Abseiling

Being a graduate student has its perks--especially when you are in the recreation department. Every Friday that we don't have class (we have a seminar that is assigned to random Fridays) we plan to do something fun. This past week we went abseiling or rappelling. Families are invited and our mate Clive brought his 4 boys! We are lucky to have Clive in our program all the way from Australia!

Happy Anniversary Inn

On the 16th of this month we celebrated out two year anniversary! It has been a fantastic two years together. We have traveled the world and met people with beautiful hearts. We have had so many growing experiences together. We certainly can't imagine life without the other in it.

Ashton wasn't here on our actual day, but he had come out a few weeks earlier and surprised me by taking me to the Anniversary Inn. We stayed in the Bridal Veil Falls room. It was so cool. We also went out to eat at Cafe Pierpont--and found that they went out of business--a year ago! So we went to the Red Iguana and I got to have my favorite Mexican dish--the chimichanga.

Happy Anniversary Ashto! I love you!

Pirate's Game

Right before I left to come back out here to UT. Ashton took me on a date to a Pirate's game. Before we left he had written all over the parking lot in sidewalk chalk. He drew our "bus window" and "I heart you infinity" and "Will you marry me?" On our way out we heard one lady say that she was glad she didn't park where she almost did because she would have ruined someone's day. Little did she know we are already married. Ashton is just silly.

The End of Pittsburgh....Sort of....

So I have been terrible at blogging lately, but all for seemingly good reason. Not ever being by a computer with internet seems to be to be a good reason. In August I went to Florida and Alabama with my uncle and his family. It was so amazing! We stayed in Destin--the most beautiful place in Florida--white sand beaches; teal, glass-like water; tons of fun in the sun! I really enjoyed Alabama too. We went on this dolphin boat ride up into the swampy areas and saw all kinds of wildlife. It was amazing. Thanks Phil and Lori for taking me with you guys. I had a great couple of weeks with you!

So I say "the end of Pittsburgh...sort of..." because it was the end for me, but not the end for Ashton. He has done such a phenomenal job this summer. Every year he fine tunes his managing skills and his selling techniques. He is a fine salesman. I always tell him that if he can sell me he can sell anyone! Pinnacle decided to keep an extension office in Pittsburgh and asked Ashton to stay and manage it. He is the one who knows the area the best and he has already done so well--managing the top office in the top region. Number 8 office in the whole company. Great job Ashton! So he is there, in Pittsburgh, still selling.

And I am here, in Utah, still going to school. I can't complain. I love school. BYU started again the day after Labor Day and I started again right along with it. Master's degree here I come! The Youth and Family Recreation program has treated me well so far. There is tons of reading, but I like reading. There are so many interesting things to learn, and so many perspectives to see things from. I love the people in my program, especially those in my cohort. I really think that it is going to be a fun two years.

In a week and a half I am going to fly back out to Pittsburgh and drive back with Ashton. We are greatly looking forward to it. We can't wait to hit up some more capitols on our capitol croquet tour! We are also looking forward to going to Omaha to see Uncle Blair's sculptures as well as Nauvoo for some church history.

Ohio Weekend

The Ohio State University

In front of the Hall of Fame

Enshrinement Ceremony

This past weekend we took a little trip to Ohio. We went to Columbus and had a nice visit with Mike and Candice. After a beautiful time in the temple doing sealings, they took us to see THE Ohio State University field that seats something like 105,000 people.

We then went up to Canton where the Pro Football Hall of Fame is. Ashton's Uncle Blair sculpts the busts that are in the hall and was able to get us some tickets to the buffet dinner and induction ceremony. It was amazing. The whole place was filled with Redskins Fans--2 players and one coach were inducted. Also, the Redskins were playing the Colts the next day.

They players all gave great speeches thanking God and praising Him for the talents He has blessed them with. It was wonderful to hear the greatest players to play the game giving credit where credit was due.

It was great to get away from the Burg for a bit and enjoy some time together.

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.

Shoe Kicking Contest

This past Sunday Ashton and I went to the local park after church for a little shoe kicking contest. We put on our best shoes (the heavier the sole the better). We found a set of swings with a good clearing, which is hard to do in Pennsylvania. We got some momentum and let out a yell as our shoes flew through the air. I have to say that I won, but I think it is because of my distraction tactic.

Happy Father's Day

I have been waiting for months for Fathers Day. I had this great gift idea back while we were living in New Zealand. A few days before Fathers Day I told Ashton that I was so excited to give him his gift. He started trying to guess what it was so I started giving him some clues...it is something that will last forever; it is something that I made.

We went down to the DC temple on Saturday and stayed with my grandparents on Sunday. I was telling my Pop-pop the clues I gave and he asked, "What? Are you pregnant?" No, I'm not. But those things did fit the clues. A child would last forever and I would have to be some part of the making.

