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Tyra Baird | Local Coordinator

Phone:  503.593.5054 or 971.204.1513

Email: tbaird@icesusa.org

form for lliam's signature

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Tyra Baird | Local Coordinator

Phone:  503.593.5054 or 971.204.1513

Email: tbaird@icesusa.org

no_subject

http://sunbeam.org.in/gpojq/aisphkiwmgibgcn/neltfwszfc.php

 

Stationery card

All The Laughter Holiday Card

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Stationery card

All The Laughter Holiday Card

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Llaim's baptism invite

You're invited to Lliam Baird's Baptism

 

Aug 25, 2012

10 am

The Sandy, OR building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

 

Please join us for this special occasion

 

(attachment is printable invitation)


 

  

Fashion sense

One of my favorite things about being a mom to little girls is their incredible sense of fashion. Honestly they can pull anything off and everyone compliments them. Children have some much natural confidence and charisma that they can wear whatever they feel like all year long. Whether its swim wear in December with snow boots or this lovely ensemble.

Kids say the funniest things

Nedra (April 29 2012)
Mom: Did you have fun at Bobby's yesterday?
Neddie: yeah we did ...... And we made a number at her house.
Mom: what number did you make?
Neddie: you know how when our room is really messing, you come in and say we've done a number on it.

Etta: dad you balded your head again. (after brig shaves his head)

Neddie and Etta get annoying and ignoring mixed up.
Mom Etta's being really ignoring.
Great why don't you try to annoy her.
I have but she won't go away.

A Funny Story

So I'm entering a contest for funny pregnancy stories and since my original was too long I had to shorten my entry. But I couldn't bear to no have the full story out in the open. I typically don't write stories, but it turned out so perfectly. The long version (here) is so much funnier. I'll let everyone know how the contest goes and if voting is involved. For now I hope this makes you laugh.

As poor newly wed college students our home was a luxurious 1 bedroom basement apartment with no A/c and lots of "quirks." So when summer hit, I sought refuge. Being a full time student I relished the A/C of the campus buildings, choosing my routes to avoid the out doors. But in between my cushy job as the cafeteria cashier (where my co-workers regularly smuggled me my favorite cravings) and classes, I was miserable. I had to find relief.

So one day while shopping at the local Wal-Mart, inspiration struck. A discounted kiddie pool, not the inflatable or hard shell variety but it could hold cool water and we could afford it. So my sympathetic husband purchased the pool and an inflatable inner tube, and we headed home.

It was heaven!

Every day I'd come home from work and school, and put on the most comfortable clothes I had – my husbands gym clothes. I'd blow up my inner tube, grab my homework and a clip board, and waddle outside. I'd remove the tarp off of my haven and lower myself in. After a small struggle with my baby, whose first instinct was to escape the frigid water via my rib cage, he'd resign himself to the change in temperature and my downward shoving. Once adjusted, I'd slip on my inner tube, which wouldn't go past my chest, lean back, the inner tube acting as my stomach muscles since they were shot, and proceed to do my homework.

I would wallow like this until I had to pee or was chattering. My neighbor's husband was greeted from his day at work by the beached whale residing in the backyard and my own husband always knew where to find me after work.

As you can imagine I endured quite a bit of ribbing from the two men, but it was worth every ounce of relief. But these aren't the ones I feel bad for. Behind our house was a 3 story complex of men's only housing. Those boys who ventured to look out their window to spot hot chicks walking to class caught instead the sight of my 7 month pregnant body in school issued gym clothes with unsightly white hairy legs, squeezed into a neon yellow inner tube sprawled out in a kiddie pool.

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Children and Disasters

Last year I was invited to participate in an Emergency Preparedness Expo that our stake and another near by stake were putting together for the community. I was asked to do a booth and a presentation on Children and Disasters. I posted on this in March when the expo occured. Since then I have been invited to participate in 2 more in the Portland area, for which I am super excited. Call me a nerd (cause I already know I am), but I love teaching, and presenting. If I could choose my career (outside of being a mother) I would do public speaking and writing. So in order to give those that I will be presenting to the links and resources that they need I created another blog

Children and Disasters - www.kidsanddisaster.blogspot.com

I'm in the process of posting all the information from my presentations onto the blog for anyone to access. I am really passionate about this topic and loving sharing what I know and learn. In fact I would love to share it with more people, so if anyone is looking to host an expo or simply feels their community needs a little kick in the pants - I'd love to do it.

