Trekkin' Friday

Friday we painted rocks and did a service project. Somewhere we had time to hand out harmonicas we had bought for the kids. Even adopted Bush kids need to play an instrument! I taught them to play Come, Come Ye Saints on the harmonica. You can see that Marissa (in the back) is taking a break from painting here to play songs from my Handcarts, Hymns and Harmonicas book.

Cole proudly displays one of the laundry bags we painted to donate to a women's shelter.

After lunch we took the kids to church with us. We marched them down in order of age, Thomas, K., Austin, Raffi, Jenesis, Erin, Ruben, Becky, Kendall, Marissa and Cole. Our oldest, Cole has already received his mission call and will be going to the MTC in the end of July to serve a mission in South Korea!

After Sunday School and Relief Society, the kids went off for a 3 hour solo experience in the woods. Ed and I went up to the tent and cleaned up a bit. Ed made a nice sign to welcome the kids home again. I practiced the guitar, as Helen was coming up to play her viola with me at the evening fireside. We did a medley of Ashokan Farewell, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief and Come, Come, Ye Saints. 

Despite a shower before dinner, we were able to get a fire going to make chili and scones for dinner. The evening fireside was a testimony meeting and didn't wind up until well after dark. We spent  some time with the kids talking about our feelings about trek and the parallels with life. We were constantly amazed at their maturity and expressiveness. Ed says the future of the LDS church is in good hands!