(I may have been required to dress in Pioneer garb, but I'm sporting a Perry Ellis hat!)I just returned from a 4 day history re-enactment along the Oregon/Mormon/California trail in Wyoming. We pulled handcarts in nearly every kind of condition, including SNOW BLIZZARDS on June 11th. The wind was horrific, the days wet and cold, the nights freezing. But this made the experience all the more authentic. I walked on the same trail as did my ancestors 150 (approx.) years ago. My dad's grandmother (the Brady's) fled mob persecution in Nauvoo, Illinois and made that trek first. Dad's great-grandfather (Peter/Peder) left Denmark as a young man on the Forest Monarch ship from Copenhagen/Liverpool/New Orleans, up the Mississippi River and then on foot across that trail a few years later. My Mom's great grandfathers (both Jensen and Holman) likewise left Denmark, on different ships, made their way up the Mississippi and likewise trekked that trail. My wife's Danish ancestors also made that trek. To walk in the footsteps of these remarkable people was not only surreal, but somewhat emotional as well. I'm in awe of their faith and veracity, their courage and strength.
I turned 50 today. My wife and 2 of our kids still living nearby and/or at home had a great little noon cookout for me. The best part of my day(s) is being with them. I found this bookmark I had made a few years ago in my scriptures this morning. I quote from what I had written:
"...I'm sure we have to live in faith, and trust that He knows best for us & has a plan for us, and that this plan is better than the present "here & now". Joy. No anxiety. No pain. No sorrow. No hurt. No angst. Something better than this. But -- if I have to go thru all of this to get to that something better, I'm so glad I have Genia, Brittany, Chelsi, and Kip to go thru it with, together, because they make it bearable, they provide a safe harbor for me. And I'm thankful to God for His giving/sharing them with me." (And I now add "Roger"our son-in-law.)
And so at age 50, that's where I'm at. My faith isn't perfect. I still struggle, I have questions. But I've not thrown in the towel. I find valor in keepin' on keepin' on. My life is good. Rich. And having friends and family, ~be they but a few~ to share with, is icing on this Birthday Boy's cake!
Be well, do good...
I turned 50 today. My wife and 2 of our kids still living nearby and/or at home had a great little noon cookout for me. The best part of my day(s) is being with them. I found this bookmark I had made a few years ago in my scriptures this morning. I quote from what I had written:
"...I'm sure we have to live in faith, and trust that He knows best for us & has a plan for us, and that this plan is better than the present "here & now". Joy. No anxiety. No pain. No sorrow. No hurt. No angst. Something better than this. But -- if I have to go thru all of this to get to that something better, I'm so glad I have Genia, Brittany, Chelsi, and Kip to go thru it with, together, because they make it bearable, they provide a safe harbor for me. And I'm thankful to God for His giving/sharing them with me." (And I now add "Roger"our son-in-law.)
And so at age 50, that's where I'm at. My faith isn't perfect. I still struggle, I have questions. But I've not thrown in the towel. I find valor in keepin' on keepin' on. My life is good. Rich. And having friends and family, ~be they but a few~ to share with, is icing on this Birthday Boy's cake!
Be well, do good...
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