September 30, 2023

This Zion is so pretty. The huge moon going down over the mountains to the west this morning was so cool. Also the cliffs as they lit up and you're reminded that you're sleeping in an awesome place.

Subway hike = hiking 8.5 miles (7.5 hours) for 1 mile of really cool. Mason loved this hike. It was long, had a really cool section, and was long. We all said we were glad we did it. Most of us don’t want to do it again anytime soon since it was long. My favorite part was spending the day hiking in Zion and seeing less than 20 people. Not favorite - seeing a tarantula. But really, even that was kinda cool since it was Mason that discovered it and not me. So awesome sharing this trail with Darren, Mason, and Rachael. (Although “trail” is a generous term for where we hiked.)

Rain tonight had us just hanging in our tents. The continuous thunder rolling through the canyon and around the cliffs was so cool. 

September 29, 2023

Spending a few days in Zion with our campground reservation from 6 months ago and our Subway permit. Here with Darren, Mason and Rachael.

Cool campground. (Site D11) I love sleeping in a tent when it’s not cold. D and I rode the shuttle so it feels like we’re in Zion. Riverside walk was a good evening stroll. 

September 28, 2023

Today has been rough. Hanging with Kenz helped. But it’s just that I’ve lost my biggest fan. I mean not lost, but he’s not just two hours away.

September 27, 2023

Alma 40:25 - And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God.

Oh dad. Thanks for bringing people together - especially Aunt April, Ryan, Marci, and Todd. Pats and Tara came. They know me well. And you were Snow College softball’s biggest fan from 1991-1993. My neighbors have been supportive - they love knowing you and calling you "grandpa Ross". I loved snuggling and playing with Lizzi and Kim’s kids and chatting with the girls today. But seeing you not there, and putting the casket in the ground was not good. Darren said, “you can’t spell funeral without fun”, but I don’t thing that’s true. Yogi Berra said, “Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.” I thought this went well with some of your other sayings like, "No one goes there nowadays, it’s too crowded." I love your sayings:

Come in if your nose is clean. 

If you’re cold, go sit in the south side of the hay stack. 

Let’s get to gettin’. 

Hay and water. 

Famous battleship. 

Just thought of a joke I haven’t heard. 

I used those in my talk today.  Here's a little more of my talk:

My dad kept a journal everyday for 50 years.  Journal entry - February 5, 2018 Cloudy and warm. Puttered around the house.

February 6, 2018 - Clear and windy.  I tinkered.  That’s different than putter. :)

My dad and I shared a favorite book - The Book of Mormon.  In Alma chapter 40, verses 11 and 12 it says:

Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Rest from all their troubles and from all care.  There are a few of us in this room who inherited his worry gene.  I often told my dad that it was good to worry.  A wise man once said, “You can’t tell me worry doesn’t help. The things I worry about never happen.”

A great spiritual leader - Russell M Nelson said that the way to get to this mansion in paradise is through the doors of death. He said, “Returning from earth to life in our heavenly home requires passage through—and not around—the doors of death. We were born to die, and we die to live. (See 2 Cor. 6:9.) As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven.”

President Nelson goes on to say - To us and to you, our loved ones may be just as close as the next room—separated only by the doors of death. 

My dad used to always tell me - “I’m only two hours away. Now he could say - I’m just right next door.

 

Ross, Ray, Kent

September 26, 2023

So much comfort. Sadness yes, lots of missing my dad, but comfort and tender mercies abound. I’m always thankful for Jesus but this week has magnified His goodness. 

September 23, 2023

My Instagram post:

Heaven got a good one this week. I am so sad and yet feel like saying hosanna and hallelujah. Thankful that God loved the world enough to send His Son. Thankful His Son broke the bands of death and is our Redeemer. Thankful for comfort through The Holy Spirit at this time. Thankful for scriptures that testify of all that. And very thankful for a dad perfect for me. He still feels only 2 hours away.

 

2023 above, 1991 below

 

September 22, 2023

Really? I really can’t call him on the phone? “Is this you? No, this is me.” I miss my dad.

