12 May 2013

Both thoughts will be memes today.  Just for something different. :o)

Dates of importance this week....

13 Boston 

15 Steve Hobbs

15 Alexandra (Trent's) 2001 (going into YW!  Lucky Alex!!!)

16 Trent and Lyndi were married in the Mount Timpanogos temple 2000

16 Boston and Craig were married in the Bountiful temple 2003

17  Syttende Mai, Norwegian Independence Day

18 would have been Brycie Greener's 31st birthday. WOW!

19 Steven Brown passed away in 2011.  What a strong, courageous, and inspirational young man he was! I feel honored to have known him.

Missionary updates

Easton writes of a hard experience where three passionate, bible thumping men verbally attacked the missionaries for a long period of time.  His companion (from Brazil)  stayed calm and at one point, asked the men a question, quietly replied to their comments and excused himself and Easton, getting out of a bad situation without them adding to the confrontation.  Easton added, "My testimony of the truth of this church was strengthened so much this week. After the bash on Saturday I did not feel the Spirit. I felt angry and afraid and contentious and it was awful. As the day continued, each time I prayed and refocused I felt the Spirit return. The contention had driven the Spirit away but prayer brought it back. It was incredible to feel the Spirit return and to feel that happiness the gospel brings. I love it. I love being a missionary. "

Liam loves his new area.  He writes, "We were blessed to have a wonderful baptism this Saturday. It was a man named Ernest. His is amazing! His story is honestly so cool. He just one day came to and decided that he needed to change his life and repent. He saw the missionaries ride by on their bikes while he was working security and called them over. He told them that he needed to change and that he wanted to started learning about the gospel. So they started teaching him. As he learned he felt impressed to stop smoking, drinking, etc. He cut all his bad habits before he had heard any lesson other than the Restoration! He loves the church, the gospel, and all it brings! He speaks a little english and during one of our lessons this week he bore testimony to us about the gospel and living by it and said in English, "I know it, I know it, I understand. I love it." It was way cool. And Saturday and Sunday he kept saying, "I am very happy!" It was way cute. He is so prepared."

Robbie  writes, "So some of the good things that happened this week were first off- we had a lesson with our investigator Karen the other day.  Shes the one that's trying really hard to quit smoking it's just hard.  We decided to watch the Testaments with her.   After the movie we look over and Karen was crying!  She said "I'm so glad I watched that movie! I needed that".. and then we were talking about how those feelings she has is from the spirit saying this is true and she said "It's got to be true.  It just has to be!'' .. It was so crazy! She's so amazingly solid!"   Robbie is at that strange part of a mission where  you are trying to stay focused on mission work, but having to make important decisions about what to do after the mission. (applying for school, etc..)  Keep him in your prayers, as I hope you do with all the missionaries....

More family information.

BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK: KIEREN got her mission call!!

Porte Alegre Brazil  mission, reporting at the Brazil MTC on Sept 13

Additionally, Dan and Val sent a link for Kieren’s senior recital.  Many of us couldn't come, so I am so excited to get this!  Check out a talent that is remarkable.  Kieren's senior recital

Cara sent the following pictures..  Hyrum's first hair cut...before and after.....

Today is Mother's day.   My lesson in RS was about making sure our heart is in the right place to turn it over to Christ.  But as I prepared it, I wasn't feeling it at all.  I was frustrated.  I prayed for guidance.  Then during Sacrament Meeting, I thought about my Mom's heart.  I decided to start the lesson with some stories of what a loving person she was. (Stories like the one about Mark Vaubel for those who remember him....)  Then I talked about making your heart one that ready to turn over to Christ.  With that, the lesson went a totally different direction.  You wouldn't have recognized the lesson at all.  But the spirit was super strong and the class members participated as never seen before.  I barely had to do anything but nod, agree, and call on the next person.  It was amazing.  And it was obviously exactly what everyone needed to hear. 

I received this invitation (below) in the mail yesterday.  Obviously, I will not be able to attend.  But I hope some of my siblings, or others can attend.  May 24, 2013 at 11:00am.

That's all for this week.  Remember to be the person your mother wants you to be! Especially  this week.  And call your mom often.  Don't delay, or you may regret it.  You may not be able to call her any more.  You don't need anything to talk about.  Just call her!

Work Hard, Study Hard, Pray Hard.  Love you mom!

Carol