So I presonally invite you to check out my new blog, like it on facebook, give me some feed back, follow/subscrib and then go get ready for the big one. :)

How firm a foundation

I love that this is one of our children's favorite songs, as it is for brig and I. I often read the words simply because I feel the spirit confirm it's truths and it always breaks through the storms of sadness and discouragement. It's one of only 2 hymns (if I remember correctly) in the hymn book that are written as Christ speaking to us (which means it's also our heavenly father). So as you read imagine them on either side, patting your knee and with an arm around your shoulder - everything will be ok.

How Firm a Foundation
With dignity
1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
2. In ev'ry condition—in sickness, in health,
In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—
As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.
3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
4. When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee, and sanctify to thee,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
5. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
6. E'en down to old age, all my people shall prove
My sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs shall they still, like lambs shall they still,
Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne.
7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!
Text: Attr. to Robert Keen, (Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 85. How Firm a Foundation)

The big 6!

April fools day is no joke in our house, it's a special day. Nedra's birthday! Yesterday she turned 6! She had a great day. We had done a little celebration with my family while they were out last week but it was official b-day. Lots of cousins, and the missionaries (one said the chaos made him feel very at home since he comes from a large family).
She'd been feeling a bit dejected since it wasn't a party year (we only do birthday parties for years 5, 8, 12, 16, and 18 due to their significance). But the Ylfe and grandma saved the day with the best birthday gifts ever!

I've been hacked!

So for any of you who have been on recently you may have discovered some unusual posting. No I am not endorsing anything, I was hacked while camping with family. I have to say it's unnerving and violating! Luckily I found it pretty quickly, oddly I had a better signal camping then at home. So to those who received emails, my apologies, I really hope there weren't any viruses attached. I've done all I can and their gone as far as I can tell, but I feel more paranoid tgen usual. I recommend checking your recent log-in history on a regular basis. I just hope they haven't gotten into much more. Love you all, tyra

Ready to shake!

I've been preparing to do a presentation (and booth) at an emergency preparedness expo next week on children and disasters (they go together like peanut butter and honey). I've realized Our family's ready levels could use a good push. So I explained emergency preparedness to my kids yesterday (again). And we read We Shake in a Quake by Hannah Gelman Givon. We reviewed our 72 hour kits and made a list (3 pgs). Today we went shopping (yes power mom here brings ALL 4 kids with her to the store and errands). We got almost everything (few wish list items and clothes to get but we were "done"). We packed it all while watching Harry potter (perfect book to pack since I could read it over and over and never get bored - kicking myself for not keeping our paper back copies). I now have 3 back packs and a duffle bag ready. Still need polish my organizing and get a few things but we're READY. Now my kids are calling dates for the big earthquake. Lliam put dibs on Easter since when Jesus came the first time the earth got really mad then - I can see the logic, besides I explained that the second coming would be preceding by disasters. Etta claimed tomorrow. They seemed a little crest fallen when I explained it could be years. Sorry to burst your bubble! Those new toys will have to wait. I told Etta if she wanted to play with her girlie Lego set she better start prayin. Consider yourselves warned! Either way we're feeling good.

So I want to extend a challenge - get ready! Have your kits ready by summer (last day of school). Post here when you done or on Facebook and pass the challenge on! Etta's prayin hard so Portland better buckle up :)

Sent from my iPhone

Figgy rocks out with Bella dancerella pop star

Hide and seek bean bag turtle

This is one of my favorite videos and I wish I had longer ones cause I think it's hilarious! Wouldn't it be a great practical joke?!

Sharing my favorite sounds!

Christmas decorations continued

So it's the end of feb but lliam brought home an art piece that I will be adding to my before mention growing homemade holiday decor. Now if you show that post that was a hilarious piece that I thought would be hard to beat. Then I saw this! No it's not photoshop, it construction paper and a photo. His teacher must have a blast doing art projects with him.

I have little girls!

