Mists of Darkness

It has been really foggy in my neck of the woods lately.  This morning it was clear when I drove #4 to the bus stop, but on my way back (a total drive time of 1 minute), the fog started to roll in. This is what it looked like an hour and a half later when I drove #5 and #6 down to school.  See the sun just peaking out over the mountain?

I already shared this on my Instagram (@rachsgoodlife), but I'm going to share it here too.

Super foggy again at my house. Ironically this morning I read a talk by Cheryl C. Lant. It fits perfectly with the foggy weather. In her talk she poses the question: "What are my mists of darkness?" ----------------------------------
This caused me to think about my own mists of darkness. What are the things that are clouding my judgments, obstructing me from seeing and achieving my goals and visions, and what's blinding me from seeing the hand of God in my life? Do I let myself get lost in the mists of darkness Satan places over me? Do I let him discourage me? ----------------------------------
Just like mother nature's fog, if I'm patient and persevere, the Son ☀️ always comes and dispels the mists of darkness- ALWAYS.

Through the Eyes of a Teenager

 #2 and #3 are both taking a photography class in school.

Yes the same class, the same hour, the same teacher, the same everything!

 It's been fun to see the world through their eyes (or should I say photos?).

 Who knew our weeds could look so cool?

 And this angle of the sagebrush across the street - breathtaking with the blue sky and mountains behind it.

 Speaking of angles, how about this one?

I think I'll appoint them both Official Collins' Family Photographers.  They can be in charge of taking all the photos from now on.

Be an Example and a Light

Yesterday was a dark and gloomy day.  It didn't rain or snow, but it was cloudy all day long.

Last night I glanced out my window to see the top of the mountain illuminated, while the valley below still sat in darkness.

It made me think of the prophet, President Monson's reminder in his latest conference talk to let our light shine.

". . .as the world moves further and further away from the principles and guidelines given to us by a loving Heavenly Father, we will stand out from the crowd because we are different. We will stand out because we dress modestly. We will be different because we do not use profanity and because we do not partake of substances which are harmful to our bodies. We will be different because we avoid off-color humor and degrading remarks. We will be different as we decide not to fill our minds with media choices that are base and demeaning and that will remove the Spirit from our homes and our lives. We will certainly stand out as we make choices regarding morality—choices which adhere to gospel principles and standards. Those things which make us different from most of the world also provide us with that light and that spirit which will shine in an increasingly dark world.

"It is often difficult to be different and to stand alone in a crowd. It is natural to fear what others might think or say. Comforting are the words of the psalm: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions."

Such a good reminder for us all.

Don't follow the crowd!

 Go ahead, BE DIFFERENT!

 "Bravely let your light shine for all to see"!

Good Morning

Wordless Wednesday

Season's First Snow

Wordless Wednesday

Fall Break 2015

Last Thursday and Friday were Fall Break for us.  

My parents were also on break from their mission.

We decided to celebrate the two by heading up into the mountains.

 

I left my phone (aka my camera) at home, which means I had to rely on Clint to snap some pictures.  He didn't and finally at the end of the day, I confiscated his phone for my own personal use.

However, I wasn't able to take very many.

Insert sadface

It was a beautiful overcast Fall day

 and the mountains were gorgeous!

 Hashtag: beUTAHful

Be a Light

May we ever be a light on the hill,

an example in keeping the commandments,

which have never changed and will never change.

-Elder L. Tom Perry

Painted Mountains

Wordless Wednesday

FHE Fire Side

 For FHE last night, we decided to switch things up.
We packed up dinner and all the kids (well those who weren't working), and headed off into the mountains.

 I think they were pretty stoked!

 Instead of having a typical lesson, we decided it would be fun to have a Q&A-type discussion.
We asked the kids questions, and they asked us- all while sitting around a warm, cozy fire.

We talked about a variety of things- same-sex marriage and The Proclamation, the Sacrament, temples, Jesus, the Book of Mormon, and dating.

It was so much fun, I think maybe we'll do it again next week?!

Fresh Air, Mountain Breezes, and Family

A couple Saturdays ago, we loaded up the wheelers, a picnic lunch, and our camping chairs and heading up into the mountains for the day.  

20 years ago, I never would have dreamed this would be something I would choose to do much less enjoy.  I can honestly say that spending time in nature with my family makes me happy.

 We talk, and laugh and spend quality time together with no distractions.

I love it!

This crew even did a little spelunking.

 This was our 'Last Hurrah!' before my parents left (last Monday) to spend another year as service missionaries at HVC (Heber Valley Camp).

 The day was perfect - not too hot and not too cold, sunshine, blue skies, and amazing views.

(Can you spot the temple in the background?)

Family Time = the Best Time

The Sun Will Come Out Tommorrow

Wordless Wednesday  

Rocky Mountain Snow

Wordless Wednesday

Changes

 Wordless Wednesday

Photo taken last Tuesday morning

Photo taken yesterday afternoon

Word of Wisdom Family Night

Every so often we try to have a Family Night lesson dedicated to the Word of Wisdom.

Sometimes we discuss things that are good for our body such as exercise, and healthy eating.  Other times, we discuss things that are not good for us such as drugs, alcohol, etc.  We try to use this lesson as a way to inform our children of new things that have come about that we feel they should be aware of.  For example energy drinks (did you know some contain alcohol?), or the popular playground smiley face tongue sticker that contains acid.

 Last night we discussed both the bad and the good. First, we discussed the somewhat-new teen trend called the E-cigarette, an electronic smokeless, tobacco-less way to smoke.  We warned our children that this is still smoking and it is a vice Satan is using to try to trick people into hurting their bodies (Did you know that just a teaspoon of liquid nicotine found in a e-cigarette can be lethal?)

 After our discussion, we reminded our children of the importance of exercising our bodies by going on a hike.    PHEW!- 

 

Just above our house is an awesome trail.

The leaves were beginning to change,

and the views are ridiculous

  Luckily we made it up and back down just as the sun was setting. 

 (It wasn't really this dark yet.  It just looks that way because I had to use the flash.)

The Scariest Thing I've Ever Done!

Last weekend we back our bags and headed back up to Heber Valley Camp to spend the weekend with our favorite missionaries.  

 Last weekend I also did the scariest thing I've EVER -in my entire life. . . .

 After suiting up in tight, fat-hugging harnesses and super cute helmets

 We had to climb

 and climb

 and climb

all the way up a 30 foot pole.

 Once we reached the top, (30 scary extremely high feet off the ground later) we had to somehow get our shaking, trembling body up and over to the horizontal log.

The next challenge was to walk across the log, while keeping your balance, (and trying not to throw-up because you are  totally afraid of heights) over to the nest.

 Where a missionary is waiting to hook you up to the zip-line and push you off to your doom.

This was actually the best part of the whole experience (once you came to from having fainted after being pushed off the ledge that is).

 Some weren't affected at all by the height

and had a fun time showing off!

Others (not naming names - Aunt K, and Cousin P), including my baby girl, who once they got to the top and looked down, freaked out!

In this case, Grandpa who was belaying below, just picked her up and slid her over to the nest 

 where the kind and patient sister missionary did her thing, pushed her off the edge,

And all was well.

I'll admit I'm afraid of heights.  I wouldn't say I have a phobia, but let's just say I certainly don't enjoy standing out looking over a 100 foot cliff or a 10 foot cliff either.

My plan of attack for this challenge was to smile, and pretend like it didn't bother me.  "Who me, afraid of heights?  You must have the wrong person. I love them"

It worked.  I did it and it was a proud moment.

Go me!