If you're going to walk 8.2 miles in one morning...

...the view once you reach your destination should be this beautiful:

{I posted this on my blog, but thought I would post it here too with a few changes.}

This morning at 7:00 AM I met up with the Young Women, a few parents, and the other YW leaders at church. {I have been the YW Secretary since June of last year.} After hearing about others' experiences of doing a Temple Walk, our President really wanted us to do it. She really felt it was important for the girls to learn that we can do hard things, as well as prepare for the Pioneer Trek that the youth will be doing in July. Our theme was "We Can Do Hard Things: With God All Things Are Possible."

We left around 7:45 AM for the 8.2 mile walk from our church building in Gilbert toward the Mesa Temple. We had 3 stops along the way for snacks, water and bathroom breaks. We had speakers at 2 of the stops. At the first stop we had a brother speak a little about dating and how the choices our girls {and YM too} are making at this age will help or hinder them on their goal to go to the Temple. At another stop our Stake YW President talked about being able to do hard things. She did a little object lesson and talked about Aron Ralston {the guy who had to cut off his own arm when he fell into an canyon while hiking in Utah.} After that we headed on the last 2 miles of our trip. We arrived at the Mesa Temple at about 12:30 PM and had a very yummy lunch and one more speaker who talked about the symbolism of the girls walk to the Temple. It was a beautiful day!

I knew I would be fine because I just had to walk and not run! I mean I can do an hour of high impact cardio like Step or Combat {cardio kickboxing/martial arts mix}, but just straight walking for that long??? I was still a little worried, not knowing when was the last time I'd ever walked that much at once. I'm sure hiking at some point in my life, but I couldn't tell you the last time! Amazingly I didn't feel tired even once! Only my big toes started to hurt just as we were reaching the Temple. Other than that, it was a beautiful day and the girls did amazing. I wonder if we'll do it again once the Gilbert Temple is finished??

Here is the invitation I made for the event:

Oh, speaking of the Gilbert Temple...he's a quick snapshot I got while driving the other day.

HANDMADE=Grandma

***My dad suggested I put this post from my blog on this one as well. Even though about half of you already got it emailed to you today...but he's right, this would be a nice addition to our Giberiginal blog! And my first here!***

I found out about the Gussy Sews blog from a friend who suggested I enter a giveaway for a new Singer sewing machine that was being featured. You know, cause I'm an expert seamstress! Ha! I honestly just sewed something for the first time in my life in May at a Singer House Party a friend was hosting. Anyhow, I started reading the blog and seriously was inspired by it! So, when she mentioned she was doing this Inspiration Worskshop, I thought...why not? So each Thursday (for how long, I don't remember) I'm going to be posting on a different prompt.


Week 1: HANDMADE

Handmade = Grandma.

Grandma & I holding up my "12th Birthday Quilt", Jan. 1992

Grandma loved to create---blankets, quilts, clothes, etc...even stories and poems. She could make anything! I remember when she made clothes for my Barbies from her scraps and the time she made me & Barbie matching jumpers! I would say quilts were her specialty. I know we received many, and I wish I still had them all.

"Crackers" & me, 1983

But my favorite handmade by Grandma item has to be my clown "Crackers" that she made for my 3rd birthday. Besides one lost pom pom from his foot, he was in perfect condition for over 20 years. WAS until my husband and I got a puppy and he found "Crackers" one day. But he was very loved, and still is. I will admit that even as an adult I've hugged this clown and cried, thinking of Grandma or just for comfort during a rough time. It reminds me of her--her smile, her laugh, her creativity and generosity. Simply just the great person she was. Even though she passed when I was 15, she inspires me every day.