You Have a Part in the Christmas Story

This is a poem that our Primary president, Michelle Iverson, wrote for the children in the Garrison branch. I love the message and would like to share it with you.

You Have a Part in the Christmas Story

By:Michelle Iverson

To live a life as pure and clean as little Jesus did, is hard to do for me and you, we make mistakes and sin.

But when we make a promise to take upon His name, to hear His charge to change our hearts and let His spirit in.

We will shine as brightly as the star on Christmas night, and guide all those around us to His pure and perfect light.

And like the holy angels, who sang about His birth, we can tell the story of His coming to the earth.

We can kneel before Him, as the lowly shepherds did, and give our hearts and all we have, like the wise men gave their gifts.

Though we were not there, to hear the angels sing, we're here now to share the LOVE of our Savior, Lord, and King!

I love the nativity sets that I own! This year, I was blessed with two, one from each set of parents. The top one is from when I was a little girl. The second one is from the Pickerings. I love the Willow Tree figurines! The last one is from the Johnson's. It is made from olive wood and is from Jerusalem. I hope as you see many nativites this year, that you will remember the story of Jesus's birth, and that you can be a part of the story with how you live your life!

The Forgotten Carols

For a Christmas present, Steve and I took my parents to The Forgotten Carols in Salt Lake City on December 10th. Earlier that day, we attended a live session in the Salt Lake Temple and ate at Rodizio's Brazilian Grill. It was so fun to spend some "alone time" with my parents.
Thank you Mummsie and Dad, for a wonderful Friday!

Christmas Tree #2

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, Steve and I tagged along with Matt and his family to get a Christmas tree. We found a spot where there were some prospects, so we got out of the truck and looked around. It started to get dark, and we ended up choosing a tree that we first liked. So the men shoveled around it and cut it down, and the only light was from a tiny flashlight that was running out of batteries. After we got Matt's, we headed home to decorate.

Steve and I were pleased with ourselves when it was finally put up and decorated. We were reading in the other room when we heard a crash, ok not really a crash, but a timber. To our dismay, all of my heavy ornaments tipped the tree over. Steve put more support in the tree stand, and we strung the lights and dressed the tree all over again. But now it is holding strong and looks festive.

I am thankful for...

yummy food at the Darrington's,

spending time with family,

board games,

lounging around and watching football,

physical activity after lounging around,

finding Christmas trees,

warm coats and hats,

peek-a-boo with Maddie,

in-laws that love me,

and Steve!

I hope your thanksgiving was full of love, family, friends and many blessings to count!

Turkey Triathlon 2010

A few months ago, Jen started getting into triathlons. She found one in St. George and invited me to do it with her. I accepted, and we started riding bikes and running to be ready. Steve wanted to do a triathlon as well, so he talked Jeremy into do it. So we all got ready to race on November 13th at the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center.

The Racers

The Swim (200 yards, 8 laps): The only time we could practice swimming was two days before. I think we did really well considering that we didn't train in swimming.
My time: 7.35 minutes
Steve's time: 5.35 minutes

The Biking (5 miles): Jen has two nice road bikes that are amazingly fast. She let me borrow one. Steve and Jeremy rented bikes that were similar. We all did really great for the biking part of the race.
My time: 22.08 minutes
Steve's time: 19.09 minutes



The Run (1.5 miles): The last leg of the race was hard, but we all crossed the finish line!
My time: 18.25 minutes
Steve's time: 11.26 minutes

We all did it! Jen and I made our goal (under an hour), and Steve and Jeremy placed and got prizes.

My total time: 52.18 minutes

My place: 7th in division, 41st female, 66th overall,

Steve's total time: 38.36 minutes

Steve's place: 1st in division, 3rd male, 4th overall

It was so fun, and I'm excited to do another one!

Happy 2010 Halloween!

This year, Steve and I went to Cleveland ranch to celebrate Halloween.

Carving pumpkins.

Since all of us live so far apart, we gathered all our candy together and put them in cute bags. The trick-or-treaters come to one house and get a bag of candy.

TRICK-OR-TREAT!

Riding the hay wagon behind the tractor.

All the pumpkins lined up. Can you guess which one is Steve's?

The night was filled with tasty food, yummy candy, pumpkin guts, and good company.

Birthday Surprises!

I turned 21 last Thursday. No, I didn't go gambling or drinking, but Steve and I teased about going to a bar and getting virgin margaritas.

Jen surprised me with a birthday dinner the night before! As most of you know, I am a little carnivore. She made Cafe Rio Pork Salad. The pork was DIVINE! We also had chocolate dessert with trick candles. Super yummy! Later, we played games and were entertained by Hyrum and Riley. Thanks Jen, for the delish food, and thank you Israelsen's, for a kickin' party.

On my birthday, I did the usual sleep-in, run a little bit, and ho-hum around on the computer. Steve kept reminding me that a person can only have ONE birthday dinner, and I already had one. After lunch, I helped Steve on the ranch. During that time, Steve decided that MAYBE it was alright if we ate out, especially if we ate at Jailhouse. So we got home, cleaned up (I wore my new birthday outfit), and headed to town. I chose to eat at Jailhouse, much to Steve's enjoyment. We don't eat there often because of the price. But the steaks are the kind that just melt in your mouth. So if you are ever in Ely and you have money to spend, eat at Jailhouse. Anyways, I wanted to take a picture for the blog, but I chickened out asking the waiter to take one for us. So when we got home, Steve took a picture of my birthday outfit for me. Okay, shoes and sweater are the only new things, but Janeen wanted a picture of the sweater.

The heels from heck. They are so adorable, but one should never stand in them too long.

