For all of you who know Lindsie Luke (Kohler), or even for those who don't I'd like you to take a look at her blog. Her dad passed away this week and on her blog she has shared her thoughts and her testimony throughout the whole experience. She is a rock and I was uplifted by her words. I suggest to all of you to go and read her words and do what you will with them. I was inspired by her strength and felt the need to share it with everyone.
She also inspired me to share my testimony. I am so fearful of sharing my testimony on fast sunday in church. I have public speaking anxiety issues. But I always bare that testimony in my heart and hope for the courage to stand and share. It's a rare occasion. But here in the privacy of my home is a little less intimidating and can hopefully still touch hearts and strengthen me and those who read this. So here goes. Lindsie has reminded me how greatful I am simply to have my family and the gospel and the knowledge that it gives us of eternal families and the plan of Salvation. We talked about the plan in church today. We talked about death, and the world's fear of it. I realized I am not afraid of it. I am eager to be reunited with my whole family and to see my Savior and my Heavenly Father again and to meet all the wonderful prophets that we only now get to read about. I hope that I can help my children to have the same faith in our Father's plan for us.
First and foremost I have a testimony of MY Savior. I love him and I know that he loves me personally. I know that he suffered for me in Gethsemane. I know that he has felt my sorrows and my joys, and that he is eager for me to succeed. I am so thankful for His atonement and for the changes that it has helped me to make in my life. I know it sounds weird in a testimony but I also know that Satan is real and that he will do all in his power to make us miserable with him. So we need to do all in our power to push him away. We need to recognize our weak spots and strengthen them so that he has no way in. We also need to recognize the difference between his influence and the influence of the spirit in our thoughts. I am greatful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am glad for the promptings and revelation that come to me in my life when I need it most. I am greatful for a Husband who honors his priesthood and brings the spirit into our home. I couldn't have asked for a more kind or selfless man. He is my inspiration to be better and I love him with all my heart. I have a testimony of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the prophet Joseph Smith. I am so greatful for him and am eager to meet him and thank him for his strength. I am greatful for the strength and courage of the Pioneers, for all that they did so that we can have the religious freedoms that we have. I have a testimony of tithing and the blessings that it brings when we are honest and diligent in paying it. I have literally seen small miracles in my life from paying tithing. I am greatful for the gospel in many aspects of my life, but one of the simple things that might often get overlooked is the friendships that come from the gospel. I am thankful that no matter where I move ( which we have done a lot) I will always make friends within my ward. Friends that have the same beliefs and values. I have a hard time initiating friendships so I am greatful that everywhere I go I can count on going to a new ward and being welcomed and loved instantly by the people that are there. I love the gospel for that. I am so glad that I know that I will have my wonderful Husband and my sweet little babies with me forever. I don't know how people live with the thought of losing the ones they love. I am greatful for temples and the blessings that are there for us to partake of. I have a testimony of motherhood. This is probably one of the biggest challenges in my life, but it has definitely brought more joy to me than anything else that I have ever done. I love my kids and as much as I try to teach them the things that I know everyday, they teach me so much more! They amaze and frustrate me daily and I couldn't ask for a better challenge! This is my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that in sharing it I have helped someone or just given someone else a motivation to share. I don't have many opportunities to be a misssionary but we are told that baring testimony is the best way to start. I encourage all to read this to share your testimonies too, it feels so good!
My kids love this trip because they can get as dirty as they want and not have to take a bath unless they want one. I do bath my babies though because they look so darn cute in the tin tub! 
Last but definitely not least, we went to Bear Lake. We went with the Terry's the Zabriskies and the Tanners. We had a blast. We borrowed my bro-in-law's boat for the day and then we camped in their backyard because all the good camping spots were taken. We had so much fun that hopefully we've started a tradition, an annual trip. I didn't get too many pictures, I was so excited about boating that I forgot about a lot of things...pictures, sunscreen... yes I'm still paying for that mistake. My poor Ragan got blisters on her face and my legs are still peeling more than two weeks later!!! But it was sooooo worth it.
