the big 3-4

Happy birthday, Eric!
We hope you have a great day!
Love - Trina, Adam, Summer, and Marnie

P.S. Sorry we didn't wish Stevie a happy birthday on the blog - Sunday was a pretty hectic day with Deb visiting, home teaching, visiting teaching, other extra church meetings, etc ... and Monday was even worse. We hope you got his birthday card in the mail, because we did send it!

FHE Aug 25, 2008

I volunteered to do the lesson for this week not knowing what I should say. Yesterday our hometeacher came over and read this spiritual thought that had been given in Ward Council that morning.

Men and women who turn their lives over to
God will find out that He can make a lot more
out of their lives than we can. He will

Deepen their joys,
Expand their vision,
Quicken their minds,
Lift their spirits,
Multiply their blessings,
Increase their opportunities,
Comfort their souls,
Raise up friends,
And pour out peace.

Whoever will lose his life to God will find
He has eternal life.

-President Ezra Taft Benson

I decided to find where the message had come from and found this article from 1975 when he was president of the Quorum of the 12. I had my lesson.

I recommend that you all read it. There is a lot in there and you could go many different directions with it. I'm sure you could create several different lessons from just this one article.

First he talked about the gifts Christ has given us:

1)He not only died for us - He lived for us and gave us the perfect example.

2)He gave us a prophet. We need to listen to the prophet and follow his counsel, especially the prophet who is guiding the church today.

3)He gave us the church. "Through it we receive baptism, priesthood, celestial marriage, and other sealing powers. It is the organized means that God is using to establish and expand his work. We must work with it and in it, build it up, and move it forward." He then goes on to explain that the Lord uses mortal men to do his work and sometimes they do things that are unwise.

4)Scripture - especially the Book of Mormon. It is the most correct book on earth and it was written for us. He said: "If we really did our homework and approached the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we could expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men, including socialism, humanism, organic evolution, and others."

5) The Constitution. He gave this quote from Joseph Smith that I've heard paraphrased but hardly ever quoted : “Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction.” He said that we need to look to the founding father's who wrote the constitution. He also referred to this book by Clarence Carson entitled The American Tradition.

After reminding us of all that Christ has done for us he asks what we can do in return. That's where the quote at the top comes in. He talks about sacrifice but like President Brigham Young said, “I have heard a great many tell about what they have suffered for Christ’s sake. I am happy to say I never had occasion to. I have enjoyed a great deal, but so far as suffering goes, I have compared it to a man wearing an old, worn-out, tattered, and dirty coat, and somebody comes along and gives him one that is new, whole, and beautiful... When I think of what I’ve suffered for the gospel’s sake—I have thrown away an old coat and have put on a new one.”

Some people say that going to the temple is a sacrifice. I know it's a service but I think of it more as a blessing. Service in any way is a blessing for the server as much as for the served. Here is a final quote that explains why: "Try as you may, you cannot put the Lord in your debt, for every time you try to do his will, he simply pours out more blessings upon you. Sometimes the blessings may seem to you to be a little slow in coming—perhaps this tests your faith—but come they will and abundantly. And it has been said, cast your bread upon the waters and after a while it comes back toasted and buttered."

Take the time to read the article. There is so much in there. I love you all and I'm so glad that you are mine.

Love always,

MOM

Happy Birthday Stevie!

Today is your special day Stevie! We're so proud of you and how big and smart and funny you are. And handsome too. We hope you like the presents Mommy bought for you. We love you very much and are so glad you're a part of our family.

Love,

Your Dad and Mom (and Allie likes you fine too)

lots and lots of driving

Only one more week left of work. Six more days (counting today), and then I'm done! I can feel it. I'm mentally already checked out of there, which probably isn't good, because it is this next week that we're expecting the most business. Back to school. I wish them luck after I am gone, but it's time for me to go. My last day is next Saturday. Anybody need shoes between now and then? I'm not sure if I'm transferring to the Rexburg store (because if they don't need anyone, they won't take me), so this might be the end of my buying lots and lots of shoes. Anyway, it was a good job, and I was good at it, and now I have plenty of experience in the retail world.

So I'm driving to Rexburg on Monday, September 1st. At this point I'll probably have a passenger or two, but I'm not sure what's going on with that. I don't have enough room for everyone's stuff, so Deb is driving and taking Amber, because she can't move in until later in the week. But Sarah wants to go early, but isn't sure she wants to go THAT early. And then another girl from the ward, Vanessa, needs to get to Rexburg too. So I'll possibly take people, and Deb will take whatever stuff doesn't fit in my car. It'll be easier if I take one person, just so we can fill the ENTIRE back seat, instead of one poor soul getting squished back there. I don't mind, either way, because I'm going to be driving the entire time.

