Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sunday Thought....





“Brethren and sisters, material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But your union as wife, husband, and family can. The only duration of family life that satisfies the loftiest longings of the human soul is forever. No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. To qualify, one needs only to deny oneself of ungodliness and honor the ordinances of the temple. By making and keeping sacred temple covenants, we evidence our love for God, for our companion, and our real regard for our posterity—even those yet unborn. Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity, when we can ‘inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities … powers, dominions … exaltation and glory’ (D&C 132:19).”
Russell M. Nelson, “Set in Order Thy House,” Liahona, Jan. 2002, 82




We have a duty to secure the physical safety and well-being of our children. However, some parents place undue priority on temporal and material possessions. Some are far less diligent in their efforts to immerse their children in the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Joseph Fielding Smith, Take Heed to Yourselves! comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. [1971], 221). Remember that having religious observance in the home is as important as providing food, clothing, and shelter. Parents can also help children discover and develop their talents. We are responsible for the talents we have received. Children who are not taught that they are accountable for their time and talents are increasingly subject to the foolishness and unrighteousness that are so pervasive in the world (see Mark 7:20-23).






Monday, January 18, 2010

The missionary....


No email today, a holiday and the libraries are closed,
but I just got some cute pics last week in the mail.

Sam, has a new companion, the old one on the left, new on the right...same area!
If you look carefully you can see the snow!




Road Trip...

What do you do with a long weekend... You go on a road trip.

First we went to visit my dad,

we spent the first night at the Retirement home he lives in.



and Riley got in a day of skiing.

Then the next night we had cousin time and game time.


We went to Church with my Dad at the Retirement Home.
Riley was able to help out with the Sacrament.
They were happy for a young Priest to bless the sacrament.

Then we had a night with these two...


We played Farkle for Katie, her new favorite game
and then Killer Bunnies, Riley can't get enough of it.
and top that off with a scary movie...


After dreary weather in Utah
(I had forgotten about those inversions)
I was so excited to come home to Sunshine...
...no sunshine, more clouds and rain.
But it is always good to be home!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Christmas Day...

Christmas Morning.... we all slept in... the joy of teenagers. I think Katie was the first one up.


We were blessed to have Katie & Jeremy here for their first Christmas.


The traditional Christmas mess...
We always block the door, cause we aren't going anywhere.


The best part of Christmas was we got to talk to this cute Missionary.
What a joy to hear his voice and hear his enthusiasm.


Sam...

... serving the Lord in Florida!



The best gift ...

Family... one of life's greatest treasures!
I love mine!

Sunday Inspiration...

"This is God's work, and God's work will not be frustrated. But there is still much to be done before the Great Jehovah can announce that the work is done. While we praise and honor those faithful Saints who have brought us to this point of public prominence, we cannot afford, my brothers and sisters, to be comfortable or content."We are all needed to finish the work that was begun by those pioneering Saints over 175 years ago and carried out through the subsequent decades by faithful Saints of every generation. We need to believe as they believed. We need to work as they worked. We need to serve as they served. And we need to overcome as they overcame."Of course, our challenges are different today, but they are no less demanding. Instead of angry mobs, we face those who constantly try to defame. Instead of extreme exposure and hardship, we face alcohol and drug abuse, pornography, all kinds of filth, sleaze, greed, dishonesty, and spiritual apathy. Instead of families being uprooted and torn from their homes, we see the institution of the family, including the divine institution of marriage, under attack as groups and individuals seek to define away the prominent and divine role of the family in society."This is not to suggest that our challenges today are more severe than the challenges faced by those who have gone before us. They are just different. The Lord isn't asking us to load up a handcart; He's asking us to fortify our faith. He isn't asking us to walk across a continent; He's asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn't asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He's asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn't asking us to die a martyr's death;
He's asking us to live a disciple's life."

M. Russell Ballard, "The Truth of God Shall Go Forth," Ensign, Nov. 2008


Saturday, January 9, 2010

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a time for food, singing, stories, friends and family!