Popcorn!

When I went with Ethan to the farm, a couple of weeks ago, we picked popcorn.  I LOVE popcorn!  The kids get out of school at 2:10 on Fridays for Shabbat.  Shabbat begins at sundown, so in the winter months, they get out early to make sure they are home in time.   It gives me an extra hour and 20 minutes with them.  We do our normal stuff, showers and snack, but also have time to kill.  Last week, Gab and I made Oreo ice cream.  The boys lost the privilege of doing it with us.   Today, Joshua asked when we were going to make the popcorn.  It was the perfect thing for us to do! After showers, I let them put their popcorn into a brown paper bag and then into the microwave for 2 minutes and about 15 seconds. I added butter and salt, can you say YUM!? The boys laid down a blanket on the floor and we watched Sky High.  It was a good afternoon! 

P.S. Popcorn is another thing I plan on planting in my garden, when I'm all grown up.... 

Doyle's Unami Farm

First off, my blogs are way too long!  I need to make them shorter, I just can't fit all the excitement into one paragraph.  Who has time for never ending blogs?  I'll try my hardest to cut back on the length.

Today, I had to go with Ethan's class to Doyle's Unami Farm.  Ethan has 8 kid in his class, 7 that went on the field trip.  Two other classes also went.  I was in charge of Ethan and Collin, the only boys.

We took a bus to the farm and split into two groups.  We saw the usual farm animals.  There was a calf, Pumpkin, born on Halloween.  Farmer Doyle is not fond of the name so he said it will more than likely be changed.  All of the children got to milk a goat.  Then we took a hay ride and got to pick popcorn, squirrel corn, gourds and a pumpkin! I'm excited for when I am all grown up and have my own yard, I am going to plant gourds and pumpkins! Yes, you already know I'm a dork. The kids all had a great time and Ethan even talked to Collin on the bus! He's making progress!   

Testimony

Today at church, was Fast and Testimony.  They are usually held in each congregation of the Church as part of the sacrament meeting on the first Sunday of each month, it provides all members the opportunity to bear testimony. In these meetings, any member who desires may stand before the congregation and testify of the things he or she has learned to be true through trying to live in the manner Christ has taught. Members typically come to these meetings fasting, abstaining from food and drink for at least two meals.

My first time to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, had to have been the 5th of March, 2006.  The missionaries started coming at the beginning of February, my first meeting was a Fast and Testimony, so that sounds about right.  Elder Hoy warned me that I might find it to be a little strange.  We sat in the middle section, on the left hand side, in either the second or third row.  I haven't sat in the front of the congregation since Athens.  I didn't know what to expect.  People would get up and talk, a lot of the times they would cry.  It drove me crazy how often a person would end up crying.  I found it strange that they would say "I know this is the true church."  I thought they were trying to convince themselves of it, so they made sure to say it out loud.  One guy talked about getting a blessing because he smashed his thumb.  I thought, how ridiculous is that.  Then again, you'll have crazy members in any church.  Afterwards, they had a pot luck to break the fast.  We did not know, that we should've had plates and silverware but there were extras that we used.  Leaving church that day I did not have a strong opinion of the church.  I continued going because I was asked to go, I was curious and I was Courtney's ride.  It was interesting learning about the church but I wasn't taking it seriously or wanting to know if it was really the true church.   We all know where this story has gone, I was baptized on October 8th, 2006.  My favorite meetings in church are Fast and Testimony.  I am a story person, stories are behind what makes a person who they are. Members hates, what they call, storimonies.  The point of Fast and Testimony is to say what you know is true, not to tell a story of what happened last weekend.  I, on the other hand, enjoy MOST of the storimonies, if they relate and have a good point.  

Today, I was planning on bearing my testimony.  I've been a member for over two years and have NEVER bore my testimony on Fast and Testimony.  At a Halloween party, two years ago, a kid asked me if I would share my testimony with two investigators, I did not do it.  My friend, Stephanie, always tried to get me to go up and bare my testimony but again, I refused to do it.  Last month, I wanted to bare my testimony but, yet again, I stayed in my seat.  Today, I stressed all day about baring my testimony, getting up in front of the entire congregation and telling them how I feel and what I know to be true.  I don't express my feelings to one person, let alone 150.  Why stress myself out about this?  Not only is baring your testimony for yourself, it is also for those listening.  I teared up several times today listening to members give their testimonies.  Our testimonies grow from hearing others'.   

