Noah's Ark

Seminary has begun and we are now in our 5th week.  Last week we studied Noah's story about the Ark and the animals and the wickedness of the people who were killed in the flood.  As I drove to church that Thursday morning, I noticed the sky.  It was so beautiful!  I was glad I had my camera to capture the beauty I was witnessing.

After we read a bit about how big the Ark measured, we did the math.  450' long x 75' wide and 45' tall.  That makes it as high as our church building, as wide as the parking lot plus the sidewalk and as long as two parking lots.

 While some of the youth did the measuring, others were creating the animals that would come along on the journey.  Syd drawing flamingos, I think.

 The entire group, minus Neal.

 A flurry of activity in creating animals.

 Crista's butterfly.

 Emma's pair of giraffes.

 Mackenzie and Tiana with Alyssa at the unseen end measuring "around the corner" so we could get a visual of just how long this vessel was.

Savana's pig.  Not certain what Meckenzie drew.  I think a pair of bears.

At any rate, it was so much fun having them outside and doing something practical and enjoying the experience.  A classroom is a great way to learn things but at times it is more practical to get off the chair and actually do it.  I think this is a lesson that they will not forget!

Amazing youth whom I am blessed to spend my mornings with.

Time

I've found that time stand still for no one.  My dad has been gone for over a year already.  Where has the time gone?  Wasn't it just yesterday that we were dealing with doctor appointments and wondering what was going on?  Didn't we just get that horrible diagnosis?

Andrew will be home in about nine months from serving a two year mission.  Where has that time gone?  Didn't he just finish high school?  Didn't we just drop him off at the Missionary Training Center? 

Little Butchy is already 6 months old.  Wasn't he just born last month?  How about Cami?  She is in 3rd grade.  THIRD GRADE!!!  Am I old enough to have an eight year old granddaughter? 

I see a few leaves beginning to change their colors.  I see gardens winding down and the bounteous harvests.  Wasn't it just yesterday that we were wishing the snow would melt?

I began teaching my eighth year of seminary.  Eight years!  How can that be?  I am not a morning person!  I can't do that!  It has been a joy and an absolute privilege to be with these marvelous youth in the mornings.  But eight years?

My husband has been the stake president for 8 1/2 years.  What?  Wasn't he just called? 

Time is a precious commodity that there never seems to be enough of.  And yet, for those people who while away the hours because they can't do for themselves any longer, it seems that time is all they have.  Too much time. 

As I think about my loved ones who have passed, there is never enough time.  There's always the wish for one more day or one more hug or one more "I love you." 

With that thought, I am absolutely grateful for the knowledge of eternity.  The knowledge that families can be together forever.  That marriage is not just until death do us part.  God is in control.  Of that I am certain. 

I understand more than ever that LOVE is spelled T-I-M-E.  What greater gift can we give those whom we love than to spend time with them?