Lisa's Monthly Message

I've got Spring Fever!

Leslie — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:05:00 +0000

Spring is my favorite time of year. I love the sound of birds busily making their nests, the smell of fresh blossoms on the trees and the promise of warmer weather. However, Spring this year has been a little different for me. As I write this, it's snowing outside with several inches on the ground (snow in April-how does that happen?). Also, celebrating Easter so early in March this year just wasn't the same. I could hardly get into the egg hunting, new dress mode while it was so cold outside. I'd wondered why Easter was so early and Heather, one of our readers, provided this interesting information:

Easter 2008 was a once in a lifetime experience! Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (which was March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover. This is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives.

Only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early-the year was 1913 (95 years old or above).

The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now).

So-even though Easter was very early this year and a little on the cold side, the facts above provide for some pretty fun journaling on my Easter 2008. There's always a silver lining to every cloud!

Happy Spring!

Lisa B.

Grow Old With You

Leslie — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:53:00 +0000

March is always one of my favorite months. The weather is finally getting a little warmer (we've had a long hard winter here in Utah), it's kite flying season and it's Brecken's birthday--three things that I really look forward to.

March 9th is also a significant day in my life. It's my parents' anniversary and this year they are celebrating 57 years of marriage. I feel so lucky to have a mom and dad who have loved and cherished each other my entire life! This is one of my favorite songs and the lyrics so perfectly describes Bob and Clarine Downs' life together.

Grow Old With You
By Adam Sandler

I wanna make you smile
Whenever you're sad
Carry you around
When your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is
Grow old with you.

I'll get you medicine
When your tummy aches
Build you a fire
When the furnace breaks
It could be so nice
Growing old with you.

I'll miss you
I'll kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold
Need you
Feed you
Even let you hold the remote control

Let me do the dishes
In our kitchen sink
Put you to bed
When you've had too much to drink
I could be the man
who grows old with you

I wanna grow old with you

Thanks, Mom and Dad. I love you!

Lovely February!

ShadowSpawn — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:03:00 +0000

Isn't it fun how the different months and seasons evoke different feelings in each of us? February always brings out the love! Seriously, I want to buy every type of heart shaped candy to put in little glass bowls throughout my house. The "Suzie Homemaker" comes out in me and I want to make homemade Valentines and soft sugar cookies with sprinkles for all my loved ones. This year I purchased Valentine's ornaments (all eclectic-none really matched) and hung them on the curtain rod above my double doors in my family room. (I did this for Christmas and plan to do it for all the seasons-shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day, flowers and eggs for Easter, etc.) I love the look!

Most importantly I want those who matter most in my life to know how much I love them. I am striving to be a little kinder, a little gentler, a little more understanding, a little more tolerant of others around me. Isn't this what Valentine's Day is really all about? The great poet Robert Louis Stevenson once said:

"To be rich in admiration and free from envy; to rejoice greatly in the good of others; to love with such generosity of heart that your love is still a dear possession in absence or unkindness - these are the gifts of fortune which money cannot buy. He who has such a treasury of riches, being happy and valiant himself, in his own nature, will enjoy the universe as if it were his own estate; and help the man to whom he lends a hand to enjoy it with him."

Have a blessed month surrounded by those who mean the most. Remember to tell them how much you care.

With Love,

Lisa B.

Happy January!

Andrew Allgaier — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:50:00 +0000

For some reason I always kind of get the blahs about this time of the year. I think it's because the excitement of the holidays are over and it's back to real life (deadlines, homework and early morning alarm clocks). Also, the weather is frightfully cold here in Utah - complete with fog, lots of snow and icy streets.

However, there is a lot of happiness and beauty around too. I live in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains and just walking outside my house makes me really happy - I get to look at the incredible snowcapped peaks hovering over my house. Also, my kids and I always spend a day at my friend's house in Midway and snowmobile and sled in her backyard - something fun to look forward to every January. (Thanks, Sunny!)

Then there's the four birthdays that we get to celebrate within 28 days of each other. We usually have one big birthday dinner right in the middle of the month and invite both sets of grandparents. This is always a memorable evening - something to really look forward to. My 10-year-old daughter, Brecken, is quite the chef and she's cooking the entire meal this year. She chose the menu: Parmesan Chicken, Steak House Potatoes Au Gratin, Veggie Melts, Citrus Salad, Fresh Cranberry Relish and Southern Banana Pudding.

