Concluded Volume 2

I just finished reading the second volume of B.H. Roberts' "Comprehensive History of the Church." This volume ends with the first group of saints departing Nauvoo in February 1846. In 1,100 pages the two volumes (1 and 2) cover Joseph Smith, Jr. ancestry through the beginning of the saints migration. While I recognized many of the stories throughout the history, I have learned many things that I never knew before. More importantly to me, however, I have a greater understanding of the things through which the saints had to pass, the circumstances under which the doctrines of the church were received and taught, and the character of the leaders and the members in the early days of the church.

This history has opened my eyes to the degree and volume of persecution those early saints endured. Just for example, I had no idea that within just over a year of the martyrdom, many of the saints' homes were torched by mobs. Because of direction given by Brigham Young, the saints offered no resistance. The mob would knock on their door and tell them they were going to burn the house. The saints would collect their personal items they intended to keep and then watch as their homes were burned. Because of the exposure incident to sleeping out doors, some family members died from the loss of their homes. At least 25 and possibly up to 175 families lost their homes in this manner. I just can't imagine living under those circumstances.

What made all of the persecution worse was that the government in Illinois did nothing to stop the it (not to mention in Missouri where the government largely supported it). As I've read all these things I'm just amazed that the saints stayed as faithful as they did. I hope that I can endure all the trials in my life as well as they did theirs.

I'm looking forward to reading the next volume. I know a lot of the pioneer stories, but I'm looking forward to the context to put them all in. I don't know much about the churches early years in the Salt Lake Valley. I know a little about the federal government's persecution of the church but not much, so I'm also excited to get the details on that.

I just wanted to share that with you all and to suggest, if you've got time and some extra money, that you pick up this history and read it for yourself.

Another option

What about Ocean Shores???

http://www.vrbo.com/138042

http://www.navylifepnw.com/site/373/Pac-Beach-Cottages.aspx

This is a good option. We could get 3 cabins to fit us all. Beach is in walking distance. 20 hours from me, 20 from Denver, Ralph and Andy would be close.

Look at the vintage cottages. This is through the military, so we would ask you soldiers to reserve them for us. We'd share the cottages.

What do you think???
Remember the trip we took there one year?

What do you think of this??

Jess, what are the dates that you and Jason could both come?

Some fun places to stay?

I haven't really looked at where these places are...but they look so fun!!

http://www.lasvegasretreats.com/vacation-rentals/luxury/castillo-de-paraiso.html

http://www.lasvegasretreats.com/vacation-rentals/property/luxury/castillo-de-la-paz.html

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/vacation-rentals/Bear-Lake-Utah-vacation-rental-villa-proID-41769.html

Family Reunion

So next summer will be our next reunion. While this is over a year away, we need to start thinking about some things. I will mention those things now (feel free to add "things" to the list):

Most of us live closer to the west than the east. So, it would probably/possibly be cheaper/easier for the two families in MD to join the rest of us out west-ish.

That would mean we would not have free lodging at Jess and Mom and Dad's. We would have to find a place to rent.

If we don't have it in MD, then Jason wont be able to attend as he will still be in school...

Before we find a place to rent we need to pick a place to look. I am thinking Utah area. Washingtonians can get there in a days drive, Coloradans less than a day and us NDers in about a day and a half.

We could look in Park City area, like our family had a reunion there in 1998. It was fun, it's a lovely area. Prices might be crazy out of our reach by now. We could look in Southern Utah, closer to the LV airport for those who fly. There are lots of national parks down there.

We could see if BYU offers dorms anymore. I have no idea. I don't even know how old we were when we went there.

I am sure Colorado has some lovely places, but that would be farther for the Ralph and Andy family.

I know it is far away, but I think we should decide and book a place this summer for next summer. That way we can all plan around those dates and plan to be there.

So, what I'd like to hear from you is some suggestions of where you want to go. If you search around and find a good place, let us all know the link so we can look at it. There are currently 27 people in the family. If you find a great place that will fit us all, let us know.

If you have a completely different idea, like you want to fly us all to Hawaii and pay for 2 weeks there, please tell us all!!

You are all welcome here, of course, we could put tents in the back yard, but unfortunately we are not on the way to anywhere or easy to get to.

So those are my thoughts. Now share yours.

Also, does anyone prefer early summer, mid or late summer?

Cinnabon Popcorn

Hey all! One of my friends brought this popcorn to bookclub last night. Soooo good!! My kids were eating it for breakfast this morning. Give it a try!
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/09/cinnamon-caramel-corn-with-pecans-white.html

Also, for those of you who have not read Hunger Games yet, read it!! Everyone I have spoken with has enjoyed it, including many of the husbands of the book club ladies. Men are not invited to our club... About 1/3 of us read the whole book in a day, so don't tell me you don't have time for it. Then you'll want to read the second one, which we will discuss at bookclub next month if you'd like to join us (just the ladies) and then you'll want to read the third book, which isn't out until August, so you might be mad...

Hope you all are enjoying SPRING!

Last night we went on a double date with some friends. It was nice to go out. We went to an Indian restaurant and it was fantastic. We decided that we have liked Indian food every time we've eaten it so we ought to learn how to make it. We also went to a rec center to go ice skating but they said there was going to be a competition today so they had closed it and we couldn't go. Bummer. Mike was relieved.

Also, I just want to brag for one minute. I went to the doctor to have my foot checked out and the nurse checked my heart rate. It was 52! Isn't that awesome? I guess this last year of working out and trying to lose weight has been good and helped me be healthy.

Ok, we are going to go eat some left overs for dinner--hope you all have a good weekend.

Something new

They say something is better than nothing, right?

I need something new on this blog!!!!

So what is going on in everyone's lives right now?

Jason just found out that he was accepted into our community college's accelerated nursing program. He will start school May 24 2010 and be finished in August 2011. He will be a RN when he is done. He is really excited (we both are).

Jessica is on a break from school for the month of April and is happy to have a little time off. She spent an afternoon at the cannery and has a renewed desire to use wheat in our diets. She really doesn't know what to do with herself now that she does not need to stress about Jason getting into nursing school...but she is sure to find something else to stress about soon.

Austin just turned 8 this past weekend. He got his hair cut, see our blog for an update on that soon. And he will be getting baptized soon (hopefully May 1st, his grandparents are going to be out of town for the next couple of weekends). He continues in piano lessons and playing video games.

Layla continues to amaze us all. She reads without any difficulty, and writes as well as the kids in Austin's second grade class. She makes friends everywhere we go and is happy most of the time.

Ryan continues to be our little baby, although he is now 4 years old. He still loves to be held and cuddled. He has finally learned to write his name and can sing the alphabet song (we didn't really teach him like the other kids...poor number 3).

All in all we are healthy and happy.

We would love to hear about all of you!