Meridian Lions Rodeo 2022

 

June 29th 2022 - Ava had her rodeo this past weekend, the 24th and 25th.  It started on the 23rd with Slack, Ava and Chica pushed so many cows.  Friday the rodeo started and they buzzed, carried flags, and pushed cows.  Ava was really worried after the first buzz during grand entry.  Chica was limping and they had a long evening ahead of them.  She called me and I came to check on Chica, I asked her to walk her out after I stretched her.  Chica walked out her soreness, she reared before buzzing which probably caused it and she went on to work all evening/night long until the rodeo was over.  It was hard work but Ava and Chica did great.  It isn’t normal for the mini-queen to push cows.  Ava and Chica are the exception, they do it all, because they are soooo good.  On Saturday Ava was really tired before her last buzz as mini queen, before she was crowned teen queen.  Chica was in heat all three days, loved pushing cows and was getting anxious so she wouldn’t stand still in the rodeo arena by then end of day 3, which was driving Ava crazy. If the handsome black Morgan Ozzie was in the arena Chica would happily stand next to him but otherwise she was weaving and bumping other horses.  Ava tried to settle Chica to watch while keeping her from bumping anyone and a flag carrier came and parked her horse next to Ava.  She started a conversation with Ava and when Chica started moving and Ava went to move her away and stand somewhere else the lady told Ava “It’s okay, stay, she can bump into my horse and settle.”  That’s what Chica did, she bumped into the horse, nestled in close and sat while Ava visited.  The lady told Ava that she had a daughter who was the Owhyee riding club princess and if Ava could watch out for her and return the favor, if her daughter ever needed a friend.  After coronation Ava took Chica to the warm up arena and when she came back to stand waiting for her flag for the serpentine the same lady came and stood next to Chica to calm her and let her bump her horse.  What an angel.  I was praying for Ava and the Lord sent this woman to her.  Ava looked her up on Facebook after and her name is Kristen Montenegro.  We had so many family and friends come support Ava: Greta, Madison, Wil, Karli, Ashtyn, Chloe (Ashtyn’s girlfriend), Candice and Josie, all the Griggs, the Williams (Jensyn), Heather and Arria, Jan and Royce.  Taylor and Casey stayed at our house.  They have been the best mentors' and friends to Ava and I this year.  PC: Thomas C Duncan Photography

 

2022 Trek Miracle #1

Wil did not want to go on Trek. I told him that if he would only go for me that was okay. That I wouldn’t give up hope of him going until the bus drive off. He decided he would go, for me. He went on Trek to Wyoming and decided once there that his family was going to have the best experience possible.  He is irreplaceable in our family and quickly became irreplaceable to his trek family. He came back with so many memories and fun stories. He saw a plaque with his 4th great grandfather’s name John Cameron Galbraith. Who was 1 of 20 courageous men who stayed for months to help the Willie and Martin handcart companies at Devil’s Gate. The hardships John witnessed were heartbreaking and he did everything he could to help and cheer the people in that harsh situation. Wil carried on that legacy by walking in his great grandfathers shoes for a few days, lifting and helping as he did so. I love you so much son, thank you for sacrificing some days of summer and trekking in Wyoming.  **And how many boys can you fit in a charter bus bathroom? ** The answer is 11. 😂😂

I told Wil that he would find it fulfilling to go if he went. He did, my prayer was answered. He loved his Trek Ma and Pa. He loved taking care of his family. The girls hugged him when he left and told him he was the BEST big brother. When I found out I heard - That’s Miracle # 1. I agreed with the spirit but I didn’t know why that was so familiar. “That’s Miracle #1” I was racking my brain in Relief Society and it suddenly came to me. It’s from the New Top Gun, Maverick. In the movie they need 3 Miracles. Funny that’s what I heard. But I do need a few more miracles, that I’m praying for. 

John Cameron Galbraith's Story:  

My 4^th Great Grandfather John Cameron Galbraith

John Cameron Galbraith was born on 26 July 1829, in Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland as the son of John Galbraith and Catharine Smith. He married Mary Ann Gittins before 1859, in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 4 daughters. He died on 5 July 1868, in Smithfield, Cache, Utah, United States, at the age of 38, and was buried in Smithfield, Cache, Utah, United States.

John emigrated from Scotland aboard the sailing ship Enoch Train, but was not listed as a passenger because he was hired on to work for his passage as a ship's cook. Page 89 of the ship's manifest (as found in the British Mission Record on mormon.migration.lib.byu.edu ) lists his name.

He was among the small group of men who remained behind at Devil's Gate until spring to guard the personal belongings of the emigrants who had been rescued.

