Four weekends and a Wedding

Life has been pretty busy lately....

Weekend #1: Brent & I celebrated our 5 year anniversary of being sealed in the temple for eternity. I really can't believe it has been that long ago! We were able to go up to Sanpete that weekend to do a session in the Manti Temple to celebrate and also so that I could make it to Jenessa's bridal shower. I love the Manti Temple. It always has such a wonderful and special feeling that is different from all other temples. It was wonderful to see Nessa again and to spend more time with Jason. I'm so glad she loved the sign I made them.

Weekend #2: We were able to go up to Sanpete again but this time it was to see the Mormon Miracle Pageant. We were able to meet up with my cousins Amanda (who is currently living in Hawaii), her fun in-laws, and my other cousins Laura, and Arianne. It was so wonderful to see the pageant again..especially since I grew up being in it pretty much every year. I was still able to quote most of it! We were also able to do another session in the Manti Temple. It really is the hardest thing to put into words how strong the spirit is there.

Weekend #3: Again up to Sanpete. This time to be with Jenessa as she went through the temple for the first time. I loved every minute I was able to share with her on that beautiful and wonderful day. The spirit was so incredibly strong and I know her mom was there with her. Seeing Jenessa in the Celestial room really brought back so many memories of when I went through to receive my own Endowments. I am so truly grateful for the gospel in my life and for the precious experiences I have been able to have because of it. We were then able to go to Brent's parents house to help them put a sprinkler system in their yard. It was hard work but it was great to be able to spend time with them and being able to work hard to accomplish our goals. We were also able to visit with Brent's mom since she had her surgery. We wish you a speedy recovery mom. We love you.

Weekend #4: Back up to Sanpete for my DeLeeuw Family Reunion. It was so great to go camping and to see so much family...most of whom I haven't seen in years. It was so fun!! I have such a goofy and loving family! Also this weekend Jenessa and Jason were married and we were blessed to be able to be there. It was so neat to listen to the sealer marry them and to hear and know that the spirit was directing him to things he needed to say. We were able to spend the day with them through the pictures, lunch, and reception. It was so wonderful to see Nessa so happy and seeing how much Jason really loves her. Nessa, I love you and I am so grateful that you found your prince. You are the most special person I have ever met and you are the best friend anyone could ask for. I am so lucky that I have been able to know you and have you for a friend for 18 years...and I look forward to many many more. Thank you Jason for treating her the way she deserves and making her happy. And thank you so much for letting us be a part of this special day! We wish you the most happiness in your life together!!

A lot happened during these 4 weeks. It was amazing being able to go to the temple each week and to feel the spirit so strongly. It has made me more positive about things going on in my life and the trials I am facing, and I am trying to remember those feelings I felt and incorporate them in every day. I love my family and I am so grateful for this chance we had to spend so much time with them. And I am especially thankful for the wonderful blessing of sharing this time with Jenessa and Jason. What a wonderful life we have because of our family, friends, and the gospel!

I'm proud to be an American

In the distance I see her

Ronald Crites

In the distance I see her, as she stands and waves,
As I sit and watch her, at the dawn of day.
As the sun arises, from our eastern shores,
I see Old Glory, she is battered and worn.
Her colors are faded, and her edges are frayed,
A symbol of our Nation, in its current stage.
I shed a tear, for my dear old friend,
As I remember what she's seen, and the places she's been.

She was there in the beginning, as she led in the fight,
As brave men and women fought, to defend what was right.
Washington, Sherman, and for Lincoln she flew,
Over blood soaked grounds, as our freedoms grew.
She made the journey, unto foreign lands,
Through both World Wars, Korea and Nam.
Against oppression, tyranny, and terror by night,
She stood for freedom, as a beacon of light.

But now she's here, in our present age,
As I look at her there, all tattered and frayed.
I can't understand it, where we are,
From where we've been, it seems so far.
She's been spit upon, trampled, burned and torn,
Dishonored, discarded, right here at home.
A House of cards, is where our liberties lie,
While a nation stands silent, as our freedoms slip by.
Where integrity, honesty and values are lost,
Where marriage is forsaken, the unborn pay the cost.

The word of God is silent, on Congress hill,
Even from our schools, it is silent still.
The Lord of heaven, of earth, and of man,
Says "return to Me, and I'll heal your land."
We must go to Him, on bended knee,
Give all unto Him, and He'll give unto thee.

