Mommy!

a Tribute to my beautiful mother!!

I know this is supposed to be for FHE's and posts of that sort, but I think honoring our lovely mother is just as good. I love Mommy for so many reasons... but mostly because she is my very best friend. I love that she has taught us all to be hard workers by her perfect examply of what a hard-workin-woman is! I am greatful for all the small things I've learned from her- like how to caulk, trim bushes, properly dust, do the laundry, etc. I know I could go on all day long with things she has taught us. She has also taught us how to be a loving daughter of God. She is a wonderful, patient mother who is constantly teaching through the way she lives her life. Mommy is funny and the glue (along with Daddy, their a team) that holds the family together. She is a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, friend and woman. We are all so blessed to have her in our life! Thanks mommy for being you!!

Happy Mothers Day!

what do you love about Mommy?

General Conference thoughts

Sunday night after General Conference:
Didn’t want the day to end without sharing some thoughts about the Conference. I think a feeling I had during one talk summarized what I felt from the Conference. It was Elder Holland’s talk about "are we Christians?" He talked about how John had written the book of Revelations before he wrote other things and before some others had written their books in the Bible and that they didn’t really have the Bible then, showing that it wasn’t really the Bible that made them Christians and how it isn’t the Book of Mormon as another witness that makes us Christian – but that it is following the loving Christ. I thought a good response to that question when we are asked is "were Peter, James and John and the others back then Christians?" They certainly didn’t have the New Testament book then. But what they had was the living Christ and His teaching direct from Him. When He asked them to "come follow me" they did. That is what makes them and anyone else a true Christian— following the living Christ today in what He asks of us now. And so, what I felt from the Conference was that those who spoke were true followers of Christ who were truly revealing His will and His words. President Uchtdorf in Priesthood meeting just seemed to radiate his love for the Lord and the Lord just seemed to be speaking through him.
Then President Monson seemed so personable and tender hearted, and when he spoke about Heavenly Father comforting us and Jesus lifting us, that seemed so personal to him. I like it when he said we are in a war with sin and that "we can win and we WILL win." And then for him to close asking us to pray for him – so humble and faithful. It just seemed that the Lord was close by. So let’s pray for President Monson and the other leaders and their wives, too. Did you know that the newly called second counselor in the Young Women presidency is Pres. Monson’s daughter? That must make him feel good.
Well, I feel good as a father. Each of you sons and daughters are such good people. Let’s make sure we are doing what we should be doing so that we may also be close to the living Christ today – not just because we read His words or because we pray to Heavenly Father – but because we seek until we find and we live such that, through the Gift of the Holy Ghost, They are an intimate part of our day-to-day life. You know that is my constant prayer.
I love you all. I’ll blog you later! Love, Daddy.

It's Home Evening Cruise Time!!!!

OK everybody, this is my first blog. I am now a blogger.
So let's see if this works....
Here's my home evening blog or post (what's the difference?).
I have a request. Read some of the past Zion Home Evening stuff before our cruise. We will have the next chapter on the cruise, so brush up and get ready!
Here's a quiz -- winner(s?) will get a prize on the cruise:
Who wrote the poem in the purity chapter? (re-read that -- it's really good)
What are the five things needed to make a Team Zion?
and there are a few more sub-parts in some of those things
Fill in the blanks: If _____ , then ______ .
And a hard one:
What did the Prophet Joseph say would be written on the "bells of the horses" in the city Zion?
And the bonus question: What is our next Home Evening about? Hint: Our cruisin vehicle is in the name!


So, speaking about cruising:
You can go online and pre-register. You need your passport number and the booking number. Call me if you need more info.
Let's plan some family prayer times and maybe take turns with a 1 minute devotional or something to go along with it.
And let's plan a get-together (with online chatting for Brian and Chantal) and see if there are any excursions we might want to do together -- our maybe in sub-groups. And we need to plan on getting there -- who is going when and who wants to go together. Mommy and I are flying so some could use our van and you can get stopped in Yuma again!
Anyway, fun things coming up!! I love you all -- talk to you later, Daddy.

Great Impromptu FHE

After 4 and a half years of FHE with kids I feel we finally had a really good FHE! We got out the Gospel Art Picture Kit. then let Brian and Katie choose, from pictures we pulled out, what they wanted to learn about. Katie was exited to be able to recognised Nephi from her talk, and the kids both sat very quietly and listened very well as we told them stories from the Book of Mormon . They looked at the pictures while we talked, they did so well I think we were able to tell them 6 stories! The "GAK" is great because the pictures are used so often at church and the kids will quickly recall what they were taught just by looking at the picture, also the story and scripture right there on the back for you!

First posted FHE

So here is our first posted family home evening. I have been working on my lesson and printing out materials for us to use. I just realized that I printed enough copies for Chantal and Brian also and so I said, "Hey, let's blog the lesson that way Chantal and Brian can also get it." Well that is what it is all about, right? So here it is: the object is that we will start the lesson by tring to list as many names as possible for Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and so on. He is refered to in the Scriptures by over 150 names and in the Document, "The Living Christ," by atleast 25. How many can you name? I will then hand out "The Living Christ" document and we will read it together as a family. After we have read it and names all we can I will then hand out the copied that I highlighted. I also highlighted what He did and what He has yet to do. Have fun, I know I am.

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though, sinless He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
Lesson given by Mommy

Up and Running!!

Get ready family, we are up and running. Zion home evenings will begin very soon. I am so excited.