Abundant Recompense Copy

I made sure that our 2017 family goals included some southern Utah adventuring, so when the weather started warming up, I figured it was time to get going on our goals. Michelle only required a little convincing. We also invited our friends Mike and Stephanie along with their four girls. We found a decent deal on a Super 8 in Green River, with an indoor pool to boot. Michelle and the kids picked me up at work last Friday afternoon, 3/19, and drove down to Green River, where we ate burgers and hot dogs at the Chow Hound. Addison in particular was impressed that it was the only Chow Hound in the whole world. Then we went to a nearby park and played for a minute, then to the hotel to swim. Miraculously everybody slept pretty well, Asa slept in a bit, and we were on the road by 8:00. It's an hour and a little to Goblin Valley from Green River, and a lot of the drive runs parallel to the beautiful and otherworldly San Rafael Swell. Our first destination was Little Wild Horse Canyon, a p...

Once upon a time, long long ago, I went to college. It seems like another life now. But I have a diploma to prove it, so it must be real. This is the story of one of the hard lessons that I learned during my time at BYU, that I will never forget. Here I am with my brand spankin' new husband. We look so young and innocent! Anyway, about the time this picture was taken, I was in my last year of college. I spent the fall semester pre-student teaching, and the winter one student teaching. I pre-student taught at a high school, since my main age of interest was middle-schoolers. I totally hit the jackpot with both the schools I was assigned. In fact, if I could've chosen them myself, I would've picked the ones I got. For pre-student teaching, I taught the best band at the best high school around with an amazing, prestigious, knowledgeable, and just extremely cool teacher. He also played the trumpet, and he taught part time at UVSC. All his students were hopelessly devoted to him...

Last week, a friend mentioned in passing on a Wednesday morning that it was free zoo day. I nodded and kept on sweeping the floor, and then couldn't stop thinking about it. I decided, what the heck, who cares if it's 40 degrees and overcast and February, why not go? So we packed a quick lunch, hit the potty, and went -just me and the little guys! Usually when we got to the zoo it is like walking through a crowded oven. But this time, the crowds weren't too bad (because it was freezing and gray and February), and the animals were so active! What a treat! We had a great time, enjoyed the animals at the kids' pace, watched the elephants get fed, rode the carousel, played on the playground, and head home in time for a little snooze for Asa before we picked up the school kids. It was liberating to do that at the drop of a hat. A most satisfying morning. Bald eagles Grizzly bears Sea lions Tiger. We got to see him yawn and his teeth were most impressive. Snow leopard Hornbill...