"Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children" (Moses 6:58)

When riding my trike I often see plants growing in the strangest places. I will see them in cracks in the road, between rocks, and growing out of walls. Sometimes I will see them all alone and far away from others of their kind and I wonder how they got there. The flowers below I saw growing on the side of the road. They were small, and beautiful. I was moved by where they had chosen to bloom. No one would ever notice them unless one walked on the side of the road, a busy highway, and then they would have to look closely in order to see them.

In this picture you can barely notice the purple flowers growing on the side of the highway.

Close-up of the purple flowers.

Picture of tiny white flowers that were also growing alongside the road.

As I have seen many blooming flowers and plants growing in strange places, it has led me to ponder on the words from Elder Stanley G. Ellis, of the Seventy. He stated: "One thing we have often been taught is to bloom where we are planted. Yet sometimes we are tempted to migrate to some new area, thinking our children will have more friends and therefore better youth programs...do we really think the critical factor in salvation of our children is the neighborhood where we live? The apostles and prophets have often taught that what happens inside the home is far more important than what our children encounter outside. How we raise our children is more important than where we raise them" (The Lord's Way). Seeing the places where plants, flowers, and trees have chosen to "bloom" has truly made me realize that the most important thing to help my children fulfill their purposes on earth is to teach them truth and then live what I teach.

I am a practicing Christian, not a perfect one and therefore my children get to watch me practice what I preach. I am so grateful for repentance and that I can keep on practicing! There are many things I try to live and teach, but  these are some of my top priorities:

Teach them of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I love this scripture: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" (2 Nephi 25:26). I want our children to know there is always hope in Christ! I want our children to know Him, not only through words, but also action. To truly know someone we must study, learn, and then do as they do.

Teach them we have a living prophet whom the Lord's speaks through. (see D&C 1:38). What a blessing to hear a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who teaches God's will for us today (read his most recent words here). Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said: "...if we have a prophet, we have everything. If we do not have a prophet, we have nothing. We do have a prophet. We have had prophets since the founding of this Church. We shall never be without a prophet if we live worthy of a prophet" (Believe His Prophets).

Teach them to love the commandments which is really loving God. "If ye love me keep my commandments" (John 14:15). The commandments are given for our protection, our growth, and our benefit. "He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for He loveth the world, even that He layeth down His own life that He may draw all men unto Him" (2 Nephi 26:24).

Teach them to love their neighbor and each other. "...ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another" (Mosiah 4:15; see also John 13:34; John 15:12). What better way to teach our children that we are all children of God than to have them love and serve one another and our neighbors.

Teach them that happiness comes from living the gospel and keeping covenants.  Elder Maxwell said it beautifully when he stated: "You will also see that the living of one protective principle of the gospel is better than a thousand compensatory governmental programs- which programs are, so often, 'like straightening deck chairs on the Titanic'" (Why Not Now?; see also Alma 41:10). And the scriptures state: "Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy" (D&C 128:19).

As we teach our children these simple truths we will not only grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ, but we will also bloom where we are planted, the garden of our home. I love what the Lord says to Adam: "Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children" (Moses 6:58). It is a commandment to teach our children the plan of happiness, teach them of Christ, which leads to incredible growth no matter our location.

"As also He is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made" (D&C 88:8)

I have now ridden in two rides that involved night riding. One of the things that really sticks out on both of these rides is the moon and its light. This scripture would go through my mind: "As also He is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made" (D&C 88:8). Seeing the light of the moon made me ponder the power of God, His creations, and how blessed I am to enjoy them. The light of the moon is powerful and beautiful. The words of the Savior again teach me of His power: "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God...I am the light which shineth in darkenss, and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (D&C 6:21).

