GENERAL CONFERENCE SPRING 2008

Listening to conference this morning I am reminded how much I love this gospel. I know President Monson is a true prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know this as I know this is the only true church on the face of this earth. I don't say this out of pride, but out of sincere humility. I respect other religions, and I love everyone, but I know the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints if the only true church on the face of this earth today. It is Jesus Christ's church. We are his servants and I need to follow more closely his example of service, love, faith, patience and compassion. I love Jesus Christ. He is my brother. I know I am a Child Of God, my spirit his one of royal offspring. I know this because the Holy Ghost has whispered this to me the truth of these things. I know the Holy Ghost is real and when I am living right, it is my constant companion. I KNOW THIS. I know Joseph Smith was and is a prophet and received the golden plates from an Angel named Moroni. He then translated them with help into the Book Of Mormon. Those plates contained a record of early inhabitants of the people in the Americas. These plates that were translated are called the Book of Mormon. I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON! It teaches us right from wrong, and how to avoid the pitfalls that can come to us if we are not obedient. I feel peace when I read the Book Of Mormon. The Holy Ghost has witnessed to me that the Book Of Mormon is true. I also love the Bible. With both of these sets of scriptures, we can have true knowledge of where we came from, what we are doing here on earth, and where we will go after death. It is so comforting to know this. I have faith, love and hope when I read these books. I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES! They are the only books I have re-read several times. The only books I need! I know my religion gives me greater joy and happiness. I would be nothing without it. I hope and pray that anyone who reads this blog, will read the Book Of Mormon, and then to ask God and Jesus Christ for a testimony of it's truthfulness. I know it's true and you can know too.

5th State Marathon! Yahoo Yakima!

Yes, I completed Yakima YAHOO! My time wasn't as good as I thought it would be, but with a head wind that made me feel as if I was running in place at times and the coarse being windey and slanted I figure I did A.O.K.! At mile 22 there was a hill that reminded me of Jackson Pass in Victor Idaho. I couldn't believe how long and steep it was for an entire mile and a half. My legs were shakey after that hill, and a cramp attacking me at mile 23 in my right achilles, OUCH! After massaging the cramp out I took it easy the rest of the way in. The rest stops did need to have some power gel of some sort, instead of Rice Krispie squares, M and M's and Gummi's. They did have gatorade and water however. The T-shirts were old fashioned but cute, and the medal was cute but very cheap. The expo, what expo? They did have a pasta party, but we didn't go, and a dinner after the race which we didn't attend either because Jayni needed to get home. The babies had had it! What I did enjoy was the people, they were so friendly, in fact an old lady was giving everyone hugs as they finished the marathon. It was so cute. She then handed all the female runners a rose. Very personable! I love small marathons because of this reason. The number that entered the race was 500, that's all! Small and quaint. (Probably because of the coarse, no record-breakers here)! I also enjoyed meeting runners from all over the world. The marathon runners here were die-hards. Most of them running 100 plus marathons! This marathon was their reunion marathon. I got alot of great ideas from them to complete my other 45 states! I also loved the beauty of the run. Running through a canyon with a huge river flowing at the side of you what's not to love? BEST OF ALL HOWEVER, WAS BEING WITH MY GRANBABIES AND JAYNI. I WAS SO THRILLED TO SEE THEM AT MILE 25. Jayni looked like she had just completed the marathon keeping those two little racals occupied for 2 hours. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! WHAT A FABULOUS CHRISTMAS PRESENT! THANK YOU JAYNI, JAKE AND KIDS!

YAKIMA VALLEY Marathon?

Yes, I'm posting this in Yakima Washington. You wonder why I am here? Jayni and Annie gave me this trip to me for a Christmas present! To run a marathon in Yakima Valley! What a fun present, expecially after Jayni drove the coarse today. It looks like the coarse is 95% uphill. Oh well, I hope I don't die! The valley we are running through is absolutely gorgeous however, but I thought Sedona was gorgeous as well. I think I'm in trouble! Elly and Toby are doing good through the long hours sitting in the car. You see Jayni thought I could use a buddy pass to get to Spokane, then drive down for one night in Yakima. However, the flights were all full to Spokane, so I had to catch a plane to the tri-cities. We stayed one night in Kennewick at a Red Lion Hotel. I had the best sleep of my life. The bed was a king size bed that we all shared. It was so soft and the pillows were so fluffy! I felt like a princess. We took the kids to a park on the Columbia river. It was a darling castle park. The play equipment was awesome. Then we went down by the river and let the kids throw rocks in. They loved it. We then went to "Horton Hears a Who". Elly loved it! She giggled through the whole movie. I slept like a baby , except for Elly kicking me a couple of times. Anyway we woke up and traveled through a little city called Sunnyville, where we took the Dairygold cheese tour. They gave out free cheese like Gossner's and Elly had a bubblegum ice cream cone. The cheese was yummy, but did it stink of cow manure, 10 times worse than Farr West. I've picked up my race packet and now we've checked into our hotel (Howard Johnson's) in a very graffiti filled area of town, which by the way isn't as nice as the Red Lion. I've just eaten my last supper before the big race tomorrow. Get this it's cloudy, raining, and very windy. Just my luck! I hope it will be better tomorrow, but I'm prepared! So yes this whole Yakima Christmas present is turning out to be better than I thought, so far?! I'll keep you posted.