Again, not your typical dry council Sunday

Family.

What's the big deal?

Why are they so important that it is the entire focus of our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)?

And why is it the one thing Satan is trying so hard to destroy with homosexuality, divorce, abortion, premarital sex, cohabitation?

The talks several Sundays ago were about protecting our families and the last one was particularly good. Even Erik on the way home commented on what a good talk it was. That says something if an 11-year-old boy sits up and listens.

"That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;" -Moses 6:59

The speaker gave an analogy of entering a family through physical birth and entering into God's family through spiritual birth.

Water
Physical birth: Baby is completely surrounded by amniotic fluid.
Spiritual birth:  At baptism one must be completely submerged in water just like a baby is totally submerged within it's mother.

Blood
Physical birth: There is blood associated with birth. BUT it isn't the baby's blood that is spilt to give life, it is the mother's.
Spiritual birth: To give us new life spiritually, someone else had to spill their blood. Christ spilt his blood to give us new life through the atonement.

Spirit
Physical birth: At some point during pregnancy, a spirit enters the body. To have a baby there must be a mother and a father. A baby takes on the name of his father at birth.
Spiritual birth: At some point in our spiritual birth we have to allow the spirit of Christ of enter our body. During baptism we covenant to take on the name of Christ. This is why Christ is also considered our Father, the Father of our spirits. It is He who makes it possible for our re"birth".

Eternal life is God's life which is family life. We are here to learn to love being a mother (or a father). Our whole focus should be on the family, and at the judgment day we will have the choice . . .

God's life that includes families

or not.

Closer to Christ - Days 87-90

DAY 87

Scripture study: Ether 13-15

Mark and ponder: Ether 12:27

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 10:32

Thought of the day: "Hopefully, we're making some progress in our own individual lives. I hope that every person can feel he or she is a little better today than they were yesterday, a little kinder, a little more gracious, a little more generous, a little more honest in purpose and word an deed, a little stronger for the right, a little stronger to resist the wrong."

DAY 88

Scripture study: Moroni 1-6

Mark and ponder: Moroni 4:3, 5:2

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 6:4, 6

Thought of the day: "Few ordinances or performances in the Church act as a greater incentive to personal righteousness than partaking of the sacrament. Those who partake of the sacramental emblems - having a comprehension of the covenant involved - are making for themselves a course which will result in obedience, holiness, and sanctification." -Bruce R. McConkie

DAY 89

Scripture study: Moroni 7-9

Mark and ponder: Moroni 8:24-26

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 7:7-8

Thought of the day: "While it is a simple thing in a life of faith, I have truly, truly learned the importance of always praying. When one prays from the heart, it increases the faithful heart. And when one has a faithful heart, a deeper love grows. When love grows, it leads to the ability to treat those around us kindly. Praying unceasingly will bring about a better life as a member of the church. -Hitoshi Kashikura

DAY 90

Scripture study: Moroni 10

Mark and ponder: Moroni 10:3-5

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 11:13

Thought of the day: "Without reservation, I promise that is you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." -Gordon B. Hinckley

A first birthday among other firsts this week

Oh my goodness. I remember thinking last year when I was just about ready to deliver Alex and we were in the middle of framing the house, "Please let me survive all this craziness." And ya know, I did. Where did this last year go? It definitely was not a year I would ever want to repeat but it was full of wonderful people and experiences.

Especially this one.

None of us could ever imagine our lives without him. He is a bundle of pure happiness and love.

The day started off with presents and his first chocolate milk. Later we introduced him to the zoo where his experience reminded me a lot of Erik's at the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden when Erik was little. Alex DID NOT like the dinosaurs throughout the zoo, especially the one that spat water at him.

He didn't really care for the giraffe either that practically came eyeball to eyeball with him. It was a fun first experience and I loved watching my "other" kids get so excited about experiencing Alex's "firsts" with him.

Afterwards we treated him to his first kids meal. He shocked me by eating it all. Not a drop on the floor.

Happy Birthday Big Al. Can't wait to see what this next year brings.

Today Ash ran her first race. She wasn't quite sure where the finish was and kept booking it down the road. I was laughing with one parent about his son who kept going until I looked up and Ash was right along side him. Someone finally led them back.

Nate won his first "big" prize. In fact it was the granddaddy prize of all . . . an annual family membership to the Family Fitness Center (a $372 value). I don't think the idea was to give it away to a nonresident but we are going to try our hardest to make use of it this year.

Obedience

Thirty seconds before the start of my Relief Society lesson I broke into a cold sweat as I realized I had left all my notes on my computer at home. I forgot to print them off. AHHHHH!

I guess the lesson went as well as I could have hoped for and maybe it was the lesson I was supposed to give since it went in a totally different direction than I was going to go with it.

So I'll share some quotes on obedience that I never got to use since there are some good ones.

As God has designed our happiness and the happiness of all His creatures, He never has, He never will institute an ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He has designed.
-–Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 256

Often we hear: Nobody can tell me what clothes to wear, what I shall eat or drink. No one can outline my Sabbaths, appropriate my earnings, nor in any way limit my personal freedoms! I do as I please! I give no blind obedience! . . . When men obey commands of a creator, it is not blind obedience. How different is the cowering of a subject to his totalitarian monarch and the dignified, willing obedience one gives to his God. The dictator is ambitious, selfish, and has ulterior motives. God's every command is righteous, every directive purposeful, and all for the good of the governed. The first may be blind obedience, but the latter is certainly faith obedience
--Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, October 1954

There are three degrees of glory in our obedience: telestial is obedience out of obligation; but begrudgingly; terrestial is obedience out of duty, but willingly; celestial is obedience out of love of God and man. You delight in obeying all truth that you know because you love God, the father of all truth.