Girls are so different and fun. While lliam's building castles and forts, pretending to be an agent and studying science and revolutionary war and civil war history or target practicing with need guns. My girls are otherwise occupied.
Typical play includes musical practice (at these times I wish I didn't listen to opera because that's obviously what they're aiming for, yet not hitting), ballet practice (this can be a ensemble performance or individual with a choosen "hummer" for the music but lots of clapping for each other), dress up (a friend told me I should go into business selling princess dresses- I have lots of practice), make-over (I thought this stage would come later unfortunately it starts when they discover mom's bag), barbie's (my favorite time to eavesdrop - however I usually come away resolving to reform so habit, reaction, or saying I wasn't aware I had before), and art (complex, abstract and colorful. I love their perspective on the world rainbows, flowers and love we should all have a paradigm shift it would work wonders for society). I love that the worlds most impotent colors are pick, purple, more pink and maybe red. I love their instinct to beautify everything. They are the wall colorers, hair dressers, "tatoo" artists (tattoos are against church standards, but there's no other term for someone who draws on themselves or others), and their fashion sense (and need to change ensembles frequently) are .... Creative.
I bet your wondering what inspired these thoughts?
I saw what pheobe had been up to during family scripture study. It just seemed to sum up the stuff little girls are made of.

Kids are so funny!!

Today's Etta quote: "why do we have pregnant markers?" (she meant permanent markers)

Other quotes
"I'm so drinky, mom" thirsty

I love be a mom! If I were working I miss all this. I'm so blessed!

Sent from my iPhone

Fighting Crime one Scripture at a Time

Early Thursday morning we had quit the auspicious start to our day. At 5:30am there was a knock at the door. I quickly put on a shirt and answered the door. To my surprise a Clackamas county Sheriff Deputy was there and the first thing he said was, “You must be Dad.” I was confused for about a second until Lliam crept around the door. I’m sure my face went white as I saw him shivering in a black T-shirt and Black shorts with a backpack on. I think I said something like, “Lliam what were you doing outside?” that is about the time that Tyra flew out of our bedroom, slightly panic and bewildered to join the conversation.

The Deputy explained to use that the owner of the Laundromat down the street had found him outside and called the police and then stayed with him for about 40 minutes while the deputy was trying to get there. We later found out that the man that stayed with him was also a fire fighter. Lliam explained to both the Firefighter and the deputy that he had planned to meet his friends and that they were going to go and try and catch some “Bad Guys”.

We talked to the deputy and gave a statement for his report, and then he informed us that the media had been informed and he asked if we wanted to allow them to contact us. At the time I was in slight shock and was just about speechless, as you might imagine. Tyra declined to have them contact us, with the thinking that we didn’t want Lliam to get the idea that this is an ok thing to do. We thought that was that, and we all went back to sleep, or at least we tried to.

That Morning we decided to keep Lliam Home from school as he had a doctors appointment that day anyways and it also doubled as a punishment for sneaking out because he loves going to school. Tyra being the excellent mother that she is had a great idea and since we were going to be in town anyways called the Portland Police Department and scheduled to have a tour of the department with the kids later that afternoon. She had told the officer what had happened and he did a superb job of gearing the whole tour to showing Lliam that fighting crime is something that should be done by adults who are trained.

Friday the Media had gotten a hold of Mom some how and she had directed them to Tyra. They contacted Tyra and before the end to the phone call she was agreeing to an interview. The results of the interview are in this link. http://www.kgw.com/news/First-grader-sneaks-out-to-fight-crime-140397233.html

If I could just rewind a little to the morning that he went out to fight crime. After we had put him in bed to sleep, we opened the contents of the bag and again Tyra have a great foresight took a picture of the contents. He had taken his Woody Doll, His weezey Stuffed toy, his Nerf Gun, a book, a clip board with assignments for his friends, his robe, a bottle of water, and His Book of Mormon. I know he didn’t the danger that he was putting himself in but I am sure glad that he looks at the scriptures as something that is essential.

A Strong foundation

So I love speaking in church! I seems to be the dread of every LDS member, but they couldn't ask me to do it enough. (I'm up to doing firesides if anyone is interested). I love it, I learn so much. I was asked to speak back in September 2011, and it turned out to be one of those talks that's really just for you even though its supposed to be for every one else. Normally I post my talks (and some of my leassons on here) but I haven't been on much since last summer. Not that I was a particularly avid blogger before that. But I've been feeling nagged to share it.

