12 Years/ 12 Weeks: Week 12 A Road Well Traveled

12 Years ago we embarked on a journey 

down I-15 to Hwy 89 to I-10 to Hwy 90 

to a little out of the way town of Sierra Vista AZ.  

Little did we know that this journey would be traveled many, many times with two kids and many forms of entertainment.  

We have seen the beauty of the desert as we have made this journey and as we get ready to embark on our last drive down this path I am reminded of all the many things we have seen along this journey.

We always knew we are close to home when Picacho Peak and Cacti came into view

We have traveled through Flagstaff, Page and Kanab on our preferred route to UT

We have seen Lake Powell Countless times and have even stopped for a quick dip

We have driven the Las Vegas way and seen Hoover Dam and watched over these last 12 years as the big bridge was built over it

We have traveled through the Joshua Forest and seen the strange beauty of the Desert

And on Wednesday we will stop one last time at a great wonder of this world that we have been able to experience from Brian having the opportunity to hike rim to rim with the YM or a husband/wife get away to experience a great beauty of this desert.

THE GRAND CANYON

We have truly traveled this road many miles and will embark one last time as we say good bye to this great adventure

Today the words to a song keep running through my mind and sum up how I am feeling as we leave our 12 year home so I end these 12 weeks with them

Together Forever Someday

Words and Music by Michael McLean

Well, it's hard to say good bye and let go

And it's hard to see it end

When the mem'ries we've just made

May never happen again.

But it's harder for time to ever erase

The together times we've shared.

So, when we're apart remember

All the love we shared together

And for all that love,

Thank the Lord above

Who showed us the way

That we can be together, forever someday

12 Years / 12 Weeks: Week 11 Close Cousins

The hardest good bye is going to be one that won’t be forever, because family is always obligated to visit each other no matter the distance.  We have been so blessed to have Brian’s little sister Beth close these many years in Arizona.  Our kids have grown up together and have become each others best friends.  It will be hard to not be able to just jump in the car for a visit. 

They have been here for amazing Summer weekends

and enjoyed Shooting Lessons from Uncle Jake

We have spooked the neighborhood together

and gave thanks together at Thanksgiving with good food, naps and even a freezing dip in the pool

We have found Snow in AZ together

We have shared in each others joys as the kids have been Blessed, Baptized, Ordained and Grown Older

We have shared so many memories together, thankfully we are family and we will see them again soon

12 Years/12 Weeks: Week 10 Seminary

It wouldn’t be right if I did not remember the very reason we were sent here to Sierra Vista AZ.

THE SEMINARY YOUTH

These kids have been such a wonderful part of our lives as we have watched so many of them grow up strong in the gospel, leave and even come back to raise their own families.  I am a little sad that my children will not finish growing up here where the youth are united and strong in the gospel.   I have watched as they have supported each other through all the trials of High School.  I truly believe some of the best youth are here and we have been so blessed to be a part of their lives.

12 Years ago we drove up to this tiny building to start our adventure here.

We have seen so many amazing kids graduate from seminary

they have had fun together

Invented the game of Suicide Ball

Caught up on some sleep

Were spiritually feed

Served together

Seminary Bowled together

and shared their talents

Even the art of a true well done toilet papering with no less than 98 rolls per order of Bro. Mo twice

We are going to miss having these great kids in our lives daily they have been a true blessing to our family.