Weekend date night lovin

Guys... I love this man. On Friday were able to snap a few photos for a family friend, and while we were there I asked her if she could take a couple for us as well. (thanks Whit) She just took them from my phone and it took less than a minute but i thought they were really cute. I was also later very grateful that she did take them because it ended up being a memorable night.

Luke and I were able to go to the Draper Temple and do a Sealing Session. A Sealing is 

Another temple ordinance , in which husbands and wives are sealed to each other and children are sealed to their parents in eternal families. This means that if we are faithful to our covenants, our family relationships will continue for eternity. People sometimes also refer to this ordinance as “temple marriage” or “eternal marriage.”

In our faith we believe that we can be with our families forever. If this ordinance is performed there is no " till death do us part". You would quite literally be with your family forever. For those who have passed away, we have the opportunity to do their temple work and act as proxy to seal them to their families. 

For a few weeks now I have been feeling really strongly that we ought to go to the temple together. We hadn't been together in a few weeks, and I thought it was about time, so on friday night we set the date. You know I am a firm believer that if you are in the right time at the right place where you are supposed to be, you will be blessed. That we were...blessed. Luke served his LDS mission in Chile. Where he spent two years of his life devoted to Christ, serving and teaching the gospel. It was a hard two years. Away from family, friends,and many other things, but it was two years he labored in love. Love for the people, and love for the Savior.

As we got to the temple and started doing Sealings. Something very special took place. All of the families that we were doing the ordinances in behalf of where from Chile. It struck both of our hearts deeply as Luke had such a great love for those people, and the love I have grown for them through his stories, and through him. The priesthood holder who performs this ordinance is called a Sealer. The Sealer decided that because Luke served his mission in Chile, and there were several other people in the room whom spanish was their first language, that it was only fitting that he do the ordinance in Spanish. IN. SPANISH. ... These wonderful families were sealed together forever and were able to hear it on the other side in their own language. It was so special and the spirit we felt was so strong. There was so much love in the room, and after we finished Luke and I exchanged our feelings, and were very grateful that we were so blessed as to partake in such a beautiful experience.

 After we left the temple we went to our favorite ice cream place, Leatherbys and got our favorite dessert. "Amy's hot fudge brownie". A brownie topped with a scoop of ice cream that has been drenched in hot fudge and whipped cream. ( My mouth is literally watering thinking about it.) We laughed and joked together and had a wonderful time. 

The importance of family, and of continuing to date my spouse is so important to me. I am so thankful for my love. For all that he does for me, and to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The church is true

Minderella

Melissa and Emily

This is a song Melissa and Emily Wrote called Neverland

Guys today I am talking about two of the very best most supportive people in this world. My sisters. The real ones. As you get to know me more you find me calling a lot of people my sisters or "Cysters" (The girls who have Cystic Fibrosis that I have a sister like bond with.) Today however I am going to tell you about my amazing real live sisters Melissa and Emily.

These are two of the purest hearted girls you will ever meet, and I have never met anyone who has felt differently.

First since she is older let me tell you about Melissa:

When we were little.. holy cow my mom couldn't stop us from fighting, OR being mischievous together. It was either one or the other. I am laughing right now thinking about it. When we were little our rooms were right next door to each other, and every night when my parents would close their door we would sneak into each others rooms and play "night games" or some sort with each other. We defiantly thought we were being sneaky, but my mom would always holler "go to bed!!!" Haha we were naughty. As we grew older into the teenage years I cant even recall more than to or three fights and those were just because we were grumpy that day. We were and are to this day Best. Friends. I love my sister so much. She is super talented at all that she does. One of her favorite things is thrift shopping with my  mom. I don't know how they do it but every single time they go they find amazing clothes. I'm talking name brand worn once and or never before clothes for less than $5.00. Meliss can pull off ANY style. she will wear rain boots with just about anything. (even to my wedding). She is also a very talented artist. Holy cow.. throughout my life I have attempted to be good at art. My dad is a painter so I always tried when he would draw or paint something amazing, but lets just say God gave me other talents ;) Melissa however.. unreal. The girl could sell her paintings and sketches for hundreds of dollars. She is also has a beautiful voice. Again.. I tried singing lessons... not my forte in life. She however has performed in front of thousands of people, and has some mad vocal skills. On top of all this she is an AMAZING sister. She and I would always laugh together when we were growing up. We wore crazy outfits, had dance parties, and I even broke her bed once because we were rough housing. I could not have asked for a better friend, and sweet spirit. She is currently serving a mission right now for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Told you she was amazing.... I am so incredibly lucky to have her support me through everything. All of the times I went to the hospital and she didn't have a mom for weeks at a time because she was taking care of me. All the times she supported my school events... I could go on forever, and I feel so incredibly blessed to have her in my life for eternity.

