Our Church History Vacation-July 2008

This is going to be a very quick post with a very vague description of our 2 week long trip. I took over a thousand pictures so it may be quite tricky to come up with just a few to share. We went with our close friends from where we used to live.

I am so glad that I got to go. My testimony grew tons while visiting each of the places. I can't believe how much tribulation that the early saints had to endure. My respect for them quadrupled during this vacation. I encourage anyone who can, to go on a church history trip. It may have been the best thing I've ever done!


The Nauvoo temple. It was so beautiful. We got to go to one of the sessions, which I am very grateful for. It was a wonderful experience. We stayed at a hotel that was kiddie-corner from the temple. Hannah was very excited because when she woke up in the morning she was able to see the temple from her window, even before getting out of bed.



This is my Great (x4) Grandfather's home and gunsmith shop, Jonathan Browning. I couldn't believe the emotions that I felt as I heard the tour guide tell of his life in Nauvoo. There was a photo hanging on the wall of Jonathan's wife that looked so much like my grandmother, it was freaky. Maybe I'll add them so you all can compare.


Ok, so my grandma is on the left and Elizabeth Stalcup Browning is on the right. Now if you remove my grandmother's glasses & wig, which would leave her with white hair, it would be even freakier!! If Greg would reinstall my photoshop on my computer, I could do those simple alterations but he hasn't yet (hint-hint: just in case you do read my blog :)



Here is my mom, me, and my friend Karie. It was the 4th of July so we had on our festive T-shirts. When I came out of the bathroom wearing my T-shirt Karie just started laughing because she had brought the same one. Even when we're states apart, we always seem to be on the same wave-length :) Anyway, the house behind us was where the idea for the Relief Society happened. The lady that lived here and then went onto Salt Lake was the RS Pres. for almost 50yrs, or something crazy like that. As soon as the guide told us that Karie gave me a nudge and my eyes got huge!! Can you imagine having to be in position where you are constantly being critically viewed for 50 yrs?!? I couldn't handle it, that's for sure!!


This is a shot of the Mississippi River where the Saints had to cross to leave Nauvoo. It is at the end of the Trail of Hope/Trial of Tears, which ever name you are familiar with. I can't even imagine having to leave everything behind, even family, and head across a huge river with no idea of where you're headed, just knowing that the Lord is guiding you and that you need to be faithful. It's just too much for me to even comprehend! My extreme gratitude can not be put into words!


Here's the "Millnik" family, that's what we go by when we're on vacation...one big happy family :) (L-R) Ken, Dustin (front), Karie, Daria, Gabe, Greg, Me, Hannah (front), and JoAnn. We are standing in front of Adam-ondi-omin (spelling?). That was such a beautiful place and to think that Adam and Eve once dwelled there, was amazing!!


Gabe & Greg sitting on the very steps on which the prophet Joseph Smith preached after being dragged from this house and was tarred and feathered. It was a very humbling experience to know that he stood there, many many times, teaching the early saints about the gospel. I wonder if my love and admiration for the prophet will ever stop growing? The more I see and learn, the more I truly understand what he went through for this gospel. No words could express how grateful I am!!


The trail that leads into the Sacred Grove. I can't explain the feeling that washed over me just as I stepped past that wooden fence and into the grove. It seriously was like entering into another world. It was so amazing. The Spirit was SO strong that it almost overwhelmed me. I sat pondering in my heart what happened within those trees and trying to memorize the feeling that I had, so that I would never forget it.


Karie brought her scriptures and read the first vision to the children. It was so amazing to see their reaction to her words. As soon as she got to the "pillar of light, above my head" part, little Dustin gazed up into the sky. Look at the look of wonder on his little face. Then she went on to the "I saw two personages standing above me", and that's when Hannah looked up (see next picture). Her face is full of wonder as well. Wouldn't it be amazing to have the faith that our children have? To just know what is true and to not even waver?









This is the room where Hyrum & the Prophet Joseph Smith were killed. That is the exact window he fell from. I was just about to take a photo of Greg & Gabe looking out the window when Greg reached down and wiped the tears from his eyes with his shirt. I didn't meant to interfere with his moment but I'm so glad I was able to capture it. The Spirit in the room told the story of what happened in there better than the words spoken could. "Praise to the Man!"


This picture shows me exactly why we went on this Church History trip. To bring our children unto Christ. This photo says it all!



Here we are at Niagara Falls. It was a fun little stop on our way to Palmyra. Yes, we are all wearing the same "Millnik Family Vacation" t-shirts. It's a tradition :)


Here are our friends being clobbered by the mist/rain from the waterfall. It didn't look like it was going to be that wet from the dry land. Boy were we wrong!! But it was so much fun, drenched and all. The only annoying part was the fact that the wind kept puffing up our slickers and practically ripping them off!