The day after my birthday, I received a package from LaDawna. Much to my delight, it was a Nativity set by Willow Tree! I love Nativity sets. I will blog about that closer to Christmas. Thanks LaDawna!

My parents sent me the perfect card and some money for my birthday. I love getting mail other than bills, and the card fit my personality. Thanks Mummsie and Dad!

I received phone calls, facebook messages, and even had visiting teachers. Thank you all for a wonderful birthday!

"I Know My Savior Lives"

A few Sundays ago, our branch had our Primary program. Our program and this year's theme is "I Know My Savior Lives." The songs and messages were touching and beautiful. My favorite song was a new one called, "Jesus Is My Shepherd." Tears escaped my eyes when we sang that song. I love hearing children's testimonies of Jesus Christ. Their faith and trust in Him reminds me to become more child-like. Being a Primary teacher has strengthen my testimony of the Savior and His love for each one of us.

Silly Faces

Revival

The definition for revival is:

1. restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc.,
2. a showing of an old motion picture,
3. an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion.

This spring I was really excited about planting flowers around my house. I bought and planted the flowers, and I was diligent about weeding and watering. There was a week where I started slacking off. I would only water them about 2-3 times a week, and I gave up weeding all together. About mid-July, I was pretty certain I failed as a gardener. Most of the flowers dried up and died; there were just a few shabby plants left with no blooms. One afternoon, I decided to try to revive the remaining flowers I had left. I plucked the dead blooms, weeded, and watered. I kept it up for a week, and still no blooms. I kept at it, thinking at least I'll have some type of greenery around my house even if it wasn't much. Then one morning, I nocticed that many of my petunias bloomed! I was so excited that I had to take a picture before they went away.

Maddie helping me take care of the flowers.

I was very optimistic, and I kept taking care of the flowers that lived. Day by day, they became fuller and bigger. A few other types of flowers revived as well.

This last weekend I have felt a revival in my spirit as my flowers felt a revival.

I love General Conference for so many reasons. Latter Day Saints from around the world are gathered together for a singular purpose, to listen to a prophet's voice. It is a time to be with family and other members. I love the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We get to sustain our Prophet, Apostles, and other General Authorities. But my favorite part of General Conference is the Spirit I feel, helping me realize what I need to do better. Every six months, I have a resolve to do a little better. In a sense, I am revived! I am now trying to keep the spirit of progress for my whole life, not only a week after General Conference. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I try to live by it. I hope we can all try to progress every day.

Imperial Beach 2010

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=264894&id=636902358&l=b9afcd0d19

I LOVE THE BEACH! This year was just as wonderful as the last. We (the Pickerings) were able to spend a whole week in San Diego. We did the same things we did last year, plus more!

Steve and I rode with Matt and his family and Latara in the Tahoe. We spent our first night of our vacation in Las Vegas at South Pointe. Trace couldn't grasp the concept that Las Vegas was a bunch of buildings that made up a city. When we entered in Vegas (still on the interstate), we would say, "We're here in Vegas." But we kept driving and he would ask, "Are we at Vegas?" When we stopped at a mall, he asked, "Is this Vegas?" Finally, we just told him Vegas was the hotel.

Bowling at South Pointe. Steve won.

I had the wonderful joy of sitting by Maddie. She was really good, and pulled some cute faces for me when I got out my camera.

By Saturday afternoon, we all made it to Imperial Beach. We kind of made it too early because we couldn't get our key for the room for another hour. So we made sandwiches in the garage from the back of the truck. Once we got settled in and our swimming suits on, we go out to the water to find that it's FREEZING! Needless to say, we did not play in the water long on Saturday. But, we showered up and went to Applebee's for some good food, and live entertainment starring Trace and Maddie.

I guess there was a lot of fish by the beach because there was tons of wildlife around. These huge birds would be circling around in the air, then, WHOOSH, they would dive in the water. There were some seals and my favorite, DOLPHINS! I have only seen dolphins at SeaWorld, so it was such a treat to see them in their natural habitat. For the longest time, I tried to get a good picture, but in the end, I decided to put the camera down and enjoy the view.

After churchon Sunday, we went to the tide pools at La Jolla Beach. It's a good Sunday activity to look at all of God's amazing creations and being with family. We fould starfish, slugs, crabs, and other stuff that I don't know the names of.

Under the pier, ooh, lala!

We played a game of Frizbee Football.
Taking a stroll to the pier.

Monday, Eric & LaDawna, Nick & Erica, Steve & I got to do a session in the San Diego Temple. It was BEAUTIFUL! I love temples so much, and I am so grateful that we were able to go this year.

We were going to be tough against the cold water and enjoy ourselves. Steve was so excited about the beach this year because of his new toy, his skimboard. It is fun watching him learn to do it. I tried a few times, but I definately don't have the skills or talent to skimboard.

I don't remember whose idea it was, but I'm sure glad I got a picture of the 4-person-tower.

The cold got the better of us, and by Friday, we had all bought/rented wetsuits. They really did help! We stayed out in the water a lot longer.

Monday night, we had our own baseball game, Big League Chew gum included!

We had so much fun, Nick gave the idea to go to a professional baseball game Thursday night.

San Diego Pardres vs. San Fransisco Giants.

In the end, we all cheered for the Giants because they were Nick's team... and they won.

Tuesday, we grabbed our passports (well, most of us), and headed across the boarder. The highlight was buying Chiclets (gum) and cute bracelets.

I absolutely love this vacation! We created some fun memories, and we get to know eachother a little better each year. Thank you Pickerings, for such a great time!

If you want to see all the pictures in a bigger format, click on the link on the top of the page!