Happy Birthday Utah!!

Friday night we went to the Bountiful parade. I couldn't believe it went on for 2 1/2 hours. It was fun, but I thought it would never end. Carol and Sean came out to join us and the Forbes supplied our reserved seating. We were in the shade, but it was still very warm. They don't just throw salt water taffy now, they throw otter pops, Frisbees, juice drinks and all kinds of stuff. We had a great time.

Utah is a GREAT place to be!!!!!

I took this one for you Jana!!

We missed you this year.

Hailey, Hadlee and Sean

Kelsee & McKenzie

Madee

Saturday, was just a quiet day at home working in the yard, planting flowers, doing a little weeding and of course a family BBQ. We set up the little pool for Kate and she had a great time, so did grandpa keeping his feet cool.

Kate and grandpa keeping cool

Afternoon with Nana

Is that the sweetest face ever!!

I love dropping everything to be with Kate. Sara went with her good friend to the temple this afternoon to receive her endowments and I was able to watch Kate. I love it when she comes over. It's interesting how easy it is to drop everything and concentrate only on this sweet child. We went for a short walk, watched Elmo, read books, and played with her toys, but her most favorite was my jar of bracelets. She played for hours with them. She dumped them out and put them back in the jar countless times, but first she had to try them on. Not just one at a time, but just about every last one. She even loved the one on her ankle and made sure I got a picture of it. She also tried on the apron that my mother in law gave us. They are matching and so cute. We had a fun day singing and playing. It's fun to be a kid again sometimes.

2010 Strong

This past week our stake held our Youth Conference at Zarahemla. The name of our conference was "2010 Strong", a Book of Mormon re-enactment. Doug and Sharon Folland were incharge of the conference. I worked with our youth committee, the sewing committee and attended monthly meetings with the planning committee. This whole process began last August, 2009. There has been an amazing amount of support and help from so many members of our stake. Together our stake read the Book of Mormon beginning in January and finish just before we left. I'm not sure I was quite prepared for the way this conference would affect me spiritually. From the moment we met at our stake center on Tuesday morning and witnessed our youth in the first couple of scenes, tears never stopped flowing even until now. When we began that morning at the stake center and sang the theme song "I Will Not Forget" by Alex Boye', he appeared on stage and gave us a surprise visit. He sang the song for us and talked to the youth a bit on staying strong. It was very powerful.

When we arrived at Zarahemla we set up camp and the youth were divided up into tribes. We had twenty tribes with couples through out the stake for the tribal leaders, and these tribes then divided into four nations. Our Stake Presidency and Bishop Anderson were the leaders of the nations.
Through out the week watching our youth perform the different stories from the Book of Mormon was amazing. Though I have always had a testimony of the Book of Mormon, my testimony was strengthened and reaffirmed. I shed tears every time I watched them re-enact a scene from the Book of Mormon.
The youth committee that M-Ced before each scene with awards, questions and games were outstanding. These youth are truly the leaders of our future. Laughter and cheering filled the air as they kept the audience entertained in between each scene.

For me, having these youth reenact these scenes put a whole new light on the Book of Mormon for me, and I will never be able to read it again with out seeing their faces and feeling the strong spirit that was with us this week.
In one particular scene, the story of the waters of Mormon, the young man named Josh Forkner played Alma and was most gentle. You felt the power of God as he gently brought each person into the water and baptised them. My tears began to flow and I could not stop them. It was a very tender scene and everyone present felt the spirit so strongly.

There were 22 scenes performed during the three and a half days we were there, five battles and many games and likening sessions. They were very full days, and well worth every minute. On Thursday night the youth were blind folded and taken on a faith walk for about 20 minutes ending in the amphitheater. It was silent except for the sound of a storm and earthquake coming from the speakers. Once they were all seated the adults all removed their blind folds and the account of the Saviors visit to America began. The Savior appeared behind them and began walking among them, touching their hands, face and shoulders. I couldn't control the tears and the feelings that came over me. He spoke to them and then he was gone - It was silent. A sign said to go back to our camps and quietly everyone got up and walked silently back to their camps for a testimony meeting. I couldn't believe how quiet everyone was. Normally you would hear a whisper here of there, but not one sound was heard other than foots steps. the testimonies from our ward youth that night were sweet and spiritual. Lives were touched like never before.

