The Lackey Legend

Revelation

2011-12-13T08:19:00.003-07:00

Which is a legitimate means and which is occult? (Not that anyone is reading the blog anymore)

*crystal ball
*still small voice
*ouija board
*dowsing rod
*tarrot cards
*warm fuzzy feeling
*magical compass

Please comment on your thoughts.

An Ode to Provo

2011-06-24T17:44:00.001-06:00

How did we go ?

2011-04-28T01:00:00.005-06:00

How did we go..........
From here:
How do we know then, what is “doctrine”, and what is not?
First it must generally conform to what has already been
revealed. “It makes no difference what is written or what
anyone has said,” wrote J. Fielding Smith, “if what has been
said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set
it aside.” The standard works, he explains, are the “measuring
yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man’s
doctrine.”18

Harold B. Lee expressed similar thoughts when he taught that
any doctrine, advanced by anyone—regardless of position—
that was not supported by the standard works, then “you may
know that his statement is merely his private opinion.” He
recognized that the Prophet could bring forth new doctrine,
but “when he does, [he] will declare it as revelation from
God,” after which it will be sustained by the body of
Church.19

The Prophet can add to the scriptures, but such new additions
are presented by the First Presidency to the body of the
Church and are accepted by common consent (by sustaining
vote) as binding doctrine of the Church (See D&C 26:2;
107:27-31).20

Until such doctrines or opinions are sustained
by vote in conference, however, they are “neither binding nor
the official doctrine of the Church.”21

How can we know if teachings, which have not been voted
upon, are true? J. Reuben Clark explains that when “we,
ourselves, are ‘moved by the Holy Ghost,’” then we know that
the speakers are teaching true doctrine. “In a way, this
completely shifts the responsibility from them to us to
determine when they so speak.”22

Written by Michael R. Ash for the Foundation for
Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR),
Copyright © 2003. www.fairlds.org
Sources:
18 Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 3 vols. (Salt Lake
City: Bookcraft, 1955), 3:203.
19 John A. Tvedtnes, “The Nature of Prophets and Prophecy.”
(Unpublished, 1999, copy in my possession.)
20 See also Bradford and Dahl, 395.
21 Stephen E. Robinson, Are Mormons Christian? (Salt Lake City:
Bookcraft, 1992), 15.
22 J. Reuben Clark, Jr., “When are the Writings or Sermons of
Church Leaders Entitled to the Claim of Scripture?” speech given at
BYU, July 7, 1954, published in the Church News, July 31, 1954;
reprinted in Dialogue, 12:2, p. 68–69.

To here:

First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

Second: The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.

Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.

Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

Sixth: The prophet does not have to say "Thus saith the Lord" to give us scripture.

Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

Eighth: The prophet is not limited by men's reasoning.

Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.

Tenth: The prophet may be involved in civic matters.

Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency--the highest quorum in the Church.

Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency--the living prophet and the First Presidency--follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.

Ezra Taft Benson
Brigham Young University on 26 February, 1980

Changed the template

2011-04-28T00:52:00.001-06:00

As the old background died. No one posts on here anymore. What happened, is blogging not cool anymore?

Maternity Store

2011-04-26T14:30:00.002-06:00

So this is a shameless plug but it needs to be done nonetheless. I have been working on getting Maternal Instincts on the web and it is mostly done. You can find maternity clothes, nursing clothes, bras, children clothes, nursing supplies and such at or . Go ahead and tell all your friends and link to it all you want.

Happy Birthday

2011-01-18T21:39:00.003-07:00

I know it's late in the day and all if not most of you have already wished a her a happy birthday, but why not one more time!

Happy Birthday Amanda! We love you and appreciate all that you do for our family.

What Child is This?

2010-12-23T19:10:00.003-07:00

Really A Sign From God, I Think Not

2010-12-22T10:29:00.003-07:00

So facebook is going crazy with this picture and it is making me crazy. People we have real miracles in our lives everyday, we have the power of God, we have prayer, repentance, saving ordinances, salvation, Christ guidance and love. Those are the things that are real. I believe in Christ power and love and do not understand why people are so ready to have a deep spiritual experience over something with no merit as this. How about have a deep spiritual experience with your relationship with Christ. Everyone going all praise the lord with something like this just opens the LDS faith up to a torrent of criticism by showing we really are so shallow in our beliefs to be consumed by things that are nothing more than coincidence, photo shop. Whatever it is it is not grounded so I find it dangerous. I find it even more crazy that the entire town of Provo is moved to there very souls. I know there is tons of ignorance about my faith out there. I tire of hearing about Joe Smith, Moromon worship, no Christians, and the gold Bible. I understand that all of these comment are made from people who are ignorant to many things LDS, but really do we have to be ignorant as well. I hate the term Mormon we are simple letting others give us an generalization and do not care enough to let them know what we really believe. Mormon culture is nuts. While I love God and believe with every fiber of my being in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I would ask us all to use our brains and not be manipulated by, so called, signs by letting them define our belief. Letting others think we do is just as harmful. I am not saying I am not ignorant myself in some aspects of LDS faith. I am no doctrinal scholar. What I do have is faith and choose to ground my faith in the word of God. Merry Christmas may your live be filled with Christ spirit because he lives and is the Redeemer of our world. Stay grounded. (http://www.meridianmagazine.com/lds-church-updates/article/7018?ac=1)