I wanted to get up there because I have a testimony of the church.  I would not have become a member if I did not know that it was true.  I sat there watching the clock, making sure I had time to go up to the podium, hoping I would, and crying, of course trying not to, because the church means a lot to me and I am glad that I am a member.  I am thankful for missionary work, which I'm horrible at.  If it wasn't for missionaries, devoting 18 months to 2 yrs of their lives, sharing the gospel, then I would've never know what I know to be true today.  There are so many things about the church that I love.  I know that I have been blessed because of it and am very thankful for that.  

This is a dorky things... but.... Today, I was jealous of one of the girls, Mickie.  Her husband teaches Sunday School and said how he spent the week studying the lesson with his wife.  One of the things that I am very excited about is being married and learning, really studying, the gospel with my husband.  I want to marry someone who has a strong testimony and knowledge of the scriptures and will study them with me.  There is so much that goes along with that topic, that I'm excited about, but that's one of the reasons of why I was jealous.  One day... right?! 

I posted the video on the wrong blog... I tried doing it 4 times on the other blog but did not have success. I'm not going to delete it from here b/c I'm scared it won't post on the other one and it takes FOREVER to add!

 

Camp Tackahoe

I LOVE this time of year!!  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays!  I just love getting dressed up and seeing everyone's costumes.  This year, I only had two parties to attend.  I wore the same outfit to both, I just wasn't thinking.

The Camp Tuckahoe conference was this weekend.  Shawn and I ended up driving by ourselves.  We left around 5:20 on Friday.  Bill came home early so I could leave and get to Camp Tuckahoe at a reasonable hour.  It's a 3 hour drive and started at 7:30.  Before we left, I got the kids ready for Trick-or Treating.  I swear, when I was young, we had a set time that

Trick-or-Treating started. Here, you just go when you want to.  When I got home from picking the kids up from school, at 4 o'clock, there were people already coming to our door!  I thought it was ridiculous. Maybe things just changed since I was young.  Anyways, Josh went to a friend's and Emma came here.  They looked really cute!  Ethan was a Pirate, Gab was some character, I'm not sure who, and Emma was  also a pirate.  Josh was a Transformer but I don't have any pictures of him.  

Shawna and I pack way too much!  I don't think I pack too much, but it always seems like I have a ton of stuff.  I just had two bags!  One for my blankets and pillow, the other for my clothes and towels.  I had three pairs of shoes, none of which were practical, three coats and a lunch box.  Not bad, right? Some how, my entire back seat was filled.  Shawna didn't have that much either.  Hey, I'd rath

er be prepared! 

  So, after loading up, we were on our way!!  We drove through Hershey, PA and rolled down our windows, several times, to see if we could smell the town.  The entire town smells like chocolate, but from the highway you can't smell it.  My sister would not be proud, we stopped at a rest stop on a 3 hour trip.  Hey, if you gotta go, you gotta go!  We got to the camp around 8:30 and I was really excited. Shawna, on the other hand, was not thrilled to be there.  Yeah, I hate dances but I knew what was to come!  We checked in and were given our cabin, Maple.  At the time, I said I wanted to be in the Castle, not knowing that girls were actually staying there... what girl wouldn't want to be in the castle?  The dance ended a little after 11 and then you could go inside the haunted house and/or to the bon fire.  Unfortunately, I did not get to go in the

haunted house and/or to the bon fire.  Unfortunately, I did not get haunted house.  We went to the bon fire, Shanwa, Thom and I stood around for a little while talking.  

We decided to find where our cabin was.  Thom went to a hotel, Shawna and I went driving to find where we would stay. We had a map, we already know how great my  navigational skills are! We went the wrong way, but the drive was worth it!  The roads were one lane gravel paths. They were very bumpy and twisty.  It was pitch black out and no signs! We eventually made the decision that we were going the wrong way.  I went back to the mess hall and decided to go the opposite direction.  This time, we found it!  