Christ is light (see 1 John 1:5) which shines brighter and is "the way" (see John 14:6) for all to see. Our choice is whether or not we want to see and follow His light. This became clear to me when I was riding about 1 am, with a front light, a head lamp, and the light of the moon. If I looked to my right or left it was really dark, at times pitch black. Sometimes I could see a few lights off in the distance from homes or maybe they were street lights of some sort. But, when I looked forward, with light shining the way, I knew what direction the road was going and where I needed to steer. The light I had would light up the road far enough for me to know that I was on the right path, I couldn't necessarily see all that was around me, but enough to know that I was safe. The moon was bright and full and I knew that if I went too far left or right I would fall off the road. Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said: "And so it is with our eternal journey. We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way. If we will cultivate faith, we shall never walk in the darkness." He continues: "The challenge which faces every member of this Church is to take the next step, to accept that responsibility to which he is called, even though he does not feel equal to it, and to do so in faith with the full expectation that the Lord will light the way before him" (We Walk by Faith).

There have been times in my life that are like that, with only limited light to light my way. But it is light, and this light is "the light of truth; which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ" (D&C 88:6-7). In those times when I haven't had as much light to see what may or may not happen, I have had to trust the light I did have, the truth that I knew and had already learned for myself. Christ taught: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). Christ lights the way for us, even when we may feel that all is dark around us. He has promised that as we live our lives to testify of Him and His truth He will "go before your face. [He] will be on your right hand on your left, and [His] Spirit shall be in your hearts, and [His] angels round about you, to bear you up" (D&C 84:88).

Jesus Christ is the light of this world. He is "in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made" (D&C 88:8). He leads us in light and truth as we walk by faith and trust the light He gives us. Truly, we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us (see Philippians 4:13).

This is a ride on Antelope Island that was at night.
Before it got completely dark the moon was shining above all the cars.

My Dad- Fred, brother-in-law- Kevin, and my brother-David. They are my cohorts in riding and a light in my life

The four of us before our night ride with our shirts. 

The four of us after the ride on Antelope Island. It was a ton of fun!

This is David on our most recent ride from Salt Lake City to St. George. It was a relay. He had just finished one of his legs. We each did 6 legs, averaging 100 miles each.

This is my dad waiting for his leg at night. It got really cold! The reflective vest is shining from the flash of the camera.

Couldn't have done the Salt to Saint Relay without the most amazing support of all! Jeff is incredible (understatement).

"Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and will walk in his paths" (Isaiah 2:3; 2 Nephi 12:3)

One day I started out on a trike ride without any real direction other than knowing I would head south. As I rode, I ended up heading towards the Draper temple. In order to get to it I must ride up a significant hill. I had done it before and so I wasn't afraid to do it again, but it's definitely not a ride I want to do every day. When I got to the temple I got off my trike and took some pictures. I was feeling great and was in the debate about what direction to ride from there. There was no right or wrong direction, just easier or harder and was I willing to commit to harder, but majorly rewarding.

I got on my trike and headed south again. This would take me to a fork in the rode called Traverse Ridge or Suncrest Drive. I had not made up my mind to ride to the top of the mountain, I was wavering (see James 1:5-6). Rather, I left my options open because, honestly, I was scared to ride up it. I had tried once before on my bike, a year previous, but the wind and the traffic got the better of me and I turned around. It had terrified me. I had a lot of doubt about my ability to climb this mountain. When I arrived at the fork in the road, I still hadn't made up my mind about what direction to turn. I then saw another rider, a woman, who was headed up the long, steep hill. I wasn't sure if I could do it, but I thought what the heck, she is committed to the climb, I might as well try. I then turned in the same direction, heading up the mountain.

I took pictures of the "path" before I began and as I climbed it. At one point I thought, "Why would anyone want to climb up hill, let alone this super, steep hill that is miles long"?! The path was so steep that if I stopped pedaling I would roll backwards. I then had a picture of the temple I had just left come to my mind. I had climbed a very steep, but shorter hill to get to it. Some things are meant to be up hill. Some things make us better by allowing us to climb up to them. We are taught, "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and the people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and will walk in his paths" (Isaiah 2:2-3; see also 2 Nephi 12:2-3; Micah 4:1-2). Notice, it is the "top of the mountain and above the hills" and not the valley floor that "the people shall flow unto it".