A profound poet once wrote: "God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December." In my case it would be January and the roses would be snowcapped mountains, snowmobiling and sledding, birthdays and a young daughter who's treating me to an entire meal!

Happy January!

August - A Hectic Month

Andrew Allgaier — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:55:00 +0000

It's already August ninth and I just realized I haven't written this monthly note! I don't know about you, but for me August is the most hectic month of the year. It's always filled with family reunions, swimming parties, product development meetings, back-to-school shopping, registration, the first day of class, weddings and a huge QVC craft and hobby day (don't miss the fantastic tool I'm showing at 12:01 a.m. on August 14).

Whew—you can probably relate. For me, I'm also always a little sad during August. I'm a summer mom and love hanging out with my kids during the summer months. Still, I must admit to feeling a little relief at the chance to reinstate a schedule and regular bedtime (although keeping up with all the homework is always a little tricky).

So, from me to you, have a happy rest of the summer and best of luck getting ready for the school year!

Lisa

It's Family Reunion Time!

Andrew Allgaier — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:09:00 +0000

Every three years, my mom's side of the family gets together for a huge family reunion - usually in Missouri where my mom is from. Four generations gather for this "Kiehl Klan" reunion - between 100-200 people attend. These family members live in all parts of the United States, and it's amazing to see how they sacrifice to be at this blessed event.

A wonderful time is had by all. We start each day with a family devotional, then spend the rest of the time on get-to-know-you games, family Olympics, service and craft projects and, of course, eating great food.

This year is going to be really special. We'll visit several sites important to the Kiehl family - Grandpa and Grandma's graves (we'll each let go of a balloon there to represent their great posterity), the church where they worshipped (we'll have a special service under the direction of my cousin, John, who's a minister at a Lutheran church), the house where my mom grew up, etc.

As we commemorate the Kiehls, my mother has spent hours compiling a beautiful heritage book containing photos and the history of the Otto and Adeline Kiehl family. She did this with the help of Heritage Makers (Heritagemakers.com), a digital scrapbooking company that makes putting together your scrapbooks, biographies and family history a breeze. My mom had a copy of the book printed for each family.

I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with the Kiehl family. Because of these reunions, I know each member of my family and feel a really strong bond with each person.

On the flip side, we've never had a reunion with my dad's side of the family. All of his siblings have passed away, and I don't even know some of my own first cousins. How sad!

Family reunions are a wonderful way to "turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to their children" (Malachi 4:6). Plan one today and witness firsthand the joy it'll bring into your life.

Lisa

June 2007 Monthly Message

Andrew Allgaier — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:43:00 +0000

At the first of this month, I returned from Amsterdam. To be honest, I really didn't know much about this popular city in Holland before my visit. I knew Holland was known for windmills and canals and tulips. What I didn't realize was how badly this country was affected during the Holocaust. I knew the Jewish people were persecuted in Germany, but I hadn't realized the people in the Netherlands were affected just as much.

Amsterdam is where Anne Frank hid with her family (along with another family and a single gentleman) during the war in a secret quarter of her father's office building. Anne faithfully kept a diary. She wrote about the hardships before the war (May 1940) - Jews were required to wear a yellow star, and they couldn't ride bikes, go in cars, use public transportation or attend any form of public entertainment; Jews were forbidden to visit Christians in their homes; Jews could only shop between 3-5 p.m... The list goes on and on.

In 1942, Anne's sister, Margot, received a letter to report to Germany for work. That's when Anne's family went into hiding. Anne wrote everything in her diary - her frustrations, hopes, dreams and fears. She confided in an entry dated April 5, 1944: "Will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or a writer? I hope so, oh, I hope so very much, because writing allows me to record everything, all my thoughts, ideals and fantasies."

Anne's dream was realized, but due to a horrible and untimely death in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the age of 15, Anne herself would never know what her diary would mean to the world for generations to come. Anne was killed along with six million other people because she was Jewish (one and a half million were children).

Touring through Anne's secret home in Amsterdam changed my life. Reading her story almost the entire plane ride home (I bought three books) made me realize more than ever how important it is to write the facts down - JOURNAL, JOURNAL, JOURNAL. Our lives may seem mundane and ordinary (Anne didn't know what an impact her diary would have), but all the details are worth preserving. Everyone has a story to tell, and future generations will be glad you took the time to write it down.