All Events Born 1829 July 26 Traveled in John A. Hunt Company 1856 August 1 – December 10 (Age 27) Pioneers in Company Date Details On 1856 August 1 Joined Company On 1856 December 10 Company Arrived Died 1868 July 5 (Age 38)

 

From John: We continued on, overtaking the hand-cart company ascending a long muddy hill. A condition of distress here met my eyes that I never saw before or since. The train was strung out for three or four miles. There were old men pulling and tugging their carts, sometimes loaded with a sick wife or children—women pulling along sick husbands—little children six to eight years old struggling through the mud and snow. As night came on the mud would freeze on their clothes and feet. There were two of us and hundreds needing help. What could we do? We gathered on to some of the most helpless with our riatas tied to the carts, and helped as many as we could into camp on Avenue hill. This was a bitter, cold night and we had no fuel except very small sage brush. Several died that night. This was a bitter, cold night and we had no fuel except very small sage brush. Several died that night. Next morning, Brother Young having come up, we three started for our camp near Devil’s Gate. All were rejoiced to get the news that we had found the emigrants. The following morning most of the company moved down, meeting the hand-cart company at Greasewood creek. Such assistance as we could give was rendered to all until they finally arrived at Devil’s Gate fort about the 1st of November. There were some twelve hundred in all, about one-half with hand-carts and the other half with teams. THE winter storms had now set in, in all their severity. The provisions we took amounted to almost nothing among so many people, many of them now on very short rations, some almost starving. Many were dying daily from exposure and want of food. We were at a loss to know why others had not come on to our assistance. The company was composed of average emigrants; old, middle-aged and young; women and children. The men seemed to be failing and dying faster than the women and children. The hand-cart company was moved over to a cove in the mountains for shelter and fuel; a distance of two miles from the fort. The wagons were banked near the fort. It became impossible to travel further without reconstruction or help. We did all we possibly could to help and cheer the people. Some writers have endeavored to make individual heroes of some of our company. I have no remembrance of any one shirking his duty. Each and everyone did all they possibly could and justice would give to each his due credit. All the people who could, crowded into the houses of the fort out of the cold and storm. One crowd cut away the walls of the house they were in for fuel, until half of the roof fell in; fortunately they were all on the protected side and no one was hurt. Many suggestions were offered as to what should be done, some efforts being made to cache the imperishable goods and go on with the rest. Accordingly pits were dug, boxes opened and the hardware, etc., put in one, while clothing, etc., were put in another. Often these boxes belonged to different persons. An attempt was made by Brother Cantwell, to keep an account of these changes. This caching soon proved to be a failure for the pits would fill up with drifting snow as fast as the dirt was thrown out, so no caches were made. The goods were never replaced. The storm had now ceased to rage and great hopes were felt for a successful move. We were daily expecting more help and often wondered why it did not come. Next day all hands pulled out, most of them on foot. After getting my camp regulated a little and giving some instructions, I got on my horse and rode on to see how the train was moving along. All were out of sight when I started. After traveling a few miles, I came upon a lady sitting alone on the side of the road, weeping bitterly. I noticed she was elegantly dressed and appeared strong and well. I asked her what was the matter. She sobbingly replied, “This is too much for me. I have always had plenty, and have never known hardships; we had a good team and wagon; my husband, if let alone, could have taken me on in comfort. Now I am turned out to walk in this wind and snow. I am determined not to go on but will stay here and die. My husband has gone on and left me, but I will not go another step.” The train was two or three miles ahead and moving on. I persuaded her after a while to go on with me. This lady, Mrs. [Mary Jane Paul] Linforth, and her husband now live in San Francisco, California. They could not stand the hardships of Zion; but I believe they are friendly to our people. After overtaking the train and seeing them on the move, Captain Grant asked me to go back with instructions for the brethren left with me; then to come on next day and camp with them over night. On calling the company together at the fort that night, I told them in plain words that if there was a man in camp who could not help eat the last poor animal left with us, hides and all, suffer all manner of privations, almost starve to death, that he could go on with me the next day and overtake the trains. No one wanted to go. All voted to take their chances. On taking stock of provisions, we found about twenty day’s rations. No salt or bread excepting a few crackers. There was at least five months of winter before us and nothing much to eat but a few perishing cattle and what game we might chance to kill. The game was not very certain, as the severe storms had driven everything away. The first move was to fix up the fort. Accordingly Brother Alexander, being a practical man, was appointed to manage the business; Brother Hampton was to see about the cattle. I followed the train this day to their second encampment and the next day traveled with them There was much suffering, deaths occurring often. Eph Hanks arrived in camp from the valley and brought word that some of the teams that had reached South Pass and should have met us here, had turned back towards home and tried to persuade Redick Allred, who was left there with a load of flour, to go back with them. The men who did this might have felt justified; they said it was no use going farther, that we had doubtless all perished. I will not mention their names for it was always looked upon by the company as cowardly in the extreme. If this had not occurred it was the intention of Captain Grant to have sent some one down to us with a load of flour. As it was, by the time any was received, the people were in a starving condition, and could not spare it. From the third camp, where I saw the last of the brethren, an express was sent on to catch the returning supplies and continue on to the valley, giving word that the train was coming. I know nothing more of them except from reports. As I am writing mainly from my own observations, I will simply state that after great suffering and much assistance (hundreds turning out to help) the emigrants were finally landed in the valley.

