"Quiet! I Need to Toot!"

 I have a problem.  I rename things.  I don't know why I do it, but I give things new names (I do the same with people, but that's another story for another day.)  For instance, I call this:

THE PUNCHER.  

My kids grew up thinking that was it's real name.  I've always called it the puncher. 

 I call this:

a BANGER.  

Just seems like that should be it's name to me. 

 And I call this:

a TOOTER.

I lead a women's singing group called "Keynotes"   The other day at rehearsal, I had a bit of a problem with my renaming. ( I'll bet you can see where this is going. )  Everyone was chatting and it was time for us to start singing one of our acapella numbers- so time for me to give the pitch.  I shouted out, "Quiet!  I need to toot!"  It got quiet alright!

I think, from now on, I'm calling it a pitchpipe.

The Project

What?  A craft project on my blog?   I know, it doesn't happen very often, since I'm not much of a crafter.  But since they have all opened them and are using them with their children, I can share with you "the project" I worked many hours on this fall.  When my children were little, I made one of these nativity advent calendars.  They grew up doing it every year, taking the different players in the important nativity story out of the pockets each day.  I found out how much it meant to them when they all came for Christmas last year and the number one request was that I have my calendar out for their kids to do it.  I determined then that I would make one for each of them for Christmas this year.  It was so fun to make each little figure and think about each of my grandchildren how they would enjoy what their moms had enjoyed when they were little.  I hope it helps them to feel the true spirit of Christmas in their homes.

Michelle wrote a guest post on a Mommy blog about this tradition.

The Happiness Project

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


My daughters and I read this book for our online book club. I think it generated the best discussion we've had on any of the books we've read. The book is the report of the author's research and year-long experiment in improving her personal happiness. It is full of great quotes and research on the subject. It prompted all of us to set goals and improve the happiness in our lives, so it was definitely good. But, I kept wanting to share with Mrs. Rubin the real keys to happiness. She almost gets it, but not quite. She put her children in day care so she could write about happiness. Something is wrong with this picture! She's climbing the ladder of happiness, but when she gets to the top, she may find that her ladder is leaning against the wrong wall!   But, as I said, there is much good in the book and much food for thought.



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Thanksgiving at Our House

We had Thanksgiving just alone at our house this year.  I was pretty depressed thinking about it before, but it turned out to be a very happy and wonderful Thanksgiving.   There was delicious food, of course:

And we even got the Christmas decorating all done!

Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?

We enjoyed skype calls from all the kids in the afternoon, so it almost felt like we were together.  

It was a wonderful thanksgiving, as we have so much for which to be grateful!

Jesus, the Christ

Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My husband and I finished reading this book together about a month ago. I’ve tried many times to write a review of it’s 700+pages, plus extensive footnotes. I had read it once before. We weren’t exactly on the fast track in reading it as it took us about 1 ½ years to read all 700+ pages, including every footnote. How does one review a book of this magnitude and content? It’s impossible. At least I’m finding it to be impossible. I’ve come to the conclusion that only a slick, on the surface review will have to suffice. I hope it’s enough to entice you to read the book in it’s entirety.
I was fascinated to learn that the majority of the book was written inside the Salt Lake City temple. Elder Talmage was asked to write the book by the first presidency of the church. He had been lecturing and teaching about the Savior, and he was asked to write it in book form. He was later called to be an apostle. After his call, he found it nearly impossible to write as he had so many duties. So he was given a room in the temple to work on the project. At the book’s completion, he read the book in it’s entirety to the first presidency in many sessions. Much of it was discussed by the group. To me, this makes it a companion to the scriptures.
I am grateful for this comprehensive work on the life of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I think that part of James Talmage’s life mission was to use his magnificent mind and organization skills and testimony to give to all of us a greater understanding of Jesus, the Christ. I am grateful he fulfilled that mission.




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Kolob Arch Hike

A couple of weeks ago, our nephews: Brett (and son, Nathan), Bryan and Mark invited Ken and his brother, Don to join them in their backpack trip to the Kolob Arch.  Kolob Arch is the world's 2nd largest arch and is located in Zion's National Park.  They left on Friday evening and hiked about five miles to a campsite where they spent a cold night.  The next day, Melanie and a friend joined them, and they hiked another several miles into the arch.  The company was great,

 And the scenery spectacular!

 The arch

The Garden is Gone

With an overnight freeze looming, we had our last picking from the garden, and, sure enough, it is frozen now.  Our garden has been good to us this year.  We've had an abundance of green peppers, and I have a freezer full  of quart bags of chopped green peppers to prove it.   We had tomatoes to the end, but the real surprise was the squash.  We had yellow summer squash until just a few weeks ago, and zucchini to the bitter end.  Never before have we had zucchini in November.  That's thanks to a magic formula that Ken's brother Don shared with him to kill squash bugs.  It truly was magic.  So,  it's over for now.  The neighbors will be glad that we will no longer be tormenting them with our offerings . . . at least until next summer!

