MOVING on

 Things just happened waaaay tooooo fast.  We bought a lot in Spanish Fork! And we just moved into my parent's basement.  Life has been a moving train since July.  Let me explain...

I got home from Girls Camp and Jake told me he's been looking at houses again (he's always looking so I didn't really pay attention to it.)  Then a few days later he seriously looked at me and said, "I think we need to buy a house.  And I think we need to be seriously looking in Spanish Fork.  I find myself only looking there."  I didn't want to change paths yet-- I loved our neighborhood, my friends, the ward, my YW (especially my YW) and everything we had in American Fork.  I could see myself there for a few more years. Jake suggested I pray about it.  So I did.  And as clear as day I got this answer that we needed to be in Spanish Fork and soon.  I cried.  I didn't want to move down there.  And I wasn't ready to say goodbye to people yet.  So I went on Trek and I kinda tested my answer to see if we really should move and when.  Silly me.  Those 3 days were filled with reminders for the answer I already got.  By the end of it I was like, okay okay I'll go where You want me to go. 

We got a realtor and drove down to Spanish Fork the following week.  I also had a feeling what area we should look at, which was more of a newer area so we had to look at builders.  We met with two and we were not feeling it.  It was a rather disappointing.  Then we drove down the hill and on the side there was a sign from FlagShip homes advertising a new community so we pulled over.  Only the model home was built with a few spec houses.  We walked through them and fell in love with their standard features and style.  Totally me.  We stood on our soon-to-be lot and felt so good.  It felt like home.  And hi, the view kinda sealed the deal.  It was now all official.  They told us we would most likely move in at the end of October or early November.

A few days later, we sat crunching numbers and trying to figure out how we can afford "the extra costs" of building.  Jake said, "Something just needs to fall in our lap because we are doing all we can."  My mom called and offered their basement to us to help us save some money.  Truly an answer to prayers.  We hurried and called our Landlord and gave our 30 days notice and started things in motion.  But, that meant moving out 3 months sooner than we planned.  My time just got cut way short and I freaked out. Well and I cried actually.  I told my sweet Laurels the following day (Sunday) and Bishop.  I had this huge activity planned, the Book of Mormon Read-a-Thon, with the YM and YW so I thought, here is my final act of service for them and my goodbye.  I packed and cleaned, packed and cleaned, as quickly as I could.  Just 20 days later we were moved out with most of our stuff in storage, and the rest with us in the basement like nomads we are.  It all happened so fast!  And it broke my heart.  Each box that I packed, I cried.  Each Sunday I heard my YW stand and recite the Theme, I cried.  Each neighbor that reached out to help, I cried.  When I got released, I cried.  When I walked through our empty home one last time, I bawled. 

All the help we received on moving day was incredible.  A lot of people showed up.  My beautiful YW showed up with cleaning supplies to help me!  We were all done by 11:45 AM. Gosh, if you ever want to feel loved, I guess you need to move.

 I know we are supposed to be in Spanish Fork.  And I know it's right because it all happened so quickly, but it is still hard.  I don't know the reasons yet, but we'll just follow because I've learned in the past, when we let Heavenly Father take the lead, it always works out better than I could have figured out on my own.  And, hopefully soon I'll feel like I belong in Relief Society again!

Here's to a new adventure.

Ma and Pa Morse on Trek

 We did it!  We made it home from the Trek.  Another spiritual and another favorite week in June. It was hard, dusty, and hot but the experiences we had out-weighed all of that.  We felt closer to our ancestor pioneers and even closer to our Savior.  Obedience brings blessings surely. This experience is another rock to my foundation and something I will never forget.

Here we are at 6 AM, loading the bus to catch a ride to Wyoming and then the trail!

 This was our family for the next few days.  We made up nicknames for each other and even had a role call every morning: K-dog, K-dizzle, Hola, E squared, lil K, and P-diddy.  We were Mama Morse and Papa Horse, and yes, the cart was even called Steady Steve.  These kids were the best.  Jake and I never had to pull the handcart because these kids were always fighting over and establishing "turns" who was in front and back.  They had great teamwork for all 3 days. We played games while on the trail--"What are the odds?" like over and over and over again, blueberry fights, and lots of jokes.

 

We picked a Pioneer ancestor to walk for during the week and wrote them on leather wristbands.  I walked for Abigail Harriet Snow who was Lorenzo Snow's daughter.  Jake walked for Peter Howard McBride who was part of the Martin-Willy Handcart Company.  He was one of the men who helped carry people across the frozen river and actually passed away that night from exposure.  Jake got to share Peter's story when we came to our own river that we needed to cross.  Those kind of things hit home.  I loved having Abigail's name right on my wrist.  Each time I looked down, I would think of her and her strength and faith.

 

 We started at a place called Brigham's Arrow.  Brigham Young laid out these stones in a shape of an arrow to show the saints coming across which trail to follow.  So we were on the real trail that the Pioneers crossed.  We saw graves, a Pony Express stop, and signatures on rocks. Made this experience that much more real.

 At one point in the trail, we had to travel down Gravel Hill.  It was a short steep hill, covered in lots of rocks.  We needed each person in our family to get down.  I most definitely slipped a few times, but we made it slow and steady.

 ^^^ Line dancing! ^^^

It amazed me the energy the youth had after a full day of walking.

 

At lunch one day, they passed out the bread that the pioneers would make with their 1/3 cup of flour, a little honey, and yeast that they had.  This would be their meal for the day.  When flour sprouts, it becomes a complete protein so this in fact would give them the nutrition they would need to carry on.  I see this as a small miracle that the Lord provided.  He knew they did not have much, but what they did have was enough protein to get through the day.

