Missionary Moment

I am in denial that Ally, Hermana Pack, is actually headed for the mission field today. She has grown into a dedicated, loving missionary during the few weeks she spent in the Mexico City Missionary Training Center.  On Christmas Day we were able to call her and were touched when she said her favorite thing about a mission is the opportunity to wear a name tag with the name of Jesus Christ on it.  She will represent him well, I have no doubt.  

The CCM (pronounced: seh, seh, eh-may)

District 9C with companions Hermana Brey and Morgan

Benji is full swing into college at BYU-Idaho.  He's determined to get a degree in the Neurosciences.  He doesn't get the smart gene from me, mind you.  That would be from the Pack side.  I can tell that "adulting" isn't his favorite thing but he is taking it in stride.  I love having him around the house still (he commutes back an forth from home). He says it makes his social life less complicated. Haha.

In addition to two heroic examples of children growing up I'd have to say that another motherly milestone was to have my last child be ordained a deacon in the Aaronic priesthood.  He has already had the privilege of helping with the sacred ordinance of the sacrament at church on Sunday.  He looked anxious but fulfilled his duty perfectly (even when distracted by someone fainting at the chapel doors).  I see changes in him already as he becomes a more contemplative tween.  It has come all to soon yet I know it will be an incredible blessing to him and our family.

Hyrum (11)

I love the new curriculum offered in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Come Follow Me.  Our family has had multiple, spiritually-stirring conversations.  Seeing my children express their testimonies and share their insights melts my mama heart.  I have even seen a change in myself.  My personal scripture study feels more like a moment with heaven instead of the more typical rushed reading session.  We have been promised by a prophet of God, Russell M. Nelson, "The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families...to transform their home in to a sanctuary of faith."  I think I can safely say I have been given the encouragement to be super-mom now.  But instead of in the ways of the world, in the ways of the kingdom of God.   In turn my children will have the opportunity to become super-disciples of Christ.

The blessings are innumerable. The prophet continues on, "as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior's teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining." The gospel surely is the good news!

Fresh New Year

I'm back!  I decided a few days ago to go off social media for as long as my daughter Hermana Ally Pack is on her mission.  I said my goodbyes and determined that I could still keep others up to date on my family's life through this blog (that has sat dormant ever since social media became popular). I look forward to being able to share our journey with you again.

Someone asked me why I would go off social media entirely when I could just limit how long or how many friends I follow.  I told her that no matter the amount of limiting I try to do, I still find myself being sucked into an alternate world. Most of the groups and people I followed were my close friends, family and church groups. I didn't feel bogged down by any negative media, just the opposite. I loved following the comings and goings of so many beloved people.  I loved reading the uplifting thoughts and quotes by admired church leaders.  I didn't want to miss the opportunity to stay caught up with so many dear friends' lives. But then I read one post about someone's recent accomplishment and wondered, "If I had spent the same amount of time dedicating myself to that same goal instead looking at social media, could I have posted the same result? Could I have strengthened a relationship?" That's when I decided it won't be the end of the world if I stop spending so much time on social media.  Instead I want to spend my time communicating, really communicating with others.  I want to stop comparing my world to someone else's. I want to connect with those who are on my mind, instead of with those who happened to post that day.

I made a similar goal when Benji went on his mission.  I committed to reading Preach My Gospel every day while he served his mission in the California Irvine Mission.  I changed my goal the last summer to reading the Book of Mormon to fulfill the plea and challenge of a prophet of God, but I still felt a connection to Benji.  He read daily from both books and was continually strengthened by them.  I was blessed similarly with peace and a clear mind and heart. So here I go with mission challenge number two.  I'm excited to see what blessings will come into my life.

Gratitude fills my heart for the sacrifice my children have made to serve missions.  I can't even count the blessings that have come from their service. They are my heroes.  I'd have to add that all of my children give me reasons every day to call them my heroes.

Almost Hermana Pack and recently returned Elder Pack

Pack Family Reunion 2014

Our trip to Provo (for the beginning of the Pack reunions) began with a stop at the newly remodeled Ogden Temple.  Hyrum summed up our feelings when he said, "Is this Jesus' house?" "That's why it is so beautiful!"

 New Ogden Temple Open House

Our first reunion?  The Don Elbert and Harriet Malin Pack Family (in other words, Dad's cousins and their descendants)  Our family had the biggest showing since we were in charge of the festivities.

Wes Pack Family (mostly Deloy's descendants)

Gavin in his shades

Alissandra getting her beauty sleep

THE PACKS (Cousins galore!)

Mom presenting the history of Rockford, Utah (now Rockford Reservoir) 

Kenneth working on his skill at can stilts

Reminiscing (Sherri, Nikkala and Ben) 

The second family reunion (second day)?  The John Pack Family met at This is the Place Heritage Park.  Ben captured it with me cleaning up the place. (We've been there so many times that other pictures didn't seem necessary.  You'll have to go "back in time" to see what it is like.)

Chris getting her fill of reunions

Neal's Baptism was the highlight for all of us, though.  The double chocolate cake was a close second!

