I finally signed the older three up for ski school. For family home evening we went and rented skis. The kids were so excited. Only my oldest daughter gets it, though. Three hours in the cold. What she doesn't get is the other part of it. Three hours in the cold falling down. Oh, yes, I remember skiing as a child. It was quite miserable at times. It was also terrifying to watch my sister, on her first day of ski school, not know she was supposed to get off at midway. Six hours later, I found her. That's how long it took to get off the slope. I am not chuckling right now. That would be rude.
Utah was founded by the Mormon pioneers in 1847 after enduring unimaginable losses and seeking a place of peace. July 24th marks the anniversary that the first wagon trains arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Their numbers were greatly diminished by crossing the country in wagons and handcarts, dying of scurvy, tuberculous, malaria, starvation, unidentified fevers, and freezing to death. This, they found preferable to facing the extermination order put forth by Governor Boggs of Missouri. I believe this is the most courageous act of faith - to leave all they had that was familiar and travel the rough terrain in the unknown in search of a place where they could worship in peace. My daughters left this morning for a small re-creation of what the pioneers experienced. I don't love the idea since I know so many of the pioneers died but it is a way for many of the youth to connect to their ancestors and understand what many of the early members endured for their faith. The youth were asked...
I am not chuckling, I am laughing out loud!! Yes, 30+ years later I can laugh about that day. I remember every detail of that 6 hour ordeal. I begged the ski instructor to let me take of my ski's and walk down the mountain. He refused-- he must have gotten paid overtime on this Saturday. I think the normal time to come down the mountain from the top of Sundance is about 10-15 minutes.
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