More entries

2010-11-01T12:07:00.001-06:00

Aerial and some monsters and a sonic looking cat, that I couldn't the candle to show up with. The two we did two weeks ago so they weren't all that normal looking anyway.....

Amelia's Pumpkins

2010-10-31T21:21:00.000-06:00

I have carved pumpkins maybe 2 or 3 times in my life. So....we'll just pass these off as Amelia's.

She was super excited to start with...but once that top got cut off she wasn't so sure.

So, there you have it - Amelia's contribution to the pumpkin carving contest!

Entry ONE

2010-10-30T12:15:00.001-06:00

MINNIE MOUSE by Little ONE

FYI

2010-10-22T22:03:00.000-06:00

Tanner's baptism should be on Dec. 4. I haven't actually heard this officially unfortunately, but just wanted to give anyone a heads up who might be interested in coming!

Halloween: The Great Pumpkin Contest.

2010-10-18T19:55:00.003-06:00

Please post your family's pictures for the Great Pumpkin Contest as we are approaching Halloween. I will work on the poll responses later this week and we can all vote for this years favorite.

Word of Wisdom

2010-09-24T06:02:00.002-06:00

D&C 89. What is forbidden according t the D&C section 89?
guvf vf n gevpx dhrfgvb.....................

Christ in America

2010-08-10T23:06:00.004-06:00

I have been reading the book Prophecies and Promises and have found it to be a great read and very interesting. Personally, I have always felt that the tradition among many members that Mesoamerica as the location for the Book of Mormon as wrong. For some reason it always did not make sense especially when you take 1 Nephi 12+ into consideration. I have always felt that America, mainly North America, a.k.a. The United States of America is the Promised Land and the geographical location for the Book of Mormon. After compiling additional research, I have located sources that show carvings located in Mid-America which have Reformed Egyptian, and pictures of a white God among the ancients of North America. Here is one such link:

http://chapmanresearch.org/PDF/Christ%20Also%20Visited%20Ancient%20North%20America.pdf

I can only say what I have seen and feel that we are truly in possession of the Promised Land and how important it is that we preserve our Freedoms and defend the truth. Just some thoughts.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-08-10T17:26:00.000-06:00

Big Texas birthday wishes!

It's Been Fun

2010-07-18T12:32:00.002-06:00

Glad we had a chance to see those of you whom we saw. Those whom we missed, get it together and come and visit us in FL if you can. Lots of family fun pics up on my FB. Go see them there.

Policy, Rules and Doctrine

2010-06-27T11:40:00.008-06:00

As Latter Day Saints I think we like to invent sins. By that I mean we like to say that an activity is a sin where there is no such commandment given. I just got out of an elders quorum lesson where a young man mentioned that while he was at BYUI when Eder Bednar was the President of the school that many of the students violated the rule of no flip flops on campus, and he inferred that such rebelliousness was sin, and not obeying the counsel of the lord's anointed. The discussion then turned to how disobedience is rebellion against God. After sitting quiet for a minute I raised my hand and said "I am fairly sure that President of BYUI is not an ecclesiastical calling. And that while wearing flip flops is a violation of the code you agreed to obey it is not a sin, nor is it not "sustaining a church leader" as there is no keys with such a calling."

Correct me if I am wrong, but I am fairy sure it is an administrative position and not an ecclesiastical one.

I think that as a group we are moving further and further away from rigor and scholarship about pronouncements and ever more encouraged to blindly obey to the point where we are debating whether wearing flip flops at BYUI is a sin rather than a violation of policy.

So the question then comes to "What constitutes Doctrine?" What pronouncements from the brethen constitute their personal beliefs versus "doctrine". I have taught the taxonomy of sources many times meaning what sources are are more authoritative when dealing with the doctrine of the church. And yet we teach that the prophet will not lead us astray and sustain 15 men to the roles of "prophet seers and revelators" told that their pronouncements are the most important to our lives, and yet we are told the standard works are the most authoritative sources. Difficulties then arise on subjects on which there is little correlation in the scriptures.