 

Usually I end up with a very finished polished practiced piece before I seak, but this time was different. I had 3 rough drafts and I was still crossing parts off and rearranging while I was sitting on the stand waiting for my turn to speak. I was particually nervous for numerous reasons, but this really unnerved me. I finally said a prayer, stood up and started talking. Most of it is what I will be posting (the 2 drafts that made up the majority of the talk), but there was a lot where the words were not mine, but the spirit moving me to talk. the reason this talk is so special to me is that we lost winky 2 days later. I had actually miscarried already, but didn't know (I was still praying that everything would be OK and the bleeding would stop). throughout the next few weeks the lord answered my prayers and comforted me through the words of the talk and the teachings I learned through the very words that he had me write. And even today they still comfort me. So please forgive the imperfections, I just signifies that I am but an instrument in the hands of my Father.

 

First version

There is a little known fallacy among members of the church that if you are doing gods will than everything will just work out smoothly and efficiently. Thus when things don't we tend to jump ship, doubt, murmur, and impeded our own progress. There is no scriptural evidence to support this theory. In fact it all points to the opposite. That when we are experiencing an intense opposition, adversity, and obstacles that we are in fact on the right course. Let us look at some scriptural examples.

 

Please turn to Ether 2:14 with me. The Brother of Jared, his family and some friends are warned to flee the land and that the Lord would guide them to promised land. That's a pretty overwhelming commandments. And they travel for a time and come to the sea.

 

 16 And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, … according to the instructions of the Lord. [and they turned out perfect, strong, tight, sturdy]

 18 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me.

 

Now I'm pretty sure that this was a very difficult thing to accomplish in the wilderness, Nephi proves that in his more detailed account of his own similar experience. Naturally as, we all should be doing The brother of Jared returns and reports to the Lord.

 

 19 And behold, O Lord, [ their great and thanks for the help but there's a few small design flaws] in them there is no light; whither shall we steer? And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish.

 

Can you imagine the work that went into those barges and then to discover that you've followed the Lord's instructions with exactness and successfully built a death trap.

 

 20 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt make a hole in the top, and also in the bottom; and when thou shalt suffer for air thou shalt unstop the hole and receive air. And if it be so that the water come in upon thee, behold, ye shall stop the hole, that ye may not perish in the flood.

 

That was easy and some things are. Those big crushing problems when taken to the lord can be solved with a simple solution and faith. The key is that he turned to the Lord and had faith in the revelation that he received. But since this is mortality that wasn't the only problem.

 

 22 And he cried again unto the Lord saying: O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, [but there's no light], wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?

 

Have we not all felt that sense of darkness, the coming of despair. When is feels that there's no hope and at that point we say "why me?!" and "what am I doing wrong?!" How often does the Lord respond with "you're right you've worked hard, I'll take over and let you rest a bit? Never. Naturally he responds:

 

 23 … What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.

 24 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

 

Great that's comforting. You just pointed out how pointless it all is. This is reality or knowledge, truth. God is truth and he will spell it out for you. This is part of his eternal perspective. In fact as he does for all who are willing to listen he'll tell you exactly how things are. He continues with the brother of Jared:

 

 25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?

 

Yes prepare me, or as we often plead in our prayers help me, bless me, etc. Yet here he plainly tells him I have prepared you. You just don't seem how because you are looking at things from a mortal perspective. In a mortal perspective we see a tiny glimpse of this life and how it all fits to together with the end result. It's like trying to see the inside of someone's house using only the peep hole in the front door. Everything is distorted and the majority of the house is hidden from view. God's view is the doll house that opens up and allows you to see every detail in every room and all the action that takes place within it.  Through our eyes, we are hopeless prepared to deal with the obstacles and callings that he requires of us to complete his work – our immortality and eternal life. When we are able to see life with an eye single to the glory of god, we see things as they really are.  For the Brother of Jared Living in the city of Babel amid the corruption of the people and being able to stand steadfast and immovable was preparing him to take the journey, finish the barges, and ultimately cross the sea to start a new life in a promised land. Heeding the instructions for building the barges increased his ability to communicate with the lord, the faith and trust he would need in the Lord, and the ability to not doubt His instructions despite the initial idea of failure. All these and many more experiences that we are not privy to in his life prepared him to cross those waters. Ultimately, preparing him for what we all usually focus on after this when his faith parts the vail and He sees the Lord.  D&C 88:67-68 promises this to all of us "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehended all things.