We did a photo shoot together one day in Daybreak right by the temple and they turned out beautiful.

This was after we did the dirty dash together. yes we wrestled and threw mud at each other. (hence the mud in my eye) 

This was before church on Christmas one year. 

This one..... explains us to a T. Always up to something crazy and silly.

This was taken as we were driving up to Bear Lake for the day. Have you had their Raspberry Shakes? If not you are dead to me.

I love my sissy!!!

Next up is Emily:

Emily is literally an angel sent from heaven. The girl never says or does anything mean. EVER. she is also incredibly talented. She plays the violin, and the piano. To top it off she sings well too. Emily is an amazing artist. when she was thirteen she was drawing (incredibly accurately) paintings that were seen on Disney movies such as "Tangled", "Up" and many more. You should see her artwork. Emily is brilliant. When she was little Melissa and I being the hooligans we were would try to trick her.. she NEVER bought into any of our trickery even when she was little little. She is just smart. This year she just finished ninth grade and passed an AP test. AP people!!!! So smart. She is so good at everything she does, but I think the thing that you will find the best about her is her kindness. She will sit with people at lunch who don't have friends. She never gossips, and if someone is mean to her she is instantly forgiving. I wish that I could be more like her. ( I have a temper of sorts.) I am so thankful for my littlest sister. She is growing up into such a beautiful young woman and she turns 16 in a few months!! Holy cow!! my very own baby sister will be on the roads soon, and dating boys. (She all ready has a million after her by the way) She is amazing in every way!! Oh and did I mention that at the age of fourteen she decided to train for a half marathon and run one. so she did??? AND that she medalled in swimming her very first year as a freshman in high school?? I'm telling you this girl..... has every quality that anyone would ever desire. I love my Emmy girl.

Growing up we had a couch on our front porch and this is one time I broke my legs and she hung out with me a lot. Bless her heart.

I used to play the Harp, and it was so much fun at Christmas time to be able to play duets together. I truly believe that where words fail, music speaks.

This is all three of us before a dance Melissa was going to. Arent they stunning??

So.. I dont know how this happened but all three of us LOVE laying on the floor. Sleeping on it. Lounging on it. Taking naps on it. so this is how we hang out... this particular time all three of us were snuggled up by the fire together.

This was a really cool time. We are so blessed to have so many temples so close to us. We were so blessed to participate in the "Steeple Chase" where we ran from the Oquirrh Mountain Temple to the Jordan River Temple. It was awesome to do with my sissies.

I have the best sisters. Rose (The only blond one here is our aunt who is only three years older than I am. She grew up pretty much at our house so she counts as a sister too, but that is a story for a different day.) I am so so lucky to have such great and supportive sisters who are so selfless and kind. I hope that you all have the opportunity to share a great relationship with loved ones in your life.

XOXO

Minderella

Picture perfect

A couple of months ago Luke and I got our pictures taken for our one year anniversary. We have loved Husband and Wife Photography. They shot our wedding, engagements and more. I loved how these pictured turn out because a lot of them are Candid. Luke and I are aweful at keeping straight faces... We always end up laughing at something or other. I love that man that I am lucky enough to call mine forever.

Thanks Andrea and Jeff for the beautiful photos.

Xoxo

Minderella

Gods Power, The Priesthood, A change of heart

The church defines the priesthood as:  the authority to act in God’s name. The same priesthood authority that existed in the original Church established by Jesus Christ exists in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. The Church is directed and led through this authority.

All male members of the Church who are prepared receive the priesthood in order to help lead the Church and serve Heavenly Father’s children. A man with the priesthood might serve in some of the following ways:

• Leading congregations of the Church
• Performing the ordinances of the Church, such as baptism
• Blessing those who are sick

God expects those who hold this sacred priesthood authority to follow the example of Jesus Christ and serve with love, gentleness, and kindness.

