Mountain Place, Holy Place

Now, I know God created the whole world, but He must have spent a little extra time when it came time to create mountainous areas. The air is crisp and clean. There is an aroma of pine and flowers and dirt that is just heavenly. The evenings are quiet and cool. Really, there isn't a more beautiful experience than mountain time.

I have been back to the mountains several times since moving away from Utah. But this time as we spent a week in beautiful Durango, CO, the contrast to my current location was vivid. Millions of wild flowers and tall aspens and pine trees filled my soul and reinvigorated me! 

I was reminded that the mountains are a holy place. Anciently Moses, Nephi, and even Jesus Christ went to the mountains to communicate with God. I went to the mountains summer after summer as a teenager attending church girls camps. I learned to listen, to pray, to study the scriptures, and to ponder without the distraction of the world. I bore my testimony and I was strengthened by the testimonies of others. I sang and played and laughed. The sum total of these experiences have impacted my life. The mountains became my holy place, a place that reminds me of the love my Heavenly Father and Savior have for me because I came to know them there.

Returning to the mountains this summer reminded me of those life experiences. I feel grateful for the opportunities I had then and that I can share with Alyssa and Erik now. I am grateful for the sunny, beautiful mornings that we spent observing God's creations. I am grateful Alyssa and I were able to go hiking together and talk about the flowers and sing primary songs. Heavenly Father has given us a beautiful world and by this I know that He truly loves me.

Family Home Evening

We had family home evening - or family night - tonight. We do this on Mondays. Erik and I have done it since we were first married. It is a time for our family to come together and talk, laugh, pray, eat, and play. We review family goals, sing a song, say a prayer and have a short lesson about something gospel related.

Each week Alyssa either "plays" the piano or "ducts" the music. She usually picks the song - "I Am a Child of God" or "I Love to See the Temple".

Tonight it was Alyssa's turn for lesson. Erik helped her plan it. She invited her whole "family" to come. She set them up so they could be good listeners.



Then she and Erik went into the bedroom and planned the lesson. Alyssa made her lesson plan.

First she talked about how Jesus was obedient to Heavenly Father when He got baptized. Then she talked about Jesus being obedient to his earthly dad, Joseph. She loves to show dozens of gospel art pictures. It is her favorite form of a lesson. She kept it to two for tonight, though.

She moved the picture (Jesus and Joseph as carpenters) so fast it became transparent!

Next we watched a movie about when Jesus gets baptized - her favorite and most requested Bible movie.

Then she read a scripture with Erik's help.

Finally we all bore testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus and their love for us.

Family home evening is important for our family growth and for Alyssa's spiritual growth. She amazes me each week with her enthusiasm family night. It usually lasts less than twenty minutes, but it is important to her. I am grateful for family and the home. In our homes with our families is where the most significant learning and growth takes place. I am grateful for the family I grew up in and the principles I learned that I am using with Erik as we teach Alyssa, and in many instances, learn from her as well.