After getting to Rexburg, I'll unpack and get a few things done on campus - like talking to a counselor about what exactly I have left to graduate, getting my student ID, and getting my previous student loans deffered. And then I'm driving to Canada. Yes, you read that right, Canada. I'm daring to set foot in that country once again. If you might recall, a boy named Aaron lives there, in Calgary. I wouldn't just up and decide to spend another ten hours in the car on a whim, especially when Tawnia is six hours closer, but Aaron is getting baptized! When the missionaries originally asked him to do it, they said the 30th of August, but I mentioned that if he waited just one week, I could work it out and be there. If I hadn't been able to be there, well, I would have been sad to miss it, but he would still be getting baptized. Hooray! So I'm driving up there Wednesday, and spending the rest of the week with him. The big day for him is Saturday, with the confirmation on Sunday (since that's what they do these days, right?), and then I'll drive home immediately after sacrament meeting, to make it back to Rexburg in time to crash out in bed, and go to my first day of classes the next morning. And, of course, Monday is my long day. It'll be worth it though.

And, to state it officially I guess, Aaron is my boyfriend. I know I know, ANOTHER long distance relationship, ANOTHER Canadian. It isn't like I do this on purpose! But he's wonderful, and I love him, and he loves me. And he's a heck of a lot better than the previous Canadians. Promise.

huh

The posts Tawnia and I put up on Monday relatively early in the day haven't even gotten comments, let alone actually starting a conversation here. That's really disappointing.

Pictures from my beach trip are now on my personal blog.

My Letter to Clarissa

I figured that I would post this so you can all read it. In our Sunday School lesson yesterday on Alma 36-39. One of the "goals" of the lesson was to help the class members understand how to teach and give advice to their children. Since none of us are parents the teacher talked about how we could give advice to our co-workers and siblings. We talked a lot about being good examples and bearing testimony. Anyway, here is my letter to Clarissa.

August 18, 2008

Dear Sis,

It has been an interesting month so far. I have found that I have had a lot of opportunities for service that happened because I was put in the right place at the right time.

First, my friend's mom (Enid) has been having some pretty major health issues. She has been diagnosed with Uterine Cancer and also has diabetes and has had some issues with her heart. She is currently on welfare and medicare and is financially in trouble. This summer my job has been pretty relaxed as far as hours go. Basically, I can go in when I want to and leave when I want to. That has been really nice because Enid has often needed rides either to Wal-Mart or to the Doctor. I have been able to help her out a lot. This last time she tried to take me to lunch afterwards, but, since I was driving, she didn't get to. She always tells me how wonderful I am and what a difference it makes, but all I can think is... "If I didn't do this for you, who would?" Yeah other people can drive, but I have the time and the means, so I do it.

Second, my school just moved to a new building. This has been quite the headache and hectic summer for several people, which is why we are waiting to start until September 2nd, instead of starting on August 18th (as in TODAY) like so many other people that I know. Anyway, the point of my bringing this up is because my ward had the opportunity (because I arranged it) to go over and sort the library books as a service project. It was a good project that saved the school about 20 hours of work. I would not have had that opportunity if I didn't work there. And also, because of this service project a few people have approached me about wanting to come to the school and read to the kids.

Third, As I mentioned briefly at the end of my last letter I may have broken my toe. It was a week ago and all I did was catch my pinkie toe on the corner of my bed as I was stepping... the pinkie toe got wrenched to the side as the rest of my foot continued forward. I would insert a picture, but it's pretty nasty looking. Anyway, this last week, Wednesday through Friday, was our ward camp-out. I wasn't going to let a little broken toe stop me from attending, so I was still there. It was mostly okay, but walking to and from the lake wasn't the greatest. At one point I was in a bit of pain and this girl, Stacy, was kind enough to get me some ice to put on it. The next day I decided that I had had enough of the boat and being in the sun (I had also sun burnt my eyes... weird, I know.) and so I stayed at the campground instead of going to the lake. After taking a shower... which was miraculously warm (I'd showered there the day before and it was freezing cold)... I went into the bathroom to primp. Stacy happened to be in there doing the same thing and I could tell that she was a bit down. We started talking and talking and talking. Yeah, it turns out that she gets down for basically the same reasons I do, ie not fitting in, not dating, etc. We ended up hanging out in my tent and playing a Disney Trivia game and talking for about three hours. All I could think afterwards was that I had sunburned my eyes and decided to stay in camp for a reason, so I could be there for her.

The Lord definitely does work in mysterious ways. He gives us experiences not always for ourselves, but often for others. I was feeling bummed and not very pretty and unable to go on the boat when there was Stacy needing a friend. I want to be married and yet, the majority of the people that I give service to... I never would have met if I were married. I have to be grateful for the opportunities that I have been given to serve and realize that it's not always about me.

