Halloween

Valerie was a Drama Queen... here are some pictures (before and after her shawl was ripped off her by a girl at church (nice, eh)).

Valerie's Good Deed and Valuable Lessons Learned from a Vagrant

Last night, I emailed all of you my recollection of our experience with Valerie. Mom read it this morning and reminded me of some points I had forgotten, and expressed some valid thoughts about Valerie's intent in the episode. So I edited the piece and am posting it below. This should go into everyone's Book of Great Lessons Learned.

Mom and I were recently in Washington DC for a podiatry seminar. While there, we of course got together with Abby and Matt, Crystal, and Valerie. One evening, Matt and Crystal had gone back home to Broadway, but Valerie stayed with us in DC. So we went out on the town to see a few things. At the end of the evening, Mom and I, along with Abby, and 10 year old Valerie were traveling back to our hotel on the DC metro train. We were sitting in separate facing seats in one end of the car, Mom and I facing Abby and Valerie. I heard some commotion over my right shoulder, and looked back to see a slender, somewhat unkempt black man, working his way throught the crowd, loudly soliciting a quarter so he could "get off the subway" (you have to have an exit ticket to open the exit gates). The man appeared to be a vagrant, and as is typical in those settings, everyone was ignoring him. As I was contemplating what to do, I turned around to see Valerie already holding out her hand to the man with a quarter in it. He stopped in his tracks and with a puzzled look on his face looked down at this child who was offering to help him when no one else would. He said, "are you sure honey?", seemingly taken aback by her charitable offer, "Don't you need that for your lunch money? Are you sure you don't need it?" Seeming reluctant to take money from a child, he asked her this several times. She just nodded and kept holding her hand out, and he hesitated for several seconds, scrutinizing her face and staring into her eyes. By this time, we and everyone else on the train were entranced by this scene, anxiously waiting to see what would happen next. Then all of a sudden a smile came onto the man's face as he reached down into his sock, pulled out a dollar bill, and announced, "Here's how God works little girl, Here's how God works," and he took her quarter as he gave her the dollar bill, and ran out the door. That was the last we saw of him. Valerie just kept smiling as we all sat there with our mouths open. Pretty good lesson that man taught us all that night.

Valerie also apparently learned something well. Later that evening, just kidding around, I held up a $5 bill and said, "Here's how God works Valerie," expecting that she would just get a good laugh out of it. But, I think she saw an opportunity to play into the joke, and maybe recapitulate the principle as she ran over to me, snatched the 5 from my hand, and gave me her dollar bill. We all got a good laugh out of that and I had to let her keep it since she had been such a good example to all of us earlier and had then punctuated the night's lesson of how Hevenly Father recognizes our charitable deeds. In her case that night, that recognition was twenty-fold. Of course, we won't always see immediate compensation for our good deeds, but I'd say that night, Valerie did pretty well.

Dad

Email

Just an update on my email address. My VCOM email no longer works, so if you send me an email send it to my yahoo address.
Colin

MUST be cousins!

Anyone else see the similarity?? :)

Both pictures should work now, I don't know why Kodak Gallery has problems showing pictures, but it's happened to me before.

Where's the Hug?

For those who didn't understand your mother's "Martha" reference in the post below, read Luke 10:38-41. Pretty spiritually and scripturally perceptive of her to recognize that analogy, don't you think? She's a smart woman....., but she still didn't get a hug.
Dad

P.S.--Visiting Teaching Experiences

Tomorrow night, Oct 26, is leadership. anyone have any incredible vt experiences--from either side? let me know. xoxo mom

A Martha Moment

HI everyone. I also was at conference this weekend. Great experience. I also got to meet Elder Scott--kind of, because in the Stake RS we make dinner for the visiting authorities. I also got to meet Elder Hammond, our incredibly articulate area authority. Anyway, Elder Scott had us come in after the dinner and introduce ourselves (does that mean I met him?) and what we provided for the dinner. So, I am back in the kitchen, with a very limited time before the 7 p.m. adult conference session begins, and am madly washing dishes. You all know how I get when I am on a mission. So, Elder Scott comes into the kitchen, and I glanced around at him and saw him conversing with my secretary. Back to the dishes! I know, really dumb. So I am in the meeting listening to him speak, giving us incredible counsel on how to be more effective listening to the Spirit, and it comes to me what I have done. I was in the same room, I repeat, IN THE SAME ROOM with an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I did not even take the time to dry my hands and speak to him. I felt terrible. As soon as the meeting was over I wound my way up to the stand and told him I was sorry for acting like Martha, and missing the opportunity to speak with an apostle and shake his hand and feel his love and spirit. He was so gracious and told me again how much they appreciated the dinner, and my husband had told them what a wonderful wife he had... Learn from your mother, mother-in-law, suegra--take every opportunity to meet the Lord's anointed. It ended up being a very tender experience for me in the end. Luckily I had a second chance. I love all of you. You may get more from us on his Saturday night talk. xoxo

