As I mentioned before, Pioneer day is a big day here in Utah. It is a state holiday. Yesterday was the observance of Pioneer day since it fell on a Sunday. I actually spent a lot of time this past weekend thinking about the pioneers and being grateful for their trek into Utah.
We started off the celebration on the actual day, in Primary. The children got up and sang two songs in Sacrament meeting. And, the talks were about some of our ward members’ ancestors that were pioneers. I couldn’t help but be grateful for these men and women and children for their sacrifices for religious freedom. We take for granted that all they wanted was a quiet, peaceful place to worship. This is something that we don’t have to fight for anymore in this country. It was something that they shouldn’t have had to fight for at that time either. But, they did, and many lost their lives because of it.
On Monday, we woke up bright and early for a neighborhood breakfast that our ward sponsors every year. Although my husband wasn’t too excited at the idea of it starting at 7am when he had to help cook, we had a good time. My kids thought it was fun to go eat outside in the church parking lot with all of their friends. Then, after, I was in charge of a bike parade around the block for all the kids. Every kid got to decorate their bikes with streamers, balloons, and any other festive things they could think of, and then they took them up and down the street for their own little parade. It was a great idea for an activity for them! They each got a medal and candy at the end of their parade for all their hard work!
I am truly in awe at those that were willing to die for their faith. I ask myself all the time when I think of the pioneers if I would have been one of those that was willing to die also for what I believe in. I hope my faith is only half as strong!
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