--D. Kelly Ogden, 8 Mighty Changes God Wants for You Before You Get to Heaven

Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God's laws the greater will be the endowment of faith.

--Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966

When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.

--Ezra Taft Benson, quoted by Donald Stahele in Ensign, May 1998

“If there are any of us who lack faith in this work it is because we have not kept the commandments of God. If there are any who do not know that this is the work of our Father, it is because they have not done their duty. I know as I know that I live that this is the Lord’s work and that knowledge comes as a result of keeping his commandments” --George Albert Smith, Conference Report, October 1915

Mysterious family connections

Last night we attended a ward barbecue and I wore my Ferron Peach Days fun run shirt. My neighbor, Cindy Astill, asked about Ferron and I told her I was from Ferron. She was visibly shocked because apparently her brother, Steve Beagley, lives there and I knew who they were. Small town meet small town.

Later as we were eating, Tyler asked me if one of the ladies there was an Ellis (his side of the family and quite large) and I didn't have a clue. Well, she, Carina Astill, was wondering the same thing about him and came over to ask. Carina is Tyler's second cousin and is married to Cindy Astill's son. She lived with her in-laws for a short time before moving to Stansbury.

Today before the Sunday school lesson began, a lady approached me and introduced herself as Cindy's sister and a local Ferronite and told me how she loves my mom. I never caught her name before the lesson started and will have to unravel this mystery.

Before sacrament meeting started, the kids were telling me about how Sister Astill's nieces were in Primary and they were from Ferron and one was friends with my sister Natalie.

So at dinner we were talking about the strange coincidences from the previous evening and today and Nate says, "So, in a roundup kind of way we are related to people in Ferron."

Yep. You're right. Grandma and Grandpa live there.

And so do the Beagleys who are related to our neighbors the Astills who are related to the Ellises who are related to the Learys, specifically Tyler.

I know what you meant Nate. It is a very small world in deed. I love that I grew up in a small town and have come back to live in a small town.

Closer to Christ - Days 80 - 86

DAY 80

Scripture study: Mormon 2-4

Mark and ponder: Mormon 4:5

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 6:33

Thought of the day: "There must be purpose in our lives. We are here to accomplish something to bless society with our talents and our learning. There can fun, yes. But there must be recognition of the fact that life is serious, that the risks are great, but that we can overcome them if we discipline ourselves and seek the unfailing strength of the Lord." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 81

Scripture study: Mormon 5-7

Mark and ponder: Ether 12:27

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 7:5

Thought of the day: "You are good. But it is not enough to just be good. You must be good for something. You must contrib8te good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others." -Gordon B. Hinckley

DAY 82

Scripture study: Mormon 8-9

Mark and ponder: Mormon 9:21, 27-28

Scripture thought of the day: Matthew 17:20

Thought of the day: "The faithful will exercise faith and pray always for all who are within the reach of the Lord. The good desire good to all." -Brigham Young

DAY 83

Scripture study: Ether 1-3

Mark and ponder: Ether 3:14-16

Scripture though of the day: Ether 12:6

Thought of the day: "Are you full of faith? You can tell whether I am or not by looking at me. You can tell whether the brethren who have been speaking to you are full of faith in the gospel by the look of their countenances. You can see if there is not a word spoken." -Brigham Young

DAY 84

Scripture study: Ether 4-7

Mark and ponder: Ether 5:3-4

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 17

Thought of the day: "For their testimonies [the Three Witnesses] shall rise up to condemn the unbelieving and rebellious before the judgment seat of Christ, yea there are or will be 10,000 times 10,000 other witnesses to testify with equal surety of the truth of the Book of Mormon." -Bruce R. McConkie

DAY 85

Scripture study: Ether 8-10

Mark and ponder: Ether 8:18-24; 9:16-20, 26-35

Scripture thought of the day: Moroni 7:5, 12

Thought of the day: "This scripture should alert us to what is ahead unless we repent, because there is no question that as people of the free world, we are increasingly upholding many of the vils of the adversary today. By court edict godless conspirators can run for government office, teach in our schools, hold office in labor unions, work in our defense plants, serve in our merchant marines, etc. As a nation, we are helping to underwrite many evil revolutionaries in our country." -Ezra Taft Benson

DAY 86

Scripture study: Ether 11-12

Mark and ponder: Ether 12:6-18

Scripture thought of the day: Alma 32:27

Thought of the day: "It is faith tht is the converter. It is faith that is the teacher. This precious and marvelous gift of faith, this gift from God our Eternal Father is the strength of this work and the quiet vibrancy of its message. Faith underlies it all. Faith is the substance of it all. Whether it be going into the mission field, living the Word of Wisdom, paying one's tithing, it is all the same. It is the faith within us that is evidenced in all we do." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Refreshing Orange Ice

So easy to make and so yummy. After working outside in the hot sun, I could eat the entire bowl myself.

Refreshing Orange Ice (Taste of Home)

3 c. water, divided

1 c. sugar

1 can (12 oz.) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

2 T. lemon juice

1/2 c. half-and-half cream

In a saucepan, bring 1 cup water and sugar to a boil, stirring frequently. Boil for 1 minute or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from eat; stir in orange juice concentrate, lemon juice, and remaining water. Transfer to a freezer-proof bowl. Cover and freeze until firm. Remove from freezer. Beat until blended. Beat in cream. Cover and return to freezer. Remover from freezer 20 minutes before serving.