Niagara Falls

Also on our little tour, we stopped at Niagara to behold one of the most magnificent things in the world.

"It's Just The Faith of People"

While we were living in New Zealand we had the incredible opportunity to go tour the South Island. Our last destination was Christchurch where we stayed with the family of one of Ashton's old mission buddies, the Odgers. Brother Odgers has been in many church leadership positions and knows much of what happens on the south island relating to the Church. On the way to the airport he told us a story of how years ago there was only one member, an older lady, in Greymouth but in the same ward as Christchurch. Christchurch is on the eastern coast and Greymouth is a 3 to 3 1/2 hour drive on the whole other coast of the South Island. President Benson came to visit and told that little old lady that she would live to see the day when there would be a chapel in Greymouth.

This little old lady started to invite people to take the missionary discussions and the church grew there until a chapel was built and dedicated just days before her passing.

As Brother Odgers relayed this story to us Ashton and I were struck. It is amazing to see the church grow and have prophecy fulfilled throughout the world and amongst individuals. As we expressed our amazement Bro. Odgers said something that has stuck with me. "It's just the faith of people."

How true that is! Isn't that how all things come to pass? Wasn't the earth created on faith? Didn't Moses part the Red Sea and save God's people on faith? Didn't Nephi find food in the wilderness because of faith? Didn't Christ heal the blind man due to faith? Is it not true that we are healed and made whole and clean through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his merciful atonement? Did not Joesph retire to the grove of trees because of faith?

What a marvelous and glorious principle--faith. And yet it is "just" faith. It is a simple power that we can all have. We can pray for more. Great miracles come to pass because of this simple little seed, the mustard seed, the redemption of souls, faith. It reminds me of that quote from Finding Neverland where James Barrie talks about the word 'just'. "What a horrible candle-snuffing word. That's like saying, "He can't climb that mountain, he's just a man", or "That's not a diamond, it's just a rock." Just." And yet isn't that what it is? Simple. Small. Pure. Faith. And what great things come from 'just' faith.

This weekend Ashton and I got to go on a little church history tour. We drove up to Palmyra and got to see the many sights there. While we were there I thought of this story about the old lady. I thought about Joseph and that verse in James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." He went into that grove in faith, expecting and answer and ready to act upon it. All of the early saints had great faith following a man who sees visions of the Savior and God the Father.

What a beautiful feeling was impressed on our hearts as we were among the many places that the Savior appeared to the eyes of men. Our hearts were particularly touched in Kirtland in the room where the School of the Prophets met. There we heard this account taken from a Record of the Life of John Murdock, page 23, "During the winter of 1833 we had a number of prayer meetings in the Prophet's chamber. In one of those meetings the Prophet told us, if we could humble ourselves before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord. And about midday, the visions of my mind were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely. This visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun. His hair a bright silver gray, curled in most majestic form, His eyes a keen penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful white. And He was covered from neck to the feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I have ever before seen. His countenance was most Penetrating and yet most lovely...And while I was endeavoring to comprehend the whole personage from head to feet, it slipped from me. But it left on my mind the impression of love, for months that I never felt before to that degree."

Sitting in the room where this occurred and hearing this account, we could not deny that the Savior appeared there, as he did 3 other times in Kirtland. A testimony that this is His work. Oh how wonderful it will be when we can see the Savior face to face!

How grateful we are for the early pioneers of the church who have blazed the trail leaving their legacy of faith. They pushed through trial after trial, persecution upon persecution, faith unwavering. They have brought upon my mind a reflection of my own legacy. Is it filled with faith?

Morning Dates

There are so many birds here in Pittsburgh. Living on the third floor makes for good bird watching among the tree tops. I've never been much of a bird watcher, but there are so many beautiful birds here that constantly land on the balcony that I can't help but notice. It is no wonder the National Aviary is here in Pittsburgh.

Last week Ashton and I went and were lucky enough to get a little paper that shows all the birds in Pittsburgh so we can identify what lands on the balcony. We also were able to see so many different kinds of amazingly beautiful birds and we even got to feed them. When in the Lorikeet room, one brought it's food right to my shoulder and ate.

This week we went to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. It was so lovely. I love gardens and gardening. I think gardening is one of the finer things of life to be around the things of the earth. I love to watch things grow. Even in Pittsburgh in our little apartment, I have some plants and flowers on the balcony.

Our favorite room at the conservatory was the butterfly room. There are butterflies everywhere! All different kinds!

Happy Independence Day

If you look closely, you can see all the boats
on the river waiting for the show to start.

Downtown Pittsburgh was the best choice for our holiday plans. Ashton had to work, but was able to come home a little early, grab a hamburger and head downtown. There was music and tons of people. The most amazing fireworks and laser show we have ever seen was put on over the three rivers. It was incredible.

We are grateful to be citizens of such a great country. We are grateful for the inspired men who founded America and those who have fought to keep it free. How blessed we are to live in a land of abundance. We believe that this is a promised land. If we follow the laws of God, we shall be safe. God bless America. We need it.

Off The List

Ashton and I have made a list of things that we would like to do/see while in Pittsburgh. For a while we didn't really do anything. But lately, we have been crossing things off left and right. Pirates game? Check. Fallingwater? Check. Duquesne Incline? Check.

There are so many more things that we would like to do and we look forward to taking advantage of the area in which we live!

We spent most of the game in the rain. And then the sun decided
to peep out for a little while sprouting the most beautiful rainbow.
GO BUCS!

Fallingwater is a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
and is built over a waterfall!
Click here for more info about this amazing wonder.




The Duquesne Incline is something that every person in Pittsburgh
has to do at least once. It is just a little trolley car that rides
you to the top of Mt Washington and overlooks the city.
It is beautiful and a trip filled with history. To learn more about
the history of the Duquesne Incline click here.