The Power of the Word...

Last night we were at the end of our day, Jim was tired from a long day back at work after the holiday weekend... those are always extra difficult. I was worn out from my day, especially the trying moments with Jacob... he can really push my buttons and put me through the ringer. And well Jacob was supposed to be in charge of our family night activity... which I found out way too late that he had planned for us to drive into the city and check out the local guitar store? What????

.

Apparently his most recent discovery of love for his self taught guitar talent... has put him off kilter with the real world yet again and he missed that we own 8 guitars!!!!

.

I won't even go there; but needless to say we went another direction with the family night plans.

.

I grabbed an article in the Ensign this month and before I had even read it, found the "family home evening suggestion" in the back and decided to wing it from there.

.

We took turns and read sections from the article, and then shared our favorite scriptures. Jacob knew his right away and sat impatiently tapping and clicking things within his reach (breathe), but Jim and I went searching to pick one to share.

.

I knew I didn't have a favorite scripture, how could I ever pick just one... there were so many good ones! But I went searching for something to share.

.

In a short time, we each shared... I was surprised by the feelings of the spirit as we did. It had been a stressful, thrown together home evening, but still when we didn't give up, the spirit was with us! What strength and power and peace that gives me to know gathering my family every week, IS the right thing, no matter how rough it seems around the edges.

.

Jacob shared his favorite... D&C 14:7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

He didn't elaborate much, but said it was the first scripture he heard in Seminary, and it stood out to him that was what to strive for the most, eternal life!

.

Jim shared his... Mal. 4: 5,6 - Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

And he shared that he liked this because it was a prophecy that has come to pass. In later scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Prophet Elijah does come to the Temple and bring the keys to seal families together forever.

.

Then in true "Mom" fashion, I took the longest to find mine, and I couldn't share just one... I had to do two. (It wouldn't be family night at our house, unless I was able to drag things out and torture the teenager).

So mine were... Alma 53: 20, 21 20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him. Learning about the 2000 Stripling Warriors; I don't think there is anything more valuable in life to learn to be truthful in all things... and I really like that when we are true and follow the commandments... we do feel like walking a little taller, it changes our outward appearance....

.

and then my other one, is later still referring to the 2000 Stripling Warriors - Alma 56:47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. I love that they listened to their mothers who taught them to have FAITH! And they did as they went into battle as if with the strength of God, and not one of them fell to the earth.... and they fought with such miraculous strength (even though they were way out numbered) the enemy delivered themselves up as prisoners of war. Faith, unwavering faith without doubt!!! I love it, sounds simple, but it's easier to say than do at times.

.

We closed the lesson with a quote from a past President of the church about the "Power of the Word"...

"Success in righteousness, the power to avoid deception and resist temptation, guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul—these are but a few of the promises the Lord has given to those who will come to His word. Does the Lord promise and not fulfill? Surely if He tells us that these things will come to us if we lay hold upon His word, then the blessings can be ours. And if we do not, then the blessings may be lost. However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it as we make our way through the mists of darkness to the tree of life." President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994)

Much, much much to my surprise it was a really fun night, I learned some things about my boys I didn't know. I love it when they share spiritual thoughts or insights (that is always special for a mother/wife to hear). I knew Seminary had been good for Jacob, but I had no idea how much he really really cherished it and how much it influenced his path for learning from the scriptures. There is so much power in the scriptures, His word... that I know if we apply it to our lives and try to live according to His will, we can have eternal life and the peace and joy that comes from living in such a manner.

.

I am truly grateful for the principle of "Family Night" and the blessings it has brought into my family. It was a tool to bring us together when we were apart, and no matter how much it seems like it might fail in the midst of our shortcomings and lack of planning, as we are obedient to the principle of gathering together and making an effort to learn something and cherish each other, we have ALWAYS been blessed!!

4th of July 2009

This year we decided to head up to the mountains for an archery shoot to spend our 4th of July afternoon.

All decked out in our matchy matchy red white and blue flag themed shirts... oh don't you know how my boys loved that request, but they were good sports just to make Mom happy!


We had lots of fun shooting!

Taylor got to go with us. Rudy was still recovering from the toenail ordeal, and Morgan doesn't deal with the heat very well, so we left them at home in the air conditioning... it was sooooo hot outside!

We met some friends who had camped over night the night before and got soaking wet by the pouring rains. They are Annie's owners and Annie is Morgan's sister. Everytime she went running by me when we were hiking, I would call her Morgan by mistake. They look exactly alike, except for their heads are a little different shape, and Annie is like Morgan on 3 months of caffiene!! She is a wild and crazy thing and never stops... she even made Taylor look dosile!! Can you imagine that?

Taylor was so good, by about the 3rd target, we took her off leash and she got right in the rythym of waiting for everyone to shoot in the shade laying down and then rushing to the target to pull arrows and running with Annie to the next target.

Needless to say, she was pooped out by the end of the day.

It is always so much cooler up in the mountains here, but it was still super hot... so I can't imagine how hot it got at our house.

So pretty up there in God's country!! I am really glad we decided to go!

A good time was had by all!

Happy, Happy!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

and

to me!

Two years of blogging and I have learned so much about myself, it has been a great sourse of encouragement and accountability to me. I have learned to use words and photos to recreate experiences and to record pieces of my life. But most of all, it has connected our family to us. Through all of the fun and drama, sarcasm and joy... thanks for sticking with me to cherish another year!

He's back...

He made it home safe and sound!

I didn't think anyone would be happier to see him than me...

But I was wrong....Morgan could not wipe the grin off of her face!

It was hilarious!!!

We were all pretty happy to have him home... he was a little sunburned on the top of his feet... and the top of his legs from "riding the bull" (I am learning all the new river rafting terms) but from all the stories, he pretty much had the time of his life!!

Wednesday woes...

Yesterday started out as a pretty good day, I was able to get my cherries transformed into jam and canned in jars before I had to work.

I lost some cherries, which made me really sad, but I still ended up with 15 jars!

I love canning!

Then the day kind of went down hill from there... poor Rudy pulled a toe nail off getting out of his kennel. No close up's, but trust me, it is really gross!

I did get the bleeding stopped, but the entire nail is gone... well I found it laying by the kennel. OUCH!

.

Next, right on schedule... 3 days into Jacob being gone, Morgan began puking!

Ugggg! She was heaving and gagging all afternoon, and up all night last night.

She would pace and pace and cry to go outside, and when I let her out, she would frantically go chomping on grass. I guess that is what they eat to make themselves throw up or something?? But then she wouldn't come back inside... I commend her for not wanting to puke on the carpet... but at 3am I was willing to take my chances.

.

I finally coaxed her inside and would get the door closed behind her and lay down on the rug by the door with her. Then she would stand up choking again.... and I would have to let her out and start the whole process over again.

.

At first I thought she really had something going on in her throat; but then when I got up about the 7th or 8th time... I was trying everything to calm her down... she was panting and breathing heavy and very very anxious. So I grabbed one of Jacob's shirts (I knew there was a good reason I hadn't gotten laundry all done yet). And she finally stayed laying down the rest of the morning in my bed with me... burring her head into our pillow and rolling over on the shirt.

.

It is crazy how sick this dog get's when he leaves. How are we ever going to cope when he leaves to go on a mission for 2 years? I wonder if they would let her go as a seeing eye dog... we better start training now, just in case.