Neal excited to dive into the chocolaty delight.

The third reunion (the third day)?  The M. Deloy Pack Family in Idaho.  Everyone followed us home to Idaho and we spent Monday (the fourth day) enjoying Yellowstone.  Well, at least some of us did.  It was amazing weather, but it's hard not to push it to the limit.

Old Faithful, still as faithful

Nature-made teeter-totter

Kayla given her cousin (Gavin) a little lovin'! 

Shake, shake, shakin' with Joseph and Jarom
(Joshua in the background) 

Look Sammie dressed to match!

Our hike to Mystic Falls (Hyrum's face describes the sentiment of some)

More cousin lovin'; This time it's Benji and Grace 

Big Jud's Famous 1 lb. burger...mmmm...good

The fifth day we recovered from our day at Yellowstone with good food and a family meeting.

We took advantage of having us all (well most of us) in one place to have a photo shoot. (Hardys, all the Packs [Jon and Preeti not pictured], Thomsons, Roger Packs, Dad and Mum, Roger Packs :P, Ben Packs X2 :P, and all the cousins)

Don Aslett's Museum of Clean was the grand finale (the sixth day).  The best part? A personal tour from the man himself! And it is a ton of fun for the kids.

Mrs. Clean vs. Mr. Litter, starring Brent 

Gregory likin' his back rub

Another good rub for Neal 

"Chim-chiminy-chim-chim-cheree...a sweep is as lucky as luck can be."

I think a few of the kids actually enjoyed washing THE window.

"Wet FlOOr"

Cleanest Knight in shining armor (we can only hope she snags one!)

(Day seven and eight) We spent some extra family bonding time with the Thomsons.  They couldn't resist the army tanks and Blackfoot's baked potato.  It was complete with ice cream at Rupes!

Rupes' ice cream stop

It was a fun-filled seven days.  See you again in three years!

Caramel Popcorn

6 quarts of popped popcorn (usually eyeball by almost filling my large Tupperware bowl; leaving room to stir popcorn with caramel sauce)

2 2/3 cup brown sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup butter

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

Popcorn has been popped and is set aside in a large bowl.  

Place brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a medium sauce pan. Stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved and mixture is boiling.  Add sweetened condensed milk and cook five minutes, stirring constantly.  

Pour caramel over the popped popcorn and stir until it is well-coated. You can eat it right out of the bowl, just don't forget to share. OR you can spread on a nonstick surface to cool and then place in an airtight container. OR you can form into popcorn balls and wrap individually.

Chewable goodness....ENJOY!

Cream of the Crop

This year to motivate the kids to read the Conference issue of the Ensign, I used an analogy.  I explained to them that the cream of the milk was always the most prized part of fresh milk.  This, along with other high quality farming goods, gave the saying "the cream of the crop" a place amongst American cliches.  When we use this cliche we are describing whatever is "the cream of the crop" as the best of the best.

General Conference (where the entire body of the Church meets together to listen to the prophet, apostles, seventies and other general officers; occurs bi-annually) is like the cream of the gospel.  While we are learning all the time from the scriptures and Sunday lessons, we get the most important, pertinent counsel for our time in Conference. 

"The Lord will tell you what he wants you to do with your life...the Holy Ghost carries the word of The Lord unto our hearts in terms we can understand...listen to these things, as if from the mouth of The Lord...live them.  He has spoken to help you, to strengthen you, and to lead you home into His presence." (Elder Robert D. Hales, Oct. 2014)

We set our goals and a date to have them completed by.  Once complete we all get to take part in an ice cream feast. Sundaes extraordinaire will be served with all the toppings imaginable!  

The best part is the motivation it gives me.  (I am part Robinson, ha!)  I love the gospel and I love ice cream--this way I get the best of both!

Flautas

I realized last night as I made these delectable flautas that food is a very important part of my happiness, or at least the happiness of my stomach.  It's a winner with everyone else too.

Chicken Flautas

Saute in a pan with 2 T shortening:
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced

Combine and stir in:
1 T cornstarch
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Mix well.

Add:
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 1/4 c. chicken, cooked and chopped
1 4 oz. can chopped green chilies

Cook until thickened and remove from heat.

Spoon mixture into center of flour tortilla, roll up and fry in 1/4" hot oil.  Cook until lightly browned and crisp.

These are best served while hot.  Enjoy them with guacamole, salsa or sour cream.

Zucchini Galore

I'm sure you'll all be able to relate to the too many zucchini thing.  This year we are no different, as you can see...

I've decided that one family needs only one plant. Or maybe one neighborhood needs only one plant?  I'm amazed by their colossal size.  We found a few yummy recipes.  This one is a hit with Ben and me (from my mom's old Mormon Country Cooking)...

...though the kids prefer things like chocolate zucchini cake or double chocolate zucchini bread from Lion House. Oh, and my friend said she liked Zucchini Chili Nachos. I'm sure there are an endless amount of recipes.  I would LOVE your comments and you can share your favorite way to use zucchini!