Father's Day morning I woke up and snuggled up to Ashton and woke him up and told him happy Father's Day. He said, "Thanks, but I'm not even a dad yet." Then I responded, "Well, remember how I told you how I made you something that would last forever? Well, WE made something that would last forever." His eyes lit up and he got so excited. He grabbed me and held me so tight and started kissing me and kept asking, "Really? Really?" And I kept reaffirming. I finally started to feel bad and had to tell him that we aren't having any children yet.

I got him so good. He deserves some of his own medicine. Last April fools he gathered his whole family together to tell them that we were having a baby. They were elated. It was time he understood how it felt.

So the real gift is something that I made. The Maori people in New Zealand have a special way of keeping their family history. They used to carve it on their faces. One side would be for their mother's side and the other for their father's. I am in love with the symbol of the fern and it is found all over New Zealand. It represents a new beginning, new growth. (It simply reminds me of what the atonement can do.) It is the perfect symbol for a new family. They would use a similar pattern when they carved the history on their face. In New Zealand they also have sacred family meeting homes called a marae. On the posts of the marae they pain their genealogy with a symbol much like the one of the fern. It is absolutely beautiful. They use the colors red, white and black. (Interesting how they use red on the door post just as the Jews put the red blood of the lamb during the passover on their door posts.)

In our painting, one is for the boys and one is for the girls. Each time we have a child we will add to the painting, keeping our own family record. So far there is only Ashton and I to show for.

So, here is to you Ashton! The world's best dad who is not even a dad yet.

Extracted

Way back in January, right after we got to New Zealand, my gums started hurting. I thought this was strange. I've never had a cavity (knock on wood) and so I was hoping it wasn't that. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was my wisdom teeth coming in. I have a super small mouth and so for the past 5 and a half months or so these things have been slightly bothersome.

The day after I returned from Connecticut, I finally got them out. The pain wasn't that bad. What I hated and still and suffering from, is lack of real food. Jello, pudding and applesauce is not sustainable. But it is so hard to eat. It takes me nearly an hour to eat half a sandwich. I can't really open my mouth that wide and food always gets stuck in my stitches. It's killing me! I was lucky to not really have any major swelling or bruises. I just have a poor lisp from slightly swollen cheeks and a major appetite.

This was my life for 3 days. The pain killers totally knocked me out after like 10 minutes of taking them. I would start reading and then get all dizzy, close my eyes, and be out for the next 3 hours. I would set my alarm every 30 minutes to change my ice pack to the other side. That is the only thing I would get up for.

I stopped taking my pain killers yesterday so I would be awake enough to go running. And I haven't really needed them since. It hurts after I attempt eating real food, but I just tough it out. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be back to normalcy.

Girls Weekend

My friends are really like family. Just a few weekends ago I had the great privilege of tagging along a trip to New England with 2 of my great friends. I have known Bethany since I moved to Arizona in the 5th grade and we all became good friends with Becky in college. And even better, we were all roommates our senior year at BYU.

Becky is attending Yale University in New Haven, CT so Beth and I flew into Hartford and stayed with Beckster in New Haven. We spent one day in Boston. It was beautiful...and a little rainy. We tired ourselves out by walking the freedom trail. That pretty much takes you around all the major sites in Boston. My favorite area is the North End. I imagine that is what Italy is like. It is so romantic--blossoming courtyards, balcony flowers. All the Italian restaurants are on that end of town.

On our way home we stopped in Mystic, CT. My aunt grew up close to there and I remember going there as a small child. Mysitc is one of the first sea ports in America. It's small town feel is charming, and I simply love the New England feel. It is the home of the inspiration for the movie Mystic Pizza. We naturally had to stop and get some pizza. To be honest, I had never heard of that movie, but apparently it is some joke with Bethany's sister. It was quite yummy none the less.

We spent Sunday in New Haven exploring Yale and it's fine old buildings. We saw what Mark Twain considered the most beautiful street in America. It was beautiful, but I don't know about the most beautiful.

The next two days were spent in the bustling city of New York. I love New York. I love the lights, the energy, the diversity. I have been to New York many times before and I have never seen the Statue of Liberty, so we took some time to see that. As well as the statue of Balto beautifully displayed among Central Park's many statues. We peeked around the fences to ground zero, checked out times square, all down 5th ave, the met, macy's, the empire state building, the temple.

It was great just to be with my friends. It is good talking on the phone, but there is nothing like hanging out in real life, the late night pillow talks, all the good stuff of life. Thanks to my wonderful husband, who lets me visit my friends!

So I took pictures while on the trip, but not that many because I figured I could just get them from my friends, which I did. Besides, Ashton is our picture taker...without him, I'm hopeless. And since he wasn't there, I was hopeless.

Tramping Back

So...America. We're back and ambivalent. We left New Zealand all ready for the adventure that lies ahead. It always seems like there is something good around the next corner in life. We spent a few eye opening days in Fiji on our way back to the States.