~~I felt that I should write this post because there are many women who are having a hard time, because they feel it is somehow "unfair" that men hold the priesthood, and not they. I wanted to go over a talk given this last April 2014 in the priesthood session that explains more about why men hold the priesthood, and the roles that men and women bestow. They are both different, as a man is from a women, but equally sacred. ~~

This talk was given by Dallin. H Oaks. A member of the quorum of the seventy, and is titled; The Keys and Authority of The Preisthood. 

I.

At this conference we have seen the release of some faithful brothers, and we have sustained the callings of others. In this rotation—so familiar in the Church—we do not “step down” when we are released, and we do not “step up” when we are called. There is no “up or down” in the service of the Lord. There is only “forward or backward,” and that difference depends on how we accept and act upon our releases and our callings. I once presided at the release of a young stake president who had given fine service for nine years and was now rejoicing in his release and in the new calling he and his wife had just received. They were called to be the nursery leaders in their ward. Only in this Church would that be seen as equally honorable!

II.

While addressing a women’s conference, Relief Society general president Linda K. Burton said, “We hope to instill within each of us a greater desire to better understand the priesthood.”¹ That need applies to all of us, and I will pursue it by speaking of the keys and authority of the priesthood. Since these subjects are of equal concern to men and to women, I am pleased that these proceedings are broadcast and published for all members of the Church. Priesthood power blesses all of us. Priesthood keys direct women as well as men, and priesthood ordinances and priesthood authority pertain to women as well as men.

III.

President Joseph F. Smith described the priesthood as “the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family.”² Other leaders have taught us that the priesthood “is the consummate power on this earth. It is the power by which the earth was created.”³ The scriptures teach that “this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also” (Moses 6:7). Thus, the priesthood is the power by which we will be resurrected and proceed to eternal life.

The understanding we seek begins with an understanding of the keys of the priesthood. “Priesthood keys are the authority God has given to priesthood [holders] to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood on earth.”⁴ Every act or ordinance performed in the Church is done under the direct or indirect authorization of one holding the keys for that function. As Elder M. Russell Ballard has explained, “Those who have priesthood keys … literally make it possible for all who serve faithfully under their direction to exercise priesthood authority and have access to priesthood power.”⁵

In the controlling of the exercise of priesthood authority, the function of priesthood keys both enlarges and limits. It enlarges by making it possible for priesthood authority and blessings to be available for all of God’s children. It limits by directing who will be given the authority of the priesthood, who will hold its offices, and how its rights and powers will be conferred. For example, a person who holds the priesthood is not able to confer his office or authority on another unless authorized by one who holds the keys. Without that authorization, the ordination would be invalid. This explains why a priesthood holder—regardless of office—cannot ordain a member of his family or administer the sacrament in his own home without authorization from the one who holds the appropriate keys.

With the exception of the sacred work that sisters do in the temple under the keys held by the temple president, which I will describe hereafter, only one who holds a priesthood office can officiate in a priesthood ordinance. And all authorized priesthood ordinances are recorded on the records of the Church.

Ultimately, all keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is. He is the one who determines what keys are delegated to mortals and how those keys will be used. We are accustomed to thinking that all keys of the priesthood were conferred on Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, but the scripture states that all that was conferred there were “the keys of this dispensation” (D&C 110:16). At general conference many years ago, President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that there are other priesthood keys that have not been given to man on the earth, including the keys of creation andresurrection.⁶

The divine nature of the limitations put upon the exercise of priesthood keys explains an essential contrast between decisions on matters of Church administration and decisions affecting the priesthood. The First Presidency and the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, who preside over the Church, are empowered to make many decisions affecting Church policies and procedures—matters such as the location of Church buildings and the ages for missionary service. But even though these presiding authorities hold and exercise all of the keys delegated to men in this dispensation, they are not free to alter the divinely decreed pattern that only men will hold offices in the priesthood.

IV.

I come now to the subject of priesthood authority. I begin with the three principles just discussed: (1) priesthood is the power of God delegated to man to act for the salvation of the human family, (2) priesthood authority is governed by priesthood holders who hold priesthood keys, and (3) since the scriptures state that “all other authorities [and] offices in the church are appendages to this [Melchizedek] priesthood” (D&C 107:5), all that is done under the direction of those priesthood keys is done with priesthood authority.

