Pioneer Day!

Happy Pioneer Day, July 24th, 2014

What an important thing to honor...the pioneers of history! Our lives would not be what they are today if it weren't for the ones who went before us. Paving the way of freedom, faith, discoveries, following dreams, sacrifice. Not only the incredible handcart, covered wagon pioneers that crossed the plains, but pilgrims, the founding fathers of America, inventors who have made life incredible and people live healthier and longer, each woman bringing her child into the world... there are all types of pioneers.

I have been blessed to have many incredible pioneers in my family tree. People I look up to a great deal and try and live up to and emulate. Men and women who put the things of most importance in this life FIRST. They are courageous and humble. One of these pioneers, my mother, made a sweet comment to me, "You and I come from

a long line of strong men and women, and on this Pioneer Day I couldn't be
more grateful for such a legacy.  And then to think that we are part of
that line, that others will look to us someday as their ancestors.  We have
much to live up to for the blessings we have been given." How very true. Not only does Pioneer Day cause us to reflect on those brave souls of the past, but also on how we want to be remembered by posterity in the future.

Do we today pull handcarts or walk a thousand miles or more? Do we leave our homes and every earthly possession? There is much that we may never experience as pioneers of the past did, but we have the daily opportunity to be modern pioneers. In the way we serve, raise families, share of what we have with others, the talents we develop and enhance, the records we keep, in standing for truth and goodness...there are ways unnumbered to be a pioneer.

I hope that I can instill the Pioneer Spirit into our home. That my children will be ever grateful for the rich heritage that is theirs, and that they'll see goodness in their parents, and then continue in that spirit of pioneering themselves. Thank you to the pioneer men and women of this world!