we can do hard things

This weekend is our Book or Mormon Read-a-thon, as the ending indicated "athon" like marathon, or danceathon or whatever athon it is a hard thing to do.  We have determined to read the entire Book of Mormon in 2 days.  Today was day one.  It is going great.  We had about 19 youth and 3 leaders, I was happy about that.  Many of our kids are off on vacations or at EFY or at work or whatever so this is great.  We started at 8am, finished at 9pm and left off in Alma, chapter 21. 

It was a lot of sitting, a lot of thinking.  It was really reverent and quite powerful.  It's a very different experience to start at the beginning and just plow on through.  Different things stand out, different insights are to be had.  I have really been struck by the simplicity of the message, it is all about repenting and coming unto Christ.  Same message, different cast of characters over and over. 

We had several cameo appearances by members of the ward and they have been very moving.  Adam Armour was a wonderful Enos and Tony Aina was an awesome Abinidi.  Both of them really touched me. 

I am excited, and dreading, tomorrow.  I am tired and have a headache and anticipate more of the same for the morrow.  But it was really a great day and a worthwhile exercise.  I can't wait to read the rest and see what happens.

In other news Ethan got invited to go to Busch Gardens with his friend John.  They are still gone but I heard a report that they had an awesome time.

Lu got to go to Julia's birthday party.

Sweet Dani held down the fort, cleaned the house, took Lu shopping for a present and then took both little girls to the party.  She is awesome, and it was so nice to go with Hannah and Kenz and not have to worry about anything at home, or even leave any instructions.