Girls camp/ July 2010/ Hiram, Ohio

I attended our church girls camp last week as a stake leader. The weather put us through periods of thunderstorms, pouring rain, and steamy hot and humid air. We were told to drink scads of water, to avoid the chance of heat stroke, or dehydration.

It took me about two days to pack for camp. The camp item list was long, and I overpacked. It was embarrassing how much I took, but it was all on the list. I discovered it's hard to stay organized in a tent!

I was especially worried about getting my sleep at camp. I was right to be concerned. I only slept well one night of the five days at camp.

The Stake leaders left a day early, and we stayed in an inn in Hiram so we could be there bright and early. I grew to love those I work with in the Young Women's Stake Presidency, as well as other leaders and young women in our stake. We had oodles of fun together, and actually had time to talk and enjoy each other's company.

The camp was right behind the Church Historical site, the John Johnson farm in Hiram, Ohio (about 30 minutes from Kirtland). The ground is sacred to me. Many sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were revealed there including section 76. The landscape is simply beautiful, and I gained a greater respect and reverence for all of God's marvelous creations.

Highlights of the camp were: 1) Contra Line dancing (it's old fashioned English dancing, and we had a blast), 2) A 7 mile canoe trip, 3) a 5.5 mile strenuous hike to a waterfall, 4) passing out "warm and gentle fuzzies" to the girls when they did a good deed, 5) singing camp songs that I sang as a girl, 6) learning girls and leaders names, and getting to know them better, 7) enjoying the natural earth in all her splendor, 8) feeling safe and secure in a tent with rain drenching everything surrounding me, 9) taking two showers a day in HOT water - it was awesome!, plus having FLUSHING toilets - what a luxury! 10) going to exercise classes in the morning, and being able to run, so I could stay on my exercise plan! 10) Testimony meeting - I gave a short talk to the girls about testimonies when we wrote our testimonies in Books of Mormon. The girls testimonies were spiritual, and deep, and wonderful. (Some I couldn't hear well, but I was very impressed with them and they increased my faith).

Frustrations of the camp were: 1) not sleeping well, 2) the migraine headache I came down with - luckily it never became serious (my prayers were answered), 3) the day of the hike was on the hottest day of the summer [94 degrees with 70% humidity] , and the girls were so tired and thirsty that some of them didn't finish the hike, 4) I had to turn down s'mores, lava hot fudge cake, and all sorts of goodies because I'm working on losing weight.

There was a leader whose whole duty was to take photos at camp, and make a slide show while at camp to show the girls. She sent me these photos, so I could post them. Thank you Sister Jastal.

Canoeing with the Young Women Stake Leaders

Cuyahoga River, Ohio / July 21, 2010

Girls and Leaders at Toledo, Ohio Stake

Girls camp/July 2010

The flags in the background correspond to the colors of the Young Women values and flew all week as reminders of those virtues and values.

Young Women and Priesthood leaders performing a skit where we built a model of the Stale Lake Temple. The theme of the Young Women's camp was "Young Women Under Construction." I'm at the top, standing on the bench. The photo was taken when we didn't have a "plan" and we just put all the pieces on anywhere. Once we followed our plan - we were able to construct the Temple.
Young Women Stake presidency

Girls Camp/ July 2010

We are wearing our girls camp T-shirts, and our sweatshirt which reads "Got values?" on the back. We also have our "warm and gentle fuzzies" around our necks which we made.

A few days after our camp, our Young Women Stake President (leader in the middle) had a mild heart attack. She's in the hospital, and I'm so glad she's okay.

Overall, I am so thankful I was able to attend girls camp (it was a sacrifice for me) and come away with such unique and fun-filled memories, and a stronger testimony too!

How wonderful that the Lord cares so much about his daughters that he affords them this special opportunity while in their youth.

Michael Buble

William and I were able to go to a Michael Buble concert in Columbus this past week. He is such a great artist. I was quite inspired by him. He appeals to all ages. His songs are uplifting, moving, and romantic. I'm a FAN!

When Marc and Laura Lee were in Canada, Marc's sister took some beautiful photos of Kate and Addie. I just had to share them. These are just the thumbnail photos.

They are here visiting us for the July 4th holiday weekend and I'm loving it.

With Addie, I've been busy reading stories, putting puzzles together, singing songs, and playing "golf." I bought a bubble machine that I'm excited to try out tonight today. I've been singing to Kate and she's at such a fun stage crawling, standing up, and sticking her tongue out at me when I do it first. We're headed to the "Toy Story 3" movie soon.

It's one of the greatest joys in my life to be a grandma!

Marc's graduation, Tanner's graduation and Youth Conference

Marc's Graduation from Medical School
Tanner's High School Graduation
Youth conference in Kirtland, Ohio

Recital Time

Here's a few recital photos.

I've been so busy planning a dance recital, preparing for Tanner's High School graduation, working on my education, and helping plan our stake's Youth Conference that I haven't blogged in quite a while. Also, sometimes I wonder who reads this and if it's really worth the time and effort. So often I don't get many comments, and figure my blog isn't being read much. I do send out a personal family letter, and my children say they love it.

I'll try to be part of the blog world again!

Our amazing trip - Part 3 (last few days)

I wanted to add a few photos for those of you who may not know how massive and incredible the Conference center is. My first blog about our trip mentions that we attended General Conference session on Easter Sunday morning. These pictures will give you an idea of the beauty and grandeur of the building. I would recommend to EVERYONE if there's any way to attend General Conference in person - to do it!

I didn't take these photo, but they're great.