HAPPY 28TH BIRTHDAY JASON!!

So, I don't have many young pictures of Jason, and the ones I do have are in storage, so.......you guys just get to see pictures I have on the computer of him...which oddly enough, he's holding a kid in almost EVERY single picture!

Happy Birthday Jason!!! We love you!

And who can forget BEE STING Jason!

Hugged by an Apostle

Sorry, this is long, but please read when you get time. This week-end was our stake conference, and since President Godfrey had been in for 9 years, the presidency was to be reorganized by visiting General Authorities, Elder Ronald Hammond, Area Authority Seventy, and Elder Richard G. Scott, Apostle. It was the first time in memory that an apostle would visited the East Stake. As per standard procedure, former bishops and high counselors, and anyone else considered to have potential are invited to interview for the new stake presidency. I was one of about 26 men to recieve an invitation letter about 2 weeks ago. I suspected some time even earlier that I would recieve such an opportunity. From previous experience with this process, I know that it involves background info being provided the two visiting general authorities ("in the mouth of two or more witnesses") and they conduct all the interviews in rapid succession on the Saturday morning (9 am-2 pm) before the Sunday general session. Therefrom they aquire inspiration as to which individual has been foreordained and specifically chosen by the Lord to fill the position. They then call that person back for a second interview, issue the calling, and then give him a couple of hours to choose two counselors, who are then called back for a second interview and calling. Optimally, they wish all this to happen before the 4 pm Priesthood leadership meeting.

It was announced some time ago that this was to take place and that Elders Hammond and Scott would be our visitors. So I had to contemplate and ruminate about my pending interview for several weeks, not to mention worry about whether I would be called to a presidency postition, and if so, who else should be involved. The Spirit often issues premonitions about such things, but that gets mixed in with tricks that your own mind plays on you, so it can be conflicting and confusing. At some point I experienced signigicant releif by recalling my testimony of the doctrine of foreordination and my confidence in the inspiration of our Priesthood leaders, knowing that the Lord would choose, qualify and asist whomever He had foreordained to be in that position. That sort of took the pressure off for a while, knowing that ultimately, all would be as it should be. But, now that it is all over, even though I was fully worthy and prepared for the interview, and even looking forward to the oportunity to meet and talk with such a profound Apostle as Elder Scott, I realize what a difficult time those few preparatory weeks were, and I am now experiencing sweet relief at the outcome, which was:
Ken Bernt - Stake President / Ross Belnap - 1st Counselor / Todd Payne - 2nd Counselor

I know what all you kids are thinking right now - You've got a picture of Ken Bernt's contorted face in your mind (for those inlaws who never experienced Ken, he gets very emotional whenever he speaks in church, and he gets a very interesting look on his face.) He ultimately gets it under control and he gives great talks. He's the first to admit that he is too emotional. I think he will be a great Stake President though, and I know he is the right man for the calling, chosen by the Lord and called through one of His Apostles.

Anyway, all that aside, back to the title of this post: As is necessitated by the fact that there are about 30 interviews to be conducted in 5-6 hours, they are all short, 7-10 minutes each. From a holding room (the dug-out, as Todd Payne called it), I was moved to the on-deck position, where I was greeted by Elder Scott. He is much shorter than I imagined, but what a sweet, warm person he is. He is also very deep and intelligent. If you didn't process his general conference talk, you should listen to, or read it again. Profound! Anyway, he invited me into the room where I sat immediately in front (no table) of him and Elder Hammond. They thanked me for coming and proceeded to ask just one worthiness question, and all the rest dealt with my life, my wife, my kids, my aspirations and impressions. we talked about each of you briefly. Elder Scott's thanks indicated the interview was over, and as he stood, he opened his arms signaling that he wanted a hug. So we embraced. It felt good. I'm sure he hugged everyone - he is just a very warm person. The soothing demeanor that comes through in his conference talks is for real. That is how he really is, and it is very disarming and congenial in person.