As I watch my dear friend, as she starts to fly,
I hear her plea, I hear her cry.
As she sends out a call, across the land,
"To do what's right, make a stand!"
"Liberty, Justice and Freedom" she sounds,
"Do not compromise, or cross the bounds."
"We must stand together, though some may fall,
For freedom we'll lose, if we don't stand at all."
"To laugh, to play, to worship and live,
How much is freedom worth, how much will you give?"
"Like those before us, in wars fought and won,
Our fathers, brothers, daughters and sons."
"Who fought for freedom, they gave it all,
That our country may stand, and never, fall."

As the sun descends, beyond the western view,
And taps is played, in a lonesome tune.
Old Glory is lowered, in the last bit of light,
For on this day, was her last flight.
She gave all she could, she gave all her might,
She fought to the last, she fought the good fight.
For in the breaking, of tomorrows new dawn,
New hope shall arise, as Glory lives on.
She shall arise again, bright shining and new,
As she continues the call, to me, and to you.
From sea to sea, and mountains of white,
Our land, our home, we must defend and fight.

How much will you give, as Gods own Son,
To bring us back to Him, so we can live on.
Will you join with us, hand in hand,
In prayer and fasting, to heal our land?
Though our country's not perfect, this much is sure,
But it's still our county, and it's worth fighting for.

I truly love this Country, and I am so grateful to all those who have fought and gave their lives defending it. I would not be the same person I am without this pride and love I feel for this beautiful land. I know God gave us these freedoms and this nation so we would have the ability to receive his gospel. I am so grateful for all those who face trials to give us a better tomorrow and for those who stood up for what they knew to be right and all those who continue to stand. I thank you with my whole heart! I am proud to be an American and to be a part of this great nation, and to have the opportunity to do my part to help make it better. I know it isn't a perfect country, but I also know it has the potential to become so if people were honest, humble, and full of love and compassion for others. I hope we all have the courage to stand up and help make it a better place for tomorrow!

If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace. ~Hamilton Fish

Utah Summer Games

This year Brent & I were able to attend the Utah Summer Games Opening Ceremony. It was so fun. I love doing new and different things with Brent. We sat on a nice grassy spot and cuddled until the ceremony started. The wind was horrible, and being pelted by sand from the long jump sand pits didn't help. But once the festivities started the wind died down and we were able to enjoy the evening. They had the Jazz Bear come and ride a motorcycle through a ring of fire, some cool x-treme bikers, musical numbers (all of which really were not good at all..especially the group called the party crashers), and best of all was a very touching salute to all the troops and amazing fireworks going off right above our heads. It was such a fun evening out! Thanks Brent.

A Day in Page

This past Saturday we decided to make a trip to Page, AZ to visit cousins before they moved. It was a long drive but so worth it. It was so nice seeing them. The kids have grown up so much since the last time we saw them. They are so cute and funny! The youngest little girl was born 3 months early weighing only just over a pound...and now she is 3 and is the happiest little girl. We were also able to see another cousin and his wife who came to visit too. It was so nice seeing everyone and spending time having fun. We all decided to have a hotdog roast at Lake Powell for dinner. It was so fun having it right on the beach. It was Brent's first time being there and I think he loved it. It was so beautiful!

We will miss the Sorensen family but we are excited for this new adventure for your family. Love you all so much!

Graduation

Brent graduated today! After many years, months, weeks, days, and hours, Brent is finally going to graduate from SUU with his Bachelors Degree. I am so proud of you sweetheart and look forward to all the new adventures this will bring into our lives. Thanks to you all for all the support and encouragement you have given us.

Sorry some of the pictures aren't the greatest... haven't had time to photoshop them yet.

Engaged!

My best friend since 2nd grade is engaged!!! The lucky guy who won my best friends heart is named Jason. They are the cutest couple and they are so completely happy and in love. I'm so happy for you both and we wish you the best life together. Jenessa is such a special person and she deserves the best out of life. Jason you better treat her well and love her with your whole heart and soul!

Jenessa, even though we have different moms, you are and will always be my big sister. You have always been there for me no matter what. All those tears and laughs we have shared are so special to me. We have so many wonderful memories together and I can't wait to celebrate this new journey with you. I have always admired you for your strength, compassion, beauty, hope, and so many more of your wonderful qualities. I love you and am so happy for you. I'm so glad that you have found someone who treats you like you deserve to be treated. Someone who makes you happy and that wants nothing more than to be with you forever. I know your mom is so proud of you and will be right next to you during this exciting time in your life and is always watching over you. Love you!

Congratulation to you both!

Surgery

So I found out this past Thursday that my Mom is having surgery to remove her Thyroid. She went into surgery at 10 this morning. I hope this are going well for her and that this surgery will be able to help her.