Fresh Air and Long Shadows

Today when we woke up and looked out the window the sky was clear and the sun was shining.  That is not the kind of day that I like to spend indoors, so in spite of the rather cold temperatures, I bundled up and went up near Beaver Mountain for a few hours out in nature, getting some much needed exercise and some fresh air.

I strapped on the cross country skis and spent about five hours moving slowly along the well groomed trails.  The snow was perfect and so was the day. except that I missed River, who always used to accompany me on these expeditions.  I haven't done this as much as I should since we moved to Logan, but today was a great reminder, that I really do not have much of an excuse.  Even on foggy days or when we have a red air day here in the valley, the weather up high in the mountains is often clear and the air is crisp.  There is really not much more invigorating.  I'm slower than I ever was, but somehow that doesn't seem to matter much any more.

This was my trail, well groomed, and on Monday not a lot of traffic.  I did encounter a couple of snow mobilers, but that was it.

One  of the first things I noticed, was that I still cast a shadow.  I thought about that a lot as I moved slowly along the trail.  I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude for such a great, great blessing.  There are so many in the world who do not often have this kind of an opportunity, just me and my shadow and the Sun/Son up above.  It's good to know that there is something above us that brightens and lightens our days and gives us courage and strength to move on.

For some this kind of landscape may seem cold and foreboding, but one need not look long to recognize the beauty and even see signs of wild life.  I couldn't help but see a certain majesty in natures art.  Here  we see the tracks of a solitary weasel or squirrel across the smooth blanket of snow covering the landscape, which will provide water in the valleys below and facilitate the growth of all the crops, trees, grasses, and flowers, to name but a few, for the spring and summer months ahead.

Why's a Duck?

My dad always had a funny little question, which he would say, when he meant:  What difference does it make.?  We've smiled at this over the years, but now I think I've finally got it figured out.  A few days a go I took Micah up to First Dam to feed the ducks and the geese there.  We took a couple of loaves of bread and gave the birds a real feast.  They were very hungry and eager to be fed.  It made Micah smile and laugh a lot. I decided that is the answer to:Why's a duck?  To make little kids happy, of course.  We had a good time together.

Micah feeding the ducks/geese at First Dam on the Logan River.

Hungry geese anxiously awaiting a good meal at the had of Micah.

Another day Annika and Micah were at our house.  We told about JT serving his mission in Russia.  I played the video about the Siberian Road that is posted elsewhere on this blog.  There was a man singing  a song in Russian.  Micah listend and said:  "Oh, I can do that."

Micah is very quick at picking up a foreign language, don't you think?

Viva Las Vegas

Philip was born on a 40 below zero night in Montpelier, Idaho.  He still refers to Montpelier and Bear Lake as home and we are glad that he appreciates his roots.  Life has led him in to many places, each of which has been a good experience for him and those around him.  He served a mission in the Phillipines, and for a short time in Georgia.  He has travelled to Palau and the Northern Marianas and many other places across the USA and elsewhere.  Now he and his family have traded the beauties of the mountains of Utah and Idaho, where he has spent most of his life for the warmth of sunny Las Vegas.  We will miss him, but know this will be a great opportunity for him and his family.  Las Vegas will be a better place, because he and his family will let their light shine in such a way that many will see their good works and come to the real light, which at least some seek foolishly in the neon for which the city is most famous.  We hope that you will reflect on the cool quiet evenings in Bear Lake while you are in Las Vegas and that all will be well with you and your family while you are there.

From a little Mormon settlement in the Bear Lake Valley to a little Mormon settlement in southern Nevada.  Happy Trails, Philip and Family !!!!!

Families Can Be Together Forever

Friday night was a special night for our family.  All of the family who could, met at Jason and Rene's home for a little farewell party for Philip and Megan and their sweet family, who are moving to Las Vegas.  It was especially nice of Jason and Rene to open their home to so many and to host our little get together  and have one last family get together before they take off for warmer climes.  In some ways we will be sad to see them go, but in other ways, it is great to see new opportunities and challenges coming his way.  He has done a great job at the Trapper Trails Council and The Las Vegas Area Council will be blessed by what he is able to accomplish there in the next few years.  Also, I think, I speak for several of us, who have been struggling with all the cold, snow, and inversions we seem to have during the winter months in this part of Utah, that we may try to escape some of it in future years by coming for a visit with Philip and Megan and their sweet family in southern Nevada, where It is usually warm during the winter time.  Of Course, our home, will always be open in case they might want to escape the desert heat in July and August.   Any way we had a wonderful time together as family and are very  grateful, that after all these years, that is something you all still like to do.  The pictures below are just representative of all the fun and good times we had together last night.