Finally, from the best of my memory, I want to tell you about Elder Scott's parting testimony in today's conference. He told us that when one is ordained an apostle, he is given experiences that assre his ability to testify to the world that Jesus is the Christ. Then he said "I know by more than just faith alone, that Jesus Christ lives". Doesn't leave much question, does it.

I Love you all,
Dad

Punched before you eat

I don't know if anyone saw this on SNL a few weeks ago, but it's quite funny. You can decide from the title if you want to watch it or not. I'm pretty sure that 2-3 of you will like it.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8049522719785392917&q=snl+digital+short+punch&total=5&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
If no one else thinks this is funny then there must be something wrong with me.
Comments please.
Colin

Why I don't miss the 80's

I don't mean to keep posting random links, but this one HAS to be shared. It's just so awesomely bad, and I feel like especially the older sisters will appreciate.

Click here to enjoy.

xo
Abby

Thinking about Bria

I am not writing about Sydney. I think he is kinda mean now. He has hurt me (by biting) three days in a row. Naughty bird~!

This is a repost from my own personal blog. For some reason, the experience has been on my heart all weekend and into today. I think I know why after re-reading the talk. I only hope I am able to do what I need to do with the inspiration of it.

I do think this is perhaps one of the most-inspired talks I have given.

About 2 years ago, I went to the YSA "acoustic night" at the Qullion home. I had gotten there late because I was teaching that day, but I made it just as the music was getting started. My very best friend, Diana told me she had brought a friend from work and I was introduced to Brianna Keele. She was smily and cute and had a name tag on that said "BRIA!" I remember looking into her eyes and getting a chill, but I really was not so sure what that meant. There are not many people that I can truly say I remember the moment we met, but I do remember that moment when I met Bria.

We became very good friends and I was amazed at the amazing story of this girl. She had moved from her family in Seattle to Oklahoma then Virginia and was living with her boyfriend. She really was totally dedicated to her boyfriend and I was so touched by her obvious desire to include him in the things she did and help him feel welcome. She began attending most singles' events and would make every attempt for John to come as well... slowly they were inevitably drifting apart and things got really interesting after Thanksgiving. One night, the first week of December, FHE for the singles' ward was cancelled, so I decided that was not cool and had an impromptu FHE at my apartment. I asked Bria specifically to come. She had been attending sacrament and Diana and I began to talk to her very carefully about missionaries and discussions. Bria decided on her own a few days before to fast and pray.

Diana got to my house about 30 minutes before anyone else and while we were putting cookies on plates and the like, she said "we should fast for Bria tomorrow" and I said, "ok, but what for?" About that time, Bria came in and she had her amazing smile and said "Big things are going to change in my life and I need to see the hand of God." Diana and I locked eyes- we knew what we needed to fast for- that Bria would be able to see the hand of God and know whose had it was.

It was a great FHE- we watched the church MR Krueger's Christmas, shared testimony, then I felt inspired to share the spiritual thought I had been asked to give 5 days before in Institute. It was a photo journey of my adventure that led me to the church with a lovely song called "sanctuary" playing in the background. At the end, I bore my testimony of joining the church and my gratitude of missionaries (missionaries were present that night).

2 weeks later, Bria moved out of John's house into Bonny's and then began taking the discussions. She was baptized April 22 (my favorite date every month!) just before she turned 19, in 2006.

I was asked to give the baptism talk and I fretted and fretted over the talk- by that time, I was going through a very rough time having to do with dating a non-member and the heartache that came with breaking up with him.

The Lord healed my heart, and inspired me and I wrote her talk and felt a very tangible spirit present.

The week before her baptism, Valerie and I were coming home from visiting the zoo in DC and the temple and we went to have lunch at the Tyson's Corner mall. I knew where we wanted to go, but I had no clue how to get there from where we entered. When we got into the mall, however, there was a huge map with every store in the mall detailed. I found that it was so much easier getting to where I wanted to be after I first realized where I was. The huge YOU ARE HERE star that showed us where we were standing allowed me to plot a course to precisely where I wanted to be. As I thought of this on my way home, a talk was borne:


Mark 1:4 -13. Tells us

4 John (the Baptist) did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins.

5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were
all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 And John was clothed with camel hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins;
and he did eat locusts and wild honey.