It takes commitment to the Lord through keeping His commandments (see John 14:15), exercising faith in His plan (see Alma 34:16; Alma 12:30), and acting on that faith to actually climb the hills that will most assuredly come into our lives (see Moroni 10:4) but lead us closer to God. Pres Gordon B. Hinckley said: "If we are to hold up this Church as an ensign to the nations and a light to the world, we must take on more of the luster of the life of Christ individually and in our own personal circumstances. In standing for the right, we must not be fearful of the consequences. We must never be afraid" (An Ensign to the Nations, A Light to the World). When I started the climb I was afraid. But as I continued to ascend the mountain, my faith increased and my fear left me. I began thinking: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). As I pedaled forward, slowly but surely, I was acting in faith. It was hard and difficult, but at the same time, it was an incredibly joyous experience.

When I got to the top of the mountain, for it was a mountain, I felt so exhilarated, thrilled, and happy! It had been the toughest climb I had done. This is true as we shed the ways of the world and climb to a higher way of living when we choose to follow the example of Jesus Christ. God wants to "teach us of His ways" that we might "walk in His paths" (Isaiah 2:2-3). We must be willing to increase in faith, consistently "pedal" and thus climb the hill that is for our good (see James 2:17-26).  As we "take on more of the luster of the life of Christ" we will draw closer to God and He will draw near to us (see D&C 88:63). I testify that the hill may be steep and sometimes may even be a mountain, but is totally worth all the effort to get to the top!

This is at the beginning of the hill to the temple. You can just barely see the Draper temple in the background.

This is a little closer to the temple. The incline and climb is between 8-12%. It's a good one.

Draper Temple

This is part of the climb up the mountain...and the next photo continues the upward view. The two photos should be side by side to get the entire view.

I thought I was at the top, but not yet. I had about a mile more of uphill pedaling yet to do.

The view from the top of the mountain. On this clear, but cloudy day I was able to see across the Salt Lake Valley.

This is another view I could see the other side of the mountain and into the next valley. 

"Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world" (Helaman 5:47).

This scripture has been rambling around in my head a lot lately. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). If you add in the foot notes it reads as follows: "God's peace I leave with you, my contentment I give unto you". As I have pondered this scripture many things have come to mind. I would like to share just a few thoughts.

The way the world often gives peace or contentment is to search for more "stuff". Every time I try this, it only gives me temporary or fleeting "peace", but not the calm, stillness or inner peace that I know that Christ is offering me. Christ's ways are not our ways. He has a higher view and a higher way of doing things (see Isaiah 55:8-9). He says, "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God" (D&C 101:16; see also Psalms 46:10). What a powerful and tender reminder that He is God. He knows all that we suffer, all that we need, all our pains and afflictions, all our temptations (see Alma 7:11-12) . And yet, He says: "Be still and know that I am God". Trust in Him and His ways. It's not easy, but I know it is possible no matter what our situation in life.

Grateful for the "silver lining" in all things.
 It's evidence in the sky of God's love for us.

When I have sought peace in more "stuff" it has only brought the burden of caring for more, well, stuff. I find it interesting that Paul says to Timothy, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8). We definitely don't get to carry anything out with us and thus, having "more" isn't the answer to peace. Gratitude for the blessings I have received and continue to receive brings me great peace and joy. We have been taught by prophets to "...live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you" (Alma 34:38) and "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things" (D&C 59:7; see also The Divine Gift of Gratitude). Expressing gratitude in the midst of challenges and trying times isn't easy, but it sure is peace making and joy giving.

So grateful for the beautiful sunsets, even the pollution
that makes them even more colorful.
Definitely evidence that I am truly blessed
 because it reminds me that I have been blessed
 with a car for transportation.

President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed: "The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!"(Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed.[1939], 263; see also Live in Thanksgiving Daily).

I needed this reminder that Christ does leave me with His peace. Gratitude is only one simple way to open up our hearts and feel it. I testify with the words of God that He offers us His peace as we exercise faith in Him. "Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world" (Helaman 5:47).

