Still Growing Up

Growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Later day Saints (Mormon) was not an easy task. 

There are a lot of reasons why this was for me.  My Parents did not share the same religious views among other varying outside influences.  When you are a child you do what your parents want and you accept it as being right.  As you grow you begin to want to know those things for yourself.  This journey of self discovery has been, for me, difficult.  There are a lot of different reasons why and maybe I will tell those stories another time, but for now I will tell you where I am now.

I am grateful for my experiences in life.  I wish at times I had the fore thought to learn from other's mistakes.  Instead I chose to make a whole lot of my own.  These experiences have made me who I am today. 

I have found out that This is my religious belief.  Not my Mother's or anyone Else's but my own.  I would not want to be anywhere else in my life but here.  In a lot of ways it has saved my life.

I am still growing.

Manfred Berger, Bishop Andreas Weckesser, Me

I have had the Wonderful opportunity to serve in our Church as a member of our Bishopric.  I have served as a councilor to our Bishop.  It has been a treasured experience to learn from two of the finest men.  This opportunity to grow and strengthen my Testimony of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ has been monumental for Me.

The interesting thing about this opportunity is that I am still Me. I have all the same weaknesses as ever before, but my strengths are beginning to out weigh them.

Ether 12:27

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

For this I will forever be grateful.

Home Away From Home

Growing up out Beaver Creek in Port Alberni was a great time in my life.  I loved being out in the country.  I was born in Southern Alberta and I remember being young and living on a Farm.  The outdoors, the freedom to roam, the animals and everything.  It was great.  We moved to White Rock from there and lived in the city for a while.  I think we drove my Mother mental.  Since then I am sure my parents endeavored to live in the country so my Mom could stay sane.  I loved our house, but I had a Home away from Home.

Brad and Donna Reynolds home down the way was that home away form Home.  I think my mom started babysitting their kids after school and then when she went back to work I was 14 and I started babysitting for them.  I think that is how it started.  They were on my paper route as well so I was by there everyday.  I am sure I drove them crazy as well.

Travis Reynolds

I spent sooo much time there.  It was great.  I felt like family.  I babysat for them and came over nearly every day.  Riding horses with the Kids was the best time.  I actually really miss it.

This pond is Molcasters Pond.  It is out beyond the Old McLean's Mill.

This was our favorite spot to go on summer evenings for a quick ride.  It was about an hour from the house back through some good trails.

Molcaster's pond

Travis

Amanda with Holly(6 months)

I thought it was great when we moved back to the Island when Holly was a baby and things came full circle.  Amanda did some babysitting for us and even gave Holly her first horseback ride.  Those kids are all grown up now and having kids of their own.  We keep in touch on occasion, but I miss those days.  I am grateful to the Reynolds family for including me in their lives.  These are treasured memories.

I have to put out a shout to Mark their youngest.  Sorry Mark I didn't have a pick of you in my collection.