Father's Day

It's been a year to the day since my last post, and of course it's Father's Day. Once again, it's time to share special memories of my father. I have always been one for a great cuddle and snuggle. My father was always my go to for that. Even when most children would say "I'm too old for that" I never grew out of cuddling with my Pa. My last cuddle with him was both of us on his hospital bed taking an afternoon nap together.

My music tastes also stem from years of listening to classic country with my father. Johnny Horton, Hank Williams, Pasty Cline, Marty Robbins, Jim Reeves were just part of the music that played in the house. Pa was also a good singer. He never did anything publicly nor could he read music, he could carry a tune. From that I found a love for old 50's to early 70's music. I would play that around the house and sing along. He would always comment of how much I enjoyed it.

Bees. That is one thing I will forever associate with Pa. From the time I can remember, Pa always had bees. I remember when he would come home and smell of hot wax, sweat, honey, and horrid smelling stuff that he would put on the bees. I didn't work with him very often extracting or checking hives, but I do all about bees and honey.

One TV show that he and I loved watching together was 24. I would get so into the show because it was so intense, that he would poke me and make a "Rawr" sound to startle me. Then people who knew my father always say I look like him. This is one of my favorite picture of the two of us because we have the same smile. According to my Mom, I have his feet. I definitely inherited the ears. :) Happy Father's Day!!

 

Father's Day Message: My Pa

First of all, Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there! I want to take this time to write about my father. 

     I never called him "Dad" or "Daddy". He was Papa. As I got older, it was Pa. I don't know why or how that term got started, I'm one of the youngest kids, I had no say in the matter. He told me once that when I was younger I really didn't notice him until I was about 13. One of my favorite things we used to do during the summers was just sit around the kitchen and talk. Pancakes were involved as well. No topic was off limits. Stories from his childhood were included too. 

     I think my favorite story he told us was when he and his friends found a pack of beer in some bushes. They got this fantastic idea that they would uncap the beer, dump it out, put vinegar in it, recap the bottles, and put the pack of "beer" where they found it. 

     The only sad part about this story is that they never saw the end reward of their prank. My uncle did.  

     Pa never wanted anything when holidays came around. When we would ask, he would smile and say, "Just your love." I would always get exasperated with that answer. Then we'd go to our usual reliable gifts. Wool socks, orange sticks, and tools. 

     Although, I finally got smart. His favorite piano song is Last Date by Floyd Cramer. I ordered the sheet music my first year in college and worked on it whenever I could. I got back for Christmas to a new piano with a new song. I played it for him as my present. I could tell he absolutely loved it. 

     Happy Father's Day, Pa. The only gift I can give you now is my love, and to be happy in my life. 

Recognition

I know I wanted to post something today, but I didn't know what to post about. I found myself on LDS.org reading various articles and stories. This particular talk I connected with since I can relate to it. As I read through it, there were the constant reminders that no matter what happens in life that we need to put our trust in the Lord and life will work out. I especially loved this part: "To deal with something big, we may to work at it in small, daily bites. Sometimes all we can handle is one day-or even just part of one day-at a time." This reminds that we go through trials to make us stronger. Another reminder was to keep consistently do what you are supposed to. David A. Bednar said, "Our consistency in doing seemingly small things, can lead to significant spiritual results."  I know this to be true. It just plays back to the "line upon line". And if we keep on doing the small things, we eventually get the answers we are looking for.