Here's what Gabe thought about the boat tour. Yeah, he wasn't too happy. At one point I heard my mom say "Greg help me!" and I quickly turned around. Gabe's slicker, which we had tried to tie around his stroller, had puffed up into a big balloon and little Gabe's face was surrounded by it! Freaked me out!! So, Greg took Gabe under the canopy part of the boat to keep him safe because the wind wasn't as strong there.


We had a good trip and lots of fun new memories!! I wonder where the "Millnik" family will go next? :)

Breaking Dawn

Anyone out there finished the 4th Twilight book? I'm dying to chat about it. Leave your thoughts as a comment so they don't become "spoilers" for those who haven't read it yet and I'll respond to your comments :)

More Songs, if you're interested

Ok, so now I am on a role. I want to share some more of the songs by "Casting Crowns". If you would like to listen to them just click the link. Then let me know what you think. Again the lyrics are amazing and so deep. I love to think about the symbolism and then apply them to my life.

"The Voice Of Truth"

These lyrics bring to mind the adversary who tries to convince us that we are wrong and that the gospel of Jesus Christ is wrong but at those moments, we need to listen to the voice of truth. They also say that the adversary tries to pull us down and convince us that we aren't good enough and to just give up, again in those moments, we need to listen to the voice of truth.


"Who Am I"

I think this song really hits home for me. Sometimes I really wonder how our Savior can love me as much as he says he does. He sees past my failures and short-coming and still loves me. We are all children of God with a divine heritage. We are of unimaginable worth but how often do we actually feel that way? For me, not so much and I know that it's just Satan convincing me of my supposed "worthlessness". This song inspires me to not only be proud of who am I but to actually believe who I am.


"Does Anybody Hear Her?"

This song is one that makes me reflect on how I treat those around me who might have different lifestyles than I would choose. I like that part in the song where it states "under the shadow of our steeple, live all the lost and lonely people, searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me. Can anybody hear her? Can anybody see?" It makes me wonder how many people around me I don't see or at least recognize when they are struggling. Do I assume that just because my neighbor has a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other that he isn't worth sharing the gospel to? Sometimes I feel I'm guilty of that because I assume that the individual wouldn't want to hear but who am I to make that choice for him? Anyway, this is definitely an area that I need to grow in. Sometimes in our "Mormon culture" we assume people are "bad" because they are different and because we don't want that influence in our lives but I would encourage us to realize that they don't know any better. How could they? They haven't been taught yet. It's up to us to teach ALL of God's children!!

I think this next song fits under the same topic as the last song. I know the video is a bit "B-" level but the message is clear. Hope you enjoy this one as well...

"If We Are the Body"



"Stain Glass Masquerade"

This one reminds me of our lesson a few weeks back in Relief Society, when it was said that it's nice to see others weaknesses because then they're more real and we don't feel like we're all alone. This one hits home, well, all of these do but I do find myself looking at other families or mothers and comparing myself to them, and every time I lose!! I know that's not what the Lord would have us do, so why do we?




Ok, so that's it for now but believe me I could go on & on, especially if I moved on to different artists but I think this will do for now. I really hope these touched you the way they always touch me :)

The Song I Spoke Of In My Lesson

So, I promised that I would post this song to my blog so that those of you who were present today in Relief Society could hear it and not just hear the words. I have a couple of links that I will post below. The first one has the writer explaining why he wrote the song. It's a touching story. The other one is just something that someone put together after the New Orleans Hurricane and put the pictures/video to the song. It's touching as well. I will also put the lyrics here, so that you can contemplate the symbalism within them.

This song helped me more than I could ever express and I am so grateful that I found it. It brings me so much peace and strength. I hope, if you are dealing with a trail that seems overwhelming to you, that this simple song will ease that pain and help you endure through it.

The song is from a modern Christian group named Casting Crowns. Their music is amazing and I enjoy their upbeat music with the sentimental lyrics. I may choose to post a few other songs of theirs to see what you think.


"Praise You in This Storm"
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now
that you would have reached down
and wiped our tears away
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining.
As the thunder rolls,
I barely hear you whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as your mercy falls
I raise my hands
and praise the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for you are who you are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
you hold in your hands
you never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm.


I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
you heard my cry to you
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone
how can I carry on
if I can't find you?
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as your mercy falls
I raise my hands
and praise the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus



Let me know what you think! I hope it helps someone out there, the way it helped me!!

