Christ's atoning sacrifice is infinite. It allows us to forgive those who have wronged us. We can forgive and LOVE ALL MEN, even those who have wronged us.- Doug Bush (my stake president)
24 Savannah 2003
26 William Montana Timmins born 1894, died 23 Feb. 1975
27 Dena
Lots of folks graduating this week and in the months of April and May. Feel free to send me names of those who are graduating and what they are graduating in. (Not high school...) These are the ones I know. BYU- Skjelse BA in Political Science. Kenny (Natalie's husband) BS in Geographic Information Systems. USUHS Uniform Services University of Health Sciences (Medical School)- Connor (Katie's husband). CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE! Send me more names to congratulate!
Missionary updates-it has been asked that I remind everyone of what missions each missionary is serving in...So I will do that today and once in a while in the future.
Cameron-Carlsbad California- wrote a short letter. But in it, he wrote that they had taught 19 lessons that week! He is obviously keeping busy and working very hard. He is also doing service. The missionaries in his area were able to watch General Conference and he loved it!
Easton-Ontario, Toronto, Canada- Easton wrote a uper nice letter this week. He was able to talk to the missionaries who replaced him in his last area and found that the foundation he helped set is bringing about miraculous results in that area. He ended his letter with the statement below...If he learns nothing else in his mission, he has suceeded! Be patient reading this paragraph. It is long, but I wanted to dopy the whole paragraph because it is so worth it!
Often, especially as missionaries, we feel that the rules or commandments limit our freedom and restrict us. We feel that God is telling us what to do, holding us back or limiting our rights. This need for freedom and thoughts that we know what we're doing lead us to break the rules and guidelines set for us by our loving Heavenly Father. But when we break these rules we break down the walls that protect us from the adversary and we lose the protection of the Spirit. When we keep the commandments and follow the guidelines we build up walls that protect us from the world and lay up in store the blessings in heaven. We may feel that rules restrict us and take away our freedom but in reality, they set us free from the bonds of sin and the influence of Satan. Listen to God. He knows what he is doing.
Liam-Madagascar Antananarivo- His letter was filled with examples of folks learning about the gospel and letting it change their lives. He is teaching so many people who are excited to learn the gospel! He also concludes his letter with a grand testimony. Sorry! I know it is long too. But again, it is such a great message!
He quotes Alma 43:45, 49-50. (Look it up) then he adds....I love this scripture. It applies to us as Latter-day Saints so well in these times. We are fighting for a better cause. We are at war with Satan. This world is full of problems, sorrows, heartache, wars, and slander. The enemy is constantly try to break us down. But we are fighting for a better cause. In the premortal life we chose our families, our situations, and we promised Heavenly Father that we would fight for Him and that we would return. I intend to keep that promise. Fathers promised to protected their wives and children. Mothers promised to support their husbands in the Priesthood and nurture their children in the gospel. Children promised to help their parents and siblings. We all promised to uphold righteousness and be our brother's/sister's keeper. Don't get discouraged or downtrodden. Life is difficult, but that is a blessing. You can't grow if you are comfortable. If we ask for help He will help us "in that selfsame hour."
Robbie-Denver Colorado South writes that very shortly after having a third missionary assigned to the companionship, in another area, a companionship got in a car accident. One of those missionaries already didnt have driving priviledges, and now the second, the driver, didnt either. So the third misionary got transfered again, to the non-driving missionaries, so thtat he could drive. :) And he wrote of some stupid things these missionaries (not Robbie, though!) do for fun. (trying to swig 15 capri-suns in 15 minutes. Let's just say it wasnt pretty.) He writes,
...when it comes down to it- families and the gospel are the only things we have to rely on in this life. Even though we all go through hard times, it's good to see the people that we visit realize the potential that they have as a family :) A good thought to remember.
Catie had an article written about her, as teacher of the year. It is a fun article, and is a short read. Here is the link...Teacher of the year.
Boston writes that her little girl, Sawyer, is walking. She took a video of her, which I am unable to figure out how to post here. Check out her blog. Boston's family blog.
Natalie sent a bunch of fun pictures. Some were of Addie's 2 year old birthday party, in a local park, with a school bus theme. This is a picture from the party. Natalie is in the middle, Addie is to her left, our right. (not in Natalie's lap.)
Natalie also sent pictures of Kieren's senior recital. She said that Monta, Dena, Karen & kids, Carol & Emma, Skjelse, Dan & Val, Jenna, me/Kenny/Addie, Molly, and Mont & Terri all came. Mom/Grandma was there in spirit, and in jewelry. :o) (Natalie wore earrings, necklace, bracelet, etc of Mom's to the performance so that she would be there in spirit.)
I heard wonderful reports about the concert/recital. It was recorded, so those of us who couldnt attend hope to get a copy of the recording.
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Finally, Lissa posted a long, very entertaining post, catching us up with her family. I will only include a few items, but to get all the stories, check out her blog. Lissa's family blog Reminder--this is a private blog. So you need to contact Lissa for an invite before you read it. Living in New York City, they get a lot of visitors and they enjoy that, Hamilton especially. She wrote about 2 month old Powell, "He is a really easy going baby and hardly ever cries. The other day in Relief Society, I put a blanket down on the ground, laid Powell down on it, and he just fell asleep. Some of the other moms were pretty surprised that he would do that. He is just a super easy baby! I don't know how long it will last, but I am definitely enjoying it while I can."
Here are some pictures from her post.
Ole and Dena on the Brooklyn bridge, visiting when Powell was born.
Hamilton reading to Powell
Lissa's "boys" on Easter Sunday
Powell at around 2 months.
I heard from some different people this week. Thank you. Aunts/Uncles/Cousins, of mine.....you get this email. Dont you want some of YOUR family news in it? :)
I hope everyone had a good week. Remember the week is what you make it. Maybe you cannot determine what happens this week, but you can always determine how you react to it. In our RS lesson, a sister commented, "We will all have trials and challenges. It doesnt matter what the challenge is. Instead, what matters is WHO we are after going through the challenges." You are 100% responsible for how you react in any situation. (Do I sound enough like Mom? I guess she has influenced me a bit. :o)
Work hard, study hard, pray hard,
Until next week,
Carol
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