Still, I have at times found subjects where the brethen are at odds with one another, or where they have taught something from the pulpit that was incorrect such as Elder McConkie's teaching that the priesthood would not be extended to all worthy males until the millennium.

As an example of such a topic that can be researched: the church's stance on organic evolution. What is the official stance? Site sources.

We Be Moving

2010-05-27T09:17:00.000-06:00

So we finally scheduled a Uhaul truck for Thursday, July 15. We're planning on packing Thursday, driving and unpacking Friday with continued unpacking on Saturday if needed. If anyone is available to help, that would be great.

Happy Birthday Chester!

2010-05-19T08:13:00.003-06:00

Unless I am remembering the day wrong, in which case just ignore this post. ;)

Family Reunion Revisited

2010-04-26T18:39:00.003-06:00

I guess I just thought you all could read my mind so I haven't said anything to anyone but mom. I figure with the financial situations of some of us, the moving situations of some of us, and the possible job changes coming up...we would keep everything local. I was planning on scheduling acctivites in and around Poky for a few days. Maybe Downata for a day...a treasure hunt or geocaching....picnic with a moon bounce or something like that. Give your thoughts and opinions now if you want them heard...otherwise I will just get going on this.

The Pocatello 50

2010-04-25T08:51:00.002-06:00

Ok all you budding marathon athletes. Forget these wimpy 26 miles at sea level, try the Pocatello 50. A 50 mile trail run in the mountains around Pocatello with near 14K feet of elevation gain. You get to go up and down both Kenneport and Scout Mountain.

Better start training!

http://pocatello50.com/

Family Reunion

2010-04-22T17:50:00.002-06:00

Would like to purpose that we head to Moab or Zions and do some camping and site seeing. End of July? We need to get the planning going...

They say it's your birthday

2010-04-16T11:01:00.001-06:00

duh duh da duh da duh

Happy Birthday Dan!

Moving to Vegas

2010-04-11T17:39:00.002-06:00

Well, hopefully most of you know by now, but Amanda, Amelia and I are moving to Vegas for school in the fall. We're planning on moving down in the middle of July, not sure of exact dates yets, as we don't have an apartment, but just want to ask for help in advance. So if any of you think you could take 2-3 days to help us pack up, drive down, and unload, that would be great. We'll feed you.

GeoCaching

2010-03-12T18:03:00.002-07:00

Amanda and I have decided that a day of geocaching would be fun. Anyone agree? Anyone know more about it than either of us? Who has a reliable GPS?

Need Work

2010-03-08T01:12:00.002-07:00

OK so we are in serious need of some work around here. Truman really does not want me to get a job right now because I am home schooling Alyssa for the next few months and he thinks he will be working evenings, so I am trying to come up with some alternatives. So first I will ask family. Does anyone have any work that they need done. You know hauling wood, cleaning house, really anything. If not please keep your eyes and ears open for us.

new post

2010-03-01T13:44:00.002-07:00

I have posted some new thoughts on my blog. If you are interested in reading go to http://quentintheconservative.blogspot.com/
Thanks. Keep the comments clean.

Lucas's Birthday!!!

2010-02-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

2010-02-27T22:05:00.001-07:00

2010-02-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

2010-02-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

2010-02-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

2010-02-27T21:33:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday!

2010-02-26T16:57:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday Lucas, You are a great joy in my life!

Mom , Dad and Josh Love You Very, Very much!

Te amamos filho!

What are we going to play today?

2010-02-26T08:47:00.002-07:00

L: What are we going to play today daddy?

Me: We are going to play daddy goes to work.

L: Let's not play that game. It is too hard and no fun.

I really need to figure out a plan to be independently wealthy so I can play the fun games.

Not sure if my "welcome to Wal-Mart" plan is going to work...............

Censorship at its worst

2010-02-26T08:13:00.001-07:00

So which one of you administrators took it upon yourself to censor your family?

February Birthdays

2010-02-26T05:19:00.000-07:00

Since someone has taken their sweet time getting the family newsletter out I guess I should say happy birthday to a few of those February Birthdays, and January for that matter:
Amanda, Pris, Alyssa, Kaylee, Savannah....
Chris, Brett, Marin, Lucas ....
Did I forget anyone?
Happy birthday to all.

Qmann.....

2010-02-26T05:12:00.002-07:00

What has happened to you? Where did you go? Stop taking things so personally..stand up, be a proud if not slightly confused conservative and take it like a man!!!

