Utah Winter Fun!

Making the most of every moment here... we don't know what our next step will be, where life will take us, but being here now is such a blast!  From self defense classes to playing in the snow, and always trying to give gratitude like the prophet asked us to do... such a momentous moment when he announced a 15 minute message he prepared for the world, then prayed with/for us! Beautiful.

Kenny’s first recital solo! “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”, so proud of him! Only 15 & wearing Stephen’s boots & sweater, & Daron’s jeans. Boyd's cute surprised reply faces & cookie reward!

 

Bryson joining us for Church (and legos) at home!

 

LOVE THE SNOWSTORMS!!

 

Best school assignment ever -- Kassie's creative tik tok!

 

Utah's Homestead Crater -- fun to go back after our honeymoon trip there as newlyweds 23 yrs ago!

 

Date time with the kids, Steve & Marla, and the deer...

 

 

Cute Stephen's Boston life!

 

Mom's sweet gratitude posts ~

 

Family Getaway Date to Midway's Zermatt Swiss Resort!

World's Largest Root Beer selection Shop - right in Sandy!

Family Go-Kart/Laser Tag/Golfing Playdate!

And 4 of my favorite guys...

 

First family trip back to Texas!

So fun heading back to Texas... Kas gets to Standlead at a KHS game, more 50th bday partying, VOTING, Stefan heading on his mission & tearful goodbyes, Chill #2 gets started, Halloween & Renfest, friends and cousin playtime, and Stephen writes a beautiful poem about the 10 Lepers.

 

 

 

Stephen's beautiful poem: "The One"

(It was published in the Boston Mission Virtual Art Show!)

They all stayed at the gate, hoping it wasn't for naught,

Nine watched the road, both excited and fraught.

Glory be to God, they'd heard He was coming that day

But One man stayed back, to kneel and to pray.

Their lots had been hard, cast out and forsaken

Not a one had any friends, home or kin.

Their disease had made life a living death 

But these ten men had new hope on their breath.

Around the corner He came, His twelve learners in tow

The men shouted for joy, they began to go.

Christ was there, the stories were true

The One stood and thought, "Is it really You?" 

They rushed to their knees, and sought His good graces;

The Healer was touched, and beheld their scarred faces.

Together they cried "Jesus Master, have mercy on us" ~

A crowd started to gather, to see what was the fuss.

The ten knew He was their only hope, this Godly man from Bethlehem. 

With the voice of a shepherd, He said unto them

"Go shew yourselves unto the priests."

They then ran off and Christ thought, "I hope one comes back at least." 

The ten did what He said, the priests bore witness ~

And the One marveled, now free from his sickness.

Then nine of them went on their way, all taking their bed

But the One returned to Christ, many thoughts in his head.

The One came forward, then fell on his face

He praised the Lord for his abiding grace.

Jesus bid him "Arise" and asked, "Were there not ten?" 

"I know not" the One replied, the only of the men.

The Savior knowingly nodded, yet his joy was full ~

Christ said to the One, "Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole." 

In this story we learn not only of a grateful man's new latitude,

But perhaps the importance of having an attitude of gratitude.