Family Home Evening

We have come to really look forward to Monday nights and Family Home Evening! Maddie and William have their "Family Home Evening" seats (they sit in the same place each week). And they both really enjoy the lesson and activity. For me, the best is when one of the children give the lesson-especially Maddie. She is really good at it!

Last week, Maddie gave our lesson about Easter and resurrection. She taught the lesson with the plastic eggs each one containing something regarding the crucifixtion and resurrection of Christ-the last egg is empty representing the empty tomb. Each egg also contained a scripture which we all took turns reading, even William. William loved this lesson and it was perfect for him. He was very curious about the death and resurrection of Jesus. And we could feel the spirit so strong...we took the opportunity to bear our testimonies. William bore a sweet and simple testimony of Jesus and our prophet. And Maddie shared her sweet testimony too. Maddie is at the age where she can truly bear her testimony herself and I can feel that she knows what she is saying is real and that she believes. My heart swells as her mother to know that she has a testimony and that she loves Jesus. What more could I desire as a parent?

I normally don't take pictures during FHE, but these were too sweet to pass up!

The object lesson

Easter!

This Easter came and went so quickly! I can't believe there's a week left of March and Easter is already come and gone!

Did you know that the earliest Easter can ever be is March 22nd! The last time Easter was this early was 1913 and it won't be this early again until around 2116! Just some interesting facts we learned in Sunday School yesterday! And I never knew how the date of Easter is set: Easter is on the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (closest Sunday).

Anyway, I spoke in Sacrament Meeting yesterday and I am so glad it's over. But to be honest, it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating (and I actually spoke for 14 minutes!-the longest I've ever given a talk for.) I guess I'm maturing! :) Grandma and Grandpa came (because of Easter) and they sat with Maddie and Will. Well, they sat with Maddie anyway...during the Sacrament, Will drank from the water cup and as he was putting it away, he dripped some water from the cup (he hadn't drank every last drop), and it dripped into some other cups. Maddie made a big deal of it and made Will feel bad...he started crying (loud) and Grandma tried to take him out. But he hooked his foot on the pew and was crying out that he didn't want to be taken out. I motioned for him to come and sit with me (I was on the stand just about to give my talk). He came up and sat with me and then went and sat with a friend. All is well that ends well and to repeat...I am so glad it's over!

After church we had an Easter Egg hunt and ate a very yummy dinner of Honey Baked Ham, potato salad, baked beans, green salad, and rolls...followed by

V Chocolate's chocolate dipped strawberries! I am still full!

I love Easter!

In Memory...President Gordon B. Hinckley

June 23, 1910-January 27, 2008

I love to see our prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley! I can't believe how I have grown because of him. He is the most amazing example...Because of him, I study my scriptures and the words of the modern-day prophets and general authorities, wanting to have a deeper understanding of the Gospel. I remember our Book of Mormon challenge a few years ago-I remember how wonderful I felt because I listened to President Hinckley and did as he asked. Whenever I hear him speak, I want to be a better person-he inspires me. Because of him, I want to be kinder and more observant to the needs of those around me, seeing those who are in need of aid. Because of his example of always seeing the good, I too have tried to have more optimism, less fear. Because of the prophet, I have grown closer to Jesus Christ; I know Him better; I have felt His love. Gordon B. Hinckley is a true reflection of our Saviour. I believe he has given me a glimpse of what it would be like if the Saviour were among us today. I will always be grateful for his example.

I wrote these words about a month ago after reading one of President Hinckley's talks. I never posted it, thinking I would finish it later. But now is a perfect time. I can't believe he really has died...I never wanted this day to come, but knew it would-I am sad for me, but so happy for him. What a man of God!

Both Maddie and William could feel the Spirit as we talked about President Hinckley tonight. Especially Maddie...she wrote her feelings here. As a parent, I am grateful my children were able to grow to love President Hinckley and learn from him. I will miss him.

"It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." -Gordon B. Hinckley (from the funeral of wife Marjorie)

Ward Party

The Nativity went great. It was pure chaos all the way up until it started and I was sweating like a pig! A huge thanks to Bianca. She had all the props and helped orchestrate the whole thing-what a pro! I honestly could not have done it without her help. I truly would not have known where to begin. Maddie was the narrator and William was one of the shepherds. You can see him wandering around the stage. I am so glad it's all over!

I spent the day getting ready for the party: setting up at the church-twice, shopping for our Sub for Santa family (that was fun...we went to Target to choose toys and clothes for a family). I was explaining to Maddie that these would be the only things they are receiving for Christmas. She wanted to keep purchasing things for them. She even bought one of the presents with her own money! And then she said "Doesn't Santa go to their house?" I said "Yes." "Then they will be getting other presents." What could I say to that?

Dean picked up all the children in the ward on his trailer. They were soaking wet and frozen by the time they got to the church. The kids love this part of the party. We did it last year too.




These are our friends Matt and Lori . They have twin boys Will's age and another son Maddie's age.

What a Day!

Today was one of those days where you have so much to do, it's hard to know where to start and you wonder if it's really all going to get done (the worst is when it carries into the next day-which mine will!)

I offered to help with the ward party tomorrow night by putting together a live nativity with the primary children. What was I thinking? Of course, I waited until the last minute and have been scrambling around trying to gather children, props and costumes-UGH! So I fretted and stewed all day about this task. I actually woke up wondering how I was going to accomplish this task. I also have to decorate a table and make a salad for the party!