 The Women's Pull was next.  Here are my lovely strong Young Women that helped pull the handcart up the hill.

 All the men left us, to reenact the men on the pioneer trail leaving to fight in the Mormon Battalion.  We had to travel on the trail alone.  It was hard to see the men go, not only because they were the strength of our group, but I also missed the presence of the Priesthood.  I got emotional because I don't want to feel that way--I always want the power of the Priesthood in my life. And I always want to be with my Jake. Before the men left, our Trail Leader offered a prayer, asking for angelic help to aide the women in our journey.  Immediately I felt spirits at my back and my sides.  I felt that Abigail was there to give me strength to do this alone.  I carried that strength all the way up the hill.  I cried the whole way the spirit was so strong.  The men stood in single file along the trail, hats off, in reverent silence.  I told my YW on the way up to look to these men who were revering women and showing us respect to find a man like that as a spouse and to marry them in the temple. Find a man with the Priesthood and who you want to be with into the eternities.  One of the most spiritual experiences of the Trek.

 Of course, it was great to have Jake on Trek on with me.  And he was Mr. Scout--ready with the coolest stuff.  He had this spider bungee cord that held everything in on the handcart.  Nothing came out of that thing.  He also (for Father's Day) had portable solar panels to charge our phones at night (you know, for emergencies).  He was seriously the perfect partner for this Trek.  Future Scout Master? I think so.

 ^^^ the solar panels.  So high tech. ^^^

 I have to mention my awesome counselors-- Mary McBride and Marilyn Whitchurch.  We've done Girls Camp and Trek in the same month all the while teaching on Sundays, Mutual on Tuesdays, and meetings.  They've helped sew clothes for Trek, get buckets ready, and just calm my crazy brain.  And so positive through it all.  I needed their support this month, on the Trek, and I continue to lean on them.

And of course, my number one supporter is Jake.  He is always behind the scenes, taking care of the kids, and taking care of the house so I can serve in my calling.  I loved loved loved having him around the Youth and of course they loved him.  He is my other half so I felt complete the past three days sharing such incredible spirit filled moments with him.  I could hold his hand while giving devotionals, sit next to him during Testimony meeting, and even hear his testimony and witness his example of service with the kids on a daily basis.  I am one lucky Ma.  I feel blessed and deeply grateful to have this Trek experience.  ''To give up something so little, means you will be blessed for so much more." So far June has been pretty hard to top.

Girls Camp

Back from a week of Stake Girls Camp at Heber Valley Camp.  What a week!  This was my first time going up as a leader and I loved being there the full 5 days.  The girls were awesome, inspiring, and just a lot of fun getting to know better.  There was a strong spirit up there that I hope each girl felt and in return, brought home with them to share with their families.  Girls Camp is an inspired activity and I felt privileged to be part of it.

 

 The Stake theme was "Warriors of Light, go forth and serve".  For our ward we picked the Brother of Jared to be our warrior, but more specifically, the 16 stones that lit the way for the Jaredites journey.  We had a "Light Walk" the first night-- where at each stop there was a large lighted stone (painted with glow in the dark paint) and the girls were given instructions on how to light themselves.  They were the stones essentially, and at the end of their walk, we challenged them to find the light of Christ during their week here, and ask Him to touch them with His light.  We then gave them stone bracelets, tying in with the 16 stones with the YW colors, to remind them of our challenge.  It was the perfect way to start off camp.

 Of course to fill the down time, we played lots and lots of games, delivered Secret Sisters, and played more games. This is when I really got to know my girls.  I would join in each game I could and it was a lot of fun.

 Then we hiked to the Lake!  It was beautiful.  I couldn't get over the trees, the green everywhere, and how perfect the weather was.  I kept saying, "I love this green!" 

 At the Lake we got to ride around on canoes or paddle boats.  I've never done canoes, so of course being game for everything, I joined two of my girls on their boat.  Good thing I left my phone behind because they were the ones getting all the other girls wet!  By the time we were headed back to shore I was soaked.  And, no surprise, they tipped the canoe over!  Totally on purpose.  Totally soaked to the bone.  Needless to say, we did not hike back to camp...

^^^ Skit night! ^^^

 I loved the devotionals that my Youth Camp Leaders lead each day.  We were smashing boards, going for nature walks, and learning more about one another.  One day they will be leaders up at camp and this is giving them practice now.  And I could see a lot of strong leaders in our group.

 

I think their favorite day was the Rope Challenge Course.  I got to lead the "Swinging Log" and watch each group try to work together to cross the log.  They did other courses too and they ended the day with the zip line. Heber Valley Camp has it all!

Since the theme related to "light" we made lanterns for our craft, which also doubled for our lights for "Singing in the Trees".  When it got dark, all wards from the stake gathered in the amphitheater and each took turns singing their song.  We finished the night by all singing "Armies of Helaman".  If I didn't love testimony meeting so much, this would have been my favorite night.  I had three of my Young Women around me, singing the song and it brought tears to my eyes.  Surley, they are soliders in these last days.

 ^^^ And of course, camp awards! ^^^

I loved my week here.  It was a lot of work with no sleep, but there is no where else these girls would have had the experiences they did, so it was all worth it.  I could feel God's love for each of them. He knows each of these young ladies.  And He knows me.  It was an incredible week.  My testimony is stronger than ever.  I love Girls Camp!