 68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will."

 

This promise is fulfilled daily for those who strive to have an eye single to the glory of god- that eternal perpective. The scriptures are filled with examples of the blessings of having this god's eye view. The people of Alma, who built a foundation of righteousness, were given all they needed to withstand the oppression they had to bear and then ultimately were given all they needed to overcome and escape through the hand of the Lord. Those who followed the brother of Jared, were given all that they needed to overcome the obstacles that were in their path, to withstand the long journey in barges tossed about in the water, and then to receive the blessings of the promised land. Nephi and his family are a wonderful illustration of those with the necessary foundation. Nephi and his brothers all had the same trials – a dysfunctional family, years in the wildness, starvation, murphy's law, seemingly irrational commandments of doing the impossible and that which would have been more logical to do before they left. Yet Nephi and Sam looked to the Lord, lived by his will, and actively in ALL things turned to their Heavenly Father. While Laman and Lemuel have gone down in history as the two of the cruelest, crankiest and most selfish people to ever live. There was no difference between the experiences they were called to pass through – it was their perspectives based upon the foundations that they had each been building in the years preceding. The Perspective that these people display is an eternal perspective, or what the scriptures frequently refer to as having an eye single to the glory of god. The glory of god is an outward manifestation of his divine presence. A person who lives with an eye single to the glory of god is one whose life is an outward manifestation of the presence and influence of the Savior. A life guided by the same principles – love, service, and most importantly obedience. They desire and have the ability to live as the savior did "Thy will be done." When we decide to make this our personal motto our perspective changes from a mortal view to an eternal perspective. We are as the savior said "I have come to do the work of him who sent me." 

 

This gift of an eternal perspective is a necessary gift for us as latter day saints. We know we are living in the winding up days of the earth. We are here to prepare the way for his coming in glory. What a blessing to be a part of those wonderful prophecies and to participate in the final sences of this dispensation. However with the wonderful promises being fulfilled, we are all aware of the other prophecies that are being fulfilled, and have or will be fulfilled. The signs of his coming surround us. The world will continue to become a darker and scarier place even with the gospel spreading forth across the face of the earth. Terrible calamities are and will continue to occur as the earth prepares for his coming. We have been choosen to live during this time, which many prophets described as the worst days know to man, why would we not face trials, opposition, persecution, and obstacles of every kind. Many of the calamities will affect us no matter or status of righteousness. It is part of mortalitiy, the essence of the sanctification process, even Christ had to endure these things "Art thou greater than he?" How do we expect to survive spiritually, these days leading up to his coming without a living testimony grounded in the gospel. Helamen 5:12  "remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."  We have a work to do and we can not reach our devine potential without experiencing the mortal opposition needed to refine us, without an eye single to the glory of god that we may see him in our lives guiding and directing us. To see the works he needs us to do and to be prepared to do them.

 

I testify that we are his children and that he loves us. That his greatest desire is for us to return to his presence to dwell with him and our loved ones for eternity. I testify that great blessing come to those who seek to have an eye single to his glory, striving to build a foundation in the gospel and that make it a priority to keep in strong and grounded. I tesetify to you that we live in the last days and that the Savior is preparing the world and his church for his coming. We have much that we will be called to endure and it is estential to our salvation that we are grounded in the truth. I pray that we will each strive to sure up our foundations and seek an eternal perspective that we may all receive the wonderful promises that he has given us as our loving Heavenly Father. He has commanded us to put our lives, and testimonies in order, that we may be prepared for his coming in glory. That we may do so is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

 

second version

The poem is "How firm a foundation" hymn #85

One of our families favorites (especally Brig and Etta)

 

How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in his excellent word,

What more can he say then to you he hath said,

Who unto the Savior for Refuge have fled?