I am decorating a friend's house for the holidays (something I do each year). But it was on the busiest day ever. I went over in the morning to do it, but she wasn't home and had told me she might not be home but the code to her garage was
- - - - . Of course, I forgot it. I tried her on her cell phone, but had to leave a message. I knew I couldn't really go anywhere because I would soon be leaving for Maddie's school program! And also, if she called, I wanted to be able to run right over! She didn't get back to me until it was about time for me to leave for the program-totally my fault. I should have written her garage code down! Anyway, the block of time I had set aside to do this was now gone-YIKES...when was I going to get this done?

Maddie's Winter Program was great! Grandma and Grandpa came to watch. She is so beautiful! Isn't she just wonderful! I love her so much and I am so proud of her.




Mrs Johnson-Maddie's wonderful, amazing teacher!

I brought Maddie home after her program, took her to Activity Days (she didn't want to go, another story,) but went anyway and had a fun time. It was a babysitting activity so Will actually got to go and I had the hour and a half I needed to get Bonita's house done! Yipee for Activity Days! I picked them up at 5:00, ran to Harmons because I had to take rolls to our Neighborhood Christmas Party and also get something for the kids for dinner (chicken drumsticks-YUCK!), then picked up the babysitter, ran in the house, tried to make myself presentable for a party, wrapped the white elephant gifts and ran next door to enjoy myself for a couple of hours! WHEW!

The party was over by 8:30 (the party is getting shorter and shorter each year!) So, since we had a babysitter, Bob and I decided we'd go to a movie and went to see Dan In Real Life. I absolutely cracked up. And Bob was laughing so hard-I rarely hear him laugh like that-(Seinfeld will do it) and it's one of my favorite things about him. He has such a great laugh and when he laughs hard, you know he means it! Go to see that movie-it's great!

reminds me of this below....is this not the funniest thing ever!

I'm going to bed now, knowing I will dream about that darn nativity! HELP ME...I have poop stomach!

Primary Program

Today was the Primary Program. Both Maddie and William had a speaking part and they did great. Maddie had memorized her part and as usual, presented with poise and confidence. However, William was the most entertaining part of the program (according to many witnesses :D). He unzipped and zipped his tie at least 10 times, sucked on it, rolled it up, chewed it, pulled on it, threw it over his shoulder, etc. He knows every word to every song, as evidenced by hiim singing them at home all the time, but he only opened his mouth to sing one time. I must say though, he was not noisy.

It was a great program...it made me miss not being in Primary (but only for a few moments and then the feeling passed).

Pinewood Derby

My very first Pinewood Derby. With my calling as Den Leader of the Wolves, I get to go to fun events like this. Two of the boys from our den (Wolves) had two of the four fastest cars! Pretty Exciting!...I hope this is one of my last Pinewood Derbys until William turns 8 :D!

I love General Conference!

I took some time yesterday and rewatched some of the talks again from General Conference. I love General Conference so much...and not just because I don't have to get the kids ready and go to church, although that is nice too. The talks are so uplifting and inspiring. After listening, they make me want to be a better person and be more obedient. I am so happy I have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for a living prophet who teaches me and leads me. I love President Hinckley and I wish he would live forever!

One of my favorite talks was by Elder Spencer J. Condie. He talked about the generous and wonderful blessings the Lord has promised us when we do what He says.

In these latter days, the Lord revealed that “when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C 130:21). The Lord makes generous promises, and He certifies that He will not vary from these promises, for, said He, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10).

The Lord’s countless exceeding great and precious promises include forgiveness of our sins when we “confess them and forsake them” (D&C 58:43; see also D&C 1:32). Opening the windows of heaven is a promise claimed by those who pay a faithful tithe (see Malachi 3:10), and finding “great treasures of knowledge” accrues to those who observe the Word of Wisdom (D&C 89:19).

Becoming unspotted from the world is a promise to those who keep the Sabbath holy (see D&C 59:9; Exodus 31:13). Divine guidance and inspiration are promised to those who “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3) and who “liken all scriptures” unto themselves (1 Nephi 19:23).

The Lord also promised that “whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you” (3 Nephi 18:20). We are promised that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion when we “let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly” (see D&C 121:45–46). We can claim the spiritually liberating promise of fasting, which will “loose the bands of wickedness,” undo our “heavy burdens,” and “break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6).

Those who are sealed in holy temples and who faithfully keep their covenants will receive God’s glory, which “shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever” (D&C 132:19).

Sometimes, in our earthly impatience, we may lose sight of the Lord’s precious promises and disconnect our obedience from the fulfillment of these promises. The Lord has declared:

“Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?

“I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing.

“Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above” (D&C 58:31–33).

Elder Condie then recounts the story of Isaac's son Jacob and his marriage to Rachel. Rachel so desperately wanted children and thought that God had forgotten His promise to her that her seed would be multiplied. But the Lord is "long-suffering" toward us. He does not forget. And then my favorite part: "And God Remembered Rachel" (Genesis 30:22). Elder Condie ends with: "When heaven’s promises sometimes seem afar off, I pray that each of us will embrace these exceeding great and precious promises and never let go. And just as God remembered Rachel, God will remember you."

I have at times in my life felt like the Lord had temporarily forgotten about me, but it was not His forgetting, it was mine. I must do my part to claim the promises and blessings He will bestow.

Sunday Best!

William finally owns some actual "church" clothes and was he ever excited to wear them...
"I look just like Daddy!" And the weather had cooled off so Maddie got to wear her new "Fall" dress and tights. They both looked so nice. Will looks like a little missionary and Maddie a fashionista!