Grateful for an awesome husband that consistently captures our family events with photos. He's way better at remembering to take pictures than I am. So glad he does it!

Definitely grateful for these two boys. They crack me up! I am so glad they keep me laughing because I need it. (This is a photo of them before heading off to trek at 5am)

Definitely grateful for these two! It is so nice when Lara is home. Slade and Lara are good friends. Lara gave Slade this "football" for his birthday. (Can't believe he just turned 11!) Love it when my children are friends!

And...I am SO grateful to be able to ride and live close to more than one temple (learn more about temples here). Both of these things make me a better wife and mother, the ultimate blessing and for which I am truly grateful to be to these amazing people in my life!

"Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live" (3 Nephi 15:9)

I am of the opinion that everything in life happens for a reason. Sometimes we may not like the reason, but we get to choose how we view it. This is my view of what happened and one of the many things I learned from riding in the ULCER, a century or 100 mile bike ride, with my dad. I must say thanks to my dad because I got to learn these things at his expense. I am truly grateful for his love, his example and his endurance. Here is the short version of my perspective of what took place.

On the ULCER, after riding about 80 miles, my dad's legs totally locked up with cramps. He told me he was mentally telling his legs to move, but they were frozen in pain, or perhaps more like agony. There were several people who stopped to help him as he lay on the ground after falling over because his legs cramped up so badly. There was my brother, who had been about 10 feet behind him, a doctor (he was an O.B. nevertheless, he greatly helped my dad), an EMT, and a woman (Monica) and her husband whom my dad had met and talked with on the ride. Much to my dad's chagrin, he had to SAG, or drop out of the ride. He was deeply disappointed.

At the "finish line", when my dad returned he was offered a finishers medal. I was told that at first he refused the medal, he believed he didn't deserve it because he hadn't ridden to the finish line. I found this ironic because he had done his best that day, he had completed 80 or so miles! But for my dad, it was all or nothing.

In this experience I saw this as similar to life. We are all blessed when we "endure to the end" (see Alma 32:13-15; 2 Nephi 31:20; James 5:11). But sometimes I think I have to do it all or there is no reward. This just isn't true! Just as my dad had an angel volunteer who drove him and his bike to the end, we all have angels help us get to the end. Even Christ had help as He endured all that was required of Him (see Luke 22:43).  "For we know that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23). As much as my dad wanted to complete the 100 miles on his own, his body said, you are "finished". `And it is by the Savior, "after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23) we are helped to the end.

Christ said: "Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life" (3 Nephi 15:9). When we look to Christ and endure to "the end", (in my life I find there are many "ends"), "we live"! We aren't just here to live a comfy life of no challenge or danger, but we live in Light, thus learning more; more compassion, how to be more kind, more faithful, or even how to care for our bodies, minds and spirits more. We are here to experience "opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11). Christ will lead us through opposition and thus to the end and eventually gives us the "medal", eternal life!

My dad and his "angel", Mike, that brought him to the finish line.

Monica and her husband, angels who stopped and helped my dad. Thank you!!!

My brother (David), me, Kevin, and my Dad. We all "endured to the end" and we live!

Me and my brother-in-law, Kevin, after we had finished. Kevin blew us all away cause he went so fast. Awesome!

Ironically enough, after my dad had been picked up by the "SAG", they came upon David and I when David got a flat. It was wonderful gift for me to see my dad after hearing of his suffering. So grateful for their help and encouragement.

It is so awesome to come in after enduring to the end and see all these wonderful family members cheering us and welcoming us back. (There is another blog right there). I am an incredibly blessed woman.

My parents who are both incredible examples of enduring in all things! I sure love these two amazing people!!!

I am so thankful for the time, support, friendship, and love of my family and my Savior in all that I do, this includes the good as well as difficult times. Over the years I have truly been blessed by many angels in my life, some I am sure don't even know they have done so. Thank you. Keep enduring and live! Hugs!