Thanks to Jason and Rene for hosting this fun time at their place.

Here are Jason and Rene, our gracious hosts, busy in the kitchen.  The food was plentiful and tasted great.

In years gone by the basement play room was sometimes referred to as a "rumpus room".  I think the name is fitting in our day as well.  Here are Ethan and Hayden "boxing" with the X-Box as others look on in amusement.

Rene is a wonder woman.  Here she is laughing herself to tears, even after being invaded by the whole clan.  Love our Rene!!

Getting ready to bless the food and chow down.  Everyone had plenty to eat and we all had the best company ever.

Here is Sam, our little Chinese speaking piano player.

Were going to miss MEgan and their family.  As you can see Maddie and MEgan have a pretty special relationship.  I asked Garrett who he was going to miss the most when they are in Las Vegas.  He was quick to answer: "Maddie."  They have been in the same class at school and they don't live far from each other in Layton.

It was good to see Justin and Chalisa.  We love to see them smiling and were glad their whole family was able to make it down to wish Philip and his crew farewell.

The youngest of the Eborn clan is such a joy to be around.  He never fusses, and as you can see here, he has learned to smile for the camera.  Some say he looks like his grandpa did when he was a year and a half old.  If I was ever that cute, I'm happy.

Here we have Ada, Annika, Kate  and Hayden posing for Grandpa.

Don't you all just love to see Annika's and Ada's smiles?

Here is Alison jamming to the X-Box.  She still has the moves.  We love our sweet daughter and her family.  I even saw her giving Philip a hug and telling him she loves him.  There were a few moments when they we growing up, when we wondered if that would ever happen.  Oh, just childhood and teenage rivalries.  Deep down we always new they loved each other.

I think Emily must have learned to pose for pictures from her father.  It was good to see the Murray contingent!!

Does this picture give anybody an indication about why Philip will be missed and how he will bless the lives of many people in Las Vegas?  I remember when Philip went on his mission to the Philippines, I wondered if he would ever be serious enough to make a good missionary.  A few months after he arrived in the Philippines we received a letter in which there was a picture of Philip and about a half dozen little Filipino kids.  Philip had his arms stretched out around them all and he and every child had the biggest smile on their faces.  I remember telling his mom, that we didn't need to worry about Philip.  He had the most essential quality of all.  He loves other people.  In return he to is loved by all he meets, and especially by his Mom and Dad and the rest of the family.  We wish you and all of your family all that is good in Las Vegas.  The city will be better because you are their.  Love you all forever.  Remember the good times and that families are forever.

Divinity???

A few days ago Ryan came over and left a plate of Samantha's home made divinity  at our front door.
We had gone to the movie and when we returned there was a phone message telling us that it was there.  It was a thoughtful act on the part of Ryan and Sam and their sweet little family, and it looked so good.  It brought back of flood of memories about divinity, from the times when my mother would make it as a special treat for us, and sometimes a plate for the neighbors too, to the time I stayed home from school, because I was not feeling well and during the course of the day I got this weird idea about making Ellis and the girls, who had gone to school, a "special treat".  I got some laundry detergent, added just a little water, and beat it into a nice mixture with the egg beater, which when put out onto a sheet of waxed paper a spoonful at a time, looked exactly like a nice batch of home made divinity.  I'm not sure why Mother let me do this, but she went along with the prank.  Later in the afternoon the other kids came home from school and were anxious to try the freshly made "divinity" they found waiting on the cupboard.  Eagerly, they helped themselves, only to find out it didn't taste like the divinity they were expecting.  I've tried to repent of this, but somehow, deep down inside, it felt good to get even with my big brother, Ellis, just a little bit.  As I have reflected on this, I thought maybe it might severe as an object lesson.  Sometimes, the things we think are sweet, are not really sweet at all.  It is possible for us to be fooled by things that look good, but really are something else altogether.  When I went to take a picture of the plate of divinity, Sam had made, my camera had been left in the car and had a fogged up lens.  The picture of the sweet stuff is a little hard to discern through the steamy lens.  Sometimes we allow things to disrupt our clear vision and make it difficult to see things clearly.  Jason sometimes has spoken to his kids about "moments of clarity", when we see things as they really are.  Unfortunately, we do not always enjoy such clarity.  It is then that we have to rely on faith and trust the Spirit to help  us discern between the sweet and the bitter.  If we partake of the bitter, there will be consequences, and of course, if we partake of the sweet it will bring rewards.  I later cleared of my lens with a dry cloth and took another picture.  It's great to be able to see, and then even greater, to see clearly.

Thanks , Sam, Ryan, and family.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness.