Kirtland Trip

We decided that we need to see all the Church history sites while we live out this way. So we took a trip up to Kirtland, Ohio last week. We had a good time getting away and learned some more about Church history. It was amazing to be in holy places where our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have appeared. And it was so humbling to think of all that the early members of the Church went through, especially standing in the room and seeing the bed that Joseph Smith was pulled from to be tarred and feathered.

Here are some pictures from our trip, in no particular order.

Family picture in front of the John Johnson home

John Johnson home in Hiram, Ohio

Tractor Crossing!

(We also saw Amish people in a horse and buggy twice and a buggy crossing sign.)

Beautiful Ohio

Kirtland Temple

Ohio's Biggest Attraction

Last night Camille, Hadleigh, and I saw something that none of us had ever seen before...

FIREFLIES!

At first I thought I was seeing things. Then I thought some kids were playing with a flashlight outside or something. Then I finally thought they might be fireflies and asked Mike. They were! Super exciting, I know. But when you've never actually seen them before, it's pretty neat. Mike jokingly told me I have now seen Ohio's main attraction.

Mike took Camille outside to see the fireflies. She was so cute. She kept saying," They are wonderful! Fireflies are so clever! I should catch them and put them in a bottle and put the lid on it."

As simple of a thing as it was, I am thankful for that experience last night. It was a reminder that our Heavenly Father has created an amazing, beautiful world for us to live in.

Update on the last few weeks

Well, I haven't posted in almost a month. Here are some highlights from the past month or so.

• I had a birthday last month! I am 24 now. All I can say is that I don't really feel my age. Sometimes I feel older. I have two kids, you know. And other times I feel like I am still just a kid myself...or at least perpetually 21.
• I have been experiencing a lot of anxiety concerning the weather and tornadoes ever since the tornado in Joplin. I am just trying to take things one day at a time and live normally. And longing to live somewhere with nicer weather. Oh, how I miss Las Vegas these days.
• Hadleigh turned 4 months old two weeks ago. She weighed in at 14 lbs 3 oz. She is 24 1/4 inches tall. She just seems so big to me all of the sudden.
• Probably the most exciting news is that my brother Garrett got a mission call last week! He was called to serve in Cochabamba, Bolivia. We are so excited for him!

That's about all that is happening here. Mike and the girls all have colds. I am amazed I haven't gotten it with how stressed I have been lately.

I just want to say thanks for everyone who shares their problems on their blogs. Obviously I wouldn't want to read downner blogs all the time, but it is nice to be reassured that nobody else has a perfect life either.

Also, I just want to testify that our Heavenly Father loves each of us. As much as I hate to have trials or see other people experience hard things, I know it is for our good. I know the Lord has been changing my heart these past few weeks as I have been forced to rely on Him so much more. And He has blessed me for it.

I know Jesus Christ lives and loves us. I know He will come to the earth again some day. Our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can comprehend and will always answer our prayers and comfort and calm our troubled hearts. I have seen this in my life and the lives of others. I know it is true. And I am so thankful it is true.