen in 33 years came! It was a great day and a wonderful way for a young couple to start out an eternal marriage.

JORGEN

This post is a small tribute to Jorgen William, age 25. He is getting married on Friday, and it's time to let go. When the two oldest boys got married I can remember distinctly the time and place when I realized they were leaving the nest and learning how to fly. It tore at this mother's heart.

I haven't felt that with Jorgen yet, perhaps I will when I go to the temple with Amy on Wednesday, or maybe on Friday. Getting married just means change, and it will be change for the better. I get another daughter in the family!

Jorgen was such an awesome toddler. I don't ever remember him hitting his terrible two's,unless it was his junior year in high school!

He has always had a personality "bigger than life." Not shy, but forever in the mix of things!
Jorgen, you are a super hero to me! I love you and I'm so happy for you and Amy.

Fastest Week in History!!

Jorgen gets married in two weeks in Utah. We are having an open house/reception in our back yard in four weeks. Between now and then, I still have a ton of work to do. So far this week, I've hauled lumber, tile, dirt, firewood, garbage, tree clippings, weeds, etc. to the back area beyond the fence. I've shoveled grass, put it on the bare spots, cleaned the pool, raked dead leaves, placed decorative rock around the pool fence, and I look forward to painting the eaves, the playset, and moving a huge dirt pile from the yard next week. Whew, I'm tired. But, so grateful to parents who taught me how to work by their example. Their yard always looked beautiful.

This is Nick's garden that I faithfully water.

Some plumeria plants from Hawaii, wish they would blossom!

You should have seen the basketball court before I hauled all the stuff away.
The grass is looking green, but still has some bare spots.

I have faith that come July 24th, the yard will look ready for a party! I just hope we don't have a monsoon storm that evening!!

P.S. I'm giving a RS lesson next Sunday, July 5th, on prayer. Any thoughts?

"Virtue: Change the World"

Twenty-eight 4th years, seven YCLs, two adult leaders, and four Priesthood holders conquered the Butterfly Trail on Mt. Lemmon this past week at Tucson North Stake Girls Camp. We backpacked over eleven miles, slept for two nights in the cold, drank "filtered" water out of cool, clear springs, got unbelievably dirty, ate mac and cheese, chicken and mashed potatoes, and a whole lot of junk food! We laughed, we cried, and we prayed! We were awestruck with the beauty of Heavenly Father's creation, our earth. And I was awestruck with the inner beauty of 35 strong, young women.

Group Photo

YCL's

Conquering the Butterfly Trail was just part of what I had to conquer. The negative feelings of fear and self-doubt was the other part. As I hiked out of camp with my 40 pound pack and the other hikers, I was sobbing inside, "I can't do this, I'm not capable." But I kept walking, trying to catch-up. The girls were so excited and eager. I caught their enthusiasm and was soon concentrating on them, and not on me. Finally about 2/3 of the way into our hike, I adjusted my backpack and it started feeling much more comfortable. Yet, as I look back on the hike, I cannot even remember that I felt the burden of my pack. I have no bruises, my muscles are not sore, no blisters, and I'm ready to go again. I believe my back was made strong and shaped to carry the burden placed upon it, just like the promise about life's burdens being made lighter.

There was a very special feeling at Girls Camp this year, and especially on the 4th year hike. His spirit was with us the entire way. Girls were kind and helpful, considerate, loving, and teachable.For me it was a sacred journey, full of the whisperings of the spirit teaching me. I guess I was teachable, too. Being humbled does that to a person.

Girls Camp Here I Come!!

One of mother nature's pretty mountain wild flower.

My backpack and pal for the next few days.

Well, ready or not, I'm heading out tomorrow morning at 5:30 for Mt. Lemmon. I can't wait to share all the high adventure experiences on my next blog!

Busy Weekend at the Goodman Home

What a great weekend with family! Amy and Jorgen came home. Gens and his family came to spend the weekend as well. It was busy and noisy but lots of fun and productive. There was a bridal shower, packing a big truck with household goods, and emptying a rental unit of odds and ends. Why do we accumulate so much stuff? Why do we keep what we have accumulated?

Dailan and Amy (Jorgen's fiance)

Baby Soren (3 months)

One of the funnest parts of the weekend was to hold and hug baby Soren. I love being a grandma!