Gus ~ Gustie ~ Grey-Grey ~ Grey Guy ~ Goo-Goo ~ Maximus...

Grey has a lot of cute nicknames 

and we sure love this sweet nine month old boy!

School Days...

This a late post but I still wanted to mention I had a good year at school. It was a pleasure to be Mr. Kano's assistant. There was never a day that he didn't treat me respectfully. We have a kind of mother-son relationship. He is a good teacher and was also a wonderful assistant principal. He also gives a lot of time and energy into being a good husband and father. Johnathan is always thinking of ways to be more and do more. He is never satisfied with staying where he is at. 

The students love Mr. Kano. He spent several hours signing yearbooks.

This is what he said about me in the yearbook... very nice and appreciated!

This yummy fruit bouquet was delivered to me on the last day of school, from a very thoughtful Mr. Kano!

Tori, Me and Carol... We had three TA's quit during the school year, so that meant the three of us had to pick up the slack. We are a good team and I love these silly girls!

We always help each other, I wouldn't want to be at school without them!

School starts soon, so we will see what the new year brings!

Savoring summer...

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Grandpa's saddle...

My brother Lloyd inherited Grandpa Federer's saddle. He had it in his barn for a long time. His son Theo, (named after Grandpa) took it to his place the other day and he did some repairs, cleaned it up and conditioned it. It's a real family treasure. Grandpa was born in 1887 so he would have been 128 years old. I'm guessing this saddle could be at least 80 years old. I'm not sure when Grandpa got it.

Theodore Ernest Federer's saddle all shined up and ready for next 100 years! 

Grandpa loved horses and always took good care of his tack and ranch. He passed away 38 years ago at the age of 89.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Pirate day at summer camp!

(Photo credit to Tiff)

Words to live by ~ True disciples...

(Cheyenne sky 2015) 

Nephi saw our day and what we would face, and he expressed in his language what Elder Oaks taught. Nephi "beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that is descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

TRUE DISCIPLES ARE ARMED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS, MEANING WITH BOTH DELIVERANCE AND DIVINE PROTECTION, AND WITH THE POWER OF GOD IN GREAT GLORY. 

(I NEPHI 14:14)

This means that, as disciples, imperfect though we still are, we can ask for more energy, more revelation, more patience, more self-discipline, more hope, more love, more healing, more happiness. We can ask for miracles, for freedom from pain, and for the desire to forgive. We can ask for more faith and for help in becoming better disciples. Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught that there are "less-conspicuous gifts," such as the gift of being a disciple, the gift to calm, the gift of being agreeable and so on... ("There Are Many Gifts," Ensign, November 1987). We can ask for angels to walk with us, because if we live up to our privileges, angels can't be restrained from being our associates (Minutes of the Nauvoo Female Relief Society, April 28,1842.) And we can also ask for help to understand why the Lord sometimes responds to our requests and at other time manifests His grace in our lives differently than we may have hoped for. The Lord's timing and His wisdom about what we need at any given point in our lives reigns supreme. 

Nonetheless, the Lord is not saving up His grace or power for one dramatic display at the Final Judgment, nor is grace something that kicks in at the end of an ordeal. It is there from the moment we exercise even a "particle of faith," and ask for His help. (Alma 32:27) Jesus Christ is Alpha and Omega, literally the beginning and the end, (Revelation 1:8) which means He'll stick with us from start to finish.  
~ Sheri Dew, Amazed by Grace

Happy Pioneer Day ~ Remembering the pioneers...

This was a once in a lifetime experience for me. Participating in the Pioneer trek on June 9, 1997 was unforgettable.

Pioneer Trek - 1997

With faith in every footstep ....

It was a long but wonderful day. June 9, 1997 my sister Roseanne, my niece Holley and I joined the re-enactment of the Mormon Trail Wagon Train and Handcart Company. We wanted to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the pioneer trek from Winter Quarters to their arrival in the Salt Lake Valley. We went 30 miles through some rough terrain. The sky was a perfect, clear blue and the the wind was gently blowing as it almost always does in Wyoming! The hills were so steep and rocky that each wagon had to go one by one in case of problems. The handcarts also had to go down the hills one at a time. It was my Dad's birthday and we felt him near all day long. This was a unforgettable day for me. I had a small taste of what I imagined the pioneers doing and going through everyday. I felt close to them as we walked in their footsteps. The wagons made to camp before we did. We came in with the handcart company about 8:00 pm. As we pulled into Glendo, people began to cheer for us. It made it easier to walk those last few miles. My sister had big blisters on her feet but she made it. One man collapsed when he got to camp and they quickly put an IV in his arm.