As Italian writer Primo Levi so articulately put it: "Perhaps it had to be that this one Anne Frank moves us more than all the other countless victims whose names remain unknown. If we had to share, and could share, the suffering of each one of them, we should be unable to go on living."

This month, let's all be a little kinder, a little gentler and a little more loving to those around us. And, let's learn from the past the importance of recording all those little details from our daily lives.

Sincerely,

Lisa B.

May 2007

Andrew Allgaier — Tue, 01 May 2007 04:03:00 +0000

May 2007 Monthly Message

As many of you know, I'm not a TV watcher. I was addicted to Little House on the Prairie at age 10, and at age 43 I love American Idol. I'm not just a little addicted to it - I'm a lot addicted! A friend, Kristy Banks, introduced me to the show four years ago, and I've been a fan ever since. My favorite contestant this season is Jordin Sparks. I've loved her from the beginning.

Last week I watched the special "Idol Gives Back" segment with tears, awe (how did Celine and Elvis sing together?), and a new resolve to help children around the world. The show included several touching stories about children who are starving to death and living in very harsh conditions. I was shocked by the statistic that every three seconds a child in Africa passes away (usually from AIDS).

Please take a moment to read my April 26, 2007 blog called "You Can Help." It shares an incredible way our scrapbooking community can help homeless children in Haiti. Thanks to Natasha and Mark Hixon for highlighting this awesome opportunity.

Have a great May, and may mothers everywhere have a happy Mother's Day.

Lisa B.

Pay It Forward!

Andrew Allgaier — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 14:19:00 +0000

Dr. James C. Hoyal. A man I'd met only twice up until two days ago. Yet, I've never forgotten his face or his name.

Let me go back 11 years. I had just started Creating Keepsakes magazine (the first issue hadn't been published yet), and my husband had just been laid off from his job. As you can imagine, money was tight—I wasn't getting a salary yet, and we depended on Steve's income. On top of it all, Steve had a terrible toothache and needed immediate attention.

Don't ask me why, but we randomly chose Dr. James Hoyal, a local dentist, to take a look at Steve. As we were both in the room, Dr. Hoyal sweetly asked how things were going and what we did for a living. He learned that I was starting my own venture and Steve had just been laid off. We then chitchatted about other things.

I can't remember what procedure Steve had done—I think the doctor fixed a crown that had gone bad. The bill was several hundred dollars, and when we tried to pay at the front desk, the receptionist smiled and said, "There is no charge for today."

We were shocked and amazed. We thanked Dr. Hoyal profusely and talked about his generosity the entire way home. We also promised that we'd help someone else in need when we could afford it.

We moved from the area and started visiting a dentist who was closer, but we never forgot Dr. Hoyal's random act of kindness. We shared the example with our children and started our own RASK (Random ActS of Kindness) project. We created a huge poster with the word "RASK" on it, then every Monday night we chose a person to surprise with a random act of kindness. We wrote that person's name on the poster, and before long we'd filled the entire surface with names.

Two days ago I stood in line at a viewing of a close friend's husband (see my blog entry called "Never a Better Hero"). Directly in front of me was a gentleman who looked familiar. I asked his name and he said, "James C. Hoyal." I got a huge smile on my face and recounted the time he'd helped a down-and-out couple over 11 years ago. He didn't remember the occasion—but then I didn't think he would. He's probably done random acts of kindness his entire life and is too humble to remember them.

A favorite hymn of mine goes "Did I do any good in the world today? Did I help anyone in need? Did I cheer up the sad, and make someone feel glad? If not I have failed indeed." Meeting Dr. Hoyal again made me want to go out and try a little harder to lighten the load for another person. What a lucky day it was to meet up with him again and to tell him face to face that I've never forgotten his kindness.

Have a great April and enjoy the warmer weather!

Lisa B.

Happy 56, Mom and Dad!

Andrew Allgaier — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:04:00 +0000

Growing up, I thought I was the richest girl in the world. We had a big two-story house, took a fun vacation to my grandma's farm in Missouri every summer, and got to eat out on our birthdays. We spent uninterrupted time as a family every Monday night. On Sunday evenings my mom would make waffles and we'd sit around and play games ("Masterpiece" was my favorite), laugh and chat.

Looking back on my childhood, I realize now that we weren't very rich monetarily. Our large two-story home where seven people lived was 2,000 square feet. We always went to Missouri for our summer vacation because it was free food and lodging (and of course to see my sweet grandmother). And, we only ate out on our birthdays because Mom and Dad couldn't afford it any other time.