Recognizing God's Hand in Our Daily Blessings

My Day in Nauvoo

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. I convinced my mom to let us stay in Nauvoo on Thursday night and all day Friday. But, the main reason we were in Nauvoo was because one of my friends from SVU is doing a performance mission. (The ever talented and beautiful Jessica West). The best part of yesterday was the way I found her. Starr and I were coming back from the Joseph Smith sites and going back to our car. Our car was parked opposite this group of people that were dressed up in pioneer outfits. I noticed one particular girl that looked familiar. I said to Starr, "I think that's her!!" I moved the car over closer to the group of missionaries and walked over toward them. Recognizing her, I called out "Sister West!!" She turned and looked at me. Her face went from disbelief, recognition, and then a smile split her face. "AUTUMN!!" she squealed and ran over and hugged me. She then preceded with the other missionaries to perform various arrangement's of songs. I don't brag very often, but I do have to say that she told me I was the first person to come and see her. That made me so happy. After seeing her, Starr and I went around taking pictures for a couple of hours before heading back to the Visitors Center and seeing a performance that Jessica was in as one of the main characters. We also saw another production she was in, and did the Trail of Hope. That is were the performing missionaries tell stories or sing from that time period about the pioneers. Jessica was close to the end and sang Through Deepening Trials. She did such a fantastic job in everything that she was in. I am so thankful I got to go and see her. 

But being in Nauvoo for that one day was amazing. You walk around and there are angels everywhere. Not only in the missionaries, but the silent ones that whisper to your spirit that they are still there. Doing the Trail of Hope was very moving for me. I reminded that it is okay to head into an unknown future, that as long has you have faith and do what you are supposed too life works out no matter what kind of situations you are in. I love this gospel. I have a testimony of it. 

                                                                      Me and Jessica 

What If

There are some of you that don't know that I was born in a little town named Hayward in the state of Wisconsin. But, I grew up in Utah. I haven't been back since 1997. It's weird that I remember some things but not all of it. Driving through town I was trying to look around to see if anything would click and I would remember something. We drove by the house we lived in. It was a different color, but it looked the same. Today we went around the reservation to see my Mom's cousins and brothers and had dinner with them. That was fun, even though I didn't know them very well. And yet no matter where I go, people always insist on making comments about my height. I'm almost to the point I want to make a sign that says: "Yes, I'm tall. Please refrain from stating the obvious."
But then, I got to thinking about "what if". What if my family would have stayed in Wisconsin. What kind of person would I have been compared to who I am now? I play with the idea in my head. I do know I would have the accent that is prevalent in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I try to imitate it at times, but I usually end up sounding like some English person who can't talk properly. Would I be more outgoing? Highly unlikely. It's just the almost possibility of being someone else is something fun to think about. But then, I wouldn't be the person I am today if my family did stay. Life is very interesting. 

Back to WI

On Saturday, Mom, Starr, Aaron and I left for a road trip vacation. First of all, I LOVE road tripping better than flying. You get to see so much scenery and how it changes from state to state. So far, we stopped in Denver for a conference Mom was participating in. During this trip I packed tons of books to keep myself entertained. Most of my reading material is gospel oriented and range from W. Cleon Skousen (which I finished!!!) Joseph Smith, Talmage, and others. The whole goal of this trip was to drop my nephew (Aaron) back at his house in Wisconsin. Now, I haven't been back since I was 6. I do remember some, but not a lot. Now that I am here, I can see why it is a gorgeous state. But I don't want to live here. The bugs on steroids would drive me to the psyche ward. I did get to see the house that I lived in before moving to Utah. It was painted a different color but it's still here. Oh, and my mother's family. This part is going to be very interesting. I'm trying to prepare myself for the inevitable culture shock that will come when I meet everyone. But one of the best parts of road tripping back east are all the Dairy Queens!!! We always stop at one to get cones, and we are probably going to gain 5 pounds just from eating their ice cream. The trip is still on and there are more stops to make!! Happy reading!!!

Ghosts

Throughout our lives we meet people. These people we meet either become ghosts of our past, or become enduring friends. I'd like to focus on the ghosts. Some of these ghosts are better off not being in our lives. But there are always the ones that we always regret. I think about on some my ghosts, and I wish I could have done something different. And at times, I even try to "bring them back from the dead" but to no avail. Although, these ghosts leave imprints on us, shaping us for the future. It is during the quiet moments when nostalgia is potent, that we learn the lessons from our ghosts reminiscing in memory. We judge our actions, and vow either to never repeat something in the future, or vow to change in the future. These people in my life, I thank for teaching me. One day I will thank them personally.