On Friday, April 9th we attended the Idaho Falls Temple to perform sealings for our sister-in-law Sherry who is of Chinese descent. It was so special to be in the Temple we were married in, and have Dad Davis perform the sealings. We had the sealing room reserved just for our family which included Cecil and Sherry, Kreg and Sue, William and me, and Mom and Dad Davis.

For those of you who may not know what "sealings" are and why we attend Temple - it's hard to explain in a few sentences. However let it suffice to say that we believe families can be together forever. The ordinances that bind families (not only our posterity, but also our ancestors) are performed only in God's holy house - his Temples. Visit lds.org and type in Temples if you want to know more.

After we had our spiritual experience in the Temple, (I believe they are the most sacred place on earth) Mom and Dad treated us to a lunch in the Temple cafeteria. Lunch was delicious with scones being my favorite part. I haven't had scones in decades.

Afterwards we drove to my parents home and scanned in many, many genealogy documents which my parents have inherited. We ended up having to bring some of them home, because there are hundreds, and we just had scratched the surface, even though we spent about five hours scanning. My father inherited a box of genealogy from his paternal side. They are valuable and so precious to me, and some were certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates from my ancestors who lived in England. I felt the Spirit of Elijah when I held each document and realized it represented one of my ancestors who wanted to connect with me, and whom I desire to know, identify with, and love.

On Friday night we drove over to Kreg and Sue's where all eight of Mom and Dad Davis' children were present. It's been seven years since we've all been together, so it felt wonderful.

We had chinese food and visited with each other. During that time, Ryan called and emailed us that he and Sarah found a home in Texas to rent. They also visited and sent a photo of our Texas home where we lived for six years. We were very happy for them.

On Saturday the whole family had breakfast at Bart and Marion's. It was fun. I had waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. YUM! Dad Davis had his scouting paraphernalia displayed and proudly explained some of the scouting badges and award's meanings. Dad Davis has great pride in his scouting accomplishments, and recalling his scouting days brought him joy and satisfaction. It was wonderful to see him in this setting. We all joked about there being a "stalking" merit badge he earned. However, it was related to animals, and their footprints.

We had lunch at Ron and Kari's on Saturday afternoon. I wish I would have taken a photo of Kari in her apron, making reuben sandwiches. She was in her glory! The food was great, and again we enjoyed bonding with our family members.

We then drove over to my parents and gathered genealogy documents. My parents took us out to dinner at Sizzler. It felt good to sit and relax with them. They've been under stress with their whole kitchen and family room gutted. The whole time we were there, the painters were working busily. I'm excited for my parents to get a brand new kitchen and family room! I love my parents dearly, and am so grateful for their love and support.

We then drove to Blackfoot, Idaho for Dad Davis' Silver Beaver Award Ceremony. It was enjoyable to see him earn that award. I had tears in my eyes when he received that award. We took photo's afterwards, and I'm grateful we could capture this moment in our lives. I wish all four of our sons could have been there. They all have earned their Eagle award, and it would have been a great picture with them surrounding their grandfather and their father, all in their scouting uniforms. However, Tanner represented Ryan, Jeffrey and Michael well.

Scouting has been a big part of our family's life, and I'm grateful for the principles and values it's taught all of us. Congratulations Dad Davis! You deserve such a prestigious award!

The next morning we left for home. The 28 hour drive was certainly worth it to see family members and gain priceless memories.

Our amazing trip - Part 2 (second three days)

On Tuesday, April 6th, I woke up not feeling well. There's only so much a 50 year old body can take (driving for two straight days in a row, changing two time zones and trying to stay up two hours later than usual, eating more fast food in two days than I do in two months - you get the picture). Thankfully, a few Exedrin did the trick.

I again had the opportunity to visit the BYU library and found more reference materials. I love being there. I didn't want to leave.

In the afternoon, William and I drove to Magna to meet my father's cousin, and scan in her genealogy documents and photo's on my paternal Grandmother's side. I now have some treasures thanks to Janet. It was delightful. We drove home and I felt gratitude within, as my heart connects to my ancestors, whom I am growing to love.

In the evening, we had a filet mignon dinner at my brother Steve's home in the Salt Lake City area. We enjoyed visiting them so much!

On Wednesday we drove to another of my father's cousins, Jess, and scanned in documents and photos on my paternal Grandfather's side. We spent a long time there. His daughter was also there, and it was fun to visit with her. They also had pictures I had never seen! I held letters my great grandparents wrote. I cried as I read one especially tender letter. I feel so grateful for the technology of a scanner, where I can cherish these family documents and photo's. I have a lot of work ahead of me!

We decided to drive back to Jeffrey and Jennifer's home and spend more time with them (our original plan had us driving to Idaho Falls next). We had hardly seen them, since they were working long hours, and Jeffrey was going to school. We bought dinner ingredients, and barbecued T-bone steaks, steamed asparagus, and baked yams. The steak was excellent!

We then played some games which made us smile and laugh, and watched a "Life" documentary. I'm so glad we decided to drive back and be with them. This was our funnest and most relaxed night with Jeffrey and Jenn.

On Thursday we drove to Idaho Falls. We asked my parents to meet us at William's parents. We shared with them some special experiences William and I had. I then went with my parents to their home which is in the process of a kitchen/family room renovation, and William stayed to help his father with computer issues.

We stayed that evening at Ron and Kari's home, which is impressive, delightful, colorful and cheerful. I love it there! Thanks Ron and Kari. Below are photos of Ron and Kari's home: