50 Things at 50!

So I just turned 50 years old and I decided to make a goal to do 50 new things in my 50th year of life. I've been pretty blessed to have some awesome experiences in my life so far, so it may be kind of difficult to come up with 50 New things but I'm willing to give it a try! Here goes:

 (I started this post last May 15th on my birthday when I was feeling a little blue about turning the big 5-0! I mostly forgot about it until a few weeks ago as my next birthday was creeping closer. But amazingly I came up with 55 fun new things this year, mostly just living life as usual. They are kind of backwards chronologically, so if you want to scroll to the bottom and start with number one you can or just count backwards. Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to start your own list. I was inspired by my niece who chose to do 20 something new things on her 20 something birthday, all on one day!

55. Road a 4 wheeler and then hiked to the Mail Drop point of the Mail Drop Loop Trail. This is where the mail used to be delivered from Kanab and dropped to the communities below in Zion Park. It is about 500 feet down.

54. Hiked the walking trail along SR 18 with some of my Team Millcreek Friends.

53. Judged the National DECA competition in Salt Lake City with my friend, Jill Bridges.

52. Visited the new City Creek shopping center in downtown is Salt Lake City. Too bad it was a Sunday evening and all of the shops were closed. I'll have to return to shop another day!

51. Toured Temple Square in Salt Lake City by myself. Drove up on a Sunday night and enjoyed the beautiful spring flowers. I actually went in the visitor center and joined a group of DECA students from New Jersey and their adviser and visited with the sister missionaries. 

50. I almost got arrested! Our school resource officer came and got me out of class and told me he was told to issue me a citation. One of our students was stopped while out hanging posters on April 20, KONY day. The student told the officer that I, his teacher had assigned him to hang them up. Not exactly. My neighbor, Dannielle, had  brought me over some posters and said that maybe my students would like them. I had forgotten about the whole KONY movement that had swept the internet several months earlier. I used it as a lesson in my Character Ed class, that they were all excited to do something to make a difference, and a few months passed and everyone had forgotten the KONY story. I made some posters available and had them watch the video on the KONY site that said that they should do a 3 hour service project in their cities to make a difference for good and then if they did hang up signs, that they needed to take them down in a few days. Well, I got off with a warning and learned my lesson to be a little more clear about my assignments. :)

 With student, Kyle. He used his poster to make a book cover!

49. Repelled down a cliff to the river at Beaver Falls at Havasupai.

48. Swung into the river at Havasupai on another rope swing.

47.  Went to my first Lacrosse game. My friend, Gabe Suttner, called and asked me if I'd like to come watch his game and I said yes! Here I am with Gabe's mom, Mindy.

46.Witnessed a magnificent full rainbow above St. George. (Photo courtesy of Mike Anderson, taken up on Stone Cliff hill)

45. Ate a the first Pub in Philadelphia, McGillins. Great food! Good times.

Got a free trip to Philly to attend the National TESOL conference (for ESL teachers). This just happens to be the city where my daughter and her family live. What a blessing!

44. Had an up close and personal experience with the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. It was after 10:00 pm and no one was around so I just set and reflected on our freedom for a few minutes.

43. Lost my I-phone on the streets of down town Philadelphia. Luckily, a nice tourist answered it when I called and he met me at the Old Station downtown and said, "Aren't you glad there are still a few honest people in the world". He was from England and had a wonderful British accent.Yes, I am glad!

42. Discovered a quaint little city called Jerome, AZ that sits on the side of a steep hillside. It is an old mining town between Prescott and Sedona.We definitely want to explore this city sometime.

41. Drove through the town of Sedona and wished we had time to stop and explore. It is beautiful city that reminded me of the scenery in the movie Cars. We will go back to Sedona, AZ!

40. Met Dan's cousin, Congressman Jeff Flake and family at the town Courthouse in Prescott, AZ. He was campaigning for his run for the Arizona Senate. Dan and his family used to stay at Jeff's home when they were boys and Dan's family would go to Snowflake for the annual July reunion.

39. Hiked nearly to the top of the Thumb above Prescott, AZ. There were endangered birds at the top so they wouldn't allow us to hike all the way to the top. 

38. Looked down over the Colorado River from the new bridge at the Hoover Dam. 800 feet up.

37. Got to go down to the team room and video room at the bottom of the Marriott center after a BYU basketball game. Thanks to connections with the Jackson family.  

36. Rode mountain bikes with my sister, Jill, husband, Dan and son Andrew in Green Valley.

35.Visited Vancouver British Colombia for the First time. Also first trip to Canada other than a quick walk over the border at Niagara Falls near New York. 

34.  Visited many of the Olympic sights from the Vancouver Winter Games.

33. Visited the Vancouver, BC, Canadian temple. Lindsey served her mission here                                  but the temple wasn't quite complete.

32.  Mountain biked along the famous trails of Whistler Canada. Even saw a bear near the lake.

31. Visited many beautiful waterfalls near Whistler, Canada. 

30.  Fed birds trail mix from our hands on the top of Whistler mountain.

29.  Rode the longest spanning Gondola in the world from one ski mountain to another on top of Whistler.

28. Visited Linvilla Apple and Pumpkin orchard near Philadelphia. 

27. Participated with Mormon Helping Hands to help Clean up a Philadelphia cemetery. 

26.  Made friends with the lovely Liberian Immigrant sisters in the Philadelphia First Ward.

25. Happy that my daughter Lindsey graduated from Bellevue University. 

I'll take credit for supporting her financially and helping to keep her motivated to finish.

24. Celebrated my 29th Wedding anniversary with my husband, Dan, by riding on the new                       St. George Carousal for the first time. 

23. Spent $100's of dollars for food at Costco to feed the youth on their Temple Trek.

 Then we had to load the refrigerated truck.

 22. Was driven to drink with my fellow young women leaders after cooking food for 400 people during the Youth Conference Temple Trek. (Root beer of course)

21.  Helped build a replica of the St. George temple on our stake youth Temple Trek.

20. Swung on a rope swing into the Merced River in Yosemite Park.

19. Rode down the lazy Merced River as my son and nephews paddled the boat.

18. Headed out on a two week trip from St. George. It was a work and pleasure trip. First stop was Bear Lake for a family reunion where we launched and sailed our Hobie Cat. Next we were off to Folsom, CA for a job for the boys.

 

17. Swung on a rope swing out over Bloomington Lake up near Bear Lake.
I didn't jump but some of the kids and adults did.

16. Mother of a BYU graduate! 

15. Attended an all day Yoga Retreat taught by my friend, Pam Molesworth.

14. Attended the inaugural session of Hot Hula at the Summit Fitness Center.

13.. Videoed and produced my first Music Video, Peponi on Sand Mountain above Warner Valley.

12. Discovered the beautiful playground on top of the Red Sand Mountain.


11. Watched and participated in a natural birth, as my daughter Lindsey delivered
baby Dillon in Philadelphia.

10. Welcomed home my first son, Dawson after he faithfully served a two year mission.

9. Ran my first 5K, well I actually walked, in support of Children of Hope. My good friend, Sam attends the school for students who have graduated from high school and post high and need somewhere to keep learning. Dawson went with me and he ran!

8. Designed, pieced and quilted a blanket for my little grand daughter for Christmas.

7. Skippered a boat on Lake Powell
6. Raced in an official Hobie Regatta and took first place in the 3 man division!

5. Attended a Zumba Master Class with the Crazy Socks guy and my new friend Laurie.

4. Participated in the life saving efforts of saving children from tipped canoes at Sand Hollow Reservoir when a big wind came up and boats were capsizing.

3. Hiked to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park.

2. Performed with the singing Elvis's at our end of year assembly singing a medley of Elvis songs. My solo was "Jailhouse Rock." I'm the Elvis in the black leather jacket.

1. Lead the Singing in front of the whole congregation at Church!

The Real You

The real YOU Took this from my niece, Heather Berger's Blog

Ok, so the other day I caught myself watching Oprah. Which, for the record, I am not ashamed of. I think she has a lot of good points and interesting thoughts. Anyways, I was watching an episode where Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers were singing together. It was great. Very country. Then at the end Oprah was sitting down and talking with the both of them, and she turns to Kenny Rogers and asks him what he likes so much about working with Dolly Parton. He gave a very insightful answer. He said, "Well each person has 3 people who they are. The person you think they are. The person they think they are. And the person who they really are." and then he said, "the closer you can get to being the same for all three of those people the happier you'll be." He then went on to say that Dolly Parton is the most genuine, real person he's ever met, because all 3 of her "selves" match up.
I love that thought! I've been thinking a lot about it, wondering how congruent I am in who I think I am, who people think I am, and who I really am. There are many secrets to happiness, but I think knowing who you are and being that is a great key to contentment in this life.

February 2011

Bishopric Message

A business leader and teacher of Christianity who is actively working with some 220 different Christian denominations in New York City recently commented upon the effectiveness of the Latter-day Saint Church. He said many wonderful things about our members, about their dedication and the certainty of their beliefs. He reported, “One of the most remarkable characteristics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that you seem to be working together. You are headed the same direction. As one, you concentrate upon doing that which you believe Jesus wants you to do. You all study the same doctrine. You respond to your leaders. You are unified.”

It is unity and oneness that has enabled us to bear our testimony around the globe, bringing forward tens of thousands of missionaries to spread the message of the gospel. It is unity that has enabled the Church, Its wards and stakes, and members to construct temples and chapels all over the world, undertake immense welfare projects in distant lands urgently in need of a helping hand, seek after the dead with the resources of the largest genealogical program in the world. We are certainly unified in our efforts to usher in Gods kingdom here on earth. In 1 John 4; 16 we are taught that “God is Love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” . It is a loving Heavenly Father that wants more than anything that we become unified with him. When faced with challenges, whether spiritual, physical or financial you can have hope in knowing that you are not alone. Jesus said “Come unto me, all ye that labour and our heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “ I know our Father in Heaven does love us and if we will turn to him he will give us the help and understanding we need to enjoy peace and happiness as we live on this earth.

Dan Flake and the Bishopric

Simple Gifts at Christmas Time

Simple Gifts at Christmas Time

Our recent Relief Society Christmas Program was themed, “Simple Gifts.” As I reflected on our past year at this Christmas season, I recognized many simple gifts in our lives.

These United States: This summer we had a chance to drive to Washington State, where we held the Flake Family reunion, visited Danielle, Steve and grandbaby Alexa, in Portland, then back to St. George. We then continued across the vast United States as we moved Lindsey and her new husband, Carlton Taylor out to Philadelphia, PA where Carlton will be attending Dental School for four years. It is awesome to get an up close and personal look at each state as we drove through. We enjoyed a day trip to NYC to see all the sites and to attend the Manhattan temple. Carlton is from Pleasant Grove, UT and a recent graduate of BYU Hawaii. Carlton and Lindsey both served in the Vancouver, Canada mission. He is a welcome addition to our family.

Missionary Service: Dawson will mark his one year of service in the California, San Jose mission this month. Not only is he growing as he studies and shares the gospel message, but our family receives blessings from his service as well. Danielle serves as a ward missionary in Portland and Carlton and Lindsey have been instrumental in several baptisms in their Philadelphia ward already. Andrew, 16, is fellow shipping a non-member and sets a great example to all.

Temple Blessings: My mom and dad continue to have good health and are able to serve weekly in the Logan temple. Dan’s mother lives across the street from the St. George temple and works there weekly and spends the rest of her time indexing records for the church. (She’s addicted!) We all fight over who gets to do the dishes at her home because you get to stand and look across the road at the temple while you wash them. We were able to help put the lights up on the temple grounds recently and enjoy our monthly ward temple nights on a more regular basis now that Dan is in the ward bishopric. Our ward has been abundantly blessed as we average about 40 people in attendance each month on temple night.

Pay It Forward: We were given free tickets to the recent BYU vs U of U game from friends whom we had provided service for recently. This week I donated money to help needy students at my school have a little Christmas and the same day we were driving down a busy road and Dan spotted a bill on the side of the road. I hesitated to pull over for what was most likely not anything; but it turned out to be a $100. bill… just what I had donated.

Service: I continue to enjoy the joy of serving as compassionate service leader and feel the joy of welcoming new babies, caring for the sick and being blessed by helping to lift a neighbor’s burden. Our family always enjoys our tradition of serving lunch at the Soup Kitchen on Christmas Eve. May you find someone you can lend a hand to this Season of Giving.

Family and Friends: Our greatest gifts are those of our friends and loved ones. Thank you for your examples, goodness, and love and for sharing treasured lifelong memories. We sincerely hope that you will recognize the simple gifts that you are blessed with at this Holiday Season and all year long.

Much love, Dan and Shelly Flake and family (more news and photos at danflakefamily.blogspot.com)

Andrew's Name

I framed a picture of Andrew's "10 Cross Country Team and needed a place to hang it in his room. When I looked at this picture that has been hanging on the wall for 12 years, I realized that Andrew has grown and maybe it was time to put the picture away. The picture lists the things that the name Andrew stands for. As I read it, I realized that it pretty close to who my Andrew has grown to become:

Andrew

Expression
God is with me
Personality
Righteousness is his attribute
Natural
Talent soars like an Eagle
Instinctive
Not afraid to laugh or cry
Emotional
Has an appreciation of music
Reputation
Continually gives to many
Physical
Great muscle tone--stays in good shape
Mental
Quick at heart and cunning
Goal
To pursue happiness

Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot Story

Bishopric Message

As the air cools and the leafs begin to change into vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange, it takes me back to my childhood memories and the joy I found at the change of the seasons. One particular memory, I hold close to me, was when I was a young 12 year old boy. I had only been a deacon for a short time when I found out about the annual Ward Turkey Shoot. I was excited for the opportunity to be able to win my family a turkey.

During this time my family had fallen on hard times financially. My father was in the construction business and in the early 80’s interest rates were in the 20% range causing construction too basically to dry up. My father and mother moved 5 boys into a home that we had build out of leftover lumber. We had no sheetrock on the walls, concrete floors, no hot water heater, and we all slept in one room near the only source of heat we had in our home, a wood burning stove. As boys we felt like we were on one big extended camp out, having to bathe in a large pot of water we heated on the stove, chipping ice out of the toilet in the morning, and living off of our food storage. Being older now, I understand the pressures of providing for a family and can scarcely imagine the fear and uncertainty my parents had to experience during this time. The uncertainty of where the next meal would come from, if we had enough wood to heat through the winter, and all of the other fears that financial doubt brings.

I believe I understood, in a small way as a 12 year old boy, that our family had needs that my parents were struggling to meet. For this reason I had the delusions of winning the turkey shoot out and bringing home the grand prize, a nice plump, juice turkey, something my family had not enjoyed the year prior. I began to beg my father to buy me some bullets so that I could participate in the turkey shoot. This in my parents mind was an expense that they could not afford. Through my persistence, and the overwhelming love my father had for his sons, he took his chain saw and pawned it so that my brother and I could participate in the turkey shoot. I did not know, at the time, of the great sacrifice he made until much later in life.

I remember the day like it was yesterday, the night before I could barely sleep. I remember praying most of the night asking our Father in Heaven to bless me with the so called “Dead Eye” gift. We arrived at the designated site and got ready. The rules were gone over, the young men ages 12 to 18 would shoot first and then the adults. We would each get 10 clays to shoot at, and the winner would receive a turkey. When my turn came around, I remember my heart beating so hard I thought it would jump right out of my chest. I cracked open my old battered single shot 20 gauge, which immediately fell into two pieces, everyone laughed at my mishap, except me. With huge tears welling up, I struggled to get my gun back together, then I felt my father’s hand on my shoulder and he calmly helped me fix my gun. He then said some words of comfort and encouragement and left me to do my best. I quickly said one last prayer and said, “Pull!” to the man throwing the clays. The clay flew far and straight. I took aim and squeezed the trigger and I hit it. The next nine were thrown to the right and the left, high and low, and when my turn was over I had hit all 10 clays. I watched in great anticipation as the last few young men would hit 8 out of 10 or 9 out of 10 but in the end I was the only one who had hit 10 out of 10.

Words cannot express the joy I felt inside, I was trembling so badly I could hardly hold the turkey that had been awarded to me. But to my surprise they had put together a box of food that would constitute they rest of a fabulous thanksgiving dinner. This box would go to the winner of the shoot out between the youth and adult winners. I went first once again. I said a quick prayer, and began the quest to win my family, not only the turkey, but all the good stuff that goes with such a fine bird. The clays seemed to be moving faster to the right and left and some went so low and fast, if you were not quick enough, they would hit the ground before you even had a chance to shoot. Once again I was able to hit 10 out of 10. My challenger stepped up and was not about to be outdone. He made quick work out of his first 9 clays. As I stood there, praying for a miracle, I saw the last clay fly straight and far. I knew he would hit this one for sure and we would have to move to a shoot out. The problem with this was that I was out of bullets. He took a quick aim and just before he pulled the trigger, it seemed as if something was said to him and he hesitated and he shot just under the clay. With tears in my eyes I not only carried the finest turkey man has ever known, I carried the finest fixings anyone could hope for, home to my family.

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers. I am grateful for parents who taught me the value of sacrifice and a father who taught me importance of providing for your family. I am grateful for the brother, who I am convinced listen to the still small voice, which allowed a young man to provide for his family. I pray that during this season of thanksgiving, we remember those loved ones, who make all the difference in our lives and show our gratitude to them and to our loving Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Brother Kelly Taysom & the Bishopric