The End Begins: Sudden Darkness

This is the book that I just finished today.

"Brothers and sisters, may I have your attention," President Green said into the megaphone. I held my breath. What would he say next? At that moment, I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd said the moon was scheduled to turn to blood next Tuesday night. "As you know, alarming events are unfolding. People are scared and confused. Life as we have known it will never be the same, it seems."
The news has been filled with stories of tragedy and turmoil. But world events like the recent bombings in London seem far removed from eighteen-year-old Amelie Hatch's quiet life in Zillah, Washington. She's content with the predictable pattern of her life—school, friends, work. But when Amelie's father leaves on a mysterious Church assignment, concerns escalate as the family is left with few answers.
Then, in the span of moments, Amelie's world erupts in chaos. Terrorists have attacked the US power grid. There is no electricity. Vehicles have ceased working. The nuclear facility at nearby Hanford is compromised, and radiation may be flooding the area. Without the guidance of their father, Amelie's family faces a monumental task at the request of the leaders of the Church: members of their stake have been asked to walk to zUtah, where they will find safety in Zion.
Fleeing her home and the life she knows, Amelie sets off on the arduous journey toward the refuge of Utah. There is danger around every corner as the group faces gunfire, kidnapping, and new terrorist threats. And as she finds herself drawn to two very different men, Amelie recognizes a more personal peril—she's in danger of losing her heart.

This is a very quick read….. frightening -  only because I fear the last days and these kind of events!

Longhorn Days

The Raising of the Flag in the middle of town

The parade begins:

Here it comes back again ….

 Our fireworks are always fun!

Happy Pioneer Day

This is the only pioneer story that I could find involving my ancestors. Joel Ricks is my great, great grandfather. My great grandfather was with him on this journey, but he was only 3 years old. Thomas E. was the oldest son and about 17 -18 at the time.

This is the only pioneer story that I could find involving my ancestors. Joel Ricks is my great, great grandfather. My great grandfather was with him on this journey, but he was only 3 years old. Thomas E. was the oldest son and about 17 -18 at the time.

"Arriving at the Missouri River near Council Bluffs in July, Joel Ricks and family made a temporary residence on Silver Creek, where he planted and harvested a crop and made other arrangements to continue the journey westward. In 1847, he sent out one of his best teams with a pioneer company, which left the Missouri River for the Rocky Mountains. Under the leadership of Brigham Young, this company, after many hardships and trials, reached the Valley of the Great Salt Lake on July 24, 1847, where they founded Salt Lake City.
Mr. Ricks remained at the Missouri River until the spring of 1848, when he joined the great company under the leadership of Heber C. Kimball. This company consisted of 2417 souls and 792 wagons and was probably one of the largest caravans that ever crossed the Great Plains.
While on Elkhorn River, about 20 miles west of Omaha, this company was attacked by Indians. Thomas E. Ricks (Joel's son) and a number of other young men crossed the river on horseback to drive in some cattle that were feeding there when the Indians opened fire upon them. Thomas was wounded and fell from his horse and was left for dead by his com­panions. (He was shot in the back.) As soon as the news was brought to camp, Joel Ricks hitched up a team and crossing the river went out in search of the body of his son, supposing that he had been killed. After looking around for some minutes he was set upon by two Indians on horse back. As soon as he saw them he turned his horses towards camp and tried to escape but they rode up on each side of him and one of them pointed his gun at Joel Ricks and with the muzzle two or three feet from his body, pulled the trigger, the gun misfired. This was repeated two or three times and when the Indian found he could not kill him, he dropped back to the rear of the wagon where he stole a small trunk containing some clothing belonging to Mrs. Ricks, which he carried away with him. Mr. Ricks always felt that this escape on this occasion was providential. It trans­pired that Thomas had been rescued by some of his companions who had crossed the river and, finding him lying in the grass, had succeeded in carrying him away. The wounds that he received on that occasion he carried in his body as long as he lived. They considered him a miracle as everyone thought that he would die as a result of being shot, but he was given a blessing and his health was restored.
As the departure of the company could not be delayed and as Mr. Ricks was determined to go to the Rocky Mountains with his company, a spring wagon was fitted up and Thomas was placed in it and was car­ried along in the pilgrimage westward. He recovered rapidly and was pretty nearly well before the company reached the Rocky Mountains."