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

As I always do, I just compiled the list of "to dos" given by our prophet in the October, 2012 conference.  I read the talks, looking for directives.  Sometimes he's quite direct, but usually it starts with  "I urge. . . " or "Let us . . ."  or "May you or your . .  "   I don't claim this to be a "perfect list" or that it includes everything we need to do.  It's just my best attempt at gleaning from his talks the things we need to be working on.  I give this as a visiting teaching handout.  I'm grateful for a prophet!

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

Saturday Morning Session- Welcome to Conference

Missionary age changed for young men to 18 and for young women to 19.  “We encourage ALL young men who are worthy and who are physically able and mentally capable to respond to the call to serve.”

“We continue to need many more senior couples.  As your circumstances allow, as you are eligible for retirement, and as your health permits, I encourage you to make yourselves available for full-time missionary service.”

Listen attentively to the messages.  Feel the spirit of the Lord and gain the knowledge He would desire for us.

Priesthood Session-See Others As They May Become

If you feel that you do not yet have the depth of testimony you would wish, I admonish you to work to achieve such a testimony.  If it is strong and deep, labor to keep it that way.

A woman needs to be told she is beautiful.  She needs to be told she is valued.  She needs to be told she is worthwhile.

Men need to be told they are capable and worthwhile.  They need to be given a chance to serve.   It is our responsibility to give them opportunities to live as they should.  We can help them to overcome their shortcomings.  We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ.

He said this three times!- almost word for word!  The last time he added, “I would plead with you to think of them this way.”

We must have “courage to turn our backs on temptation, courage to lift up our voices in testimony to all whom we meet, remembering that everyone must have an opportunity to hear the message.”

Our watchword today: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you;  and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”  Quoted Joseph Smith:  “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.”

“I pray that we will have the courage to extend the hand of fellowship, the tenacity to try and try again, and the humility needed to seek guidance from our Father as we fulfill our mandate to share the gospel.  The responsibility is upon us.”

Sunday Morning Session- Consider the Blessings

Take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings.

Pay heed to the guidance of the spirit; Never postpone a prompting

Be aware of the blessings in our lives

Sunday Afternoon Session- God Be With You Till We Meet Again

I encourage you to read the talks once again and to ponder the messages contained therein.  Study them in greater depth.

Watch over one another, assist in time of need.

Don’t be critical and judgmental; Be tolerant, emulating the Savior’s example of loving-kindness.

Willingly serve one another.  Pray for the inspiration to know of the needs of those around us; Go forward and provide assistance

Be of good cheer

Show our gratitude to the Savior by accepting His sacrifice and living lives that will qualify us to live with Him. 

April, 2012 Conference Report

April, 2012 Conference Report

 For the full six months after receiving the conference issues, I read and study the talks.  I look up every reference.  Why?  you ask.  These quotes from April, 2012 suggest reasons why:  

“We meet each six months to strengthen one another, to extend encouragement, to provide comfort, to build faith.  We are here to learn.  Some of you may be seeking answers to questions and challenges you are experiencing in your life.  Some are struggling with disappointments or losses.  Each can be enlightened and uplifted and comforted as the Spirit of the Lord is felt.

   Should there be changes that need to be made in your life, may you find the incentive and the courage to do so as you listen to the inspired words which will be spoken.”  These are President Monson’s words as he opened the conference.    They expressed the need we have for General Conference in our lives.  President Eyering reminded us that the Holy Ghost will help us as we listen to and study the conference talks:

“The Holy Ghost has confirmed truth in this conference and will again as you seek it, as you listen, and as you later study the messages of the Lord’s authorized servants who are here.”President Eyering

President Uchtdorf told us exactly how to apply the teachings we hear at general conference and closed with a powerful promise if we will do so:  “ I invite you to consider the words spoken by the servants of God this weekend.  Then get on your knees.  Ask God, our Heavenly Father, to enlighten your mind and touch your heart.  Plead with God for guidance in your daily lives, in your Church responsibilities, and in your specific challenges at this time.  Follow the promptings of the Spirit.  Do not delay.  If you do all this, I promise that the Lord will not leave you to walk alone.” 

