Vacation time!

About five moths ago, we got a call from Adam's sister Heather. She asked us if we would be willing to rent out our home for her in-law's family reunion. Her sister-in-law had been trying for months to find a cabin or home on Northern AZ that could accommodate their large family for a few days, but wasn't having much luck finding anything within their budget. They made us a very generous offer and since we knew the family that would be staying, we were happy to oblige.

We had a lot of ideas of where we could stay while they were here,  but in the end, we decided on a trip to the Grand Canyon!  With the money we were given for our home, we were able to not only stay in a nice hotel in Flagstaff for a couple of days, but we were able to do so many fun things!

We started with a trip to Williams where we picked up Sarah who had been visiting her cousin for a week in Bagdad, AZ. 

We met up with the Hulses at Bearizona and had a wonderful time! It was so neat to see so many animal up close. Of course, everyone's favorite animals were the Bears! 

Well, everyone except my nephew Daniel who had a strange fascination with the beaver! Haha! (You had to be there...)

Sorry about the blurry Picture. We weren't allowed to roll down our windows so we  had to take pictures through the Windows. We couldn't  believe how big this Guy was!

After we drove through the park nad saw the big animals we walked around and viewed some of the smaller animals!

These little guys were so cute! I guess my Trio weren't the only triplets at the zoo!

"THE BEAVA IS IN THE WATA!!!"

   

From Williams we headed back to Flagstaff and went to the Lowell Observatory. While there,  we were able to look thru some gigantic telescopes and see the moon, Saturn and a cluster of stars that we can't remember the name of! It was so neat! Seeing Saturn, was definitely the highlight of the night.

The following morning, (Friday) we were off to the Grand Canyon! We spent the entire day there. We went on a nice hike, had a picnic, and enjoyed the beautiful views.

This was a tunnel that was carved in the side of  a cliff  on a really neat hiking trail. The trail goes all the way down to the bottom of the canyon, but we just hiked for a couple miles. 

On Saturday morning we went to a place called the Lava Tubes in Flagstaff. It was a cool cave (literally, it was like 40 degrees in there!) I don't usually enjoy caves that much because I am a bit clostraphobic,  but this one was pretty spacious. It was almost a mile long and  most of the time ceiling was about 20 feet tall and the tunnel walls were pretty wide. The kids LOVED IT!! We recommend taking your family when you get a chance. It's free!! 

Getting through the entrance is the trickiest part of the cave. After that , it's a fairly easy hike inside.

After going to the cave, we took the kids to snow bowl to ride the scenic ski lift! It was so beautiful and the weather was perfect!  

Going Up!

Going Down!

The view from the top! Breathtaking!

When we arrived home on Saturday evening, our home was spotless. The Anderson family took great care of the place and from what we hear, they all had a great time! 

It was a win-win situation! We had an awesome family vacation, and they had a fun family reunion!  Things worked out so great, that Adam suggested that I advertise our home as a "cabin for rent"! Haha! Hey, if we could get another free vacation out of the deal it's pretty tempting... But, I love my home too much to let just anyone stay here.  Though, the Anderson's are welcome back anytime!

Burk Family Women's Conference

I enjoyed another wonderful  Burk family women's conference this summer. Our conference this year was hosted by my sister-in-law Beth at her home in Mesa.  The theme for our conference this year was  "Happily Ever After". We were taught and discussed the fact that many of the big and small trials we as women face in this life,  are part of Heavenly Fathers plan to lead us to our own "Happily ever after."  

Some of the fun and important things we did this year were, learning to make homemade lip gloss,  sewing  personal hygiene supply bags for women in underdeveloped countries,  learning how to resolve conflicts thru communication with our spouses, and learning to take care of ourselves so that we can better care for our families. 

Of course, we shared lots of laughter and a few tears. I am so grateful to part of a large family with so many strong and courageous women to learn from.

I am already anticipating next years conference and all that I can gain from it!