 

What is your foundation? What should our foundation be? It is the restored gospel, the truths that saturate the scriptures, the words given to our prophets and apostles through revelation, the power of personal revelation, the standards and principles of the gospel set forth by the Lords servants through revelation and the sacred covenants made in the temple and other ordinances. All of these are here to strengthen our faith, communication with our Heavenly Father and our ability to receive eternal life. All these wonderful blessings are here for us to lay the foundation that is the beginning of our eternal salvation. What more can he say to you about where you should build, how you should live, what your priorities should be, and what your goal should be.  For those who have laid their foundation in these eternal things than nothing more is needed- everything we need has already been given to us or is ready to be given to us and is simply waiting for us to fulfill the requirement for it.

 

In every condition in sickness, in health,

in poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,

at home or abroad, on the land, or the sea,

As thy days may demand so thy succor shall be.

 

The point of this mortal journey is to test us as to whether we will choose to follow our Heavenly Father or not. This is something we often attribute to times of trial, but it is more important that this becomes our instinct in those times of health, wealth, comfort and stability. It is in those days that we really prove whether we have an eye single to the glory of the Lord or not. It is in times of ease that we train ourselves to look to and rely on the Lord. Anyone that has ever run a race will tell you the most important part of the race is not where you finished, but all the months of preparation before hand. We cannot expect to build a strong foundation or the spiritual reflexes needed to live in the last days by living the gospel and all its principles, only turning to the lord during times of trial. It's about as useful as pouring concrete during an earthquake. However we have been promised that if we build on a sure foundation, if we live with an eye single to his glory, if we have our spiritual reflexes in place, than we those times come when life is demanding to much and the world and the adversary press upon us than the Lord has promised that he will give us all will need at those times.

 

Fear not I am with thee; oh be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thy aid,

I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.

 

The scriptures are filled with examples of this. The people of Alma, who had build a foundation of righteousness, were given all they needed to withstand the oppression they had to bear and then ultimately were given all they needed to overcome and escape through the hand of the Lord. Those who followed the brother of Jared, were given all that they needed to overcome the obstacles that were in their path, to withstand the long journey in barges tossed about in the water, and then to receive the blessings of the the promised land. Nephi and his family are a wonderful illustration of those with the necessary foundation. Nephi and his brothers all had the same trials – a dysfunctional family, years in the wildness, starvation, murphy's law, seemingly irrational commandments of doing the impossible and that which would have been more logical to do before they left. Yet Nephi and Sam looked to the Lord, lived by his will, and actively in ALL things turned to their Heavenly Father. Laman and Lemuel have gone do in history as the two of the cruelest, crankiest and selfish people to ever live. There was no difference between the experiences they were called to pass through – it was their perspectives based upon the foundations that they had each been building in the years preceding. The Perspective that these people display is an eternal perspective, or what the scriptures frequently refer to as having an eye single to the glory of god. The glory of god is an outward manifestation of his divine presence. A person who lives with an eye single to the glory of god is one whose life is an outward manifestation of the presences and influence of the Savior. A life guided by the same principles – love service and most importantly obedience. They desire and have the ability to live as the savior did "Thy will be done." When we decide to make this our personal motto our perspective changes from a mortal view to an eternal perspective. We are as the savior said "I have come to do the work of him who sent me." 

 

When through the deep waters I call thy to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not thee overflow,

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest desire.

 

Having an eternal perspective is what grounds us in time of adversity, and in times of blessing. This is a gift of the spirit – it is to see things as they really are, as god sees them. It is imperative to our survival in the last days. To see the trials as the refiners that they are, to see that this is but a small moment, to recognize the hand of the lord guiding our lives through the storms bringing us to out of the deep as he promised the brother of Jared. To see the tender mercies of the Lord and feel the love that he extends to us if we're able to look up from that little set of life visible to us and allow him too. An eternal perspective allows us to see mortality as it really is – as I imagine it was presented to us in the pre-mortal existence. At that time we were so excited to come to earth and follow our Heavenly Father's plan - yet in a mortal viewpoint those same experiences result in fear, confusion, despair and frustration. An eternal perspective "means that we sense that while this earth is a true proving ground, and there will be many difficulties and obstacles to overcome, all lasting happiness will come as we keep the commandments of god and as we put our trust in Christ, who is our Savior" (elder nelson).