2010 Family Reunion

2010-02-04T10:36:00.001-07:00

I vaguely recall agreeing to plan the next family reunion. I think I said, "I'll just plan it for in FL." Realistically, I know that isn't a possibility for everyone right now...so with that in mind...now is the time to give me your suggestions, places in SE ID and surrounding area, and ideas for what you'd like to do. I can tell you right now...camping is not my idea of fun and I will not plan a camping trip that doesn't have somewhere close by for me to stay with a cabin and hot shower. The week is the last of July. Let the creativity flow peeps.

Alyssa is growing up

2010-01-29T00:38:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Sis!!!

The new iPad

2010-01-28T21:17:00.004-07:00

This video may not be appropriate for younger viewers. You have been warned.

So you know the new Apple Product the iPad? Well Mad-TV thought about it to, in 2006.

Watch it here iPad.

Wonder if the Apple marketing group knew about this.

Help for Haiti

2010-01-13T18:45:00.001-07:00

Put your money where your faith is.

Donate now.

Gospel Doctrine Question

2010-01-12T23:56:00.002-07:00

We can come up with an answer like AGW by consensus.

Law of tithing as convented by temple goers is defined in D&C 119:

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion,
2 For the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my Church.
3 And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people.
4 And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord. (Emphasis Mine)
5 Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.
6 And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you.
7 And this shall be an example unto all the stakes of Zion. Even so. Amen.

Current definition as contained in current General Handbook as per a First Presidency letter sent out in 1970

"The simplest statement we know of is the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay one-tenth of all their interest annually,' which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this."

"We feel that every member of the Church should be entitled to make his own decision as to what he thinks he owes the Lord, and to make payment accordingly.” (Again Emphasis Mine)
(First Presidency letter, 19 Mar. 1970; see also D&C 119:4).

Websters definition of interest:
Main Entry: 1in·ter·est
Pronunciation: \ˈin-t(ə-)rəst; ˈin-tə-ˌrest, -ˌtrest; ˈin-tərst\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, probably alteration of earlier interesse, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, to be between, make a difference, concern, from inter- + esse to be — more at is
Date: 15th century
1 a (1) : right, title, or legal share in something (2) : participation in advantage and responsibility b : business, company
2 a : a charge for borrowed money generally a percentage of the amount borrowed b : the profit in goods or money that is made on invested capital c : an excess above what is due or expected
3 : advantage, benefit; also : self-interest
4 : special interest
5 a : a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to an object or class of objects : concern b : something that arouses such attention c : a quality in a thing arousing interest
(Emphasis Mine)

Look at 3
3. advantage.

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defined advantage as “7. Interest; increase; overplus.” Both of these definitions equate to surplus. (overplus means surplus)

So what do you calculate 10% of? Gross, net, interest/surplus/increase? Provide quotes to support your arguments.

I'll play devils advocate and start first with the following from Elder Franklin D. Richards in 1882 (JOD Page 313):

Before going further I want to stop and consider the question asked by some, what He means where the Lord requires the surplus property of His people as the beginning of their tithing. Let us consider for a moment this word "surplus." What does it mean when applied to a man and his property? Surplus cannot mean that which is indispensably necessary for any given purpose, but what remains after supplying what is needed for that purpose. Is not the first and most necessary use of a man's property that he feed, clothe and provide a home for himself and family? This appears to be the great leading objects for which we labor to acquire means, and as, until the time that this revelation was given, all public works and raising of all public funds had been by consecration, was not "surplus property," that which was over and above a comfortable and necessary subsistence? In the light of what had transpired and of subsequent events, what else could it mean? Can we take any other view of it when we consider the circumstances under which it was given in Far West in July, 1838?
I have been unable in studying this subject to find any other definition of the term surplus, as used in this revelation, than the one I have just given. I find that it was so understood and recorded by the Bishops and people in those days, as well as by the Prophet Joseph himself, who was unquestionably the ablest and best exponent of this revelation.

Mommy is on the Naughty List

2009-12-22T15:23:00.002-07:00

After I told her not to open the packages that the mailman delivered with her presents she went ahead and opened them. She is worse than Lucas. You can not get her a gift without her getting into it.

I am going to have to take a page out of Chris's play book and send them all back. All Ivana is getting for Christmas is a lump of coal.

GET IT SENT IN

2009-12-13T20:08:00.002-07:00

Just letting everyone know that the 15th is rapidly approaching and if you would like to see a Christmas edition of the family newsletter, you better get things submitted.

Baby blessing on the 27th

2009-12-06T22:55:00.003-07:00

We are going to bless the new babe this month on the 27th after church. We will be having dinner at the church building immediately after the blessing. We are going to have soup and dessert. If you are coming please let mom know. Here are the food assignments.

