Briana Stephen

I had an epiphany today while sitting in the oncologist's office. There's so much talk and paraphernalia about finding cures for cancer. There's bitter talk about why Heavenly Father would allow such suffering. I sat there thinking to myself, No. My heart tells me it's not like that at all! ... Think of the communities and families that have come together to love, serve, and mourn with one another.

Our Father in heaven provides opportunities every day for us to keep his commandments, to follow His ultimate example of serving, loving, caring for His spirit children, our spirit brothers and sisters. I get to experience firsthand on a daily basis how beautiful the hearts of mankind really are.

Turn off the news of contentious politics, crime, and adultery for a bit. You'll find a world of compassion. PLEASE ACCEPT MY GRATITUDE to all those who uplift and show me what leading a Christ-like life is really all about. Loads and loads of LOVE!!!

-Bri, March 2010



Tuesday, March 11, 2008

2006 Church History Tour

I know this trip was two years ago, but for archiving purposes, I wanted to write about this trip. With Serena in Arkansas at the time, April in Texas, me in California and Tiff, Heather and Christy living in Arizona, it was worthwhile just to get everyone together. It was an awesome experience to be able to get a visual of all the sites that we read about in church history. (Just keep in mind that I had Leyna 6 months prior, April was 6 months pregnant, and Mom hadn't started her exercise/diet regime.)

This is us standing outside of the visitor's center in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Incarcerated in Liberty Jail with Joseph Smith were other Church leaders: Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Alexander McRae, and Caleb Baldwin. During the winter months in which they were held in the basement jail, they suffered from intense cold and exposure to the elements because of the small slits in the walls that served as windows. The men slept on dirty straw and suffered poisoning attempts and insults. However, Joseph's biggest grievance was not his own condition of imprisonment but the knowledge that the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were suffering untold anguish that he could not prevent.

In April 1839, Joseph and his fellow prisoners were transported to Gallatin, Missouri, for a grand jury hearing. When that hearing was complete, the prisoners were told they would be moved to the jail in Boone County. While on the journey from Gallatin, the men guarding the Prophet and his friends allowed Joseph and the others to escape. The Church leaders, in a very weakened condition, soon caught up with the main body of the Church.




The Nauvoo Cafe that we ate at primarily because it was the only place available, but also because it was close and convenient.


Although only Joseph and Hyrum were under arrest for instigating a riot, John Taylor and Dr. Willard Richards remained with them in Carthage Jail. On 27 June 1844, the four men were held in the jail's upper bedroom. They noticed a large group of men with disguised faces and guns rush toward the jail. The four men tried to hold the door against the mob, but Hyrum was immediately shot and killed. The mob forced the door open just as Joseph turned to leap out of the window, perhaps to distract attention from his friends. He was shot twice in the back and twice in the chest as he fell from the second-story window. John Taylor was shot four times but miraculously survived. Willard Richards escaped without even a hole in his clothing. The Saints in Nauvoo grieved the loss of Joseph and Hyrum but remained at Nauvoo for almost two more years.




This is us standing in front of the window of which Joseph fell. I neglected to get a picture of the door that shows the original bullet holes from that historic day.


Hannibal & St. Louis, MO

At the conclusion of our trip, we stopped in Hannibal, MO, the hometown of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). It was exciting to walk through the caves that he wrote about in his famous literary works.











After Hannibal, we drove to St. Louis, MO to check out the famous Gateway Arch, the tallest national monument in the United States. It was interesting to tour the museum and learn that the arch memorializes Thomas Jefferson's role in westward expansion. Hence the term "Gateway to the West." Riding the elevator to the top was interesting, too, though you can see from the photo below, that Mom wasn't as excited about the little bubble of an elevator that took us up and down. To her credit, it was a little creepy and seemed unstable, but was fun nonetheless.









Compared to April, this employee in the museum gift shop looked like a giant, and it was a perfect photo op. Apparently he didn't think so, because as unamused as could be he said, "I am not an exhibit." Oops.














Monday, March 10, 2008

Leyna's hats

Check out Leyna. She thinks all the Barbie dresses are hats. She usually sports Belle's yellow dress as a hat, but I caught her like this today and decided to capture how funny she is.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Kaden's 7th Birthday!!!!!!!

We had a lot of fun today celebrating Kade's 7th birthday. Because it's an odd-numbered birthday, we didn't have a big birthday party, but he brought along his friend, Trevor, to Chuck E. Cheese for a night of fun games.

I let the kids choose their menus on their birthdays and this is what Kade chose:
Breakfast = apple pie and egg souffle
Lunch = lunchable
Dinner: Chuck E. Cheese pizza
Dessert: chocolate cupcakes

easy peasy.

We had lots of fun. Thanks to all of you who gave gifts and phone calls. It meant a lot to Kade.












Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Myomed Ragnar Relay

Last weekend I experienced one of the most fun, exhausting, exhilarating events ever! Our 12-man team (Desert Lizards) ran 181 miles from Wickenburg to Scottsdale, AZ in 23 hours 45 minutes 19 seconds, placing 5th out of 59 mixed gender teams. (2nd-5th place were all very close, though, so next year we plan to do even better!). Forty hours without sleep definitely fatigues a person, but it was amazing to feel the adrenaline rush every time our van was up for race rotation. Runners High! I can't wait for another relay!












Van 1: Ivan (PA), Diana (AZ), Rob (AZ), Colleen (AZ), Ginger (UT), Mike (AZ)
Van 2: Ken (CA), Taylor (CA), Brian (CA), Clare (CA), Briana (CA), Tiffany (AZ)


Snack Time!


Why We Love Big Sisters...


Leyna was having a rough morning. Thank goodness for big sisters who always provide comfort when we need it most.