Inspirational Story

   I came across this story last week while I was preparing my Sunday School Lesson.  

I shared it with my class, and I have thought about it all week. 

 I have thought about how easily I find excuses to justify why I can't do things.

 I have a repentant and humble heart about enduring and accomplishing what is asked of me, 

realizing I can do more then I am now.  Enjoy.  

JOURNEY BACK TO ZION

The journey that many of us in the latter days must make to reach a state of purification is symbolized in the story of the engraver of the Salt Lake Temple, John R. Moyle.

"John R. Moyle lived in Alpine, Utah, about 22 miles as the crow flies to the Salt Lake Temple, where he was the chief superintendent of masonry during its construction. To make certain he was always at work by 8 o’clock, Brother Moyle would start walking about 2 a.m. on Monday mornings. He would finish his work week at 5 p.m. on Friday and then start the walk home, arriving there shortly before midnight. Each week he would repeat that schedule for the entire time he served on the construction of the temple." (Jeffrey R. Holland, "As Doves to Our Windows," Ensign, May 2000.)

Likely, Brother Moyle would have traveled across the mountain from Alpine to present-day Draper, and on across the Salt Lake Valley to Temple Square.  It is a 20-minute winding journey by car from Alpine to Draper today, and another 30 minutes, mostly on the freeway, from Draper to Temple Square, although Brother Moyle's route was probably a little more direct.

Check out the mountains
Brother Moyle would have traversed weekly:

The view from the Alpine side.

Looking back from the Draper side.

"Once when he was home on the weekend, one of his cows bolted during milking and kicked Brother Moyle in the leg, shattering the bone just below the knee. With no better medical help than they had in such rural circumstances, his family and friends took a door off the hinges and strapped him onto that makeshift operating table. They then took the bucksaw they had been using to cut branches from a nearby tree and amputated his leg just a few inches below the knee. When against all medical likelihood the leg finally started to heal, Brother Moyle took a piece of wood and carved an artificial leg. First he walked in the house. Then he walked around the yard. Finally he ventured out about his property. When he felt he could stand the pain, he strapped on his leg, walked the 22 miles to the Salt Lake Temple, climbed the scaffolding, and with a chisel in his hand hammered out the declaration 'Holiness to the Lord.'" (ibid.)

I heart June 6th

Can you believe it has already been a year since this?

A year ago Charlee was sealed to us in the Manti Temple.

Then her daddy used his priesthood to give her a name and a blessing.

And so many of our friends and family came to celebrate this miracle with us. I still get teary when I think about it. We are blessed beyond our understanding!

Charlee is one amazing girl. And now a year later, she is just faster and busier.

Being her mommy, is almost the best thing to see happen in my life.

The only thing that is better?

Watching her turn my husband into a daddy.

We are blessed because her first parents choose her happiness over their desires.

Today, is a day to celebrate the Lords hand in all of our lives!

Charlee's latest milestone.

Charlee enjoys going to church,

of course she sits quietly on the bench and colors, folds her arms for the prayers and never screams or talks loud.

Yeah, not really. The last 6 months going to church with Charlee feels like a long wrestling match . . . in dress clothes.

Well, finally the big day came. The first day of nursery.

There was no worry that she would not go, or cry. The worry was her daddy would cry.

The time came, the door opened, she walked in and, well you can look at her face an know she thought it was great.

First steps of independence, from mom and dad.

She lived and loved it. Her daddy only cried a few tears. And yes I did take my camera to church and yes it did embarrass my husband. But you know milestones and great scrapbook page subjects!!

Where have I been?

So if you have been wondering where I have been, and what happened.   Lets just say, finding the balance of being a parent and keeping my life normal, has been more of a challenge then I can conjure.  Plus I have been working on getting this together to share with you.  So please pardon me and and enjoy the show.