A Hodgepodge of Pictures

There will most likely be no method to the madness of this post. Just some random pictures that represent what Trevor and I have been up to lately:

1. This picture represents the Draper Temple Dedication that we were able to watch/attend from our Wymount Stake Center on March 22nd. We didn't have the necessary white handkerchiefs needed to attend the dedication, so the night before at about 11pm we stopped by Walmart to see if they had any hankies. I walked up to the fabric desk to ask the lady there, and before I could finish my sentence she said "we don't have any left but you can cut out some of this white fabric". Then I noticed the nice group to my left who informed me that that was what they were doing! :) Oh dear... there were probably a dozen people who lined up to get white fabric as I was standing there. I thought it funny how last-minute we all can be!

Anyway, I didn't want just frayed fabric for the dedication, so after church the next day my wonderful friend Tammi Kirksey helped me sew two layers together to make some home-made handkerchiefs! They turned out so wonderfully I had to show off our work of art:The dedication really was wonderful and I am grateful for the opportunity I had to attend my second temple dedication in 10 years! Last time was the Raleigh, NC temple in December 1999.

2. This second picture is the only representation I have of our trip to Las Vegas on March 28th and 29th. We went down for our niece's baptism. Madison is the oldest of all the nieces and nephews and therefore was the first to be baptized! It was such a special experience and I am glad that Trevor and I were able to make it down to visit Mical and her family. Since living there (for many years) this was Trevor's first time visiting them! The weather there was sunny, warm, and wonderful and I was hesitant to make the 5 hour drive back to wintry Provo. On the way back home I snapped this shot:
I am sad that I got too lazy to break out my camera for other pictures, but you can find more on Mical's blog as well as Meghan's (see my blogroll on the right).

3. General Conference was the first weekend in April (4th and 5th). Trevor and I really enjoyed taking time to relax and listen to the wonderful words of our prophets. For the Sunday afternoon session, we invited the Shipp clan to come to our little apartment to watch the session and then eat a nice spaghetti dinner afterward. The session was wonderful, the spaghetti was tasty, and the company was enjoyed. When Jill announced she had brought her clippers if anyone needed a haircut (perhaps a hint for Trevor) I have to admit I was somewhat relieved. Trevor was in dire need of a haircut. So here they are on our porch at Wymount with Jill going at Trevor's hair:
I truly cannot believe how much hair that man has. I think more hair grows on his head in one month than I have on my entire head currently. I was shocked at the amount of hair on the ground. Anyway, his haircut looks much better now! :)

4. These pictures, for me, are the antithesis of Easter tradition. As usual, for Easter this year I made a bunny cake to bring to the Shipp's for Easter dinner. My brother Mike came in town on April 10th, so he helped out with decorating the face and bow tie. Here is the finished product of our cake:
And here is my fun, sweet brother holding our creation:
However, Easter is not all about bunnies and chocolate. For me this year, I really tried to focus on how grateful I was for the Atonement of Christ. I am so grateful that He suffered for every single person's sins and was willing to do so in order to allow us to return back to live with Heavenly Father. He suffered so we do not have to if we repent. He rose again the third day so we could all be resurrected. I am truly indebted to this merciful act that Christ performed for all the world. What a wonderful holiday Easter is! As it comes with the rebirth of Spring, it is a reminder of the spiritual rebirth that we all could experience if we allow the Atonement to work in our lives. I am so grateful for the Lord's grace and for His love for me.

As I was making this post, I realized that all five pictures had to do with events based around my religion. Sometimes I forget what a huge role being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has in my life. I am so grateful for the blessings I have received from following the Lord's gospel.

If you are curious to know what I am talking about or would like to know more, make sure to visit mormon.org. Having this knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Atonement has really shaped my life and molded me into the person I am today.