How does this apply to women? In an address to the Relief Society, President Joseph Fielding Smith, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said this: “While the sisters have not been given the Priesthood, it has not been conferred upon them, that does not mean that the Lord has not given unto them authority. … A person may have authority given to him, or a sister to her, to do certain things in the Church that are binding and absolutely necessary for our salvation, such as the work that our sisters do in the House of the Lord. They have authority given unto them to do some great and wonderful things, sacred unto the Lord, and binding just as thoroughly as are the blessings that are given by the men who hold the Priesthood.”⁷

In that notable address, President Smith said again and again that women have been given authority. To the women he said, “You can speak with authority, because the Lord has placed authority upon you.” He also said that the Relief Society “[has] been given power and authority to do a great many things. The work which they do is done by divine authority.” And, of course, the Church work done by women or men, whether in the temple or in the wards or branches, is done under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys. Thus, speaking of the Relief Society, President Smith explained, “[The Lord] has given to them this great organization where they have authority to serve under the directions of the bishops of the wards … , looking after the interest of our people both spiritually and temporally.”⁸

Thus, it is truly said that Relief Society is not just a class for women but something they belong to—a divinely established appendage to the priesthood.⁹

We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.

Whoever exercises priesthood authority should forget about their rights and concentrate on their responsibilities. That is a principle needed in society at large. The famous Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is quoted as saying, “It is time … to defend not so much human rights as human obligations.”¹⁰ Latter-day Saints surely recognize that qualifying for exaltation is not a matter of asserting rights but a matter of fulfilling responsibilities.

V.

The Lord has directed that only men will be ordained to offices in the priesthood. But, as various Church leaders have emphasized, men are not “the priesthood.”¹¹ Men hold the priesthood, with a sacred duty to use it for the blessing of all of the children of God.

The greatest power God has given to His sons cannot be exercised without the companionship of one of His daughters, because only to His daughters has God given the power “to be a creator of bodies … so that God’s design and the Great Plan might meet fruition.”¹² Those are the words of President J. Reuben Clark.

He continued: “This is the place of our wives and of our mothers in the Eternal Plan. They are not bearers of the Priesthood; they are not charged with carrying out the duties and functions of the Priesthood; nor are they laden with its responsibilities; they are builders and organizers under its power, and partakers of its blessings, possessing the complement of the Priesthood powers and possessing a function as divinely called, as eternally important in its place as the Priesthood itself.”¹³

In those inspired words, President Clark was speaking of the family. As stated in the family proclamation, the father presides in the family and he and the mother have separate responsibilities, but they are “obligated to help one another as equal partners.”¹⁴ Some years before the family proclamation, President Spencer W. Kimball gave this inspired explanation: “When we speak of marriage as a partnership, let us speak of marriage as a full partnership. We do not want our LDS women to besilent partners or limited partners in that eternal assignment! Please be acontributing and full partner.”¹⁵

In the eyes of God, whether in the Church or in the family, women and men are equal, with different responsibilities.

I close with some truths about the blessings of the priesthood. Unlike priesthood keys and priesthood ordinations, the blessings of the priesthood are available to women and to men on the same terms. The gift of the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the temple are familiar illustrations of this truth.

In his insightful talk at BYU Education Week last summer, Elder M. Russell Ballard gave these teachings:

“Our Church doctrine places women equal to and yet different from men. God does not regard either gender as better or more important than the other. …

“When men and women go to the temple, they are both endowed with the same power, which is priesthood power. … Access to the power and the blessings of the priesthood is available to all of God’s children.”¹⁶

I testify of the power and blessings of the priesthood of God, available for His sons and daughters alike. I testify of the authority of the priesthood, which functions throughout all of the offices and activities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify of the divinely directed function of the keys of the priesthood, held and exercised in their fullness by our prophet/president, Thomas S. Monson. Finally and most important, I testify of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose priesthood this is and whose servants we are, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

