Girl's Camp...

Girls Camp - June 18-23, 2012 - Camp Roland, Bland County, VA

Celebrating 100 years of Church Girl's Camp!

S.T.A.R.S.

"Standing Tall as Righteous Sisters"

Rachael, Grace, Cassy and Tara

3rd year girls ready for their 12 mile overnight hike.  This prepares them for next year

when they do the high adventure 27 mile (three day/two night) trek along the Appalachian Trail.

Jill Hellstrom, Pembroke Stake YW President in center.

Grace Braden, Rachel Goode (our Welch girls) on left.

Joyce Hendricks..high adventure leader in red.

Standing behind...Tara Call and Cassie Clifton...our awesome Richlands Girls!

Look at those happy faces!

Debbie Clifton...camp "Mom" and head cook.

Never have I met a woman with greater understanding and unconditional love.

Never complaining, always working, and forever loving.

Silver Beaver...

Harold Boyd -- BSA Silver Beaver

"The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service."

Harold and Loretta have been married 58 years

and live on top of Horne Mountain in Buchanan County, Virginia.

Karl and I visit in their home at least once a month.  [Harold is an expert in family history research.]

In preparation for Girl's Camp...Debbie Clifton and I took our young women (Cassie and Tara) to Harold's mountain for a pre-camp clinic.  He taught us fire building, dutch oven cooking, plant identification and how to tie various knots.  He set up a washing station, gave us containers to waterproof matches, and let the girls pick black raspberries to take home.

Needless to say, we all went home well fed and worn out!

Changing of the Guard...

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier -- Arlington National Cemetary -- June 11, 2012

HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY

AN AMERICAN SOLDIER

KNOWN BUT TO GOD

During the Changing of the Guard ceremony

the audience was asked to stand, remain silent, and refrain from smoking or chewing gum.

It was a time for reflection and respect for all who have given their lives to the cause of freedom.

My heart also thought of my own Air Force son, who died serving Persian Gulf War in 1991.

It is considered one of the highest honors to serve as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

The soldier "walking the mat" does not wear rank insignia on his or her uniform so that they do not outrank the Unknowns, whatever their rank may have been.

In an additional ceremoney, this soldier loving placed a single rose at the grave of each memorial on the day we visited.  He had served as Sentinel for 24 months and was paying his "final respects."

A house of learning...

Washington DC Temple

"...a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God."

D&C 88:119

It was such a priviledge for Elder Hunt and I to prepare Jane for her first temple experience by teaching her the "Endowed From on High" lessons.

We met in our apartment every Sunday evening for six weeks searching scriptures

 and preparing for the endowment. 

Jane investigated the church and attended meetings for three years prior to her baptism.

Now, a year later, she was ready to enter the temple.

"It is a wonderful thing to come into the Church, but you cannot receive an exaltation until you have made convenants in the house of the Lord and received the keys and authorities that are there bestowed and which cannot be given any other place on the earth today."

Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie [3 vols. 2:253]

Our day with Jane Hughes in the DC temple,

shared with Paul and Sherry Bott from St. George, Utah.

June 9, 2012

Paul and Sherry Bott were the Sr. Missionary couple who prepared Jane for baptism.

They served in the Richlands Branch prior to us...and Elder Bott baptised Jane.

Both of Jane's parents are World War II vets and are burried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Before returning to Richlands we visited their grave sites.

Her father, Wilmer Frederick Hughes is represented on the front,  and her mother, Ruth C. Hughes is recored on the backside of the same marker.

Karl and I did proxy initiatory and endowment for Jane's parents,

and witnessed her sealed to them as an Eternal Family.

It was a special feeling for us to visit their graves after representing them in the temple.

Cassie...

Meet Cassie!

Daughter of Debbie and Mark

Sister of Stephen

Who is full of life, enthusiasm and cheer.

Who loves girl's camp, a clean house and helping people.

Who fears spiders, dying alone and evil.

Who would like to visit Paris, the Grand Canyon and Temple Square.
Friend of Tara and Ashley
Best friends with her Mom.

I love her.

Cassie