I found the FHE Calendar that Trina made for 2007 today and read the quote for this week. It says:
"True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a secure ascent in the journey of life. That takes effort. While there is no guarantee of overnight results, there is the assurance that, in the Lord's time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and happiness will be yours. ... Peace and happiness are the precious fruits of a righteous life. They are only possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ." -- Elder Richard G. Scott
The line that sticks out to me the mast is "That takes effort." You have to try and do the right things you can't just sit back and relax and expect to find peace and happiness. Yeah, this takes WORK!

So as I was telling my roommate about my toe she mentioned an acronym for how to take care of it. It's RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. I was thinking about how we could change that acronym to apply to missionary work and life in general and this is what I came up with. R - research, read, reach... Research = reading the scriptures and praying, Read the scriptures, Reach out to others. I - Impressions, Inspiration. We need to be watching and listening for the impressions and inspiration we get and then following through on it. C - Compassion, Commitment, Concentration. Compassion for those around you, Commitment to the cause you are working towards. Concentration or focus on the task at hand, instead of letting yourself get distracted. E - Endure Enthusiastically. Yes, you need to endure to the end, but do it with enthusiasm and energy. Don't let yourself get down (something I need to work on).

I also mentioned about finishing the Book of Mormon recently and I have decided what I'm going to do as I read it this next time. I have one of those blue copies (you know, the kind you hand out) and a red colored pencil. Every time I come to a promise I am going to hi-light it. Just in the introduction I've hi-lighted three different promises. The last two paragraphs of the intro are completely hi-lighted. There are such amazing promises for just reading this book, pondering it, and asking if it is true. The other promise I have hi-lighted is in Alma 36:3, which is what our Sunday School lesson was on yesterday... well, it was on Alma 36-39, but you get the idea. The promise says, "...whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." That's an awesome promise and then Alma bears testimony about how he knows this.

Our Sunday School teacher then talked about testimonies. He talked about his conversion story (even though he was raised in the church... aren't we all converts?) He read a portion of the section on testimony in "True to the Faith." One of the points he made was that "Your testimony will grow gradually through your experiences. No one receives a complete testimony all at once." It's like that song in Saturday's Warrior... line upon line, precept on precept. The important part is that you keep trying.

The other scripture that stood out in this lesson is one of my favorites, Alma 37: 6-7. "...behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." Which brings me back to the service that I did. Those were small and simple things in my mind. Sorting library books doesn't take a lot of intelligence. Driving to pick someone up is not a big deal. Playing Disney Trivia and talking, also, something small and simple. Yet, these things are huge. I remember one time while I was at Ricks. I was feeling like no one really knew me and I was, well, I was homesick. And I remember walking into my dorm courtyard and passing someone. That girl looked at me, smiled, and said, "Hi, Tawnia!" And then she continued on her way. It had a huge impact (I don't remember who it was, but I still remember the incident) because she knew my name. That was huge! And yet it was such a small thing.

Clarissa, while you are on your mission you are going to have many, many opportunities to do service. Some of those opportunities will not result in the person gaining a testimony of the gospel, but you may just be planting the seeds that will be harvested in years to come. On the other hand, you may get to harvest some of the seeds that others have planted. Either way, you are on the Lord's errand, doing His work. It's not about you right now. And, honestly, I think most of life is not about "me" or "you." It's about helping each other.

I am glad to hear that you are learning to appreciate your family more while you are on your mission and that you miss us, but now is not the time for you to be worrying about us. Yes, write us letters and let us know how you feel and how the work is going, but focus on the task at hand. Remember to get your RICE. Take the opportunities to serve, no matter how small. You never know what a difference you will make in someone's life. Take the time to strengthen your testimony and remember who's work you are doing.

Be Good. Be Nice.
Love you, Miss you, So Proud.
Tawnia

blog FHE

Wow, this place is dead! What's the deal? Is no one doing anything interesting? At all? Since everyone seems to have an utterly boring life and nothing to share, here's a conversation starter and a blog FHE all in one! Yay!

A couple of weeks ago, I read an article in the June 2008 Ensign called Making Time to be Holy - here so you can read it without having to find that issue. Last week in sacrament meeting, the special music was an arrangement of the hymn More Holiness Give Me. Yesterday in sacrament meeting, all of the talks were about serving in the temple and attending as frequently as possible. The Ensign article keeps coming to mind.

Here are my thoughts on the points of the article:

The issue of "not enough time" - DC is a work-aholic city. If you don't work 12-hour days on a regular basis (particularly if you're an attorney), you're weird and you must not be doing your job properly. Being a stay-home mom is of course all-consuming. It goes back to the title of the article - you have to make time to read your scriptures, pray, attend the temple, etc. like you make time to eat and brush your teeth.