Wow--what a wonderful way of life. What a great lesson that wealth is what's in your heart, not your pocketbook.

I just want to give a shout-out to my parents, Robert and Clarine Downs, who will celebrate 56 years of marriage on March 9. Being raised in their home was like heaven on earth, and I'll be forever grateful for the lessons learned there. Now it's my turn to keep this tradition going with my children!

What are the fond memories you have of your childhood? Did you have a large garden where you picked fruits and vegetables? Did you have a favorite activity that you did with your family? What was the most comfortable chair in your home? Don't delay--write these memories down today!

Happy 2007!

Andrew Allgaier — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 17:18:00 +0000

My favorite part of the holidays has to be finding cards and letters from friends and family members in my mailbox each day. I open each card with care, devour every word written, then hang the cards and photos in every nook and cranny of my kitchen. I read the sentiments over and over--I love the stories, advice and reminders of the reason for the season. I literally cry the day I take these cards down. I love being surrounded by the wonderful support system offered so freely to me and my family.

Last year, a sweet gal I met through scrapbooking (Jolene Crooks) introduced me to my favorite quote ever. I keep it in my scriptures so I can be reminded of it every day. Here is the quote:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Mrs. Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and I really lived." (Marjorie Pay Hinckley)

May 2007 bring peace, happiness and joy as you find joy in the journey. And, don't forget to make someone else's journey a little more pleasant, too.

Sincerely,

Lisa Bearnson

Our Non-Traditional Christmas

Andrew Allgaier — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 21:50:00 +0000

Last December was very hectic - well beyond the usual shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking and celebrating. My son Kade was involved in a huge Eagle Scout project with the United Way, and the deadline for my third Lisa Bearnson book was near. We had company coming for Christmas, which meant pressure to have a perfectly clean house. I had also volunteered to host the annual neighborhood party, the teacher party at school and our large Downs family party.

I barely had time to breathe. My idea of a perfect December is reading a new Christmas story to my kids every night, lazily sipping hot chocolate by a roaring fire and driving around town to see the lights. This just wasn't happening.

My husband and I stepped back from all the chaos and made a pact that Christmas in '06 would be different. This year, we're hauling our family in a trailer to Mexico for two weeks. We're buying very few gifts for our children - our focus will be on children in an orphanage. We plan to visit them on Christmas Day and at other times throughout our visit. My family's been saving coins in a large container all year for gifts for the children. I can hardly wait!

My holiday season is already going smoother. I've paced myself so I'll have things done by the time we leave on the 21st. I'm sending cards out early, reading "One Frosty Christmas" to my girls and drinking steamed vanilla milk almost every night.

I'll keep you posted on how our trip goes. Here's wishing you a very merry, non-stressful holiday season. Remember to find joy in the journey.

Best wishes,

Lisa B.

My Trip Back to Amish Country

Andrew Allgaier — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:36:00 +0000

As many of you know, I'm a bit obsessed with Amish Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and have visited it often during the past nine years. The QVC studio is nearby, and I usually pop over to Lancaster just to drive the quiet roads, visit Old Candle Barn (a store owned by Missy Hurst, a scrapbooker and friend), visit my Amish friends and eat a soft pretzel in Intercourse.

Several of my QVC friends have teased me about my addiction to this area. I've wondered myself why I love it so much. I finally concluded that the Amish love for family, the simple life and strong values echo how I was raised and the way Steve and I hope to raise our children.

Five weeks ago, I was able to take my girls and some neighbors to Lancaster for four days. While there, we stayed with my friend, Barbara Fisher, an old-order Amish gal. You can read my blog to see how the visit went. The only word to describe it is "AMAZING!"

One week after I returned, I watched in shock, horror and dismay the events taking place in a one-room schoolhouse there. As you know, a gunman took 10 girls hostage (one escaped), tied them up, then shot the girls one by one before taking his own life.

I knew the scrapbook community would want to help comfort these dear people, so I posted a call asking scrapbookers to send cards to the victims. Missy set up a P.O. box and the cards came pouring in-from almost every state and even countries like England and France.