7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of
whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and
was baptized of John in Jordan.

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the
Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased.

12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the
wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

This passage of scripture tells us so much about the ordinance of baptism. An ordinance is a rite or a ceremony and it is one ordinance that is required of us in order that we attain celestial glory after this life. When I think about a person whose life I would like to emulate, I often think of great people whose lives impacted for the better, those around them.

Always, first and foremost, I think of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in these situations. I think of His service to others, His wisdom, His unshakable faith, His kindness and His love. I also think of His mighty example of obedience. We all know that baptism is an ordinance offered when a faithful person desires to live a more perfect life- coming forward with a broken heart and contrite spirit, in humility and repentant for the sins in his or her past.

Why is it then that Christ- who was free of sin- baptized? It is because he was obedient to the Father commands, to set an example for all people of His age- and for those to come, to fulfill all righteousness. Matt. 3:15. or 2Nephi 31: 5-7.


5. And now, if the Lamb of God, he being a holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

6. And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?

7. Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

He was the ultimate example of obedience and humility- although He literally was a perfect man; he himself was baptized- immersed in water- by one with the proper authority.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints baptize in the way that it was done in Christ Himself day- the ordinance is performed by one with the proper authority to one who desires to walk on a path leading to eternal salvation. Our sins are literally washed away; we embark on a new life.

Baptism allows us to be under covenant with the Lord- we agree to come into the fold of God- to read Holy Scripture and follow the commandments given to us therein, we bear one another burdens- and actively seek to do such, We stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all places- not just when convenient and certainly not just when it is comfortable- but in all times, in all places.

In doing these things, we serve God and he blesses us accordingly with forgiveness of our sins, He pours out His spirit abundantly on all of us, He gives us daily guidance with help from the Holy Ghost (which is an amazing gift we get at confirmation into the Church), we are able to come forth in the first resurrection, and we are granted eternal life. A covenant is a 2-way promise and God does not lie- therefore if we do our part with steadfastness, faithfulness and true intent, all these things are ours.
How do we keep these feelings we have at our own- or the baptism of others? We try our best- we work to keep the undeniable good feelings that are those of the Spirit with us; we recognize when that feeling is absent, and do what we can to change it.


Brianna, what struck me about the first passage I read was this;

………..And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.¨

13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan;………….

How do we progress after our baptism that we might keep on the path of righteousness and how do we help ensure feeling close to the Lord? Temptation will come, sadness will pursue us, inequity will befall us, but we must have courage- move forward- press onward with steadfastness and faithfulness.

How do we do this? The answer is to read closely the Holy Scriptures and hearken unto the words of the Lord. Secondly- pray- with true intent- these two things fit hand-in-hand. The Lord said to the prophet Joseph Smith;

D&C 88:63.
…Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you.

Those words apply to each of us.

This summer, I had the pleasure of standing in front of a remarkable painting by an artist; depicting the prophet, Joseph Smith crying out to the Lord on the floor of a jail he had been incarcerated inside for months. The Lord spoke to His prophet with the kind words;

D&C 121:7-8.
…My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a
small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high…..

Often we may pray; Thy will be done (Matt. 26:42).

It is another thing entirely to live it. In my darkest moments since joining the church, I have sat still and literally felt the arms of the Lord holding me and the love I have felt from Him is truly undeniable. I have also been obstinate and disobedient and I have turned away from that love and discovered the true meaning of anguish.

It is not a good feeling to knowingly turn from the righteous ways of the Lord, but Brianna, you know what?

He has always allowed for me to find my way back to Him. That path- back to Him- is just as personalized as my original path to find Him. As you search your scriptures, ponder on the stories and lessons therein, as you pray with intent and pour out your soul to our Father in Heaven you will become more familiar with what feels right. You will also have the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is rare and precious gifts that will no-doubt help to keep you in line.

The deliberate act of CHOOSING to be baptized is a good, righteous decision and being baptized by one with the proper authority, is an outward act showing our desire to take part in the Kingdom of God today- right now- while still being a part of the world.

Temptations will surely befall us, but if we live righteously- keeping the commandments, we will feel of the inclinations of the Holy Ghost and know those things which are wrong for us.

