Dirk Day

So I wrote this post a couple months ago and didn't get around to posting it until now. But here it is!

Costa Rica October 2010

Five years ago this February, my dad passed away. For those who do not know, he died at age 55 from adrenal cancer, from which he fought for about a year and a half ish.

A lot has happened in the last five years that I wish my dad had been here for. Meeting Cameron. Getting married. Graduating from BYU. Moving to Kansas. Having our first baby, Henry Dirk. And so much more.

To honor my father this week, Cameron and I (and Henry, of course) celebrated "Dirk Day!" We spent the entire day doing things that my dad loved to do. We started the day off with his favorite meal of the day: breakfast! We had scrambled eggs with cheese, fresh hashbrowns, sausage links, and juice. It was delicious. Growing up, my dad always made a big breakfast on Saturdays, just like this one. He would usually add hotdogs to the scrambled eggs, but Cameron says that's gross, so we forewent the hotdogs and stuck to cheesy scrambled eggs. :)

In the afternoon, we went on a "hike". Let's just say it was a Kansas hike. But the weather was incredible and it was the perfect hike for our family. Not too long or hard. It was just right. My dad was very outdoorsy and loved going on hikes. He also loved camping, rappelling, fishing, canoeing, and anything else outdoors. So a hike was fitting for Dirk Day.

After our hike, we picked up some ribs from Chili's for dinner. My mom said my dad always got ribs whenever they went out to eat, so we thought of him every delicious bite! I don't think I had ever ordered ribs before and I don't know why- They were fantastic! Messy, but so yummy. :)

Henry loved the ribs, too

Henry seemed to enjoy his first Dirk Day, where he got to eat like grandpa and hear stories about grandpa all day long. We look forward to teaching Henry more and more about who he was named after and what a great legacy he left behind.

My dad was the most spiritual man I have ever known. His testimony and example has been such a strength to me, even though he has moved onto the next life. He was such a caring, generous, upstanding, respectful, and kind soul. I look up to him every day and I am grateful for the time I had with him. I wish he were still here on this earth, but I know I will see him again and I cannot wait for that reunion. And I also can't wait to introduce Cameron and Henry to my dad.

I love you, Dad. God be with you until we meet again.
Anna

Advent Calendar- December 12th

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and hi name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
~Isaiah 9:6

Advent Calendar- December 10th

"There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection."

Gordon B. Hinckley, December 2000 

Advent Calendar- December 8th

Although this video does not revolve entirely around Christmas, it embodies a message of hope for a better tomorrow. Christmas is celebrating the birth of an individual who has given all of us hope. Hope that we can live after death. Hope of relieving our burdens. Hope that we can live with our families forever. Hope that we can live with our Father in heaven again. Hope for a better a tomorrow.

Advent Calendar- December 6th

I hope that we never forget the true meaning of Christmas as illustrated beautifully below by Linus.

Advent Calendar- December 4th

"To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the spirit of Christ."

Easter! by Cameron

Easter is here! What a beautiful time of year (except for that random snow storm in Utah)! It's a time of year for eating large amounts of Cadbury eggs, hard boiled eggs, creepy bunny costumes that smell like cottage cheese (see left), fluffy peeps, colorful dresses, and lots of that basket stuffing that seems to get everywhere. The beauty all of this though is eclipsed by something even greater that happened thousands of years ago. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Both Anna and I proclaim the reality of Christ's life here on earth. He was born in Bethlehem, began His ministry in Nazareth, and concluded His life in Jerusalem with THE greatest gift Heavenly Father has ever given man; a sacrifice of His first born son that allows us to be cleansed from our misdeeds and lift us of our burdens. He did die for all of mankind and He did rise again three days later. If it was not for this unparalleled act of love, we would not have the opportunity to break the bands of death ourselves and live again in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ is the savior of the world, the great mediator, and our advocate. Through Him and His gospel we will live again with our families. We are so grateful for His exemplar life and His great sacrifice of love. We wish all of you a happy Christ filled Easter.

This video beautifully illustrates the final week of Christ and His ministry. Enjoy!