Kevin, Sarah, and Danny- Dessert.
Truman, Chet, Mom, Quentin, Christian- Soups.
I will also be providing the rolls. Keep in mind that we expect over 25 adults and around 32 kids. Thanks.

Special Request, a little late.

2009-12-06T09:28:00.001-07:00

If anyone gets this today, fast for Dan, med school interview at the U this week. THANKS.

Christmas Newsletter

2009-11-26T15:18:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone, let's do a Christmas newsletter. Submission due by Dec. 15, so don't be late. Include pics.

Welcome Tucker to the family

2009-11-11T00:11:00.002-07:00

Here is a first look at our new baby boy. He came into the world at 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 inches long.

Pumpkins from Beijing lifted from Martha Stewart

2009-10-27T06:10:00.005-06:00

Sorry so slow, we had to do a bit of extra work to get these just right.

I only know how to carve 2 types of pumpkin faces

2009-10-26T18:17:00.002-06:00

Our Entries. Lucas wanted one happy and one scary. One for Joshua and one for Lucas.

I will put the Poll up tomorrow.

DOA & Rastafarian Jack-o-lanterns

2009-10-26T16:25:00.003-06:00

Chris' and Dan's entries (well, okay, really the whole family, but since I did the work I get to put my name first) I thought Dan's looks a bit like a creature from The Predator, but his dread locks also make me think of a joint smokin' Marley Rastafarian.

Here's our entry. Quentin's family

2009-10-25T21:21:00.002-06:00

One thing to remember is that these were designed by the little ones.

Jack-o-lantern Carving Contest

2009-10-11T19:11:00.001-06:00

Entries are now open for the 2nd annual Lackey family pumpkin carving contests. Entries are due by October 26th at which time the voting will commence.

Get er done!

For all the husbands out there

2009-10-06T08:30:00.000-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Y0I91rubg

CTR For Dad

2009-10-04T18:54:00.001-06:00

http://broadcast.lds.org/genconf/2009/10/10/GC_2009_10_104_ChooseTheRight___eng_.mp3

This appears to have been designed just for Chris

2009-09-25T07:59:00.001-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ies19ottlBU&feature=player_embedded

Happy birthday to my wonderful hubby and to my beautiful son!

2009-09-15T09:47:00.002-06:00

Kev, being with you...

The thing I like most of all...
more than anything in the whole world...
its being with you.
I am so lucky to have you in my life!
Happy birthday!
Eu Te Amo!

My Sweet boy
I love to look into your eyes.
I see warmth and love and truth and beauty there.
I love to hug you,
I feel the past, the present and the future there.
Thank you for being my son.
You bring so much joy and happiness to my life,
and to our family.
Happy Birthday!
Te amo Filho!

2009-09-14T14:33:00.000-06:00

2009-09-14T14:05:00.000-06:00

2009-09-14T13:59:00.000-06:00

Joshua's and Kev's Birthday!

2009-09-14T13:30:00.008-06:00

Baby Blessing

2009-08-25T14:03:00.004-06:00

Hi everyone,

just wanted to let you all know that we will be blessing Little AML on Saturday, September 19. We'll be doing it at the church and will have a lunch together in the pavilion after. Everyone is invited and all who can make it are invited to join in the blessing, this being the invitation for all my brothers. We will probably ask everyone to bring some sort of food item, so be prepared.

BTW-This is slated to start at 11:00 AM. So that should be plenty of time for everyone to arrive on time.

President Obama on the efficiency of government management.

2009-08-11T12:49:00.003-06:00

Go see my latest rant at http://www.discussingfreedom.blogspot.com/ .

Funny guy, our President. Don't think he really thought this out fully.

The First Fish

2009-08-07T21:39:00.003-06:00

We are in Island Park with the in-laws and we went fishing today. While there the son found a full can of "pop" and asked me what kind of pop it was. He was doing this as he was shaking it. I turned around and looked at him and told him to put the beer down. He threw it on the ground right behind me on the rocks. I heard the beer can hit the ground and then felt my backside get sprayed. My backside was covered in "pop". Later he caught this 19 1/2 inch 3lb fish. It made his day. While driving home I told him we needed to clean the fish. He said we could wash it the bathtub or the clothes washing machine. He had a great day.

Outing to the Great Wall and Lunch in the village

2009-07-25T01:53:00.002-06:00

Sissy stuffs her face

steep stairs, time for a rest

we have conquered the wall

Caitlin's dim sum lunch before and after

2009-07-23T05:42:00.002-06:00

though they were out of pork buns by the time we arrived

Happy Birthday Boo!

2009-07-20T08:11:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Johnny. I can't believe you are 16. Like I said to Kyrie, Sweet 16 and never been kissed. Hope you had fun celebrating.

