{WITH A} grain.of.salt

Buh-Bye! 

Aww, July is almost over! Such sadness.
I have to do my Heritage post....

Okay, so I and some of us older ones flew in to Denver on Tuesday. Why? Because
A) Airfare was more reasonable and
B) Hello, Mini-Vacay before the conference!

We ate tacos at a trendy little place then rested/took naps at our hotel (lol) then went to 16th Street Mall in Denver. There we encountered a protest (against police.... while police were escorting them. Irony.). Then as we tried to go to Ross, the protest started getting outta hand and the police pulled out guns (someone said they were the kind with rubber bullets). We ducked into Ross and then we were all commanded to go down to the basement/housewares department. THEN we were told that they were closing the store so everyone had to leave. Craziness. Thankfully at that point, the protesters were gone. We then ate yummy Italian food.

Wednesday, we had brunch and then drove the hour south to Colorado Springs.

Pulling up to church, I was Shocked that apparently there were no more parking spots. We had to park on the side of the street! I have never been to a conference that had such a packed out first night and I had never seen Heritage so crowded. Even Elder Johnson said so! lol!

One reason I was super excited about this year was the lineup of all speakers over 70 years old! Apparently, everyone else was excited about this too. Also, I was glad that the kids in my church worked hard and were able to come for the first time.

So basically... we had CHURCH. Like, some serious CHURCH. Every service was incredible. We had to get to church a good hour or more before prayer to get a decent seat. And when I say decent, I mean on a pew (as opposed to a wooden/metal chair) kinda towards the back. I dislike being in the back but hey! I was happy. The time before prayer was fellowship time. Mary took a cute selfie of her and I but she hasn't posted it yet *COUGH COUGH*.

So many other bloggers detailed the last night of service with the tongues and interpretation. It was exciting for my group because my pastor had been doing a Bible study series on the gifts of the Spirit and to see those two gifts manifested in a conference setting was pretty awesome.

A few things that resonated with me:

Mary mentioned that the elders emphasized that they have confidence in the next generation to carry the torch. Honestly, in my mind I was thinking, "Really?!?!" It was extremely humbling to hear such well-respected men who have gone through so much say this.

There was such a hunger for God in the place. It was so strong and helped me to believe that my generation just may be capable of carrying the torch.

It is SO Fitting to me that this Heritage was unique and beautiful. Just so you know.... if you haven't checked the headlines lately, the world has gone crazy. If you haven't heard the latest, the church world has also gone crazy. To see people flock to hear elderly men of God in the times that we are living in? Incredible. It does not surprise me God saw fit to bless that conference the way He did.

a few pics....

Honestly, my Colorado pics mostly comprised of... wait for it.... Bunnies.
(Almost) every time we walked to and from our hotel, there were 2-5 bunnies eating or chillin', enjoying the weather. They were out there even at 2am!! It was SO CUTE. I squealed every time. I'll just share one pic.

[oh well]

Balloons. These were taken on Saturday morning before leaving. Symbolic? Maybe.

AND FINALLY.....
Anali is getting married tomorrow!!!! And I have to add this pic from Heritage lock-in in 2012 when her and Joe Mamma first met and were chatting. So you see I was one of her first chaperones, heh heh.

Gotta admit: I'm a sucker for a good milestone.

Or rather, it WAS a tea party back in May. ;)

my mom and I

my lovely friends! we had wayyyy too much fun with the photo backdrop

..........

WOW. So last fall, our church began its own church school and pictured above are the students who attended. It amazes me to see the growth and maturity in all aspects of these students' lives. I am so proud of them and love the way that they become so close to one another and closer to God.

..........

I took a super quick trip to Washington for my nephew's high school graduation a couple weeks ago....

;

I Love the Pacific Northwest!!!!!!!!!

Mom and niece (and brother peeking around the display)

Pardon my crazy eyes! Ok, we went to Salt and Straw which is what I call a foodie's ice cream paradise. To be clear, I do not consider myself a "foodie" but it's fun to pretend every once in a while. They have all kinds of crazy flavor combinations made from locally sourced ingredients and waffle cones that are made right in the building! All in all, it tasted AMAZING and next time I'm in Portland (or LA), I will be going again. I just wrote wayyyy too much about ice cream.  But anyway, It's that good! I played it relatively safe and got the Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper flavor in a waffle cone. Wish I had gotten two scoops instead of just one. :( 

He did it!!!

Rare display of affection between the siblings. I had to get a pic!

Yay! Such Fun!

...........

To end on a sad/happy note, the man who called me (and okay, some other's too!) his granddaughter died this past Friday. Both sets of my natural grandparents have been long gone and I have never really understood the grandparent/grandchild relationship. I am thankful for the time that we've had with him. His homegoing service will be on my birthday so I don't know how to feel about that. He's been such a strength to our church despite the frailty of his physical body. I always think it sounds corny when people say things like this but if there's an airplane or a motorcycle in Heaven, he's sure to be flying/riding it! As he told us last year while in a rehab facility after surgery, "I walk on the wild side!" He didn't quite make it to 100 like he wanted to but he was pretty close.
you are so missed, Bro. McCord.

.... is a dreadful beast.

hello all!

Well as an update about my dad, he had surgery and as of Sunday, he has been released from the hospital. God is so good and merciful. NOW begins the looooong road of recovery... or so it seems. It always seems longer when males are recovering versus when females are.... am I stereotyping? :)

And I'm still praying for the Hood family. Won't you join in prayer too? And in giving?

Please go to http://www.jasonleehood.com .

After clicking the Donate button and donating :), there is much to see and hear. Messages he's preached, pictures and audio from the homegoing service, etc etc etc. And buy Sis. Carmen's music  via Itunes. I know it all will be much appreciated.

My heart aches for the Hood family and for those who are as close as family to them. It's easy for me to dwell on the seemingly unfairness of it all.... why did it have to happen to them with all that they've gone through? But then, I have to remember to look at the whole situation though eyes of faith. We're all trying to make it to Heaven but we hurt so much when someone achieves our ultimate goal.

Death has been on my mind quite a bit these past few days..... an early morning last week, my dad was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, unconscious. For a day and a half [the longest day and a half Ever], a machine did all of his breathing for him. Thankfully, he is now able to breathe completely on his own but now there are talks of possible surgery.