Happy Momma moment...

I love it when my boy texts me that he loves me!  Payton sent me a little text today at 1pm.  "I love you momma!"
How many senior boys do that?  He warms my heart! :)

Martin's Cove Stake Pioneer Trek 2011

Our stake just returned from the Martin's Cove Trek yesterday. Greg and I begged to go and eventually they made a spot for us as the medical staff for the 9th ward (our ward). We went 8 years ago as a Ma & Pa in the 7th ward. We had such an amazing experience that we really wanted to go again, especially because Payton would be going. He was placed in the Korry and Teresa Jordan family. They were awesome parents and made it a great experience for him. All of the 9th ward leaders were fantastic.

They took 8 buses for the stake and left at 6 am. Greg and I drove and pulled a big trailer with all of the sleeping bags, etc. Matt and Wendy Ollerton went with us. We arrived at the Visitors Center of Martin's Cove around 1pm. We had to trek 7 miles the first day to camp. About half way into the trek, the weather took a turn for the worse. The sky turned black, the temperature dropped and the wind picked up. A good part of the trail was about 3 inches of sand and we pushed the carts against the wind the whole way. I never heard anyone complain even though it was extremely difficult and miserable. We got to camp and put up the tents in the wind. The women made dinner (we did eat great) by warming up pulled pork and making salad. For dessert we had apple cobbler in the dutch oven. It was very hard trying to keep the burners lit and sand out of our food due to wind.

That night Greg gave an amazing fireside with the 4oz flour bags that he and I made beforehand. He talked about coming 8 years ago and praying to know if he really would've made the trek in those days. He had a very spiritual experience and came to know that even though times are different, he does have the strength and faith and would've made the trek back then.

It was a cold night making it difficult to get good sleep that night. The next morning we had to wake at 5am to make breakfast and start out for the 7 miles to Martin's Cove. We would hike with handcarts a total of 16 miles this day.

I prayed hard, wanting to feel the spirit in the Cove, or to have some kind of spiritual experience. It was breathtaking to watch 500 people single file walk up the 2 miles into the Cove, especially because there was silence the whole way. I continued praying even in the Cove to feel something. It was peaceful but I wanted to really feel something. I didn't. Coming out of the Cove I had a sweet conversation with Greg about the rescuers and the boys that crossed the Sweetwater river carrying the people across. I felt a warmth spread through my body as I thought about what the mothers of those boys must have felt when they sent them out to rescue the saints. They must have been proud, but also terrified that they would not see their sons again. I thought about sending my own sons out to rescue others and I was overcome with emotion. That is what I will be doing when I send them out on their missions. And I will not see them for 2 years and I will have the fear that I may never see them again.

We walked the 2 miles back to our handcarts and ate lunch. We then filed out again with handcarts to start back to camp. On the way, we came to a very steep hill where they stopped us as a whole stake to do the "Women's Pull". They took all the men to the top of the hill and left all the women with the handcarts at the bottom. The men were told to stand on each side of the road and watch as the women pulled the handcarts up. They were told to remove their hats as we came. I did not expect the emotion I would feel as I looked up the hill and saw these young and older men as they removed their hats and watched us pull. Tears streamed down their faces as I looked at many of them in the eyes. Then I searched the men for Greg and Payton as I was pulling and amidst all these other men, there they stood. It seemed as if they were lit up and they were the only two I could see. Again I was completely overcome with emotion and I sobbed as I realized that this was the answer I was praying for. MY FAMILY IS ETERNAL! Power that I had never felt before about my little family and how blessed we are to be sealed in the temple. I felt so grateful to the Lord for this confirmation. And what love I felt from Greg and Payton, especially as they came to me after and hugged me as if they would never let go.

The rest of the trek was amazing, the testimony meeting was incredible. Payton stood and told about his love for the story of the Stripling Warriors and the reason was because of their mothers. He paid me a great tribute and I am so blessed to have him for a son.

Payton also was asked to bear his testimony today (Sunday) about the trek and he did a great job again.

The stake is signing up to go again in 4 years. Jantsen will be able to go then and I will beg again to go. However difficult it seems to be, it is all worth it!

Learning from those life lessons...

A while back, sometime last year, I wrote about watching one of my children going through a rough time. I hoped with all my heart that "some of life's greatest lessons are learned the hard way". That is what I kept telling myself during this trying time. Well, this child did learn some great lessons.

Last year, I watched him sit the bench during basketball season (sometimes with tears in his eyes and ALWAYS with tears in mine), then he tried out for the baseball team. He made the team, but one of his best friends ended up taking his "usual" position. He was put in several different positions during the season and I think he felt a little frustrated. However, he never said a word to either me or Greg.

As the season went on and into summer ball, I watched him work extra hard in the batting cage and frequently asking Greg to work with him in fielding the ball.

This year he made the team again, but ended up starting in right field on the Varsity team as a Sophomore. He has continued to work hard and ended up getting moved to First Base. He is consistently hitting balls after games in the batting cage with Greg and just this last Varsity game against Spanish Fork (Porter pitching), Springville had only 4 hits of the game and 2 of them were Payton's. One being a double.

I am so proud of him and his ability to learn from a trial and come out better for it. I know that this not only helps him on the field, but in his personal life also.

Jantsen is another great example to me of someone who takes a negative situation and turns it into a positive. His baseball team of several years broke up this year. So Greg started one with kids Jantsen's age (he played with a team a year older) and some of them never having played baseball before. Jantsen was very sad to leave the first team. He had had such a great experience and good friends on that team, but he continued to be positive about this new team.

After their first practice game, I thought, "This is going to be a LONG season".