Striving Toward Simplicity

sim·pli·fy

To make simple or simpler, as:
a. To reduce in complexity or extent.
b. To reduce to fundamental parts.
c. To make easier to understand.

So, while on our vacation during the first half of July, I came to understand that I need to simplify my life. I have begun to spend too much time, either physically or mentally, outside of my home. When I get into a mode such as this, I tend to become easily overwhelmed and I feel disconnected from my purpose in life. The "outside" world begins to control my "inside" world and then my priorities start getting out-of-alignment.

Society is tricky this way. It tries to convince us, as mothers, that we need to be outside the home by either working, having our kids in multiple activities, friend groups, etc. so that our focus is not completely on our home and family. Plus society also tries to convince us that we need to change ourselves (usually physically) to fit into the current "in" trend, which causes us to feel inadequate, thus giving Satan the win. I also believe that we as women and mothers tend to justify these situations by saying that we are doing this for "us" and not anyone else. So, my challenge would be, why do we feel we need to change ourselves unless some outside source has convinced us to? Children don't feel the need to change themselves "just for them" because they haven't yet begun to understand what society is expecting of them. Wouldn't it be great to have that same level of self-esteem? To not even recognize where "society" is telling us that we don't fit in? Which just reinforces the scriptural reference of "becoming childlike".

So, I suppose I have recognized where I need to let go, which are mainly societal pressures, and where I need to refocus, which is my home and family. I know that when I do this, my life seems so much more in balance and so much more peaceful. I'm going to strive to keep my eye on the "eternal perspective" and away from "who's doing what, wearing what, saying what" because simplicity dwells within the "eternal perspective" and my current goal is to obtain complete simplicity.

New Twilight Trailer!!

Here's a new Twilight Trailer that they just released. If you haven't seen it yet, just click on the link below. It's a good one!! :)

American Idol Tour-2008

For Mother's Day, I bought my mom tickets to go see the American Idol Tour 2008, which was last night at the E Center. Both Hannah and I went along for the fun evening. It really was spactacular!! I loved it!! But my favorites would have to have been Michael Johns (I mean, who can not say he's AMAZING?!?....Love his accent!), The chick from Ireland (I wasn't a big fan of hers while she was on the show, which would clarigy why I don't know her name but let me just say that she was outstanding live!), David Cook--Of course (he was even better than he was on the show, which should say alot!! Brilliant!!), and last but not least, my man, David Archuleta!! It was truly a thrill to get to listen to him sing in person. We were only on the 31st row, which sound far back but we had a great view, besides all the heads that were in the way! When he came out singing the crowd went wild!!! It was hard to even hear him but we calmed down a bit into the song so that we could listen to him BUT when he was finished the cheers began and went on and on and on and on some more. I bet we sat there clapping and screaming for him for 8-10 minutes straight. And I don't mean a normal cheer, I'm talking the kind that hurt your ears and you can't hear the person next to you even if they are screaming directly into your ears. I've never experienced something like that but I have to say that I am glad to have been a part of it. By the end of the four songs that David A. had sung, he was in tears! He was overwhelmed by the reaction from his home state. I adore him because he is just so humble and caring. He's the type of boy that I want my little Hannah to marry :) ...I'm sure that there are more like him out there....somewhere :)

Anyway, there was one bad thing to the evening and that was the fact that I didn't bring my camera. I called the E Center and asked if I could bring a camera. They said I could as long as it doesn't have a retractable lense on it, which is does. I thought about bringing it anyway to see if they'd let me in with it but opted out because I didn't want to leave it in the car if they didn't. As soon as I was inside I was so bummed because there were many people there with my style of camera. So, the only camera we had was my mom's which doesn't do so well in the dark and from 31 rows back. I think we tool about 100 photos and the ones I'll post on this entry are the best ones, which should say just how awful they turned out :( I really am a bit upset about that!

So here are couple of photos. Ironically enough (and to my delight), it seems like the only ones that came out somewhat clear are of David Archuleta!! YIPPEE!!

Just the girls!

Hannah and her handy-dandy glowstick.

I am so grateful for the big jumbo-tron that was behind David because these photos are just not high-quality at all!! But what's funny is that the other singers didn't show up well at all on the jumbo-tron. They were either really blurry or big bright balls of light! Very strange that these are only ones that came out somewhat ok :) And I still can't help but see Gabe as a teenager when I look at David Archuleta. It's so funny to me how much they look alike and how many expressions they have that are similar. It'll be fun to compare once Gabe is a teenager though I don't really want to think about that right now. I want to keep him little forever :)