Elder Christofferson  taught that what the apostles say at conference is scripture and should be studied and heeded as such, especially the words of the President of the church.  He quoted J. Reuben Clark:  “We should bear in mind that some of the General Authorities have had assigned to them a special calling: they possess a special gift: they are sustained as prophets, seers and revelators, which gives them a special spiritual endowment in connection with their teaching of the people.  They have the right, the power, and authority to declare the mind and will of God to his people, subject to the overall power and authority of the President of the Church.  Others of the General Authorities are not given this special spiritual endowment and authority covering their teaching:  They have a resulting limitation, and resulting limitation upon their power and authority in teaching applies to every other officer and member of the Church, for none of them is spiritually endowed as a prophet, see, and revelator.  Furthermore, as just indicated, the President of the Church has a further and special spiritual endowment in this respect, for he is the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator for the whole Church.”

Theme

I thought that last conference’s  theme (October, 2011) was  “War against evil.”

This conference, I thought the underlying theme was to give hope to single parents, or part-member families.   Five of the speakers mentioned they were from single parent , part-member families, or  families with a less active father ; three of them apostles:

President Boyd K. Packer, Elder David S. Baxter was raised by a single mother, Elder David A. Bednar raised in a part member home, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder O. Vincent Haleck of the 70, Father not a member.

A great thought from this conference I want to remember:  A Christian minister asked President Gordon B. Hinckley why the temple didn’t contain any representation of the cross, the most common symbol of the Christian faith.  President Hinckley replied that the symbols of OUR Christian faith are the lives of our people.

Favorites:

Loved Elder Holland’s talk on “The Laborers in the Vineyard”  about rejoicing in one another’s good fortune, and not being jealous.  “Envy is a mistake that keeps on giving.”

Loved Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk on "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life."  In it, he teaches us how to learn for the scriptures and receive and recognize revelation.  My fondest desire is to have the spirit with me always.  This a great resource on the “how to” of making that happen. 

President Uchtdorf’s “Stop it” talk.   “When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it!” “ Remember, heaven is filled with those that have this in common:  They are forgiven.  And they forgave.”

In most conferences, there is at least one powerful talk on parenting.  Elder Larry Y. Wilson of the Seventy gave an amazing guide to parenting.  It reflects my personal parenting philosophy and I encourage ALL parents to read and study it.  (I have a feeling that my next conference report will have many such references, as it seems that October’s conference had a theme of family.)

Sister Beck and the general Relief Society presidency were released in this conference.  It seems Sister Beck’s theme in her tenure was “Relief society, relief society, relief society.”  I wonder if this quote from President Kimball was her inspiration, “There is a power in this organization that has not yet been fully exercised to strengthen the homes of Zion and build the Kingdom of God- nor will it until both the sisters and the priesthood catch the vision of Relief Society.”

I do have to admit, it was refreshing to attend this year’s Relief Society general meeting and have the theme and message be a little more Christ –centered. 

Tally of Resources quoted or referenced:

New Testament: Most with 138 (usually the Book of Mormon has the most.  This is due, in large part, to Elder Anderson who quoted the New Testament 27 times)

Book of Mormon: 133

Apostles: 119

D & C: 100

Old Testament: 36

Literature: 23

Hymns: 14

Elder Russell M. Nelson had the most references with 59.  At age 89, he continues to amaze me with his powerful addresses that are so scripture-based.  The footnotes are a whole additional sermon and always take me awhile to study!

Scriptures referred to most often:

John 13-35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have^alove one to another

2 Nephi 2:11 For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

D& C: 18:10  Remember the ^aworth of ^bsouls is great in the sight of God;

 68: 25-28  25 And again, inasmuch as ^aparents have children in Zion, or in any of her ^bstakes which are organized, that ^cteach them not to understand the ^ddoctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when ^eeight years old, the ^fsin be upon the heads of the parents.

 26 For this shall be a law unto the ^ainhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.

 27 And their children shall be ^abaptized for the ^bremission of their sins when ^ceight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.

 28 And they shall also ^ateach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.

88: 118   And as all have not ^afaith, seek ye diligently and ^bteach one another words of ^cwisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best ^dbookswords of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.

115:5  Verily I say unto you all: ^aArise and shine forth, that thy ^blightmay be a ^cstandard for the ^dnations;

121:37  That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to ^acover our ^bsins, or to gratify our ^cpride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or ^ddominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens ^ewithdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

Moses 1:39   (continues to be the most-often quoted/ referenced scripture at general conference)  For behold, this is my ^awork and my ^bglory—to bring to pass the ^cimmortality and ^deternal ^elife of man.

Conclusion:

I think a good conclusion is this quote from Elder Neil L. Andersen:

Elder Neil Andersen:  “As we have listened during the past two days, praying for spiritual guidance, and as we study and pray about these messages in the days ahead, the Lord blesses us with customized direction through the gift of the Holy Ghost.” 