~~
      The yellow parts that I highlighted I felt were important information regarding what the priesthood power is, who bestows it, and why it is given to men. The blue is ALL of the many examples of how women have the opportunity to receive blessings from the authority of the priesthood, and in the temple have more access. However, men and women have separate roles on earth. A women s divine calling is to be a nurturer, and a man the priesthood holder. God does not see women as less important or less divine in any way. We are His special, and sacred daughters. Ladies... Must we be so focused on what we don't have and focus on what we have been given? I am so very thankful to have a priesthood holder in my home, and for those of you who don't have one who resides in your home you have access through neighbors, home teachers, bishops, branch presidents, stake presidents and so many more worthy men who hold the power that you find yourself searching for. Do men have the sacred and special opportunity to be mothers? To have such a close eternal bond as that when carrying a child for nine months and then bonding with that child forever? They do not. Does that make them any less important or equal than us? Are we "better" because we are the ones who God has allowed to carry his beautiful spirits into this earthly home? No. We are not. We have different roles than men, and both when used together in righteousness are what will build the lords kingdom in righteousness. Speculation will only hinder not harbor love. Hatred or Pride will only bring suffering. Dwelling on the fact that women are not "priesthood holders" will only lead to unhappiness. The priesthood as said in the talk above is Christ's priesthood. It is He who determines who it is placed upon and therefore is not a matter that our beloved prophets can determine. It is our Savior Jesus Christ, and our loving Heavenly father who make the decision. May I suggest that instead of focusing on what we "don't" have, concentrate on what we do... For many years during the apostasy, the earth was with out the priesthood. Can you imagine not being able to have a blessing of peace, or healing from sickness and affliction? Can you imagine the blessings that were stripped from the earth when there was no priesthood upon it? The priesthood is here today, and we have more access than ever. More worthy priesthood holders than ever. More temples where we ALL have access to its incredible power, and Most importantly we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ on this earth for which I will forever be grateful for. These are my individual thoughts and feelings. If you do not agree with them, that is perfectly fine. These are the things that bring me joy in my life and contempt. I hope that you may find peace in the incredible power that God has allowed us to have on this earth. No matter who may have authority or bestow that power. I hope that you can find a place in your heart that will be thankful for this wonderful gift.~~

     xoxo

Minderella

Water

Today was a hard day. I contemplated not writing this post because I Dont usually like to show pain, but then I realized everyone goes through pain, and sometimes it's nice to know that another person understands you. So this post is for those who should know... I understand... Not all things of course, but I know pain.

This morning after another hot weather run yesterday I woke up feeling incredibly fatigued. I couldn't seem to get out of bed. I usually wake up anywhere from 7:00-9:00 but today it was 10:00am and I was SO tired. As I got going for the day I noticed I was more fatigued than usual.. But ignored it as I got ready to do my normal workouts of the day. My wonderful sister karacat called me to see if I wanted to go for a run, but something wasn't feeling quite right, and my body just wasn't up to it, so I passed on the run but still planned on my T25 workouts. About 20 minutes later I began to feel dizzy and light headed, and just weak in general and decided I should just not workout at all today.

I started laying on the couch and felt worse so after e mailing my nurse at The Cystic Fibrosis clinic telling her what was going on she told me to go to the closest ER to get evaluated for dehydration..(side note, because of the improper function of the sodium chloride channel, people with CF lose 5x the salt as other people making it hard to stay hydrated.) My best friends Mail and Tracee came to the rescue. Mallory took me to the hospital and Tracee (recovering from dehydration herself *bless her* watched Mallory s little boy.)

About 11:30 we arrived at the hospital and started crying when we got there. I felt so weak, and vulnerable and I get really anxious when I Dont feel good. While they were checking me in it was the weirdest thing, the nurse asked me what medicines I was taking and I usually am able to rattle them off. (All 20 of them or more) but I could NOT remember them. My mind went blank and I was trying so hard , but couldn't concentrate or remember. Luckily in the computer they had a record of them and got it figured out.

When I got back to my room my relief society president and dear friend Shanna arrived along with a few of the men in my ward to give me a priesthood blessing. (A blessing given by two men who are worthy and hold a sacred power called the priesthood, given in times of need for the healing of the sick and comfort.) It was the most beautiful blessing I have ever received.. I won't share the details, but I am so incredibly grateful for the peace that it brought me. My amazing bishop stopped by as well and can I just tell you I have the most incredible people in my life?! All so selfless and supportive. I am eternally grateful for them.