It was an extraordinary conference. One I don't think our youth will ever forget, nor will I. I left feeling physically very tired, but spiritually strengthened.

God the father and His son Jesus Christ live. They have bodies of flesh and blood. Our Savior Jesus Christ loves us so much that He gave his life for each of us.

Joseph Smith restored the gospel here upon the earth and brought forth the sacred pages of the Book of Mormon that we might have a record of the ancient prophets and learn from it's teachings so that we can returned to our Heavenly Father.

Here are some pictures that I was able to get. I hope you enjoy them.

A parachute was hung over the amphitheater for shade and a misting system to help.

This was Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem

Nephi cutting off the head of Laben

The burning of Abinadi

This was one of our wars. The yellow shields represented the Nephites and the red the Lamanites.

This was Alma at the waters of Mormon

Ammon before King Limhi

Ammon smote off the arms of the men who tried to scatter the kings flocks.

2000 Stripling Warriors

This was an awesome site.

This was one of the wars they fought with bags of flour. It was a riot.

Christ's visit to America

The last and finale battle

Joseph Smith receives the plates from Moroni

This is a shot of our ward youth and leaders.

Hooray for an awesome Youth Conference

July Birthday's!!

Katie Zach July 6th
Katie is Jim's niece. She was little her hair was white as snow. Jim would call her whitie. Katie is a wonderful person. She is the mother of two beautiful boys and is married to Tim, a great guy. Katie is talented and such a sweet person to be around. Happy Birthday Katie!! We love you!!!!

Tracy Allred - July 7
Tracy is married to my nephew. Tracy is the mother of two beautiful daughters, one handsome son, and married to a real handsome Mike. Tracy is a hard worker, fun to be around, and a very kind person. Tracy loves the out doors and they spend time each year at Lake Powell and take their boat out as much as possible. Happy Birthday Tracy!! We love you!!!!

Hailey Allred - July 7
Hailey is my great niece. She was born on her mother's birthday (Tracy). She is a beautiful teenager and attends Woods Cross High. Hailey is one of the kindest, sweetest young ladies and she gets more beautiful all the time. Happy Birthday Hailey!!!! We love you!!!!

Jamie Forbes - July 11
Jamie is married to my niece Amber. They live in Syracuse. He is the father of four beautiful daughters. I think they are carrying on the Haacke daughter tradition. Jamie is an electrician. He sometimes works away from home and is missed terribly when he is away. He is a good caring, loving father and we want to wish you a very happy birthday. We love you!!!

Pam - July 12
Happy Birthday SIS!! I miss you. I miss hearing your laugh, seeing the many fans you used to keep cool, hearing your voice and the fun backward stories you would tell, and just having you here. I Love You Sis!!

Logan Wright - July 17

Logan is our great nephew. He lives in Colorado. We don't get to see him too often. He is a very active young boy and a loving child. Happy Birthday Logan!! We love you!!

James W. Hadlow - July 17

Happy Birthday Dad!! Jim's father is a great man. He is what you would call a master builder. He thinks it through is his head and can see it even before he builds it. He has done so much work for us over the years and we could never ever thank him enough. Dad ,Happy Birthday!!! We love you!!!!

Ashlee Argyle - July 27
Ashlee is my niece. She was born on her mom and dad's anniversary 21 years ago. She looks so much like her mother. Ashlee is a beautiful, loving and kind person. I sure wish she came around more often. I don't get to see her like I wish I could. She is a lot of fun to be around. Happy Birthday Ash!!! We love you!!!!

Christene Hadlow - July 28
Christene is Jim's niece. This is an old picture, but we don't get to see her very much. They live in Virginia. She is 4 years older than this picture. Sorry Chris. She is a smart, sweet and fun young girl. We miss her very much. Happy Birthday Chris!!! We love you!!!!