So far, this team has won 2 out of 4 games. That is awesome! And Jantsen has been amazing! He plays with such fire and determination! I have never seen him play so well. The other teammates see this and have caught on. He is a great leader for them and he loves it. Most all of them are his good friends. It is inspiring to watch.

(Several of these boys are on his basketball team and they are amazing! Great boys who know how to compete.) This will be a fun season no matter what happens!

TIME-OUT!!

It is amazing how just 2 days/2 nights away from the everyday can rejuvenate the soul! Greg and I went to St. George last weekend for his birthday. (January 28-30) It was 65 degrees and felt like 80. We slept a lot, shopped, ate, and went to a movie. Wow! A much needed break!!

The boys stayed with Rich & Chris. Even Ellie stayed with them. Grandma Crandall was there for the weekend also. I know what a burden that was and I am so grateful to have such wonderful in-laws! They are always willing to help whenever they can. I love them both dearly.

It is also nice to spend some undivided time with Greg. Life is too busy, fast and furious, I need to remember to take these time outs!

A story to learn from...

Why am I continually amazed when the Lord extends his hand in my life? Or am I just noticing it more?

What a discouraging last two weeks I have had. After years of teaching, prodding, helping and staying up late with this child, I watch as his grades suffer. (For the first time, really) I am distraught as I hound and plead, threaten and beg and finally pray like crazy.

A trip is planned. He will end up missing 3 days of school. He is told he will not go if his grades are not up. He manages to get his grades up for the first term, and money is paid for him to go on this trip. Now 3 weeks into 2nd term his grades tank. He has been told over and over that he won't go on the trip if the grades don't improve.

The father becomes involved as he realizes the good possibility that the mother will not let the child go on this fun hunting trip. He starts to get on the child's case. The mom realizes that there is no way the grades are going to get better by the time the day comes to leave for the trip.

Unfortunately, not enough communication between the parents has taken place and the mom informs the child, infront of the dad, that he will not be going on the trip. The child seems shocked and the dad is furious at the mom. The mom is hurt, angry and frustrated that the dad is siding with the child. A loud discussion is held and everyone goes to bed angry.

The next day, the child wakes up happy (maybe because he realizes his parents are not together on this and he will eventually win) and heads to school. The mom is even more discouraged, hurt and angry as time goes by, feeling very alone and as if all her efforts with this child have been brushed to the side for a hunting trip. Not to mention the fact that she feels undermined by the father and as if she hasn't a leg to stand on in disciplining this child in the future.

Lunch time arrives, the house is absolutely spotless, (because this is how the mother copes with her tension and anger) and the father walks in the door. Surely he has to cut through the tension (and cleaning product fumes) with a knife. He attempts to explain why he thinks the child should go on the hunting trip and another "loud" discussion ensues. Pride takes over on both sides and neither spouse is willing to relent. The father leaves again.

At this point I believe the Lord was seriously sought by this father. About 5 hours later, the father came back home with a completely different approach. He was helpful and kind to the mother, by asking what he could do to help with dinner and then assisting her in her church calling meeting that night, then reading to the youngest child, helping them get ready for bed, reading scriptures and saying prayer with the family, putting the younger kids to bed and talking with the child concerning grades. A plan was decided. The child would definitely need to step it up, with the help of this father. And he would get to go on the hunting trip with some new rules if the grades at the end of the term were not up. He then apologized to the mom, praising her for her long time efforts with all the kids.

This is exactly the right thing to say to this mom and to this day the father continues in the same manner.

I am truly grateful for these kind of trials to make me see where I can also change. I am so blessed to have a husband who truly seeks guidance from the Lord and has enough humility to be willing to make changes for me.

Thankgoodness for sweet neighbors...

Payton and Jantsen started a little lawn mowing business this summer. Jantsen needed money to go to Cooperstown and Payton...well, he just needs money! As they started out in April, they were mowing our lawn, Grandma Faux's lawn and Grandma Thorpe's. Roseann Croshaw, one of Grandma Faux's neighbors, has been going through some hard times and had her lawn mower break. She lives alone and does not have much money. Grandma (mom) was concerned about her and asked if we'd mow her lawn one or two times. I talked to Payton about it and he instantly said, "Sure, we'll just mow hers for free."

After mowing a few times, she told mom that her son had bought her a lawn mower for Mother's Day. She ended up bringing cupcakes to our house with this little note.

"Dear Laura,

Andrew and Vanessa gave me a new lawn mower for Mother's Day! I intend to be independent here, but there may be times I need help. For some reason this yard feels bigger this year. I just must say that I feel a very special Spirit in your boys, Payton and Jantsen...when they came to my home and when I delivered the cupcakes. There was a genuine feeling of caring for me. They have been taught well. You and Greg are being guided in your most important role.

Now--I love your mother and your Dad. I count it as a tender blessing to live in their neighborhood and feel of their non-judging love.

I will keep your phone number. Your family is one more way Heavenly Father is blessing me!

Love you--- Roseann C.

How powerful service can be...to those that serve and those that receive.

A year of "big" birthdays...

This has been the fastest summer we have ever had! Brooks turned 6 and finally gets to start kindergarten! He still remains the live-wire of the family.

Nick turned 8 in November and had a great experience with his baptism. He has such a quiet, gentle strength about him.

Jantsen turned 12 and was ordained a deacon. He was pretty excited to start passing the sacrament and doing fast offerings. He has never complained, but seems honored to serve the Lord in this capacity.

Payton just turned 16. Today he was ordained a priest. Greg ordained him and gave him an awesome blessing. He gets his driver's license tomorrow. He has truly grown into an amazing young man. It will be fun to see Payton bless the sacrament and Jantsen pass the sacrament.

I am again amazed at what good boys we have. I truly feel that they were sent to me, to teach me. They have all the qualities in them that I would love to have! I am humbled to be their mother.