Soon after the Dr came in and decided to get me an IV and start some fluids for dehydration. This is where the fun began... My whole life it has been hard to draw my blood because of the scar tissue built up in my veins from previous procedures, but dehydration elevated that difficulty. After three tries to put in an IV the Dr decided to try my neck. (Bigger veins, better access) ummm.... I was a bit frightened. My mom told me I had had one in my neck before but I was too little to have had any recollection of it. However I breathed through it and it actually didn't hurt bad, BUT... Unfortunately they were unable after two tries to get a neck vain. The Dr then decided to call the "PICC Line team." (People who are highly trained in placing peripheral, PICC, central, and arterial lines.) They have a little bit better equipment as well. Anyways a really nice nurse came and we were finally able to get one placed. Curse you dehydration.. Haha.

Anyhow two bags of fluid later I started to feel better and they let me go home. I stopped by our favorite bakery (Swirly Girls) in Daybreak, because what is better than cookies after the hospital right ?! ;)

When I got home I ate for the first time today. My nice husband brought home some Panda Express and it hit the spot. Then I started feeling really sick again and I was solo frustrated... Sometimes I get really upset when I Dont feel good. I think things like.." The whole reason this happened was because I was trying to run, which helps my lungs, which helps CF. So why is it so hard sometimes?! I broke both femurs two summers ago, and the right femur last year because of running, and sometimes I JUST WANT TO BE "NORMAL"!!!!!) But usually those thoughts, and pity party Dont last long, and I think more of my normal thoughts that consist more of " I wouldn't be who I am without my trials. I wouldn't be able to empathize with others as well. I wouldn't know some of the most amazing doctors, nurses, coworkers, patients, friends, brothers, and cysters if I didn't have CF." Then I remember how everyone has bad days and hard times. That people are going through a lot more than me, and reflected on the blessing I received. As I lay here in my bed feeling less than well I am grateful. Even though it was a tough day I lay in MY home, under my covers, with a loving husband. So its ok... And... Lessen learned... No more heat runs, and water is crucial. So drink up this summer!!!!!!

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Ether 12:27

Be kind, for everyone is fighting a battle

-A more hydrated Minderella-

If the shoe Fits

Shoes. Have you ever contemplated that shoes tell a story?! They travel around the world. Walk on foreign territory. Engange in romantic evenings. Trod through trials, and triumph in defeat...

These are shoes who carried two sisters in a race to cure a young boys cancer.

These shoes danced the night away st The Grand America hotel in 2011, in celebration of becoming a graduate.

These shoes were in celebration of a special spirit, and rejoyced in it being her 23 year.

These shoes were worn for family pictures, rejoycing in a first year of marriage that will last through eternity.

These are the new shoes that showed selflessness. Selflessness in a husband who does not enjoy shopping, but decided to make it a special Saturday by taking his wife.

These shoes took part in several celebrations on perhaps one of the most celebrated, and important days of the year to this great nation, Independence day.

These are the boots worn by a little girl. A girl who lost her mom to the tradgedy of suicide, and wanted to be like her daddy, a Marine of The United States of America.

These were worn by a girl who fractured both femurs, yet didnt let it stop her from doing the things that she loved, because "smooth seas never did make a skilled sailor."

These shoes walked the hallowed ground of the Salt Lake City Utah Temple, after a man became a husband, and a girl became his wife. Eternal companions, best friends for eternity, and partners in crime.

These shoes withstood many miles, in the freezing southern Osorno Chilie. Worn by a righteous young man whose gave two years of his life to the Lord, and desired nothing but to help build the Kingdom of God.

These shoes played in the sand and ocean on a brisk day in December with a little girl who could not contain the smile on her face as she ran towards the waves and let them splash on her tiny feet.

These shoes were worn in a place dreamed of by a man named Walt, whose life was dedicated to making "The happiest place on earth."

These are the shoes of a mother and her middle son on the day of his wedding. A day that she dreamed of for all three of her boys, and continues in supporting day by day.

This was perhaps the most purposefull of all. A man whose shoes were taken away. A man who walked in Jerusalem, a Jew, who taught the people that we are in the world, and not "of" the world. A God, who gave his life, and partook of the bitter cup, and sting of death so that we would not have to..

These are the story of mine, and the people who I cherise most. Where we have been, and what stories we are writing, not only by the way we act, the words we speak, but simply by the places we go and the"shoes" that we wear.

What kind of story do your shoes tell???

Minderella