Pam Taylor, a friend in Utah, embellished pre-made boxes (see my blog), and on Monday, October 30, Missy, Jeanette (her husband is a state trooper and was the first on the scene), Ellie (my QVC rep), Ellie (a friend from Lancaster) and Barbara (my Amish friend) filled the boxes with cards and helped me hand-deliver them to each family involved in the tragedy.

Next to my wedding day and the birth of each of my children, this was the most significant, unforgettable, life-altering day I've ever had. What I saw at each home left me filled with wonder and awe.

Every family member had a smile on his or her face, a forgiving heart and was so appreciative for the cards from people around the world. I saw a people who have chosen to embrace life and all the good it can bring rather than dwell on the past. All of these families went to Charles Roberts' funeral. All have met with his wife, Marie. All feel that what happened was God's will and they don't ask why.

I met Rachel Miller, who lost both of her oldest girls. She was so full of grace and dignity and welcomed us with open arms. I spoke with Barbie Fisher (11), who had one arm in a sling and the other in a cast. Her right shoulder was completely gone, and pins held her left hand together. She was so darling and excited to go back to school. Her sister Emma (10) was proud to tell me that she was the only girl to escape from the school. Rachel Ann Stoltfuz, with a swollen side to her face and an ugly bullet mark on her left cheek, proudly held her box with the cards. You would have thought she'd won a million dollars—she was so excited.

I visited where the schoolhouse once stood—now an empty piece of ground with a couple of trees and some grass. I saw the new makeshift school—a three-car garage loaned out until a new building is erected.

The last stop was perhaps the hardest of all. I had one box left for Marie Roberts, wife of Charles Roberts. I was shaking as I approached her home. I wasn't sure how I'd be received. I'd read some very impressive things about Marie and how she's handled the events of the past four weeks, but I was still leery. Regardless, I wanted Marie to know that the world cares about her. Marie answered the door and was immediately very kind.

When I told her my name she said, "I get that magazine—I'm a scrapbooker!" She then invited me in to meet her three beautiful children and her parents. I got a picture taken with Marie and published it on my blog. You see, I want all of us to remember Marie Roberts as a strong woman who is lovingly reaching out to the Amish community (she recently had a meeting where she spoke to each person). She's trying to do the best she can after the poor decision by her late husband. I learned from Marie that bad things can and will happen to good people, and that God won't give you anything you can't handle. She, too, is doing her best to move forward with her life.

As you can see, God works in mysterious ways. It's no coincidence that I've been obsessed with Amish Country over the past nine years. It's no coincidence that I met Missy at her shop (she facilitated the day), Barbara Fisher in her home over a year ago (she got the names of the families) and recently met Jeanette, whose husband was at the scene. It's no coincidence Pam Taylor came into my life a month ago and found and embellished all the beautiful boxes. Also, what are the chances of Marie Roberts being a scrapbooker and knowing about Creating Keepsakes magazine?

During this month of thanksgiving, count your many blessings like my Amish friends continue to do. Like them, you'll find a happier you and help us all feel more peace on earth!

A Worthy Cause

Andrew Allgaier — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 22:29:00 +0000

Join Us in This Worthy Cause!

Last Thursday, my dear friend Marnae went with her mother, Georgia, to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for exploratory surgery. Georgia's gall bladder had been removed a month ago, and she hadn't been feeling up to par ever since.

The doctor tried several tests without success and finally suggested exploratory surgery. Just minutes into it, doctors discovered major amounts of cancer in her fluids, intestines and bladder. The surgical team was baffled and shocked-her body had completely changed within a month's time.

The next few days were so painful as the family sat non-stop by Georgia's side in the intensive care unit. On Monday night, October 2, I stopped by to offer comfort and support to Marnie. I was too late. Georgia had passed away just 30 minutes before I got there.

In memory of Georgia, I'm coordinating a life's sketch scrapbook to display at the funeral. However, gathering photos, memorabilia and dates while a family's in mourning is not an easy task.

This experience has motivated me to get a scrapbook completed about my own parents' lives before it's too late. What better way to do this than using the “All About Me" kit featured above? All the guesswork is gone-the prompts, design, cutting and sewing are already done for you. All you do is assemble the pages, add photos and journaling, and your book is complete. It comes in a beautiful, cloth-bound album and box.

During October, we'd like to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month by giving our readers the opportunity to purchase this meaningful album kit for a special price while donating to a great cause. For a limited time, the "All About Me" album can be purchased for $15 and for each book sold we'll donate $3 to support breast cancer initiatives.