When we walked into the cabin, there was a heated discussion taking place.  Since, there

were more people than beds, luckily, at the last minute they were able to get a second cabin.  They split the cabins into locations. For the most part, with a few exceptions, if you were from the area you got to stay in the Castle and if you lived more than 2 hours away, you were in Maple.  All the boys stayed in the Fort. There were some girls who were very upset.  Why?  The Castle, was heated with toilets, showers and running water.  Maple, on the other hand, had a fire stove as the heater and a well in the front yard. Bathrooms were a 10 minute walk. I think it should've been decided upon when you registered. I didn't care either way, I had no expectations to begin with.

The next morning, I got up a little before 7.  Breakfast was at 8:30 and everyone was asleep.  I decided to go to the Castle and take a shower.  After I was finished, there was still extra time, so I went walking to take pictures of the area.  It was very beautiful, I love PA!! We ate breakfast and waited for the speaker at 10.  Brother Brewer talked about faith and the founding fathers of our nation and of the church.  He told amazing stories that had everyone crying.  Side note, I'm not sure why, but when I cry, just a little, it only comes out of my right eye.  Brother Brewer finished a little after 11 and lunch was at noon.  Chad, Shawna and I decided to go play frisbee to fill the gap between the two. It started with three of us and ended up with probably 20 people in a huge circle and three frisbees.  Good times.  

Lunch was served and afterwards at 1 o'clock you could go canoeing or on the zip line.  There was a 2 o'clock zip line group also.  We went on the zip line at 1 which was a good decision.  We met in front of the mess hall to take the walk up to the zip line. When we got to our destination, we had to put our harnesses on.  For some reason, I came off as being rather ditzy this weekend.  Sometimes it wasn't my fault but if I tried to explain, it just made it worse. My harness was not my friend.  

First off, harnesses are not a good look for me!  I was the last 

one to get mine on and then it still wouldn't stay on right.  Now the helmets, I looked great in yellow, they're going to be a new fashion statement!  Just watch!  

After we "harnessed up", we walked to the zip line.  It's 400' across a valley and the highest point is 75' off the ground.  I wanted to go first but Chad pushed his way ahead.  Then, he decided that he didn't want to go first.  What?!  Instead, Nate went first.  He went across with his arms and legs spread  out! Then, it was my turn!  Ok, I don't mind heights but I HATE ladders!  Climbing the ladder and standing on the 2' x 2' platform while the guy fixed my harness, yet again, was the scariest part!

The zip line was awesome!  I want one in my back yard! I'll admit, I went off the ledge like it was my first time off a diving board.  I sat down and eased myself off... he said not to jump off and I couldn't figure out how to walk off without jumping.  Ok... ok... ok... no excuses!  I didn't do it like a big girl!  When I went, I twisted around backwards, then twisted forward and again went backwards.  I came into the landing backwards, but turned my camera around to see everyone.  Now I can check off another one of my goals in life... going on a zip line. I stayed on the other side as a catcher for longer than I had to because I wanted to take pictures of people coming across. Yeah, you're supposed to be preparing to stop the person but I was taking pictures and at the last second helping catch.  It was awesome hearing their experience as soon as they hit land again. 

Chad really wanted to play frisbee, so after I made my hike down the valley, across a stream and back up to the other side, I put the harness on another girl and left.  Shawna, Chad and I went back down to the mess hall.  Chad decided to eat and by the time he was finished more people had come back.  It was around 4 and we decided to leave. A group of us went to eat at Cracker Barrel.  We left there around 6 and should've been home around 9.  Instead, I decided I wanted Dairy Queen because there are not any Dairy Queens around where I live.  We got off an exit and the DQ was closed.  We looked up Ice Cream on the GPS and decided to get off another exit for ice cream.  Unfortunately, the next place I didn't like the directions the GPS gave, so I just kept driving.  The next ice cream place was shut down!  Then we drove to another location, this one took us to a house in a residential neighborhood.  We decided to just get back on the highway.  There was a sign for McDonalds, a McFlurry was fine by me.  We got off the highway, expecting the McDs to be right there but had to drive a while into a city.  I think I should've realized that I just didn't need to eat it!  By the time we were back on our way home we had wasted an hour!  We were really hyper after the sugar and had fun the rest of the way home! I'm glad I got to go on the trip!  It was a great weekend!