Beautiful secrets locked within each of us

My daughter and I have a combined love of prisms which we hang on our Christmas tree; when sunlight penetrates the prism a rainbow of magnificent colors bursts forth dancing all over the room. Faith is much like this. Faith is a sure knowledge of things one cannot see and each of us are like a prism; when the spirit of God touches our soul a multitude of traits, talents, values, core beliefs, etc., materialize spilling forth and at that moment we come to realize who we are and who we are meant to become. Our infinite worth is dazzling! Exercise faith.

Fun in the sun!

Phoenix & Salt Lake it's time to rock & roll :)

Autumns End

Another lovely day meandering along beautiful Pennsylvania country roads and our families final photos at our favorite pumpkin patch.

Twenty one years ago we began shooting family pictures at Myers Pickle Farm for many years off and on documenting our childrens lives growing up :) This week Jon and I enjoyed reminiscing about our kids as children chasing each other throughout the rows of pumpkins which were often larger than the kidles themselves were :) We then moved into the the almost 'too cool for pumpkin photos' pre-teen junior high school phase and onto the almost grown 'I'm too busy for pumpkin pictures' high school years. Finally young adulthood with college for two plus a mission for one and suddenly 'hanging out with mom and dad once again 'was considered to be terrific! Each year was special including a picnic lunch or ice cream cones on the way home, a lot of singing and laughter, teasing and sharing memories of past visits to the magical pumpkin farm. Of course our visits had a duel purpose; returning home with a myriad of incredible pumpkins to carve for Halloween!

We actually discovered this charming pumpkin farm while out on a family ride throughout the country side with my mother who was visiting with us. Our first pictures were, thereby, taken by grandma when Ashley was less than two months old and Cameron was the new five year old kindergarten 'big brother'. We discovered a severe medical problem undetected in Ashley barely a week after our first set of photos which required our rushing off to Children's Hospital for a couple of weeks; thank goodness the problem was resolved and the last photo Ashley babe appeared in at the pumpkin patch, I am happy to say, was as a college coed! Cameron then off attending a university in Utah and for a time also in Hong Kong serving a church mission took him out of the picture, all pun intended, but hopefully one day we will return to PA with our kids, their spouses and our future grand children for at least one last family picture at our special place which has been filled with warm and wonderful memories for our family!

Other photos in my album (see all on my face book page) were taken in beautiful Boyce Park about five miles from our home where we have spent endless hours with family and friends while the kids were growing up. Picnics, hikes through the woods, parties, to Cam's high school cross country team training, booster meetings, meals and competitions running throughout the trails in the woods. Memories of trying to touch the sky with our toes as all of us enjoyed swinging on the sturdy, park swing sets, to games of hide and seek and Ashley singing everywhere and anywhere in the park :) Since she was two years old she has sung her little heart out every day of her life. Ashley would sing while standing on tree stumps, and picnic tables, while rolling down hills, sitting on hill sides or sea-saws and while taking nature walks through the woods. Boyce Park was filled with Ashley's music and Cam's Scouting program activities - such delightful memories spending time together as a family in another special place.

Additional pictures were shot this week en route to and from Punxsutawney on business which is where Punxsutawney Phil the famous groundhog resides who predicts an early or late spring; children throughout the country have grown up with an ear toward 'Groundhog Day' (grin).

Autumn in Pennsylvania is simply breathtaking! The flora is a blaze in vivid color and so many charming country roads exist just begging one to spend time meandering along while discovering the picturesque settings unlike no other.

Pennsylvania will forever be etched in our hearts; it has been a meaningful place to raise our family!

An afternoon meandering through Amish country

I snatched Jon from work surprising him for a lovely adventure through our beloved Amish country located just over an hour away. It was a beautiful 70 degree, sunny October afternoon & such fun singing in the car & laughing as usual while we revisited one of our favorite red covered bridges which Penn is known for beside an old grist mill, Amish folks in their buggies going about their business, a former flour mill turned into part museum, part shops & dining at Rachel's Road House ... Incredible memories of Penn will be forever etched in my mind! Note: one of the small Inn's was the site of the underground rail road in the Civil War; many Amish people helped the slaves. (See entire photo album on my Face Book site)

Callings to Serve the Lord

"And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." Moroni 7:33 ... It's always extremely moving to me when I see Jon set apart for each ward or stake calling for which he has been called to serve in within the church. The power of the Priesthood resonates throughout the world bringing incredible blessings into all of the lives who believe in Christ and seek to follow him; obviously serving in what ever capacity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is just one way to further serve the Lord by helping to care for God’s children on this earth.

Though older but wiser this 3rd time around serving in a bishopric I know this man’s heart and soul; and he loves the gospel of Jesus Christ, he loves his family and the people he serves & his cheerful attitude as always will be contagious. Though Brother Wilson is a hard act to follow (we love you Paul & Lindsey!!) Jon will do all in his power to be a strong support & influence to all :) ... now if I can just convince him (in his spare time, yeah right lol) to bake some brownies I will really be a happy camper! (grin)

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