Sunset

The snow storms made for some beautiful skies! I took this on the way home. I forgot that they were working on the bridge north of us, so I had to take a little detour that actually stopped me in my tracks!  Gorgeous!! quickly snapped this one with my iPad.  I'm thankful I got to see it.

The Book of Mormon: A Light to the World

This year begins our study of the Book of Mormon in gospel doctrine class. I'm really excited about this because of the blessings that are promised to all those who begin a serious study of the book. I want to draw closer to God, to allow more of his light into my life and feel his love.

“It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance.” Ezra Taft Benson, “The Keystone of Our Religion”, Oct. 1986 General Conference 

Of special significance for me is the following statement and promise that he also made almost six years earlier.

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67).

These promises—increased love and harmony in the home, greater respect between parent and child, increased spirituality and righteousness—are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God. (Ezra Taft Benson October General Conference 1986)

I look forward to putting these promises to the test.

Birthday Time Again

My Isaac is 14 years old. What a good looking kid!  He's done so much this year.  He is a dedicated student and has consistently gotten A's.  He works hard, has lots of friends and is a strong athlete. Isaac's dream is to dunk the ball and to be at least 6 feet tall. He loves pizza, animals, hunting, fishing and sports. This year he earned his blue card and looks forward to hunting with his grandpa and uncles. He learned how to play badminton and took 4th place overall at the middle school. 

A week after his birthday Isaac was invited to meet with the Payson City Mayor at their city council meeting. He was nominated for this months Mayor Recognition Award by the CTC Committee (Citizens That Care).  Each month this committee asks the staff and teachers at the Jr High and High School to nominate students that are good kids within the local community that are doing good things. This award has nothing to do with academics or sports. We were all very pleased with this recognition and Isaac was thrilled! We all went to the meeting to watch him receive this award. They read this statement sent in with the nomination from the school:

Isaac is a very athletic student that loves all physical activity.  The big way he serves his community is through his peer relations.  He sets a great example by always being prepared, focused and willing to befriend or help any student.  At an age of cliches, bullying and wide range of maturation Isaac doesn't discriminate and in the last 2 years I have never seen him treat anyone without the utmost respect.

Kintsukuroi

What a beautiful piece and concept.  That because of all we go through in this life we are the more beautiful for it.  All of that is possible through Jesus Christ.  His atonement makes it possible for us to become more than we are.

2016 Word of the Year

This year I have chosen the french word for light.  (It sounds so much better in French.) This word holds so much potential.  I need more light, illumination, in my life. I'm taking a class on the history of photography, which means basically to capture light. What an exciting concept. I remember about 4 years ago talking to some inmates at the prison in Gunnison about light. In a talk I entitled "A Light to the World".

I have always enjoyed taking pictures. I remember my first camera was when I was around 12 or so and it was a second hand point and shoot type film camera. I liked capturing the images of my friends. I like being able to see things differently through my lens. I like recording the memories, capturing the light. I got my first real camera last year and so I’ve been learning all the technical jargon. I understand some of it. The greek word for “photo” is light. Understanding how to capture light in a pleasing way has been a fun and meaningful journey for me.

A friend of mine shared an experience with light. She likes to do a bit of cleaning at night like mopping the floors and wiping down the counters, and other general tidy up type stuff. One night she went to bed thinking, "Yea, I did a pretty good job." In the morning when she got up, the sun was shining through the window onto her floors and counters. In this light she noticed that there were spots that she had missed. The morning light helped her see what she missed when she was working in the dark.

I think sometimes our lives can be like that as well. I don't always recognize in the moment that I'm working out of focus or in the dark. Then God steps in and shows me what I've missed. Ways to improve my time with my husband or children. Spots that would make me an even better individual, mother, wife, friend or daughter if they were cleaned up a bit. Most of the time it's as simple as turning on the light.

Christmas 2015

Christmas morning at our house. This year the children got musical instruments.  Afton a cello, Khora a violin, Bonnie a flue, (a blue recorder) and Jacob a guitar.  Isaac got a compound bow (see a bow fits with string instruments.) They were all pretty excited. It was a fun morning together. They were excited to give their presents to each other.  Some of them put a lot of thought and work into them. Afton made a blanket for Isaac, (and one for Buddy). Jacob surprised Khora with a hamster habitat. Isaac worked on some furniture for Bonnie's doll house and Jacob got a guitar game for Xbox.  Afton received a new Beenie Boo from Bonnie.

We had our traditional dinner on Christmas instead of Christmas Eve this year which I really liked.  It was a wonderful meal.  We have been so blessed.

Celebration @ Markers

This years gathering before Christmas Eve started out with some sledding at the park. Buddy even had his turn.

There were a few minute to win it games.

Dinner was yummy.

And our three wise men are growing up.

We're ready for our Christmas Eve celebration.