How come no one wished my ungrateful son happy birthday?

2009-07-19T21:40:00.000-06:00

Lagoon Tickets

2009-07-07T17:57:00.002-06:00

I can get Lagoon Tickets for $31. I need to know by tomorrow night at the latest.

Happy Birthday John

2009-07-04T08:42:00.001-06:00

I figured since you were ahead in time I better get this on now...Happy Birthday. Are you really the big 40 this year? Wow.

Family Outing to Cherry Hill

2009-07-02T12:30:00.002-06:00

Can you hardly believe it! Mom is finally blogging after a four month hiatus. Decided I had better put some information out there concerning the family reunion or I may be the only one there along with DAd. It is planned for Jul 9-11 at Cherry Hill near Layton, Utah. Believe Lagoon opens at 11:00 so you can go that early or come later. Cherry Hill is not available til 1:00 so I will be going there to set up the camp site. Thurs will be a day at Lagoon for those who want to go. Have some discount tickets for $28 - if you buy the right book at Deseret Books you get discounted Lagoon passes - if anyone else knows of discounts let me know or if you have extras! There will be a supper provided for Thurs. evening. It will be brought to those at Lagoon who do not want to take a few minutes off to come to Cherry Hill or we can come down to pick you up and take you back. Just let us know your preference.

Friday will be a splash day at Cherry Hills. A combo discount ticket is $21 which gives you access to the splash park, a mini golf and two other activies. If not a combo the price is $17. Children 3-4 are $7.00 and under two free. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided with food brought by all. Around two o'clock the women of the group will break for a Baby Shower for Amanda.

Saturday we will start with Breakfast and then there are several options; as Kevin stated we can get in the cars and head home, try to go to the Temple open House, go for a hike or go to one of the local splash parks to play games with the children, have the children present some of their talents, etc. Help, give me some ideas. If we decide to stay longer a lunch will be provided.

Food assignments will be forth coming. Would like everyone to bring cookies/cake or treats to share. We are planning on 36-40 in number. Bring your cameras, tents, etc. There is no place for open fires so will use grills and propane gas stoves for cooking.

Sorry I am so slow in providing information - camping sites are $30/per night. So all come with fun ideas for late night talks. Love MOM

Another Birthday

2009-07-01T09:27:00.000-06:00

I think I should just do a shout out to Ivana today as well even though her big day is TOMORROW. Happy Birthday!

Belated Birthday Wishes and Cherry Hill

2009-07-01T09:10:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday to Kyrie, Kade and Quentin! What a busy week it was last week, which reminds me I shouldn't neglect to mention it was Chris and Wade's 17th Anniversary as well. I know I haven't done a newsletter for a while, I don't know if anyone cares. If anyone is interested in being in charge of it feel free to take over....
As for Cherry Hill, it is coming up next weekend. I know we are planning on camping. I am not sure what we are doing for food. Mom has FOUR kidney stones so isn't feeling the greatest. I guess overall we need to know if we want to do the temple open house at Oquirrh Hills. I could get reservations if we are interested.

Be of Good Cheer

2009-06-28T12:28:00.004-06:00

I had the opportunity to give the Elder's Quorum lesson today were we discussed President Monson's talk entitled "Be of Good Cheer." I just wanted to share a part from it and share some points that were brought up from the discussion we had.

In this talk, President Monson shares three examples, and it is the last one that I will post here: (it is a fairly long story, but offers perspective)

"The setting for my final example of one who persevered and ultimately prevailed, despite overwhelmingly difficult circumstances, begins in East Prussia following World War II.

In about March 1946, less than a year after the end of the war, Ezra Taft Benson, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, accompanied by Frederick W. Babbel, was assigned a special postwar tour of Europe for the express purpose of meeting with the Saints, assessing their needs, and providing assistance to them. Elder Benson and Brother Babbel later recounted, from a testimony they heard, the experience of a Church member who found herself in an area no longer controlled by the government under which she had resided.

She and her husband had lived an idyllic life in East Prussia. Then had come the second great world war within their lifetimes. Her beloved young husband was killed during the final days of the frightful battles in their homeland, leaving her alone to care for their four children.

The occupying forces determined that the Germans in East Prussia must go to Western Germany to seek a new home. The woman was German, and so it was necessary for her to go. The journey was over a thousand miles (1,600 km), and she had no way to accomplish it but on foot. She was allowed to take only such bare necessities as she could load into her small wooden-wheeled wagon. Besides her children and these meager possessions, she took with her a strong faith in God and in the gospel as revealed to the latter-day prophet Joseph Smith.

