Happy Birthday Nana!

Point of debate in our family: when do you celebrate birthdays when the birthday celebree is 15 hours ahead of you?  Well, I guess you can just celebrate for two days, eat cake twice, get twice as many presents . . . I like this idea!

Our Nana is a fabulous lady.  This ddl (that's darling daughter in law, in case you were wondering) is always more than a bit intimidated by her organization, creativity, intelligence and thoughtfulness.  She is truly an elect lady, in every way.

Our Favorite Tour Guide --

So, today, yesterday, whenever . . . Happy Birthday to our Fabulous Nana!  We love you!  

Conference Talk Friday: Elder Holland

I always love Elder Holland's talks.  He has such a kind demeanor and his words always lift, encourage and strengthen.  His talk, "The Ministry of Angels" is no exception.

The older I get, the more I see the angels around me.  Think of the Alabama song "Angels Among Us."  I think it often takes the benefit of a few years distance to see how Heaveny Father has blessed you as you struggle through trials.  I know I am just beginning to see some of the blessings that have been poured out on my little family as we've made our way through life.

Elder Holland talks first about scriptural accounts of angels ministering to man.  Look some up, you'll be amazed at how long your list becomes.  Then he talks about being worthy of angelic protection.  We must "search diligently [study the scriptures], pray always and be believing [have Faith] . . . and remember the covenant wherewith we have covenanted. [temple attendance]"  Interesting.  Seems I've seen this list somewhere before.  

Elder Holland then turns his attention to mortal angels.  I think each one of has been blessed to know a few of these.  I loved the story he relates about the young boy who found himself, by his own mistake, on the wrong side of a raging river.  Only by his father not only following the list above, but by living in constant conversation with the Spirit, was he rescued.

I am eternally grateful to have been born into a family with two watchful parents, my own personal angels, the greatest big sister ever and two big brothers who constantly watch over me.  I was equally blessed to marry into a family where two angels watch over all of us and sisters who love my kids like their own.  I also have been surrounded by friends and neighbors who have somehow known when we have needed a lift.

I now have a new favorite scripture.  D&C 84:88.  "I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left . . . my Spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  Who could doubt with promises like that. (In case you were wondering, my favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6.)  

Watch for those angels around you and try as Elder Holland says: "may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves -- with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith . . . perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, 'Darkness ... afraid ... river ... alone.'"

Conference Talk Friday: Elder Hales

I have a sweet and very personal connection to Elder Hales and will always love him for some very specific things he has done for my family.  I always listen carefully to his words, and his talk last conference was a real favorite.

I often find myself apologizing for my beliefs, backpedaling, not standing up when I should . . . you know how it goes.  Some current political problems to remain unnamed have made me a tad nervous, because I find myself uncomfortable projecting my values on others.  Elder Hales tells us that if we're in tune with the spirit, we will be able to stand up for our beliefs and deal with criticism in the appropriate way.  He calls it Christian Courage.  

"Through the years, we find that challenges to our faith are not new, and aren't likely to disappear soon."  So, I guess we'd better figure out right now what we stand for, and learn how to deal with certain opposition!  Only by being in tune with the Spirit will we know how to deal with each particular criticism they face.  Each time it will be different, requiring constant conversation with the Spirit.

His last words will always echo in my head.  We do not believe we are better than anyone.  We respect all and feel we are all equal as children of our Heavenly Father.  We do believe we have a better way, Christ's way.  "To help them, to be an example for them, is not for the weak.  It is for the strong.  It is for you and me, Ladder-day Saints who pay the price of discipleship by answering our accusers with Christian Courage."  

True courage.  Christian Courage.

Why We Could Never Be Vegetarian

This has become one of our favorite digs.  I hesitated posting these pictures for fear of being accused of a: letting my children each both saturated fats and high fructose corn syrup and b: increasing my family's carbon footprint.  But I think one bite into these beauties and all would be forgiven.

p.s.  I'd love to tell you the family took a jog around the block to detox after lunch . . . yeah, I'd really like to tell you that.

p.p.s.  These pictures were taken pre-lens cleaning.  There is not a fog machine going on behind Belle and her dad.

Conference Talk Friday: Elder Oaks

Have you ever listened to a talk that made you adjust yourself in your seat, cough uncomfortably and look down at your hands, instead of at the speaker?  Well, Elder Oaks talk was one of those for me.  

For 8 1/2 years now I've used the excuse of "oh, I have little children, it's ok if we're not perfectly reverent all the time during Sacrament meeting." I figure if I show up, I'm good.  Elder Oaks, in his very cool, very direct but also very kind way, presents the idea that Sacrament meeting is so much more than just showing up.    We get out of it what we put into it, skwirmy kids and all.

How do I prepare for Sacrament meeting?  Well, moment of truth here, despite every desire to be early to the meeting, sitting pressed and steamed on the third row, that does not happen every Sunday.  There are certain Sundays that we screach into the parking lot, steam coming from my ears, yelling at my adorable children to hurry up.  Wow, I can't believe I just admitted to that!  But we're working really hard to plan and prepare beforehand (remember the old primary song "Saturday is a Special Day" . . . yeah) so that we can arrive on time with some semblance of the spirit still with our family.

I loved his words about preparing and passing the Sacrament and personally pondering the importance of the Sacrament.  The Sacrament is so important we repreat it every week, giving us a new opportunity to be better every week, skwirmy kids and all.