John 17: 14-17

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of
the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest
keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.


I feel strongly that the path that has led you here today has been orchestrated and that you, being righteous and good, recognized the beautiful truths around you- and hearkened unto them.

It is impossible at times to see the end from the beginning. Sometimes we can not understand that where we are right now is exactly where we need to be- that comes with a more eternal perspective.

I was reminded of this over the past weekend when I went into an unfamiliar mall. There was a huge map just inside the door that Valerie approached- and although I had no idea where I was, I looked at that map and the huge star that said YOU ARE HERE so that when I compared where I was at that moment, to where I wanted to be- the course which I needed to take was so clear.

Brianna- you are on your way to eternal exaltation- the path is marked- it is up to you to see and follow the personalized path that will lead you to attaining celestial glory. Right now though, you are beginning that journey- with baptism- YOU ARE HERE!


What a joy I share with you for I know the incredible, indescribable joy I felt as I was baptized with the proper authority and my sins washed away from me. What a joy indeed it is to be a member of the Lord’s true church and to renew my baptismal covenants at sacrament meeting.

We all benefit from the restoration of the Gospel at the hand of the Lord’s prophet, Joseph Smith; I have such a strong testimony of the Lord- of this Church, of Joseph Smith and our prophet today.

It is such an honor to be a member of this church- and such an honor to say these things in the name of Jesus Christ...

I then placed on her, a necklace I had made for her at "things remembered." It is silver and the pendant is a round medallion. On one side was an engraved star with "You are Here" written beneath it, on the opposite side, the date is engraved. (April 22, 2006). I put the necklace onto Bria and it was on her in the waters of baptism. It truly was an incredible experience to be there.

ALASKA BOUND TO SERVE THE LORD!

I just wanted to let everyone know that my parents received their mission call today to the Alaska, Anchorage mission for 18 months. They are to enter the MTC November 12, 2007. My dear father began crying the moment he read the first line. They are very excited as is our whole family.

This website is "awesome"

A co-worker friend of mine alerted me to THIS WEBSITE. Pretty funny. I've been on the lookout for something to contribute ever since. Hope you enjoy.

xo
Abby

More of Sydney...

Yes, I know... just wait if we ever DO have a baby- it will be at least 10 posts/day.

It's a Girl!!!

As an answer to Alex's question, everyone meet Lilia!





Here are a couple videos:

Compassion

I have no idea what happened when I first started typing this, so here I go again. Last week one of the counselors in the RS called and asked if I would help with her lesson the next Sunday. The topic was on compassion. I thought a lot about it and decided that looking (for some one to help) and listening to the small voice or that sudden thought that comes to you and then acting on it. Dad said that he thought that compassion is learned. And this memory came to me.

When I was a little girl we lived out at Mission lake in Horton, Ks. My dad was the caretaker and it was an extremely popular place for people to go to. There was boating, swimming etc. I was probably 8 or 9 years and you would never know to look at me now, that I was kind of a frail child. The winters in Kansas can be extremely cold, especially when the north wind would blow. When it was really cold my folks wouldn't let me walk the 2 miles to school. At this time, it was during the depression, that the govt. had different projects going to try to help people get jobs. Anyway, at this time the REA hired boys, probably late teens, to work at the lake, I'm not sure what they did, but I remember them. I remember my mom saying to my dad on those bitterly cold days, "Bill, it's too cold for those boys to be out working in this cold. You go get them and bring them into the house." My dad did and the boys came into our warm house. We had a 'warm morning' pot bellied stove that heated the rest of the house. My mom would say to the boys that if she had more wood for the cook stove in the kitchen, she would pop some corn. Like a flash the boys would go out to the wood pile and bring in lots of wood and my mom would pop corn. Right next to our house was an apple orchard and after the harvest we would go out and pick up the windfalls and we would have a winters supply of apples. Just below the apple orchard was a field where they grew pop corn and again, after the harvest we would go and glean popcorn and then sit around and take it off the husks. So, we had apples and pop corn for the REA boys and for our family. What a treat it was. During those days the boys and I would play chinest checkers and I got really good. But looking back I wonder how many of those games they let me win. I still have the marbles and the chinese checker board. I treasure them.

