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the family

Constant nourishment to the soul

Just like the body needs constant nourishment, so does the soul. Daily prayer, scripture study, and attendance to church meetings and the temple are all important to keep the soul fit. It always seems like it is easier said than done. Just like my body can feel better or worse depending on if I'm exercising, eating right, and getting enough sleep, my soul feels better or worse depending on my sincerity in daily prayer, my honest scripture study, and my attendance to my church meetings and the temple. Satan is aware of this, and if he can get you to ignore the everyday things needed for the soul, he can slowly pull you out of shape and take away the happiness that all of us deserve. In Alma 32:38, 41 it reads:

38 But if ye ^aneglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with ^apatience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree ^bspringing up unto everlasting life.

It is easy to get out of the routine of nourishing your soul during summer break with all the vacations and play. Wholesome recreational activities are so important for the family, but you can still do it without neglecting the tree. I know this to be true, because I've seen it in my own life.

ouch!

Had great weekend up at Bear Lake with Stacie and her family. Did some golfing, swimming, beach volleyball, snorkeling, and of course shakes! This year, Stacie's brother brought up a new game. He had rigged up a golf flag on a plank of wood, and tied it down with a weight. It would float on the water. The idea was to hit golf balls into the water. The water is so clear, it is easy to snorkel and retrieve them. Sounds like a fun activity right? Well, it was until, something happened while I was snorkeling for golf balls. Stacie's brother, Clint was going to chip a few balls into the water while me and Justin (Stacie's other brother) would snorkel for them. It is just a simple chip shot, no worries right? The floating flag was about 75 yards out. Clint tees up a ball on the sand. Well, he hit a line drive, and it was heading straight for me. I was standing up with water being about waist high. The ball did one skip on the water, then hit me right in the stomach. You could say, "why didn't you dodge it?" I had flippers on, which made it difficult to move, and it was coming really fast. I didn't want to risk ducking and getting knocked in the head, I didn't want to turn and get hit in the ribs. So I tightened up my stomach and took it. I bent over in extreme pain when it struck me.... yeah that's going to leave a mark. I've got a battle wound to show off now.

Life is good! I'm fishing.

My brother came up from Arizona this past week. We headed up to one of my favorite spots in Uintas to fly fish. Yes, the fish are HUGE! ;) We fished for about 5 hours and got back to the family reunion on time. We pulled in about 60 fish between the three of us.

When your kids take your phone

Ashley has figured out how to use the camera on my phone....