October 22, 2021

I don’t even know where to start. My journal/blog says I haven’t written anything since January 11, 2021 but I did find some letters written to Jaxon that hadn’t been included.  I think I should start with making a list of the things I need to journal about or include.  I also want to make a list of the things I want to do about/for my journal.  I want to get it printed out and I haven’t decided how yet.  I know doing it in a pdf version is best but I struggled with deciding on Word, Google Word, Publisher or to keep using my Blog.  I do think I am going to get rid of my blog but it is so easy to search so I am just not sure what I want to do there.  I just can’t decide.  For now I will post what I write here until I decide. (Copy and Paste)  Important things I need to write about: Hawaii December 2020, Pics/Holiday together Dec/Jan 2021, Horsebowl/Hippology, Ava run for Meridian Lions Club MIni Queen, Visit to Lousiana April 2021, Meridian Lions Rodeo, Branson Trip June 2021, State Horsebowl/Hippology, Stampede Rodeo, Kelsey’s Wedding July 2021, Wil climbing Mt Borah, Ava swimming with Chica July 2021, Fair and many more.  I noticed that I could just put up my facebook posts with some extra info for the most part.  I will start there to catch up.  I also need to add those letters to and from Jaxon.  So many things to say for the months of August - October too.  It has been a crazy ride of a year.  I will do my best to cover the highlights and things we shouldn’t forget.  

1/11/2021 Letter to Jaxon

Monday January 11,  2021

Jaxon

I started a letter to you on Saturday but to be honest it was depressing.  I was a mess Friday and Saturday.  My friend Rebecca Hirschi died last Sunday, the day you flew back to Georgia.  I had so much going on I didn’t really process it.   When Friday came I had to decide if I was going to the public viewing on Friday, watch the live funeral on Saturday or go to the public gravesite service on Saturday, in short I was a mess.  I couldn’t stop crying for my friend and her children.  This hit really close to home since I was 27 when my mom passed away from the same cancer.  Enough about me being a mess and crying, it wasn’t a pretty site.  Looked like a leaky faucet all the time.  Let’s move on to what I have learned this week and what is going on in the world because I am guessing you might not know. 

Funeral First – I love Rebecca, she was one of the most Christlike people I know, maybe the most Christlike.  Her 4 girls and her son all spoke at the funeral and did an awesome job.  One of her girls read a scripture from John 11:35 Jesus wept. Short scripture, huh.  But very powerful.  Jesus does weep with us, he walks with us.  We do not have heartache or weep alone.  Jaxon NO matter how bad it gets in training or life you are never alone.  You NEVER walk alone and if you don’t or can’t weep, Jesus will weep for you.  He loves you.  He walks with you Jaxon

2^nd thing from the Funeral – I love the song they sang and have included it.  Master, The Tempest is Raging.  It says over and over in the chorus “Peace, be still.  Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea Or demons or men or whatever it be, No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean and earth and skies.”  No matter what situation life throws at us we can find peace.  Rebecca found out she had cancer when she was 40 in 2011, she even ran the Boston Marathon in 2012 after completing Chemo and took a day off from Radiation to run the Marathon.  She thought she had conquered the cancer, but in 2017 while training for another Marathon she found out the cancer had back with a vengeance. Further testing revealed that the cancerous lesions weren’t limited to her hips. It had spread like oil over the surface of water, metastasizing to her ribs, spine, lymph nodes and a lung.  She was able to take chemo pill medication every day from 2017 to the end of 2020 suppressing the growth of the cancer until the medication didn’t work anymore.  But through it all she felt her trial was small compared to other’s trials and found peace by being an Execeptional Responder.  Exceptional Responders in the cancer world are: patients who met the following criteria: Received a treatment in which fewer than 10% of patients had a complete response or a durable (lasting at least 6 months) partial response based on clinical trial data or extensive historical experience in the context of the patient's tumor type.  Rebecca wasn’t an Exceptional Responder because she responded to a treatment that cured her cancer or had a durable response to a treatment but because she persevered and never let the cancer beat her mental strength or shake her testimony.  She was an Exceptional Responder because she LIVED her life and made the most of it with the strength of a warrior and didn’t let this horrible experience turn her bitter.

