Progress...

photo here

I found this picture of the Angel Moroni arriving on site at the Gilbert Temple.  There was no announcement made (on purpose) of when it would arrive at the temple grounds but it looks like it came yesterday.  I thought it was amazing to compare the size of Moroni next to the workers.

I can't wait to get over there and see if for myself.

As for my personal progress in preparation for the trek...

Physically I have been keeping up with my walking and no soda.  Well, let me clarify the no soda thing.  In my home I have not had any soda.  I did have some when I went to lunch with Brent on his birthday last week and another time while I was out running errands I did partake.  My walking came to a stand still last week on Wednesday night when my throat started really hurting and waking up on Thursday I thought I'd like to cut my head off my my shoulders.  I took a percocet and used my oils liberally for the next three days to get through work and the days events and responsibilities.  It took a slight edge off but I truly can't remember hurting so much.  I could feel the pain all the way into my ears.  After getting no sleep on Saturday night I woke up Sunday (mother's day) and went to urgent care.  I was waiting at their doors when they opened.

Diagnosis...Strep throat.

Crazy!  I can't think of the last time I had strep.  Y E A R S ago for sure.

Anyway, thank goodness for the power of modern medicine.  After two days of antibiotics I am, thankfully, feeling so much better.

So that was the long way around to say that I haven't been walking as of last Thursday but plan to get back to it tomorrow.  Happy day : )

I have thought a lot about how easy it is to take my day to day good health for granted.

I go to bed, wake up, go about my day.  I go, go, go.  Form here to there.  To this thing and and then that thing.  I express my gratitude for a healthy body in my prayers but probably more out of routine than realization.  Myself and my little family are truly blessed to be healthy and not have any out of the ordinary illnesses that we have had to deal with.  A cold here, allergies there and the flu on occasion.  We truly are blessed.  As I've said my prayers over the past few days, my expression of thankfulness for my health is sincere and heartfelt. 

I am still reading and wondering with awe at the many stories I come across in regards to the early saints and my own pioneering ancestors.  It fills my heart to overflowing.  How did they do it with raging sore throats?  And that seems insignificant to know that it was much worse.  I found a journal entry about my Grandpa Willie.  I did not correct any spelling or punctuation...

"November 2, 1856 - Bros. Willie, Woodward, & Christiansen staid behind to bring up the sick. This morning we had not teams enough to haul the feeble that were left behind. After a short time several teams came on from the Valley & picked up the sick. The brethren that staid behind were late into camp. Bro. Willie’s feet were in such a bad condition from frost that he was unable to walk to the Camp; a wagon was sent for him."

And another comment stated this...

"This entry noted that President Willie and two other men stayed behind to help the sick. There appears to have been trouble getting everyone into a wagon. Through all they had experienced, President Willie kept leading and helping his company, although frostbite was taking its toll on him and he was having a difficult time walking."

Thank you Grandpa Willie for your faith, your courage and your testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ that kept you moving ever onward, ever forward.

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Trek is only 15 days away.