Moccasin Walk Challenge - an Interview with Josh

Hey Josh, thanks for visting me today.  Can you tell me about this Moccasin Walk Challenge that you did?

It was a challenge where you had to give up your normal living conditions. 

Like what?

I couldn't use a cell phone, no T.V. or Video Games.  I had to sleep on the floor.  And I only had one set of clothes for the week.  I couldn't take a shower, but if I did, I had to use cold water and a bucket.  Oh, and no fast food, no snacks and only two meals a day.

Who gave you the Challenge?

My Seminary teacher, Brother Taggart.

Why do you think he gave you this challenge?

So we could be more thankful for the things we have. 

Did it work?

Yes!  I never appreciated a bed more in my life.

You definitely look more refreshed this morning than I've seen in previous days, son!  What was the hardest thing to go without?

Probably food.

Was it missing your mom's warm, home-cooked breakfast's that you missed?

I have no idea what you're talking about . . . . .

Okay, then!  What food did you miss?

Well, I did miss breakfast, the ones that I make by myself. 

How many people in your seminary class did the challenge?

Brother Taggart said that there was an average of 1.5 per class who did the challenge.

Did you feel a little lonely with the challenge?

Yes, kind of.

One day when you were missing all of the stuff you couldn't do, you were lamenting about how there wasn't going to be a reward at the end.  How do you feel about that now?

I feel that I have attained a great reward from this challenge. 

Way to use big words son . . .  

You made me lose it . . . I have the knowledge of all the rich blessings I have gotten from the Lord.

 
Any blessings from me?

Um. . . .

Fine, fine -- the Lord is definitely the source of blessings.  Good stuff son!  You can now go play Starcraft. 

Thanks!  Wahhoooooo!

Faith

Stumbled on this last week during church,

Yes, I was on the internet at church last Sunday.

And this Sunday I'm home with a semi-sick Emma.

Regardless, I've been following this story fairly intently this week.

It's emotional, it's real and it's a beautiful thing to see someone else's faith.

Grab Tissue

 


There's a blog you can follow along with at www.cometoofar.com

I really like this post and this one

** Quick note: There's background music. So if you read this at church, during Relief Society, TURN DOWN THE SOUND first! **

Food

When Jeff and I travel, we like to enjoy the local food.

This is NOT a natural trait for Jeff, as he did not like trying new food when we first married.  His first taste of Prime Rib didn't come until he went to dinner with me and my parents when he was 23.

Trying new food, particularly local favorites, is part of my heritage.   I recall stopping at EVERY bakery in China Town to find the best almond cookie.  And if it looks like a local food DIVE, we will stop and partake. . . .

Anyway, Hawaii was just a great big opportunity to try local food -- and for the most part, I got photos:

Featured above is Garlic Shrimp from Macky's Shrimp Truck.  This was our first meal in Hawaii.  Jeff ate more shrimp than I think is humanly possible.  He managed to put down 34+ shrimp in one day -- I can't even think what his overall trip total would be.

Above is a delicious Pineapple Burger from Kua'Aina in Haleiwa.  There's a tasty grilled pineapple with grilled onion on this huge burger.  We did manage to eat twice at this place!  Shockingly, Jeff only had fries and cole slaw the last time -- may have had something to do with all the shrimp he ate the day before)

Not a great photo, but you'll get the point.  This was my breakfast from the Hukilau Cafe.  It's called a Loco Moco.  There's a bed of white rice, a piece of mahi mahi, two eggs over easy and brown gravy.  It's quite delicious and fairly unusual for this Haole. 

While in Waikiki we did manage to eat at Hank's Haute Dogs and Duke's.    We enjoyed a Hula Pie from Duke's and the Lava Flow drink pictured above (minus rum).    Waikiki was a little too touristy for us, but it was still pretty sweet to sit in a restaurant dining on yummy food right next to the beach.  Life is Good!

Stuff

I spent my day yesterday watering all my plants.

Apparently I've neglected them with all the STUFF going on lately.

I logged onto this blog thinking maybe it had tried to curl up and die like the plants.

Appears not.

But it does look pretty neglected.

Unlike these little specimens of plants I saw in Hawaii two days ago -- (Where it was 80+ degrees and I was sweating like a pig dressed in flip flops and capris . . . )

Good times at the botanical gardens in Hawaii!

Look for more good stuff in the days to come, and I don't just mean about our trip,  We've got plenty happening around the house too.  Plus I find myself more opinionated then ever -- so I'm sure you're gonna want to hear that too!