 

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee I only design,

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

 

It is an enabling agent – enables us to understand to a degree the nature of Gods work. "This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" we are his work; each of us is his greatest work! We have some much potential as his children and he will do all in his power to help us reach that potential. This wonderful enabling agent of an eternal perspective translates to an ability to see ourselves in his eyes as he takes our weaknesses, and removes them, refines us and molds us to him, rather than wallowing through the mud of trials crying why? We open ourselves to be sanctified when we are able to see with an eye single to his glory.

It is in times of trial we are more prone to lose the necessary perspective unless we are grounded. These are the true tests of mortality. The times when we know we are on the right path and doing as he commands yet the world seems to rage against us. And then there is the time when he asks us to do what is difficult. It is in those times when we need to be grounded – to have an eye single to his glory – to withstand the siege and to accomplish the difficult.

 

E'en down to old age, all my people shall prove

My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And then, when grey hair shall their temples adorn,

Like labs shall they still in my bosom be borne.

 

All of this is for us, it's about his love. What promises has he given us, eternal life, immortality, and that we can see his face. Without an eternal perspective grounded in the gospel we are unable to see his love, his tender mercies. Ephesians 3:16-19  16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

 How would we ever survive spiritual and in many ways physically without the ability to recognize his hand in our lives, those small miracles, those times with he speaks just for you. That love can even be manifest in the times when it seems as "if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee" because an eye single to the glory of god we see these things as they really are and "know … that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D&C 122:7)

 

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;

That soul though all hell should endeavor to shake

I'll never, no never, no never forsake.

 

For those who have worked hard to build a foundation based on the gospel with be able to feel him guiding him, recognize his hand and protect, be blessed with all those things that they may stand in need of, and have been prepared in all things having allowed him to refine and mold them. For those dedicate to that foundation he has promised

Isaiah 43:1-7  1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, …, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy savior:

 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

 5 fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

 6 I will say to the north, give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

 7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

 

I testify that we are his children and that he loves us. That his greatest desire is for us to return to his presence to dwell with him and our loved ones for eternity. I testify that great blessing come to those who seek to have an eye single to his glory, striving to build a foundation in the gospel and that make it a priority to keep in strong and grounded. I testify to you that we live in the last days and that the Savior is preparing the world and his church for his coming. We have much that we will be called to endure and it is essential to our salvation that we are grounded in the truth. I pray that we will each strive to sure up our foundations and seek an eternal perspective that we may all receive the wonderful promises that he has given us as our loving Heavenly Father. He has commanded us to put our lives, and testimonies in order, that we may be prepared for his coming in glory. That we may do so is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

 

Testimony

Every first Sunday at church is fast and testimony meeting. The congregation is encouraged to come up and bear their testimonies of the savior and the truths of his gospel. Children are still learning and growing in their understanding of what a testimony means and what theirs is. But I've been learning from my church that a testimony of the savior takes many forms besides the more formal religious approach. Their testimonies are pure and simple and manifested in such faith and sincerity. I was reminded of this tonight when lliam showed me his newest Lego model. Usually he likes to recreate civil war battles or castles, but this touched my heart.

Kirigami

This Christmas my best friend Bobby showed me how to make snowflakes. Not like elementary school coffee filter snowflakes - her's are like artwork! Their delicate and realistic. It was so much easier then I thought. I'm hooked!
Mom (baird) was cleaning out her closet after Christmas and found a kirigami calendar that she had hoped to do with the grandkids but didn't. She gave it to me knowing my new found paper cutting enthusiasm. Today I finally got to try them. Natural I couldn't bring myself to cut them out so I traced them on the construction paper. I have to keep my pattern (although I accidentally poked a few holes). This is so cool - and way easier then I ever thought possible! I want to try these in fabric to use in quilting and as embellishments in clothing. (I think they'll be on my next blessing dress- Tess?)