Distractions - The article mentions things like music or TV. Even if you're not watching bad things, it's still time that could be spent on better and more uplifting things. For me, this one is about computer time. Am I using computer time effectively on journal/personal history projects and communicating with family and friends (via blogs or email), or am I just surfing around reading things that are entertaining but have no real value. That's not to say that I can't ever spend any time on entertainment, but if I reach at least a daily minimum of writing time or reading or whatever, then the entertainment is more easily justified to me.

That paragraph is pretty rambly. I hope you at least get the point, even if I did write it poorly.

Sanctification - Becoming holy is another term for becoming sanctified in the Lord.

• Exercise faith - try to become more like the Savior in thoughts and actions. Do and be what you say you believe.
  
• Scriptures and prayer - pondering is a big factor here, and something I'm trying to do more. It's hard to really clear my mind and think about things with the kids constantly yanking on me. I can't even type this post without Summer literally climbing all over the computer chair and shoving things at me, saying "READ!" or "Look, Mommy!" (I've been working on this post off and on for over 4 hours now.) So anyway, I'm trying to figure out when/how I can ponder better.
  
• Sacrifice - give up worldly things. All that internet entertainment, perhaps?
  
• Obedience - something I'm reminded of on a regular basis is, when the Lord tells you to do something specific, you should just do it so that you can receive more direction and revelation. He's not going to give you more if you haven't done what He already told you.
  
• Apply the Atonement - We are saved by grace after all we can do ... (2Nephi 25) Nobody's perfect no matter how hard we try, and the Atonement makes up the difference. In the end, that's what everything comes down to.
  

These things seem like no-brainers, but the reminder of the article was very good for me at this time in my life. Yes, I still need to do A LOT of work with the basics, and I'm trying to take things up a level and actually advance spiritually instead of sitting stagnant in a rut.

Any thoughts and/or comments?

A couple of things to wrap up -

1 - Who is going to do next week's blog FHE lesson? Scriptures, an Ensign article, something you heard at church recently, a General Conference talk, whatever.
2 - Mom, I will print out this post and mail it to Clarissa. After this, can you please be in charge of making sure it gets sent, either doing it yourself or making sure the lesson person takes care of it? Thanks!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ERIC AND LAUREL!!!

I figured I better post something since no one else had. Sure Love ya!

happy happy

Happy birthday, Bryan!

We hope you have fun in 1st grade this year!
Love, Summer and Marnie (and Aunt Trina and Uncle Adam)

Christmas already?!?

Heck, I don't even know what I'm going to be doing in September.

What happened to Thanksgiving?

or even Labor Day and Halloween for that matter? For Labor day I kind of want to go to the coast again. Last year we saw whales. I also kind of don't want to go in case I don't see any whales. I don't want to be disappointed. For Halloween these past couple of years we've been going out to Robin Wirfs. We might do that again, but it is tough with Joshua and his bedtime. Thanksgiving and Christmas ... I am not sure where we will end up. I will post nothing about where we are thinking we are going to be because I don't want people to come back to this post and use it against me. Pretty much I don't know.

Don't forget the Olympics start tomorrow.

responding to Tawnia's post

Here I am, so nyah! And pfff!! that Amanda is the only person who has expressed interest in seeing you for the holidays. We talked about your Christmas plans a long time ago and you said that you wanted to stay in Oregon this year since you weren't at home last year. So therefore, I invited someone else to join us for Christmas (one of Adam's sisters) because I didn't know you wanted it as an option. So there!

I thought the gift exchange last year went well and I was going to bring it up again, but not for another couple of months. I'd also like to do the book exchange with the grandkids again, if that's okay with Eric, Jared, and Nathan. I liked having the girls exchange gifts with their cousins - it helps make them a little more real to each other when they literally go for years without seeing each other.

Anything else?

Christmas Plans

What are everyone's plans for Christmas? I don't know where I'm going. So far the only person that has expressed any interest in seeing me for any holiday is Amanda.

Are we going to do some kind of gift exchange again this year? Are we going to theme it again?

Is anyone going to respond to this post?

Clarissa's Letter

I hope all of you were able to read Clarissa's letter from last week. She said she would send one for this week but it didn't come on Monday so I wondered what had happened. Finally on Friday it arrived via snail mail and it's now posted on her page. Thought you would all like to know.

Love ya,
MOM

New Pictures!

Hi everybody! At long last, I've updated the picture pages for Stevie and Allie. They sure are growing up fast.

I'm going to see the new Batman movie with a friend now, and Laurel is sewing bean bags for the nursery.

I hope everyone is doing well, especially Adam. To help you feel better Adam, just know that Laurel's little brother Anthon fell off a roof and had to have his spleen removed.

Love,

Eric