Can it Be?

Can it really be?  22 years already?  NO.... I am NOT that old, am I?  Sigh.... Our cute little "twins" are having a birthday today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lerin (Sister Bridges) and Alexa!!!!  After enduring nine months of morning, night and day sickness, hospitals, IV's and weakness beyond imagination -- these two cute things popped out into the world and have brought us complete joy ever since.  I think they knew that they had given me enough grief before they made their first appearance on this earth and decided together to live their lives exactly the way their parents and Heavenly Father would want them to.  

Both have become amazingly talented and beautiful women.  They each know exactly what they want in life and are making it happen for themselves.  They love their family and their Heavenly Father and it shows as they live their lives.  Lerin is now in the 9th month of her mission (you know what that means.....9 more months and she will be home!) and inspires me with each and every letter to become a better person.  Alexa is working at the Children's Justice Center in Logan where she was awarded a paid internship this summer and will graduate (with honors by the way) from USU in December.  What lucky parents we are -- WE LOVE YOU girls!

Sister Bridges Birthday is Coming....

Hey Family and Friends --


Just as an FYI... Lerin (Sister Bridges) has been transfered and is now in a suburb of Baltimore.
Her birthday is coming up (the 25th) and I know she would LOVE to get cards/letters/notes from some her favorite people...which include you! Thanks so much for your kindness and support for Lerin -- she loves being a missionary and loves to hear from family and friends....

SISTER LERIN BRIDGES
807 Red Fox Run

Towson, MD 21286

INSPIRED.....

I have been INSPIRED this past week - so much that I had to share. 

First --

I was inspired to become a better person, mother, wife and church member at Women's Conference. 

Here is just a snippet of the inspiration received from attending this year......
"To Walk with the Lord, we need to know the difference between our essential, necessary and good to do lists."  "Playing the comparison game is harmful, we will always come up short -- No one is better than you and you aren't better than anyone else!"  "Just run your own race - when we compare ourselves to others, we compare out weaknesses to their strengths."  "We must build our fences of protection....obedience, prayer, scripture study and LOVE."  "The greatest battles of our lives are battled in the inner most of our souls."  "The power of Rebekkah - she knew and understood her importance, just as we should know ours."  "Remembering and keeping our covenants helps us to yield our hearts to God."  "Run with patience the race that is before us."  "Excessive pre-occupation of self is harmful."  "Trust in His gospel, Trust in His plan."

Second --
The St. George IRON MAN - was beyond INSPIRING. 

Lynn and I were lucky enough to be volunteer's for this world class event. Although getting up a 4:00 a.m. was not fun, working with these Phenomenal athletes was truly INSPIRING.  We were apart of the transition team - helping them get out of their wet suits and into biking gear.  After the 2.4 miles swim at Sand Hollow (54 degree water temp), then off for a 112 mile bike race and then a full marathon!  Wow... The men's overall winner was from Austria and the woman's winner was from Canada.  92 athletes out of the 2500 participants, qualified for the International Iron Man Championships in Kona, Hawaii!

Heather, from Canada -- heading for the finish line with a police escort!  Want to read more...check out this blog from an athlete who participated.

http://trainingpayne.blogspot.com/