3^rd thing from the Funeral – This quote:  “The only way to take pain out of death is to take love out of life”  It goes along with a quote I saw recently that says: “Grief never ends…but it changes.  It’s a passage, not a place to stay.  Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith…it is the price of Love.”  I was feeling grief for my friend and her family this weekend and still do.  I will always feel grief for my own mom’s death.  But it is the price of Love and I do love them so much Jaxon.  Jaxon – you, me and our whole family are going to feel grief being apart and it’s okay.  It’s healthy, it’s because we all love each other so much.  But we also support each other and it’s okay for us to be apart for us to do what we need to do in this world.  

Attack on Capital Hill – On Wednesday January 6^th there was a riot on Capital Hill.  I have included a letter from your dad that will explain what happened.  In Case your stop reading my letter now make sure you come back and read the rest, please!  Major General Donahue put up a response today about what happened on Capital Hill.  He said: I have wrestled to contextualize the past few days.  I’ve wondered how to lead given the divisions in our nation.  I’ve struggled with how to help our organization through this turbulence.  And then a high school classmate of mine made a FB post that really helped.  Here it is: Yesterday, it was both difficult and heartbreaking to watch the images of the United States Capital – which dates back to 1800 and is a place that I have frequented for our advocacy efforts for many years – descending into chaos, weapons drawn, lives lost, our members of Congress forced into hiding, and a truly sacred space defaced and desecrated.  While there are so many things going on within Centura this week, there is nothing more important for me to talk with you about today.

While we all might not agree on politics, policies, parties and positions, we can and should respect one another’s opinions and ideas, and encourage healthy debate and uncomfortable conversations, and do always through the lends of our distinctive Mission, Vision, and core Values.  This requires an assumption of good intentions for our fellow team members, a sacred, implicit agreement to always speak the truth, to be compassionately transparent, not intentionally do harm, not being thrown by disagreement, taking a big risk by sharing, and never losing the super power of both humor and fun.

In the ever-so-timely words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a great toughness.  We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love…Our aim must never be to defeat or humiliate... but to win… friendship and understanding.”  We should never resort to violence and we have seen far too much of this over this past year.  None of this is truly representative of who we are (as a country and a healing ministry) nor should it ever be condoned for any individual or any group in any way. 

 

Major General Donahue went on to post: On our worst day, America is still a nation of laws – and we are watching that play out around country as those criminals that rioted, vandalized and murdered while attempting to interrupt the sanctity of our democratic process are rounded up by law enforcement.  I trust in our system to bring them to justice.

 

Thoughts – There is such a division in our country right now.  It is HUGE and everyone is up in arms and fighting and there is violence.  It shouldn’t be condoned for any individual, or group (not the conservatives, liberals, republicans, democrats, or any race, or religion)  Then I think about you and your platoon and what you guys are experiencing from the little you have told me.  This sticks out to me: Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a great toughness I don’t know if you agree but those around you, that will remain unnamed beget hate, they beget violence, and they beget a toughness out of you and those around you that is greater than their own toughness.  Somehow you and your group need to find a way to meet the forces of hate with the power of Christlike Love.  I know that mind sound completely CRAZY because of your situation but BE THE LEADERS that you know your men need, that your friends need.  Be like Senior and Lieutenant.  Find a way that is better than the hate, violence and toughness.  Infantry trains you to kill but the infantry creed also says: For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. All of you are mentally tough, physically strong but are you being taught to be morally straight?  Are you as leaders teaching that to your men?

 

 

1/5/2021 Letter to Jaxon

 

             #35 Tuesday  January 5^th 2021

Jaxon – It has been an absolutely crazy Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.  We did get Greta all moved in and her room mate seems great.  Her name is Heather and she is a sophomore and works for the school so she is able to help Greta with any questions she has.  Kamry has arrived and that makes Greta feel a lot better too.  Kamry’s brother is giving his mission report on Sunday so Greta is coming home to pick up a medication that got delivered here in Kuna.  Luckily she can just catch a ride with Kamry to Kuna and back to Rexburg.  We signed her up at Bodifi in Rexburg and she likes it.  There was a blonde girl there that looked just like Dani Spiegel.  Kind of funny!  LOL  Greta starts school tomorrow, Wed. 