"Whether you are among the posterity of the pioneers or whether you were baptized only yesterday, each is the beneficiary of the pioneers great undertaking. With so great an inheritance, we can do no less than our very best ..." ~ President Gordon B. Hinckley

Pioneer:
One who goes before, preparing the way for others to follow.

Each year on 24 July, Mormons all around the world commemorate the arrival of the first company of Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. The festivities honor the sacrifice of tens of thousands of pioneers and is a reminder of their faith.

More than 160 years ago, several hundred Mormons began a migration of over a thousand miles to reach the valley of the Great Salt Lake. The first company of pioneers was led by Church President Brigham Young. There were hardships along the way, violent weather, trails forged through hostile terrain, personal sacrifice and many deaths.

The 19th-century Mormon migration beginning in 1846 in Illinois, then through Iowa and Nebraska and eventually to a place of refuge in the Rocky Mountains, was one of the most remarkable episodes in the history of the United States’ great western migration.

Under Brigham Young’s direction, an estimated 70,000 Latter-day Saints made the difficult journey to Utah between 1847 and 1869.

ThrowBack Thurdsay ~ Mom and the temple

My dear mother 
many years ago...

It was a year ago on July 15th that my Mom passed away. Temple ordinances for deceased persons generally cannot be performed until one year or more after the date of death. I had Mom's information recorded on Family Search and just a few minutes before midnight on July 15th, I printed out a family ordinance request form to take to the temple. 



I felt humbled and honored that I would be the one stand as proxy and perform the sacred ordinances in her behalf. 

My Mom stopped attending church about the time she and Dad were divorced. Dad was still going to the Nazarene church and it made her uncomfortable. She stilled prayed and was grateful to God for her blessings. She told me that often.

We follow the example of the Savior when He was baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus was perfect but yet He showed us the way. Baptism by water is a necessary ordinance for people to return to Heavenly Father. Mom died without receiving a valid baptism and the other temple ordinances.

Baptisms for the dead have been observed throughout the history of Christ's Church. 1 Corinthians 15:29 says: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" A just and righteous God would not punish the millions of people who have lived on the earth and never had the opportunity to learn of the gospel and baptism. The Savior Himself declared that He was God of both the living and the dead, 'for all live unto him' (Luke 20:38), showing that He regards them all in the same light.

When I prayed Monday night, (July 20th) I knew I better get to the temple in the morning to perform the ordinances for Mom. I left her temple card at Christopher's house on Thursday, so I thought I maybe I would just go to the Salt Lake Temple but it was closed for cleaning. I called the Draper Temple but they were busy so I went to the Jordan River Temple. It was the first temple I visited and it was during the open house. Tim took me their before we were married, so it felt right.  

The day could not have gone more smoothly. A large group of youth were doing baptism for the dead, so I let them do the baptism and confirmation. I watched as Mom's name came up on the screen and I was filled with joy. I also went into the confirmation room as the temple worker confirmed her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I felt the Spirit so strong in initiatory. The temple workers were very sweet. I was so filled with emotion that I could not speak. The temple worker said, take your time. I finally was able to say Mom's name and it was a moment I will never forget. The temple worker said, it this your Mom? ...and I said, yes. She smiled and said, I knew it. The temple workers all hug me, it almost felt like I was getting a hug from my Mom. During the endowment session I felt more relaxed and enjoyed the spirit and sacredness of the day.

Now Mom has the opportunity to choose, she can accept or reject it. I have a feeling she has already accepted it. Chris said that Johnnie Belle was probably right there, helping understand and teaching her all she needs to know! 

Families are forever... I choose to believe that.

Wordless Wednesday ~ For Mom...

Blue eyes...

Grey is so darling and his blue eyes melt my heart!

I got to tend Grey while Mommy and Daddy went to a movie with Cash and Colby. He's a good baby. Grey is crawling all over now and I love to play with him. He drank milk from a bottle and we read a book, then I rocked him and he fell right to sleep. Sweet, angel boy!

Mark and Tiff have amazing views from their home. I saw this gorgeous sunset on my way home.

Words to live by ~ Give something back by becoming more...

(Little America in Cheyenne)

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” – Tony Robbins

Rock climbing up the canyon...

Boys and climbing just go together, but I have to say it makes Grams a little nervous.

An impressive drawing with charcoal near the fire pit.

 Handsome boys relaxing!

You can't see it but Mark, Cash and Colby are on a tree that fell. You can tell Colby did not want Mark hanging on to his arm. He wants to be such a big boy and doesn't want help!

 Grey likes the view from Daddy's shoulders!

I love my family and going for cookout up the canyon! Sorry I threw your hamburger away Chris, I will ask next time.

Cash and Colby said, that was fun, let's do it again!