Bears for Direction, and Updates

Our whole family spoke in church last week.  And while I blathered on and on about me, and myself, and, Oh, “let me tell you a little more of me…” I left James 6 minutes to give his talk.  He shared this story:

Right after we were married we were hiking in Grand Teton National Park with some friends (Robyn and Dave M) and we were headed to Amphitheater Lake.  The trail has a fork in it, one way goes to the lake, the other goes to a bolder field/meadow with a trail that most take to climb The Grand.   

As we were heading up switchbacks getting closer and closer to the lake we were met with descending hikers telling us there were bears on the trail and they had decided to turn around.  Having seen bears before, and as a bell man, given the job to go scare bears away from the lodge where I worked, we were not impressed with the hikers that had turned back.  We forged ahead, meeting other ascending hikers on the trail to stick with while making a lot of noise hoping to frighten it away. 

Closer to the lake than the fork our group of about 10 now, encountered mamma black bear and her cub, sitting right on the trail, aware of hikers, and not budging.  Immediately our judgment and resolve dissolved and we turned around and headed to the bolder field.  We ate lunch, relaxed and hiked down with sweeping views of Garnet Canyon and Jackson’s Hole, all while laughing at the bear incident. 

In this life there are plenty of choices we make confidently while passing forks and fore warnings.  And when the bears won't move, changing directions can be our only option, and acceptance (not anger and frustration) of the “alternate journey” from the originally planned one can lead to joy and peace.    

How about that?  Great 6 minute talk eh?  Adelaide wrote her whole talk about positive experiences she’s had completing her Faith In God booklet.  Benjamin told the story of Jesus on a boat calming the wild waters.  Paige told the story of Daniel, praying and being saved when put into the lion’s den.  Stuart told the story of the Jaredites crossing the ocean with the glowing stones.  Since he doesn’t read yet, I drew pictures: 
On Monday James had an MRI and a cortisone shot in his neck to treat wretched shoulder nerve pain.  Both were not fun but hopefully an answer.  Jury’s still out. 
Ben got new glasses on Monday too from Dr. John’s office.  He looks great. 

Meredith and her family came for a visit!  She’s the one who used to listen to all my food confessionals when we’d run.  With 8 inches of new snow we sledded, built Olaf and ate.  Isaac stayed away from the sledding hill, but kept his head face down in the fluff to eat it.  Everyone ate the new snow.
   
This coat zips, thankfully.  Meredith had no problem zipping her matching coat, (we had great taste 10 years ago) or tugging her Luke.  

     Overheard:    After waffles on Saturday morning, Isaac said,  “so sticky, look, I can’t clap!”   During lunch one day, “ I’m going to be a daddy and have a mustache.”
Saturday date night James and I split the WAC hamburger at the Hi Mountain Drug.  Meat, ham, iceberg lettuce, pickles and ranch.  I added tomato and onions to my half.  Delicious with root beer in a frozen mug.  Leggings!

We are super itchy to get into the new house.  This week, the stucco’s close, the tiling is done, rain glass installed around the shower, and it’s masked off to paint. 
 
Addicted to this pizza but make it the first way, with pesto.  As part of my nesting, I bought thirty pounds of pasta, came home and boxed, taped and labeled it.  What’s the rush from .50 pasta?  I can’t explain it.

NEW gorgeous baby alert.  James’ brother Paul and Cassie had a new baby and we attended her blessing.  Alexia Ireland did not cry, and was not launched too high by the attentive loving priesthood holders.
 
I’m extremely excited about Project(s)Connect 2014.  So far 3 very cool projects have been highlighted, watch for another 40 or so more, one or two a day, throughout the month.  It’s real people, doing real things they want to get done, visit and leave some encouragement (a comment).