Studying the conference talks is a blessing in my life.    

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Guess Who Voted For the First Time Today?

Congratulations to one of The United States of America's newest citizens:  Kristen's husband, Jared.  In a naturalization ceremony in Madison last week, Jared was made a citizen.  He was highly motivated to do it now so that he could vote in today's election.   Wisconsin is one of those states that can go either way, so his vote may really count.   Anyway, we're very happy for Jared and their family.  Kristen said the ceremony was very moving.  They hired a babysitter to come with them so that she could  take the children out, if needed, but the kids were wonderful and no one had to go out, so they got to see their dad take the oath of allegiance.  Very cool.   

Congratulations, Jared!  

"And I ha-alped!"

If you're old- like me- you may remember a popular commercial for "Shake and Bake" in the 70's.  There were several versions, but one showed a little girl helping her Grandma make southern fried chicken.  But instead of frying it, they used Shake and Bake.  "I shaked and grandma baked."  It then shows the family enjoying the chicken and the little girl revealing,  it's not fried, but shake and baked. And it ends with her saying, in her southern drawl, "And I ha-alped!"  Well, now I can say, "And I ha-alped!"  But not with chicken; with indexing.
  Last month, I started doing family search indexing for the church.  I find it quite fun and rewarding.   I'm still a beginner.  I've only done about 1,000 names.  But I feel like I'm doing something important. Ken went to Stake presidency meeting on Tuesday and came home to report that our stake was fourth in indexing in the whole world a couple of weeks ago.  A stake in Lethbridge, Canada did 196,000 names in one week(they were challenged by their stake president!)  They were 1st place.  2nd was the Kaysville West Stake with 29,000.  A stake in California did 28,000, and then our stake - the Bloomington Hills Stake- did over 27,000 names.  Fourth in the whole world!  And I haa-alped!   If you want to help go to
https://familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing.  It is easy and fun and satisfying.  If I can do it, anybody can do it!  Then YOU can say  "And I ha-alped!"

P.S.  I spent way too much time trying to find that commercial, so I could post it here.  I did find it on youtube in a collection of 70's commercials, but not separately.  You can find it here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWbGbeiSik   It's at minute 5:51.

". . . Just For Tonight."

"Backward, turn backward,

Oh time in your flight,

Make me a child again, 

Just for tonight."

Caleb: Captain Hook

Lily: Tinkerbell

Nathan: Farmer Boy

Brielle: Laura

Jacob:  Dog turned pumpkin (this picture taken during the  transformation)

Gabriella: Belle

Jaron: Skeleton

Top That, Hawaii!

Our House All Spruced Up

After 27 years, our garage and front porch needed a makeover.  We had a guy come and epoxy paint both.  We finally are back open for business after a two week project!  Yea!  

It was great to get the garage cleaned out.  Ken took a carload of stuff to DI this morning.  

Our flowers are always prettiest in the fall after things cool down a bit.

Ken even did a makeover on the bench.  He repainted it.

Ken also sanded and painted our back deck railing, and, as I write this, he's outside washing the windows.  The outside of our house is all spruced up.  Now it's time to start on the insides!

Forget Yourself and Go to Work

I'm sure you know the source of this mantra.  It's what Gordon B. Hinckley's father wrote to him when he was discouraged on his mission. It's a great mantra for missionaries, but it applies in many other situations as well.  I think it's very applicable to women and girls.  In November, 2005 conference, then General Young Women President, Susan Tanner gave a great talk that inspired me so much . I still remember the advice given- advice she'd received from her mother.  Here are here words: 

"I remember well the insecurities I felt as a teenager with a bad case of acne. I tried to care for my skin properly. My parents helped me get medical attention. For years I even went without eating chocolate and all the greasy fast foods around which teens often socialize, but with no obvious healing consequences. It was difficult for me at that time to fully appreciate this body which was giving me so much grief. But my good mother taught me a higher law. Over and over she said to me, “You must do everything you can to make your appearance pleasing, but the minute you walk out the door, forget yourself and start concentrating on others.”There it was. She was teaching me the Christlike principle of selflessness. Charity, or the pure love of Christ, “envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own” (Moro. 7:45). When we become other-oriented, or selfless, we develop an inner beauty of spirit that glows in our outward appearance. This is how we make ourselves in the Lord’s image rather than the world’s and receive His image in our countenances."

I love that!  Make yourself look as nice as you can, but as soon as you walk out the door, forget yourself . . . and go to work.  Go to work helping others and tuning into them and their needs.  So there you have another mantra to consider:  "Forget yourself and go to work!"

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