She and the children began the journey in late summer. Having neither food nor money among her few possessions, she was forced to gather a daily subsistence from the fields and forests along the way. She was constantly faced with dangers from panic-stricken refugees and plundering troops.

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks to months, the temperatures dropped below freezing. Each day, she stumbled over the frozen ground, her smallest child—a baby—in her arms. Her three other children struggled along behind her, with the oldest—seven years old—pulling the tiny wooden wagon containing their belongings. Ragged and torn burlap was wrapped around their feet, providing the only protection for them, since their shoes had long since disintegrated. Their thin, tattered jackets covered their thin, tattered clothing, providing their only protection against the cold.

Soon the snows came, and the days and nights became a nightmare. In the evenings she and the children would try to find some kind of shelter—a barn or a shed—and would huddle together for warmth, with a few thin blankets from the wagon on top of them.

She constantly struggled to force from her mind overwhelming fears that they would perish before reaching their destination.

And then one morning the unthinkable happened. As she awakened, she felt a chill in her heart. The tiny form of her three-year-old daughter was cold and still, and she realized that death had claimed the child. Though overwhelmed with grief, she knew that she must take the other children and travel on. First, however, she used the only implement she had—a tablespoon—to dig a grave in the frozen ground for her tiny, precious child.

Death, however, was to be her companion again and again on the journey. Her seven-year-old son died, either from starvation or from freezing or both. Again her only shovel was the tablespoon, and again she dug hour after hour to lay his mortal remains gently into the earth. Next, her five-year-old son died, and again she used her tablespoon as a shovel.

Her despair was all consuming. She had only her tiny baby daughter left, and the poor thing was failing. Finally, as she was reaching the end of her journey, the baby died in her arms. The spoon was gone now, so hour after hour she dug a grave in the frozen earth with her bare fingers. Her grief became unbearable. How could she possibly be kneeling in the snow at the graveside of her last child? She had lost her husband and all her children. She had given up her earthly goods, her home, and even her homeland.

In this moment of overwhelming sorrow and complete bewilderment, she felt her heart would literally break. In despair she contemplated how she might end her own life, as so many of her fellow countrymen were doing. How easy it would be to jump off a nearby bridge, she thought, or to throw herself in front of an oncoming train.

And then, as these thoughts assailed her, something within her said, “Get down on your knees and pray.” She ignored the prompting until she could resist it no longer. She knelt and prayed more fervently than she had in her entire life:

“Dear Heavenly Father, I do not know how I can go on. I have nothing left—except my faith in Thee. I feel, Father, amidst the desolation of my soul, an overwhelming gratitude for the atoning sacrifice of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. I cannot express adequately my love for Him. I know that because He suffered and died, I shall live again with my family; that because He broke the chains of death, I shall see my children again and will have the joy of raising them. Though I do not at this moment wish to live, I will do so, that we may be reunited as a family and return—together—to Thee.”

When she finally reached her destination of Karlsruhe, Germany, she was emaciated. Brother Babbel said that her face was a purple-gray, her eyes red and swollen, her joints protruding. She was literally in the advanced stages of starvation. In a Church meeting shortly thereafter, she bore a glorious testimony, stating that of all the ailing people in her saddened land, she was one of the happiest because she knew that God lived, that Jesus is the Christ, and that He died and was resurrected so that we might live again. She testified that she knew if she continued faithful and true to the end, she would be reunited with those she had lost and would be saved in the celestial kingdom of God."

Here is a woman who lost everything that she held dear and was completely destitute. She lost her husband to war, and her four children to a long and extremely difficult journey. Yet despite the misfortunes that befell her, she still found comfort in the gospel. Though our circumstances are different, I know that if she can find joy in the journey, so can we. I would encourage each of us to take the time to read this talk in its entirety and to think about how it can apply to our own lives. The point in life is not to simple endure to the end, but to do so joyfully. I know that all of us are facing our own difficulties and misfortunes. Through all of this, the Lord will always be with us. And though things might not always work out as we had hoped, as we turn to Him, we can find peace.

Love you all and can't wait to see everyone here in a few weeks!

2 Nephi 9:18 -

"18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever."

I have a VPN!!!

2009-06-25T08:46:00.001-06:00

And have bypassed the evil Chinese censors...hahaha

Happy Birthday Tru!

2009-06-09T15:40:00.000-06:00

Happy Happy Birthday Truman. Hope you have a great day celebrating.

It's Little J on a walk about

2009-06-08T12:39:00.000-06:00

Baby Names

2009-06-08T08:29:00.002-06:00

I hear that Danny and Amanda are looking for suggestions for names.

Since they are having a little girl I suggest: Denise.