Years later mom and dad and I moved to Idaho and when your grandpa and I moved to California they moved back to Kansas and bought the house they would live until my dad had to be moved to a rest home, and later so did my mom. Anyway, back to my story. When spring came my dad needed to have the space plowed up where he would plant his garden. We always had a hugh garden. So, dad called this one man in town and made arrangements for him to come and plow his garden spot. He came down and plowed my dad's garden and did what ever it was to smooth it out. When he finished my dad started to pay him and he said,"Bill, you don't have enough money in your wallet to pay me. You may not remember, but I was one of the boys that you and Mrs. Scott took in out of the cold back when I was just a boy."

I guess compassion is made up of many things, but learning is certainly one of them

Love,
Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma

Need Gymbuck$?

This is more aimed to the ladies (with babies) in the family. I have... um.... a bunch... of Gymbuck$ that it does not look like I will be using this time around. I found a fantastic coat, hat, gloves and dress for Valerie for Christmas and I still have $150 (off $300) left.

So.... if anyone needs (or shall I say "needs") Gymbucks let me know. I keep planning to go to Gymboree (the closest is an hour away) to peruse the back of the store for baby clearance, but I have had absolutely no time and I am not liking what is online.

So, let me know... how I miss working at that store sometimes, I stopped working there when Valerie was 8 and Janie and Jack spun off us.

Crystal

a new family member

This is Sydney, our new baby. He is 7 and is a moluccan cockatoo. He is pretty entertaining! Moluccans live to be about 80 so really, we are his pet.

Happy happy birthday, mommy dear!

This is one of my favorite pictures of mom. Love you mom!! Happy Birthday!

love, becky


This is Dana now, I'm just going to add a couple pictures to Becky's post.



AND.......this is the funniest commercial!!! I laugh so hard every time I watch it. Just wanted to share.
FUNNY COMMERCIAL
Anyone know how you can make a link so people can just click on it? I can't figure it out.

It certainly was awesome having birthday eve with Mom Croshaw and now... officially 39 minutes on this day of her birth. I am sneaky and got her to pose for some... interesting pictures with Valerie. My favorite one I have seen of Debby is the one of she and David asleep and snuggly at the airport- feel free to edit and post pictures of this woman we all love so much.

I personally feel tonight more strongly than ever before a great sense of gratitude and love for Debby and the steadfastness of her faith, the epitome of her example as a good mother, and her unfailing love for her family. All of her children are so lucky to have her as a mom and here is your chance to tell her why you love her, share a fond memory or send her well wishes (or all the above).

OXOXOXOX

Thanksgiving fun

I just thought of something we could do when everyone is here for Thanksgiving. we need everyone's support and involvement in this one. You'll probably have to work out a little and stretch before you come. Everyone follow this link and practice the dance.
Leslie, you're in charge of costumes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTRNX5Yb0DU&NR=1
PS, I get to be Haini.
Colin

Funny

Not to ruin the spirituality of the blog from that last post, but here are a couple hilarious things I saw tonight.
This one's a Nacho Libre tribute: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3150657336020865067
This one's the $250,000 America's Funniest Home Videos winner, and this one actually deserves it:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/afv/index?pn=videoplayer&id=364210
Colin

Prayer...it works

I had an experience with prayer this week that just reamffirmed to me that Heavenly Father is constantly watching over us and knows all of our needs, however insignificant. I was about to leave to pick Grace up from school and realized that Elliot was poopy. So I changed him and went outside to throw away his diaper. he ran up behind me and locked the front door, they are just those little push button locks. Well, we have a child proof lock on the front door so he couldn't turn the handle to unlock the door. So Elliot and Maggie were inside alone and I was supposed to be leaving to pick up Grace and I was locked out!! All of the doors and windows were locked, which I diligently check every day so I knew it was usless to try and get in on my own. So I went around to the back yard where we didn't have a lock on the door, but the door was deadbolted. The door is glass so Elliot could see me. We don't have a lock on that door because the deadbolt sticks and Elliot can't usually open it. So I said a prayer that Elliot would be able to turn the deadbolt and went to work trying to get his attention. It took us a while, Elliot walked away a couple of times, he tried to turn it a few times without any luck, but finally he reached up and turned the lock and the door opened!! I was so grateful that Heavenly Father was watching over me. That definitely strengthened my testimony of the power of prayer. All we have to do is ask.

love, Becky