We flew into Nadi and took a 3 hour ride across the island to Pacific Harbour. The only real industries that Fiji has is tourism and sugar cane. Fiji consists of over 300 islands with two main islands. Nadi and Pacific Harbour are both in the main island of Fiji. Most of the nice resorts are out on the smaller islands. On our drive across the island we saw people wearing second hand clothing, living in tin homes, huts of bamboo; these people are just poverty stricken. I was embarrassed to be carrying 2 suitcases chock-full of clothes that I don't even really wear. ( I always seem to take more than I need.) I was slightly embarrassed to be American. I hope that doesn't hurt anyone's American Pride, but I must say it was true. How come I live in the land of opportunity and abundance. Here America is, in an economic downturn, a scarring political election, and for the most part self-consumed, thinking that we don't have anything. Our welfare line is far above the level of life that these people live. And yet they are happy, care-free almost. People may say that it's because they don't know any better. I don't think that is necessarily the case. Some of them have a television and they see Americans prancing around in their fancy clothing. They know there is more out there, yet they are satisfied with their lot in life. One might say they are more grateful for what they already do have.

And yet, that is one of the greatest strengths of America--not being satisfied. We are always striving to be better--to be the best. Pushing ourselves to the max. America holds great power through the world. I don't think one can really fully understand the influence our great country has until visited another country. It made me realize how important voting is.

There are many things that are great about America and so many things that are great about where ever you go in this world. Ashton and I learned a lot while we were overseas. One of the most important things that we learned was to constantly express true gratitude.

While we were in New Zealand, Ashton and I mostly worked with the Polynesian people. They are a beautiful people. They are so gentle. I love how they greet you with a kiss on the cheek. They all speak so softly and are so caring and willing to help everyone. Everyone is a brother. Their lives are filled with meaning passed down from their older generations. I could go into greater detail, but I will spare you now. One of the greatest things we learned from the Polynesian people was to be grateful. Ashton and I would go present and whether they were interested in the business or not, they would always express their gratitude for thinking about them enough to at least share what we had to say. They always told us how grateful they were for the help we offered. I never thought of myself as an ungrateful person, but I certainly don't express my gratitude like I should. I think that Christ-like quality really keeps a people humble and keeps them in the hallow of His hand. I am determined to be more grateful. For if these people who hardly have anything can be so grateful, oh how much more I have to be grateful for.

Needless to say Ashton and I had major culture shock when we landed in LA. (LA can be a culture shock even for people just visiting from another state). Aside from the normal adjustments like driving on the other side of the car and the other side of the road--which we still mess up sometimes, not calling people "mate" or using other NZ lingo, there were some major adjustments we needed to make. I didn't realize I could have culture shock coming back. But I have decided that it is because when you go to another country you expect it to be different, but when you come back you don't really expect it to be different. But the truth is that the country really isn't different--I am different. I am not around those gentle people. I am around the rough edged American. People here are abrupt and pushy and rough. I didn't realize it, but it was shocking when I first got back.

I told Ashton that I was excited to see Mexicans and that I really missed their culture. But when I saw the gangsta Mexicans of LA, I decided that I really just mixed Mexican food.

And then we made our flight from LA to Salt Lake--wow! That is a whole other world in itself. Almost more shocking than LA.

We spent one lovely day in Utah with Ashton's family. His brother Tyler graduated from the U of U law school and gave a very nice address to the graduating class. After attending that event we picked up some stuff out of storage, visited some friends briefly and then took off the next morning.

We drove one day from Ogden, UT to Manhattan, KS and spent the night with Ashton's best childhood friend, Dustin. It was lovely to spend time with him and his family. And boy that drive was beautiful. America is beautiful. Everyone says KS is so boring, but I love watching the grass dance in the wind over the rolling hills and feeling the cool wind blow your hair while the sun warms your skin. What a lovely feeling, what a beautiful place.

The next day we drove to Topeka, spent time there. Drove to Kansas City, spent more time there with friends. We didn't leave there until 3pm and then made the rest of the trek east to Pittsburgh, PA where we will be for the summer. That jet lag really came in handy driving all night long to make it. It was quite normal to be up at those odd hours.

It was a whirlwind trip and we each only got a few hours sleep each night. Adjusting has been really tough. We are finally getting used to it though.

The Burg is nice. It is green and hilly. We are still getting used to the people. We went to church the first time yesterday and everyone was really friendly. Many people came up and introduced themselves to us. We are grateful to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have family all over the world. It will also be nice to live so close to my family as well.

We are most grateful for the experiences that we have had together traveling and meeting with people. There are things you can learn from people all over the world and even the ones you share the bathroom with. We are grateful to be back in America, where opportunity abounds and abundance truly prospers. We are truly blessed with much more than we ever dreamed and certainly much more than we truly need.

Closing the New Zealand chapter and opening the Pittsburgh chapter of life! Go Penguins!