My friend Rebecca Hirschi passed away on Sunday.  Her family said she put this quote in her scriptures before she passed away.  She wrote this quote in the margins of her well-loved scriptures in the days before she passed: “There is no greater, more thrilling, and more soul-enobling challenge than to try to learn of Christ and walk in His steps... what would Jesus do? Or what would He have me do are the paramount personal questions of this life. Walking in this way is the greatest achievement of life. That man or woman is most truly successful whose life most closely parallels that of the Master” (Ezra Taft Benson).

Truly, Rebecca met that challenge and walked in Jesus Christ’s footsteps. Her life paralleled His life in every way.

I’m really sad that she passed away she was so amazing.  I know she is still amazing and in Heaven but my heart still breaks for her family and I am going to miss her smile so much!  I just hope I can be like her.  I hope I can be a mother, wife and friend like she was.  She was just the best. 

I hope you are doing well, kinds of sounds like Major General Donahue put everyone on limited activity/movement for 2 weeks and we don’t know what that looks like for you.  Stay Strong Jaxon and keep pushing through.  Don’t let everything going on around you discourage you, I know Heavenly Father has big plans for you, pray and listen.  Don’t forget who you are, I know who you are.  Remember you always have others with you, even when you can’t see them.  Take care of yourself, never give up on yourself and take care of your buddies.

 

11/12/2020 Letter to Jaxon

 Jaxon – The other day we watched a short video about ministering angels with Elder Holland talking during it.  It was really good.  I took screenshots from the video and was going to send you the screenshots with the remarks form Elder Holland but Wil said “He will get made fun of for that.” The video is just kind of quirky.  They have ministering angels following a HS age boy around and they are just youth dressed in white type gowns.  So I deleted the pics and instead added some photos of times when I know you can personally understand what Bro. Holland is saying.  I don’t think anyone makes fun of Jaxon Kingsbury but I can show you the video when you are home if you want to see it.

Today was Blitz’s Birthday and Ava made him a cake.  It was mostly made out of pumpkin and peanut butter.  Blitz LOVED it.  We think he really misses you and I also took him on a 6 mile run today.  He is being silly and depressed.  Maybe talking to you on the phone will help him this week.  He is going to go nuts at Christmas.  I have included a few pictures. 

FBI has new episodes.  I am going to wait to watch them until you get home if you want to watch them with me?  If not then I can watch them by myself.  LOL 

Tell me more about your friends.  Fevin, Curtis, Mitchell and Jade.  Who are these guys?  Where are they from etc.? 

We are watching your graduation from the basic combat training of your OSUT tomorrow morning.  Can’t wait and can’t wait to hear about the Forge. 

Love you LOTS LOTS LOTS LOTS!!!!!!!!

The Ministry of Angels, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle

In the course of life all of us spend time in “dark and dreary” places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement.

But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself.

 

Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.

I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He would fight our battles, our children’s battles, and the battles of our children’s children. And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to search diligently, pray always, and be believing. Then all things shall work together for our good, if we walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith we have covenanted. The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants.

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. 

On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.

May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”

 

Family Home Evening 11/9/2020

 

This was our family home evening tonight:

Did you know that Mormon lived his entire lifetime while the Nephites were wicked and the Lamanites waged war against them?!

He never experienced righteousness and peace in the land.

He didn’t really have any super successful “missions” where he converted a bunch of people.

He didn’t get to perform miracles in front of a bunch of believers.

(This is all at least as far as we know, and I feel pretty fair assumptions based on his descriptions.)

His world was in extreme turmoil, war, and hatred from the moment he was born until he took his dying breath.

And yet he lived a righteous life, followed the Spirit, was visited by the Savior when he was 16 years old, tried to influence his world for good, and took on a writing project that influenced millions of people for years to come.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely had the attitude sometimes that the world needs to go back to “normal” before my real purpose can go back to normal.

But Mormon never had a “normal” world.

And he still found a way to be one of the most righteous individuals in history and change history for the better.

President Nelson taught us recently to: “Embrace your new normal by repenting daily.

“Seek to be increasingly pure in thought, word, and deed.

“Minister to others.

“Keep an eternal perspective.

“Magnify your callings.

“And whatever your challenges, my dear brothers and sisters, live each day so that you are more prepared to meet your Maker.”

We don’t need to wait for old “normal” to do any of that.

It’s all available to us right now.

And even if we never go back, even if we keep getting more chaos and hatred and even bloodshed around us-
We still have full access to God, to our Savior, to righteousness, and to fulfilling whatever our purpose might be.    Happy Studying!   -Cali Black