Two down 34 to go

Last night during dinner after lliam had finished his food he left the table. Several minutes later he charges out of the bathroom with something in his fingers and what appears to be a bloody lip. "I did it all by my self!" it was his tooth! I didn't even realize how loss it was. It's been about 9 months since he lost the first one (which has already come in all the way). We got him cleaned up and the tooth bagged.
Later, after having spent about an hour in bed already (and removing 3 extra pillows from his bed so as not to confuse the tooth fairy), he came out of his room.
"mom, I think part of my tooth is missing? I've been looking at it..."
"lliam you have to leave the tooth in the bag! The tooth fairy isn't going to search your bed if you lose it."
He turns to leave, stops and slumps back.
"mom, the tooth fairy hasn't come yet." he says in a downtrodden voice.
"that's because you're not asleep! Go to bed, good night!"
Oh the anxieties of a 7 year old! I don't know if Santa commands more respect and thus the quicker sleep time, or of the tooth fairy is just more elusive and thus inciting to try and catch in the act. After all, Santa can be seen and talked to, nobody's caught sight of a tooth fairy!

Christmas decorations

One of my favorite parts of Christmas now that I'm a mom is the pictures, crafts and activities that my kids bring home from school. My mother-in-laws Christmas decorations (any of the holidays really) are all the things her kids made when they were little, from ornaments to pictures. I love seeing the childhood handy work of someone I know now but didn't even know existed Until 2003. So I've decided to start keeping them for the same purpose that one day a spouse or grandkid will see their dad or mom on a different level. This year I received a new favorite piece. I wish I could remember where I put the wreath from preschool because his pictures are so great and I'd love to post both of them. For now I'll be content to share my "hallmark" keepsake of 2011.

When there's war at home!

Sir figgy of the square table! She holds her sword like dagger.

Madam librarian

It's Nedra the spinster librarian princess! She looks at everyone over the glasses (there fake so she can see fine and it's safe).

writealittleletter.com

Hi everyone. Some of you might know but for those that don't, Tyra is launching her internet business soon and we would like to invite you all to check it out. The web address is http://www.writealittleletter.com/ come and check us out and also check for updates by liking us on facebook. Just search the web address and we will be at the top. Thank you and we hope you enjoy the site.

Etta's new pj's/blanket

Am I really this big? Or is our house really that cold?

My jog-a-thon super stars

So my kids have an amazing talent! Their runners! Lliam we knew about over the past years his laps have increased, this being nedra's first one and she's not as inclined to run as much as lliam, I was unsure what she would do. However she's feisty and apparently competitive. Nedra finished 12 laps in one hour, lliam did 9 in kindergarten. This year brig went with them and told lliam he'd double our pledge if he did better than 16 laps (I believe that was last years personal best). He blew us all away with 20 laps! Everytime he passed the record keeper he'd shout "i'm going to break the record!" he had the most laps in his class. The both beat my (Tyra) personal best of 8 in an hour. Nedra was her usual understated quiet overachieving self. Quietly running, sometimes with dad or lliam. Granted brig and lliam did take turns dragging each other along at times. But either way I'm so proud. Makes me wonder if I hadn't given up running when we moved to Texas what I could have done. I was once the second fastest girl in my grade, now I'm just slow. Oh well, I'll have to pick it to keep up with these guys next year.

Annual jog-a-thon

Every year our elementary school has a big fundraiser-the Jog-a-thon! Kids collect pledges for lump sum or an amount for each lap they run. This year neddie will get to participate as well. So I thought I'd use the world wide web to help their efforts. If you are interested in supporting our amazing kids in this please leave a pledge in the comments box, along with your email address (if we don't already have it and we'll send you our address where you can send your check. We'll post the laps completed along with pictures on oct 12th when they complete the drive. Last year lliam did an astounding 12 laps in 45 minutes. I'm excited to see what him and neddie can do this year. Thank you your support in everything! Love the Bairds

Sent from my iPhone

Not a good week

This week was a really hard week in the Baird home. We lost baby number five (winky). We had nick named her winky because that was the name that our daughter Etta had request that we name her when she was born. The pregnancy was only 8 weeks along but it was still very hard for us to go from pure excitement to great disappointment. She was here and gone again like a star winking at us from heaven. Though we are struggling to make sense of our emotions, we know that there is purpose in all that the lord does and we will find the purpose someday. It may be sometime before that happens but we are firm in the conviction that He is over all and we accept His plan for us and our family.