Our goal is to give $100,000 to this great cause by the end of the year. I hope you'll help!

Cancer is a disease that touches the lives of millions-not only those who've been diagnosed or overcome the disease but also their families, friends and loved ones. The donation portion of this campaign is important as it contributes to ongoing research and development to help combat and eradicate the disease. But the album kit portion is also important because it gives us all a chance to sit down and create something meaningful.

Won't you join with us in this worthy cause?

Find joy in the journey.

The Comforts of Fall

Andrew Allgaier — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 03:16:00 +0000

For the past three years, I've served as leader for over 120 children in my church congregation each Sunday. While this can be a little hectic at times (the kids are ages 18 months to 12), I sincerely love it! I especially enjoy teaching lessons that are dear to my heart.

This month, I've been asked to teach about "comfort" and several thoughts have come to mind. I think of my daughter Sage's well-worn blanket that's been patched so many times. She can't go anywhere without it. I think of the air purifier my 15-year-old son, Kade, turns on every night before he goes to bed. The "white noise" lulls him to sleep and makes him feel safe and secure.

I find comfort in my cell phone. I travel several times a month, and every night at 9 p.m. I can expect a phone call from my husband and children if I'm away. This is the time we have family prayer together, and it's a wonderful way to feel connected to my family and be involved in this important part of our day.

Fall also brings so many comforts. Silly as it sounds, I find comfort in the smell of the furnace going on the first time each fall. My stomach feels comfort knowing I can enjoy the luscious apples and peaches this time of year. As much as I love summer, I also feel comfort in knowing my children are back to a schedule.

This month, I want to document everything! I don't want to miss a single experience that September will bring. Also, be sure to read my blog about the discomforts of the season, too. Having a 15-year-old behind the wheel and sending my five-year-old off to kindergarten has been a little nerve-wracking.

Wherever your road leads you, remember to find joy in the journey. And - eat a big piece of peach cobbler and think of me! It's my favorite dessert. (You'll find a great peach cobbler recipe on my blog.)

Happy trails to you!

Lisa Bearnson

P.S. From September 19-23, my girls and I will be staying with an Amish family in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This is a lifelong dream. I can't wait! I'll let you know how it goes.

The Traditions Must Go On!

Andrew Allgaier — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 05:30:00 +0000

During the first part of August, I visited Yellowstone National Park with my hubby, girls and parents. We originally planned to take my two sons, too, but they couldn't go because of football practice. (Why does the season have to start during the summer months?) While I was sad about this, it did open up two seats in our truck. Much to my delight, my parents agreed to come to Yellowstone with us!

Sharing a trip like this with my aging parents was a dream come true. My 79-year-old father suffers from severe arthritis and heart problems and doesn't get around very well. I was shocked when he said he'd tag along. For years he's teased me about sleeping the entire ride through Yellowstone when I was 16.

I didn't sleep through our visit this time! Instead, we spent our days hiking to waterfalls, gazing at geysers, exploring hot pots and searching for wildlife. My daughter Brecken kept a log of all the animals we saw - 753 in all (including a herd of buffalo, a fox and a coyote). As for bears, we had to go to a habitat to see one.

We spent the evenings cooking marshmallows by the campfire, playing Horse-Opoly, taking leisurely bike rides and skipping rocks on Lake Hebgen.

While I was at Yellowstone, I couldn't help but reflect on how lucky I am. I was raised in a home where my parents emphasized honesty, integrity and doing the things that would truly bring happiness. While we barely scrimped by financially at times, we were rich in blessings. The best thing about growing up in the Robert and Clarine Downs household was that I had parents who dearly loved each other.

My parents have been married now for 55 years. On this trip, that undying commitment was stronger than ever. Every morning, I'd listen as my parents held a devotional and family prayer. As we walked to various sites, I'd often catch them holding hands and even smooching.

I came away from the trip excited to carry on this legacy of love, laughter and good, wholesome living. Thanks to the great examples of my parents, my family and I also place a lot of importance on prayer, daily devotionals and family time. (We reserve our Monday nights to spend together.)

I've scrapbooked these great traditions along the way so my children and their children will remember what's important in the Steve and Lisa Bearnson household. When we've been married for 55 years, hopefully our children and their descendants will remember what was important in our family.

What are your fondest memories of your childhood and the way you were raised? Record them today! For now, enjoy summer's remaining days and remember:

Find joy in the journey!