Sacrament Meeting Talks

 Our entire family was asked to give the talks in sacrament meeting yesterday. 
The kids did a wonderful job. You couldn't even tell that they were nervous.  I am so proud, and humbled that I get to be their mom! 

For the most part, the kids came up with their own talks. I helped them a bit with organizing their thoughts and some of the wording, but they did the rest.

Caleb'sTalk:
Today I am Going to talk about how reading the scriptures is helping to prepare me to be a good missionary. One story in the scriptures that has helped me, is found in First Nephi. In the story, lehi asks his sons to go to jeruselem to get the brass plates from the wicked king laban. Laman and lemuel were afraid to go But Nephi said,
I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the things which he commandeth them.
Before I read that scripture I didn't want to go out of the country on a mission because I was afraid that I couldn't learn a different language.
But now I know that if the Lord sends me somewhere where I have to learn a new language the Lord will  Prepare a way for me to learn a new language if I need to.
Another Story from the scriptures that will help me be a better missionary is the story of Ammon.  Ammon was a Nephite who went to teach the lamanites about Jesus Christ. When he was brought before the lamanite king ,  he told the king he wanted to be his servant.  The king told Ammon to go watch his sheep then some robbers came and tried to steal the kings sheep. With the strength of the Lord Ammon was able to protect the kings sheep. The king was so Impressed with Ammon's sevice that he wanted to learn more about what Ammon believed.
This story taught me that the best way to share the gospel is thru our actions and not just our words. Ammon gained the kings trust because he served him first, then shared his testimony with him.
I want share my Testimony that I know That missionary work is important and as I continue to study the scriptures I will be a good missionary. I know this Church is true and if we choose the right we can live with Heavenly Father again.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Eliza's Tak:

Today I will talk about how I am preparing to be a full time misionary and how I can be a missionary now.
To prepare for a mission I am saving some of my money and putting it my bank account.
I am also saying my prayers everyday. I know that praying every day helps me to not follow satan.

In Matthew Chapter 26  verse 41 it says:
Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The Spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak.

I read the scriptures with my family every night and  I go to primary and learn more about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

Doing these things are also what can help me to be a missionary now.
Praying, reading my scriptures and going to primary remind me to try to be like Jesus. When I try to be like Jesus I am kinder to others and more helpfull to those in need.

I hope that when others see me being like Jesus they will want to learn more about Him and what I believe.

I want to share my Testimony that I know preparing for a mission brings me closer to My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know this Gospel is true and that it's Important to share it so that others can draw closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus too.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sarah's Talk:
My Talk today is on the importance of  helping and loving others.
We have a favorite song in our family. My dad just likes it because it's super short, but I like the words. It says:

Jesus Said love everyone, treat them kindly too. When you're heart is filled with love others will love you.

I know a girl at school who is a little different because her brain doesn't work the same way that most of ours do. Some kids are mean to her but when I am with her  I remember the words to the primary song called I'll walk with you.

If you don't walk like most people do some people walk away from you, but I won't, I wont! If you don't talk like most people do some people talk and laugh at you, But I won't I wont! Jesus Walked away from none. He gave his love to every one! So I will,  I Will. I'll walk with you, I'll talk with you that's how I'll show my love for you!!

That song reminds me to always be nice to her. I know that Jesus loves her very much and I can help her feel his love by being kind and loving to her.  Maybe when others see me being nice to her, they will want to be nice to her too.

It's especially important to be kind and loving to our own family members.  A  couple of weeks ago I spent almost a whole week  with my cousin who lives far away. I had fun with her, but I missed my own family and realised just how much I loved my own brother and sister.  I know I need to be kind and loving to them because they are my best friends.

I want to share my testimony that I know that being kind and loving to others is important. When I go on a mission I will meet lot's of different kinds of people. I know I need to love them just like Jesus does.  I have Two aunts that are on missions right now and I want to help bring others to the gospel like they do.
I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

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