Had it been a little boy I would have suggested: Danephew.

Ba dup dump! Thank you I'll be here all week.

Buehler? Buehler?

2009-06-02T11:03:00.001-06:00

Where is everyone? It is awfully quiet around here. What are everyone's plans for the summer? Hope Cherry Hill works out. Let us know what we need to be doing.

Happy Birthday Cheti

2009-05-19T07:33:00.000-06:00

Happy birthday little bro. Things have to get better this year!!!!

HAPPY BELATED MOTHERS DAY!!!

2009-05-11T04:17:00.002-06:00

I always forget all the holidays anymore as nothing is widely followed here in the good old PRofC.....

Asha's New Bob aka Willie Wonkie

2009-05-10T02:03:00.001-06:00

Amanda's Graduation

2009-04-26T21:44:00.001-06:00

For those of you who got a graduation anouncement, we just want to make a clafification if anyone is planning on coming. Amanda is not planning on doing general commencement, but will only doing her college convocation. The time is 11:15 AM for any of you who are planning on coming.

Happy Birthday Julie

2009-04-21T21:31:00.000-06:00

Don't know if you check this or not, but Happy Birthday!!! Mom says you don't check your emails either so I thought this might get to you.

Robotics

2009-04-21T03:31:00.001-06:00

Below is a link to videos for the Seattle and Atlanta competitions.

http://www.thebluealliance.net/tbatv/

The Politics

2009-04-21T03:11:00.001-06:00

He who thus considers things in their first growth and origin, whether a state or anything else, will obtain the clearest view of them. In the first place there must be a union of those who cannot exist without each other; namely, of male and female, that the race may continue (and this is a union which is formed, not of deliberate purpose, but because, in common with other animals and with plants, mankind have a natural desire to leave behind them an image of themselves),

Family Reunion

2009-04-19T16:52:00.005-06:00

Everyone, we need to figure something out for the family reunion. It's going to be the weekend of the 9th-11th of July. Some ideas have been Island Park, Redfish, Jordanelle, Midway, etc. The sooner we figure out what we're going to do the better. So let's start the ideas rolling.

*Update - another option is Cherry Hill in Kaysville. Here is a link if you want to check it out: http://www.cherry-hill.com/

Happy Birthday

2009-04-15T20:41:00.001-06:00

D-Man!

What like 22 now ;) ?

Moved

2009-04-12T20:58:00.001-06:00

It's official we moved. We are now in a 3/1 bath apartmnet in Jonathan's basement. I am offically going crazy. We see if we can make this work. I hate moving. You think you are done and then there are like fifty more things that sprout up out of the carpet. Well we may be in boxes for awhile.

Snow & Kids

2009-04-10T00:34:00.002-06:00

So much tree pollen in the air looks like it's snowing. And Asha is now mothering Are. Pris was spying on her; Asha had Ari on the bed changing his nappy. He just sitting there happily letting her clean him. Then she playing with him saying "who's the naughty boy"...he doesn't even sit still when I change him. He is certianly attached to his big sister and already picking up her bad habits to boot....

Ari took first steps today

2009-03-19T03:01:00.001-06:00

WARNING - OFFENSIVE MATERIAL SO READ BEFORE LOOKING AT PHOTO

2009-03-17T03:17:00.002-06:00

The photo below is real, however, it contains a sensitive word that some may find offensive so proceed with caution.....it was just too funny to pass up.....

Priceless

2009-03-15T18:07:00.001-06:00

Being able to see the space shuttle launch right from our backyard. Will post pics on my blog soon, I promise. Lots of pics of baseball, lacrosse, NHS induction, Jake running a mile, pretty sunsets, etc. Coming soon!!

It's A Girl

2009-03-13T18:17:00.000-06:00

Just in case you don't read our blog...

Bubba Update

2009-03-13T05:53:00.004-06:00

He is now standing on this own, though hard to see in photo. So busy eating he didn't realize he wasn't holding onto anything for support....and he loves that pasta!!!

Multiple deaths reported in Ala. shooting spree

2009-03-10T18:22:00.001-06:00

Here's mine

2009-03-10T15:17:00.003-06:00

Just to keep with the current theme. But if you look close you will notice something wrong. Who can figure it out that has not seen this before. If you have seen this you can not play.

Try Again

2009-03-09T17:26:00.004-06:00

Well, here is a pic of my Valentine's gift. My hubby loves me! Plus, this weapon is actually in my possession with 2000 rounds of ammo. You only wish you owned that sniper rifle. I'll give you that you are probably a better shot with it than I am, but I have found a range where I can practice with the rifles, so give me a few months and we'll have to have a shooting competition.