Sweet moments

Most mornings prayer is said pretty quickly right before Hannah and Chris have to rush out the door. One morning this past week, Cael and Bekah were playing in the kids' room while Chris rushed back in with Hannah, said a prayer real quick and then rushed back out. After the door slammed behind them I realized it was really quiet in the bedroom. So I went to check on the two hooligans that were left. Before I even got to the hallway I heard Cael softly saying a prayer. After he finished with saying amen, Bekah said 'thanks Cael for saying a prayer!' And even though they were fighting just five minutes later it still made for a sweet moment that melted my heart.

Bedroom Makeover

Last spring we took on the task of redoing the kids' bedroom. Bekah was moving out of the crib and so we needed a new bunkbed anyways. I figured that made for a good excuse to makeover their bedroom. 

Ikea spice racks made into book shelves

I didn't want to make the room to girly so we painted an accent wall with stripes and one yellow stripe just for Cael

This wall makes me happy. I can't stewing over it for months, rearranging and then rearranging some more. I love how it turn out. 

I'm so impressed with Chris' skills. We decided to go with the smaller ikea mattresses which meant that Chris would have to come up with his own bunkbed plan. I think he did a really amazing job!

Coraline Ruth Johnsen

Latter Day Pioneers in Africa

Several years ago I was asked to give a talk about our Church's pioneers (it was around July 24th). While looking up talks about the topic, I came across several talks about the pioneers in Africa. Their stories, struggles, and faith amazed me. I decided that's what I would talk about in sacrament hoping it wasn't straying to far from what the Bishop wanted... I sometimes have a bad habit with that. Like the time I took up almost a whole sacrament meeting with my rambles. Yup, good times.

Lately I find myself going back to those stories of our African members. I've been reading a lot about how hard it was for blacks not to have the priesthood and not be able to enter the Lord's temples. Like many other members, I still don't understand the reasoning behind it and grimace at the different theories trying to explain why they were denied the Priesthood for so many years. I find peace though in reading both Pres. Kimball's and Pres. Hinckley's testimonies on the subject and what occurred that morning in 1978. I also find peace in the way that those in Africa chose to have faith and keep the work moving forward in hopes that they would one day hold the priesthood. I read an article about Pres. Kimball going to the laying of the corner stones Brazil Temple in 1976. He learned about some of the black members that gave their time and what little money they had to the building of the Lord's Temple even though at that time they wouldn't be able to enter. It broke his heart. He wasn't the first to feel this way. President after President in our church before Kimball's time had prayed for an answer to Blacks having the priesthood. I believe our Prophet hears our concerns. I believe that he takes these concerns to the Lord time and time again. Whenever I think about why something hasn't changed or why our leaders decided to do 'this' instead of 'that' I think of the faithful members in Africa and Brazil. I think about how they still taught others about our Lord and shared the Book of Mormon with excitement and joy. Did they hurt for what they couldn't fully have? Of course! But they continued on. I can only imagine how many fell to their knees each night and brought their desires to the Lord, praying for that day that they could have the priesthood in their homes. What amazes me about these Later Day Saints in Ghana and other areas is that they stayed faithful even when they couldn't have something because of the color of their skin! They did missionary work, set up branches, and meetings when there wasn't a single priesthood holder. I believe that those in Africa had the greatest right to protest and let the Prophet know that they were unhappy with how the Church ran things ... But they didn't. They didn't protest or treat the Lord's Church like a political arena. Before the 1978 revelation took place, referring to the protest occurring in the United States, Pres. Kimball  stated, "These smart members who would force the issue, and there are many of them, cheapen the issue and certainly bring into contempt the sacred principle of revelation and divine authority.” So what did the people in Africa do differently than those protesting at Temple Square? They prepared themselves for the very thing they were being denied. They understood the sacred principle of revelation and the way the Lord works. They waited patently, not by standing idoly but by moving forward in the work.

 The Lord hears our prayers. Sometimes our prayers aren't always answered in the time span that we wish. Sometimes they aren't answered in the way that we want. But that does not mean they go unheard. It does not mean that the Lord's Prophet is unaware of our concerns. I have no doubt that he is very aware of the members of this Church and those that are hurting. He's aware of our desires. With that I find great comfort. I'm thankful that my family and I belong to a Church that is led by a modern day Prophet and that he is in constant communication with our Savior. It gives me great peace to know that revelations will continue and that I need not make my concerns known by protesting but by prayer and faithfulness.

My favorite articles on the topic:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1999/12/steadfast-african-pioneer?lang=eng

http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/sperry-symposium-classics-doctrine-and-covenants/23-official-declaration-2-revelation

http://ldsmag.com/ldsmag/articles/030606hallelujahprint.html

The Herd

What did you do for cow appreciation day? We decided to dress up as cows and head to chick fila for some free food.

Oh the things we'll do for a chick fila sandwich!

Happy Birthday America!

Our celebrations started with the traditional Bethany Parade. I can't believe the first time we came to this parade Hannah was just 20 months old. The trees that now help shade us were just saplings back in the day. This is definitely one tradition (among many others) that I'll miss when our time comes to move. A little touch of nostalgia? Yes, yes it is. 

Our huge group. We extend all the way to the white tent in the background. Invaded by Mormons. 

Some of the kiddos waiting for the parade to start.

Once it did start, we saw a lot of these... I mean a lot. We also so a lot of cars with campaign signs. Chris and I decided we're going to enter our 1982 Tercel hippie car next year with a banner campaigning to legalize pot. Totally kidding. But really what else could we campaign for in that awesome red car of ours?

An actual float! 

After the parade, Chris took the older two to the movies to see 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'. Miss Bekah and I decided a nap sounded good. We were definitely right.

We're keeping it low key this evening. Maybe we'll go see fireworks. Not sure if I can do 10 pm though. I'm am early to bed type of person. But we'll see...

Here's Bekah enjoying a cupcake after a very delicious dinner. According to her the cupcakes are 'yummy in my tummy' good! Oh Bekah, you once again melted my heart...

Happy Eight!

Happy Anniversary to us!! It's hard to believe that it's been almost ten years since our paths crossed, a little over 9 years since our first date, and exactly 8 years ago today since we entered the Logan Temple and we were married for all time and eternity! I swear, it all seems like it was just yesterday and we're still those young 20 something year olds... Thank goodness the wrinkles and screaming kids in the background keep reality in check ;) Love you babe!!!!