16 Birthday Wishes

Can't believe this kid is 16! He is an amazingly talented, athletic, smart, cute kid. He's a great friend and good example to those around him. So glad he's a part of our family. Man I just love that kid! He didn't get his drivers licence on his birthday (He technically can't get it until February because he has to have his learners for at least 6 months and he still has to take drivers ed. which he is planning to do next month. ) I hoped that it would still be a great day for him.  We ordered his favorite pizza, pepperoni with olives and had cake and ice cream.

Friday Dennis took Jacob and a bunch of his friends to Get Out Games in Provo. This facility has what they call "live escape rooms". Jacob picked the room called Intensity on a Chain.

Intensity on a Chain is a fun and thrilling experience unlike anything you've ever done before. You need to solve the fun puzzles, find the key and escape, but there's a catch: chained to the wall in the room is a ravenous zombie...and he wants to eat you! Did we mention that his chain extends a little longer every 5 minutes?!!  Don't worry, our zombie is not the gory blood and guts kind. This is also not a "spooky" experience and the room is fully lit. Admittedly, our zombie does have anger management issues, but he is not the brightest light on the Christmas tree, and you may just find yourself chuckling at his antics.

He worked for 3 hours on Saturday which he was pretty excited about.  Love to get that paycheck. Sunday he was ordained a priest. It was a good day for him.  Both grandpa's and grandma's came and stayed for dinner, including Grandma Rundell.  He is looking forward to getting his drivers licence and . . dating.  He also will get to bless the sacrament on Sunday.

Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue

Ponderism: 1 Ne 13:12 While Nephi was "carried away in the spirit", he saw the future of his people and the seed of his brethren.

"And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that is came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren who were in the promised land."

Many people think the only reason Columbus 'sailed the ocean blue' was to find a trade route India, but it was much more than that.  He was driven to explore the ocean westward by the spirit. Dennis shared this quote with me from one of Christopher Columbus' journals.

"It was the Lord who put it into my mind, (I could feel His hand upon me), the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures.......I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous Presence.For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.It is simply the fulfillment of what Isaiah* had prophesied......No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service. The working out of all things has been assigned to each person by our Lord, but it all happens according to His sovereign will, even though He gives advice. Oh, what a gracious Lord, who desires that people should perform for Him those things for which He holds Himself responsible! Day and night, moment by moment, everyone should express their most devoted gratitude to Him."

On the Court

Isaac started practice for his basketball team back in December.  He was recruited by a coach from Salem to come over there and play for his team.  There are two other Santaquin kids playing on this team.  Dennis is going to be assistant coach. They are both looking forward to this basketball season.

Games started at the beginning of January. Isaac's number is 23 which he was sure to remind me is Michael Jordan's number. His team, named the Longhorns, won their first game 42-12. Because Isaac loves his stats and was so close to getting a double/double (I had to ask . .  its double digits in two categories) here they are for you: 16 pts, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and one amazing block! He only played until the middle of the 3rd period. His dad decided to pull him out and give some other boys more court time. 

Isaac and Dennis were able to go with the team to a BYU game. Isaac's coach has some sort of connections to the team through his time playing with the University of Hawaii so after the game they hung out to meet some of the players. They got autographs from the "player of the game" Zack Seljaas,  Kyles Davis, Kyle Fischer, Nick Emery, and Nate Austin. They also shook hands with Coach Dave Rose. Very fun night! 

Isaac's second game stats: 26 pts  4 blocks,  3 rebounds, 2 assists. He was a little more possessive of the ball this game.  Their whole team was.  They won 39/26.

To Act

To prove them herewith if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them. The very purpose of our existence, the reason why we are here on earth is to fill the measure of our creation. To be tested.

Of course we have been given the tools to pass this test.  Specifically moral agency. We have received moral agency to choose the right, to do good, and to become whatever God intends for us to become. The fundamental purposes for the gift of agency are to love one another and to choose God. Commandments are not restrictions. They are a chance to exercise our moral agency. To choose what is right.
J.K. Rowling demonstrated this concept in her books Harry Potter.  In book 6 it is explained in this way.

“It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high. Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew - and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents - that there was all the difference in the world.”

Utah Storm

Santaquin got around 6-7 inches of snow from a very big storm. Santaquin always seems to have its own weather than its neighbors. There was no snow at all north of Payson. We had to shovel snow from the driveway twice that night. I got a little sore from the little bit that I did, Jacob and Afton did a lot also, but Friday morning things were just beautiful!

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.