Went to Kenz’s team’s XC meet. D, Ry, Cole, Cam came too. It was good being together. 

September 21, 2023

One of the many tender mercies already since losing my dad yesterday was this beautiful sunrise this morning.

September 20, 2023

My dad. 

3 Nephi 28:3 - And he said unto them: Blessed are ye because ye desired this thing of me; therefore, after that ye are seventy and two years old ye shall come unto me in my kingdom; and with me ye shall find rest. (Or 90 years old.)

September 19, 2023

 Sadie finding 2 flavor packets in her Ramen today made us all smile.

September 18, 2023

The clouds this morning made it being Monday a little easier. 

September 17, 2023

A few of the man things that made me smile this week:

Yellow flowers on the side of the road. Sadie and Little Ceasars. Hike with hail and then no hail. Early morning run that felt good. Cooling down at the park after a run where peaches overhang for a snack (thanks Peery’s). Taking Baylie to the park with Darren. Sadie’s school picture. Great sitting outside weather. Helping Sadie with some math. Sunday evening Whoonu games. 

Picture from my hike where we decided to turn around as the rain started coming down.
 

September 12, 2023

These two pictures came up on our frame today. Oh Canada. 

September 10, 2023

Did a puzzle and made apple crisp. I guess it’s fall now. Also, helped get the sister missionaries set up for their Timp hike tomorrow.

September 9, 2023

Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show! - President Nelson April 2014 GC

Hanging out in Richfield helping my siblings with a deck for my parents. My siblings are pretty great. They build things and I tighten screws.  But mostly I stay out of their way and get to chat with my dad.

Cris, me, Todd, Denise, Don, and my mom in the back.

September 6, 2023

Went to lunch today with some old BYU softball teammates. Always good to get together and be reminded that we were young and athletic once. :)

 Renee Hall, me, Tiffany Peterson, Julie Hess, and Kat Fuller

September 4, 2023

 Good Labor Day camping trip with the Kings. I loved spending 3 nights in Fruita. Deer by day and stars at night. Add in some trails, orchards, a barn, and pie and you’ve got my kind of weekend! We had to deal with rain and mud but it was worth it. Unfortunately Darren’s foot decided to give him trouble and hurt all weekend long. 

Deer in morning, stars at night. Trails, apples, games, pie, cinnamon roll fighting, camp chair sitting, drawing, laughing, and getting rained on.  Some thoughts:

It’s hard to roast hot dogs when it’s raining. We tried but mostly just got really wet. Don’t forget Rylie’s poor hot dog abandoned at the fire pit. 

The rain came down hard and brought mud. It also brought a lightning too close for comfort. 

Hickman Bridge hike is classic. Great memory doing this with the kids. Cam and Tanner had me laughing on both hikes. Trail X. 

Panorama Point for sunset is lit. 

Having someone drop you off at the trailhead is fabulous. No fighting for parking on Labor Day weekend. 

Cohab Canyon is a good Capitol Reef intro hike. 

Cassidy Arch with a Cassidy was cool. Loved this hike too. Especially enjoyed chilling at the arch since we knew we had plenty of time. It was not as crowded as I thought it would be. 

Kelly came though with zucchini bread. 

All the tents stayed dry through the rain. Wahoo! We had three tents the kids set up all by themselves. 

Yellow apples in the orchard were the best ones. Great to take on a hike or eat in the campground. 

Deer are fascinating to watch. 

Site 31 in loop B was great. Would get again. 

Gifford pie was amazing. We may have spent $100 on pie and cinnamon rolls between all of us. 

Apple pie was the favorite unless you’re under 20 and then cinnamon rolls were the favorite. There may have been a little fighting for the most bites. 

I love it when Sadie sketches at a campground. 

The barn always looks good. 

Feeding the horses is fine until you notice the don’t feed the horses sign. Cam was so funny feeding them. 

Five Crowns can be played anywhere, including campgrounds.