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So I finally figured out how to customize the background on my blog but I'm still playing around with the text. Sorry it is so small and hard to read right now...Improvements coming soon...Hopefully...

Morning walk and Musings

Last Saturday morning my boyfriend, Mark, wanted to go target shooting up hobble creek canyon with my dad. I wasn't planning on going with them since I only have about a one hour attention span for such activities; however, when I went outside for a morning walk and saw just how beautiful the mountains were I couldn't help but tag along. It was a perfect day. The temperature was just right, and the slant of the Mid-October sun was casting momentary pockets of delight along the river bank I was exploring. Sometimes it is good for the soul to have quiet, unhurried, moments to enjoy God's creations. It doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in--happy, contemplative, heart broken, unsure, confident, hopeful, worried--doesn't matter, I always find a sense of inner peace and wholeness when I'm exploring the natural world around me.
The following day while at church a girl in my ward announced that she had experienced sudden and severe hearing loss due to a virus she contracted at a recent relief society sleepover. How quickly life can throw unwelcome surprises our way. This morning I was reading a post she made about her new challenges. She quoted Elder Dennis E Simmons who said:

“When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to bow down and worship a golden image set up by the king, a furious Nebuchadnezzar told them that if they would not worship as commanded, they would immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.
‘And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?’
“The three young men quickly and confidently responded, "If it be so [if you cast us into the furnace], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand." That sounds like my eighth-grade kind of faith. But then they demonstrated that they fully understood what faith is. They continued, "But if not, . . . we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." That is a statement of true faith. They knew that they could trust God—even if things didn't turn out the way they hoped. They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.
Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him.
“So there we have it—it's a test. The world is a testing place for mortal men and women. When we understand that it's all a test, administered by our Heavenly Father, who wants us to trust in Him and to allow Him to help us, we can then see everything more clearly.
“Men accomplish marvelous things by trusting in the Lord and keeping His commandments—by exercising faith even when they don't know how the Lord is shaping them.
“Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. . . . Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not . . . . He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. . . . Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. . . . He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not, . . . we will trust in the Lord."
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-439-25,00.html

What a powerful way to view our challenges. I admire her faith. I remember the first time I heard this talk and how the words affected me deeply. As I re-read it this morning I thought of that quiet moment in my living room again. Since then I have experienced a few of those "but if not..." moments in my own life, as we all do. Usually it has been my response to become bitter, or angry, or frustrated when those test of faith have come. However, after thinking of that lovely morning walk the other day I think I need to remember the abundance of good I enjoy in my life every day.
I keep telling myself that someday I am going to convince that boy that is perfect for me in every way to marry me...but if not...the sunrise will still be crisp and beautiful each morning. Someday I will overcome my lack of self confidence...but if not...there will still be brilliant fall leaves, desert roses, and red sandstone cliffs that won't withhold their beautiful colors. Someday I hope to have a family with children of my own but if not I have brothers, and sister-in-laws, and nieces, and nephews, and friends, that share their kindness, and love, and laughter. Someday (even though I am an English major. hah) I might get a good job and never worry about money...but if not...I feel rich when remembering the relationships I have in my life and the beautiful moments that take my breath away.

Graduation

So the big day finally arrived and I have now graduated! Who would guess that in just 10 short years you could get a bachelor's degree. Both me and my oldest brother graduated however he didn't want to walk and he wasn't too excited about taking pictures, as you can see. My sister-in-law, Lani, wove a chain of ribbons into a beautiful lei for me to wear but I didn't have it when we took this picture. Anyhow...now that I am graduated I want to learn how to make my blog as fancy and cool as everyone else so if anyone wants to tutor me in the ways of blog design, please, feel free!

Zion Narrows & Angel's Landing

So last weekend me, my brother, and my (recently reinstated) boyfriend and his family hiked the narrows in Zion Canyon together. It was probably the most painful hike I have ever attempted. Though I expected to be sore (it's a 16 mile hike) I greatly underestimated the toll it would have on my joints; especially my knees and ankles. By the time we reached the bottom of the canyon I could barely walk back to our campsite. The next morning as I hobbled to the bathroom one lady said "You look sore, did you hike the narrows?" I replied "Yes" and then she asked "Was it worth it?" Though my body wanted to say otherwise I would have to say absolutely. It was so beautiful and I really enjoyed the serenity and beauty of the canyon.
The following day we hiked up to the top of Angel's Landing (I know I'm crazy). When we reached the top we were met by a beaming bride and her brand new husband. It was super hot and I don't know how they were able to bear wearing a tux and wedding dress in the blazing sun at 3:00 pm but I snuck a few pictures of them anyway.

This is us at the top of Angel's landing.
Me and my brother in the narrows. If I knew how much further it was I probably would not be smiling. Ha Ha.

Pine Creek Canyon--2nd Time

I've been chained to my computer the last two weeks trying to finish up my last paper at BYU so when my friend Pat called to see if I wanted to go down to Zions on Thursday night I didn't feel too bad saying "yes" even though I had another draft due on Monday. Friday afternoon I packed my bags in a matter of 15 minutes and we were on our way.

That night none us of slept too well. It was very hot. And our campsite was infested with ants; lots of them. I was laying on top of my bag trying to fall asleep but all the little ant paths being forged across my legs and arms, while one daring little ant went exploring down my shirt was keeping me awake. Finally I submitted to the sweltering inferno of my bag. Heat after all was better than creepy crawlies. I had just thrust half of my body out of my bag as a compromise when it started to rain. Surprisingly the rain felt refreshing. It cooled the air and chased the ants back into their little sandy homes. However, it is still very difficult to fall asleep in the rain. It rained twice that night and finally after the second time I was able to get some rest. When I awoke at 7:00 a.m. to the stirrings of other campers everyone laughed at my hair. It was sticking out in at least five different directions. Rain + naturally curly hair + steam rolling ants all night long = naturally bad hair day.

Our original goal was to do Mystery Canyon but all of the permits had been taken so we decided to go through Pine Creek instead. This was a blessing in disguise. Just after Pat descended the first rappel and the rest of us were about to follow, two of the girls that had come with us informed me that they had never been rappelling before. That made me feel a little bit nervous, especially cause I knew what was to come. I gave them a quick crash course guide to rappelling and thankfully we made it down without any problems and all had a really fun time. During our descent we came across a couple of spotted owls and one brightly colored yellow butterfly. The scenery was beautiful and even with all the stress of getting things together at the last minute and enduring a night with the ants, and the rain, and the heat, this trip left me feeling totally refreshed and rejuvenated.

City of Rocks, Idaho

Last weekend I revisted the first place I ever went Rock Climbing. I can still remember after that first very nerve wracking scramble up "Practice Rock" my good friend Tammy turned to me and said "Maybe you've found your new sport." It was another 6 years before I really started climbing outdoors but it has been something I've loved ever since.

My and my good friend Patrick took turns leading a route called Jackson's Thumb. This particular route is a 4 pitch climb. A pitch equals the distance between the anchors and your belay, which means we climbed up to the chains, anchored in, and belayed our partner up 4 times. It was pretty high! This was my first multi pitch route so it was kind of thrilling. This is a picture of us up at the top.

Maple Canyon

This summer I've been exploring some new places with new friends. Last weekend we went rock climbing in Maple Canyon. I've always heard that the climbing is fabulous there but I had no idea how crazy the rock would look. I've never gone climbing on anything quite like it. After navigating through a herd of sheep in an old VW rabbit that almost didn't make it we found this beautiful little canyon chock full of outdoors enthusiasts tucked away in the mountains near Fountain Green.