Stake Conference with Elder Scott

We have been greatly blessed in our stake these last two days. In the scriptures the prophets often say that there are things that could not be written, Rob and I have recently discussed that this might be because sometimes there are not words for the way(s)that one feels the Spirit. That is how I have felt this weekend so I will do my best to give you some highlights of the doctrine taught and the impressions I received.
First off, our Stake President, Elder Reall of the Seventy, was released (what an incredible, loving and wonderful teacher of the gospel). Our Stake YM President was called to be the new Stake President, President Houseman, my old Bishop, President Mingus, and a current Bishop, President Lambson. They will do a great job.
So what I learned - Saturday night.
*to remember to share the gospel through how I live
*that we have to constantly restrengthen our testimonies and ourselves - we must nurture and replenish or our seeds will no longer grow
*not to spend time with things of little worth - that is different for us all
*to make sure that what I am doing in life is not diverting me from the things that are most important in life
*how important trust is - in ourselves, those we love and in the Savior
*how important it is to teach our children about the temple - to point them there
*to teach about modesty, moral values, covenants and the value of attending the temple to our children so they will want to go someday
*the covenants we make in the temple are eternal and binding - we can lose them through disobedience but why would we chose that if we understand the plan - justice allows for us to have whatever we earn here on earth
*the atonement is very real and allows for all of our fears, sorrows, insecurities, and of course repentance that we all need
*that studying the scriptures - really feasting upon the word allows us to grow closer to our Savior
* that I need to evaluate my study habits and that through the scriptures I can receive the answers I need
* how incredibly important the influence of good parents are in the home
*that our Savior lives, He loves us and leads this Church
*that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and restored this amazing gospel

Temple Patrons Fund

During Stake Conference the Elder Lawrence of the Second Quorum of the Seventy was visiting and speaking and spoke of the Temple Patrons Fund. I had never heard of it before but it sounds wonderful. In essence it gives those that will not ever be able to afford to travel to a temple to go for themselves with assistance from all of us! Of course there are things the saints have to do to help - they have to committ to going (set a date) and make a significant contribution (of their income). Elder Lawrence was mission president in Siberia and the nearest temple was in Sweeden. It took at least a year of planning, 42 hours of travel there and then at least that much back. The cheapest the church could manage the trip was $500 of which only 1-2% of the saints could afford. This program is for first time goers only - taking out their own endowment (could be their only time to go in their life). It allows them to experience those temple blessings. Like the Prepetual Education Fund this is a Fund you can donate to on your tithing slip - just write in TPAF under other. I think it is incredible and had never heard of it before. Here is a link to the information on the church website.

Elizabeth, Eliza, Zaba

Elizabeth Jayne already has many different names.  I call her Eliza, Rob calls her Zaba, and the kids usually call her Elizabeth.

I wanted to get a picture of her this weekend but she was tired and her eye is a little guppy and it was late by the time we got to it so I got one good one where she didn't move. 

We are going to make an announcement of her birth - even have a picture of a live stork to put on it (from our recent trip to the zoo) but wanted to know which of these three you would use.  It is the same picture just with different tints or whatever used.

Picture A

Picture B

Picture C

I think she is beautiful, Rob thinks she still looks like an alien.  She is lying on a very soft blanket that Aunt Asia made for us and sent all the way from Germany - I think she likes it.  If she doesn't Rob and I love it.

So give me your votes - which one should we use?

The Weekend

This last weekend Rob and most of the kids headed to Kansas to get Elizabeth. We decided that we would meet up in St. Louis and go to the zoo, have lunch, etc. The kids wanted a picture of everything we saw (thank goodness for digital cameras) but I spare you that.






After feeding the kids and getting them to the Blacks for a movie and bed (Thanks again Denise and Jason) Rob and I worked on an electronic version of a wedding invitation. We are sending out annoucements with a picture of the family after the wedding but I wanted something to send out now. It took a while but looks nice.

Saturday, Katie stayed with me and hung out while Rob was in KS. She had her first sewing lesson, she has been begging me to teach her since Christmas. She did a great job and it was a learning experience for me as well, I have never taught a 10 year old how to sew before. Had to really think through some things as I was talking with her or as we came upon problems. But in the end she did a great job and it looks really cute on her.

Sunday Rob drove back and we walked to the park, had dinner and relaxed a bit before they needed to head back to Herrin. It was a nice weekend.

David Glenn Leavitt

Today, my nephew, David Glenn Leavitt, turned 8 and was baptized. It is pretty neat to be batized on your birthday and David is a pretty awesome kid. He was so excited to get baptized that he literally jumped into the font ready. After he was baptized and received the Holy Ghost he was just a beaming little boy! So cute. After the batism we had some refreshments there at the church (great job Donna) and just hung out and had some fun. It was well worth the visit.

Brad and David

David with his cake

David and Joy

Lessons Learned While Gardening

Yesterday I flew home for my nephew, David, baptism today. This morning we did a bunch of yard work. So as most know there is a lot of be learned in the process of growing plants and caring for a yard. So here are some of the things we learned.

Mandy pointed out that grass have really deep roots and are hard to pull up but weeds pull out really easy. So we talked about how if we create deep roots in our lives with the gospel (read the scriptures, pray, go to church) then we too will have deep roots and a solid foundation.

Nathan was bringing the wheel barrow over to help haul away some trimmings and hit a rut, the path he had chosen was one of the lowest in the yard and he couldn't get the wheel barrow up and over without help. As my mom walked over she said "If you had stayed on higher ground this probably wouldn't have happened." How right she is! As we chose the higher ground we are more able to create those deep roots we all need.

When I was wedding I kept coming across weds that were growing among the rocks placed as the barrier of the flower bed. These weds are the nasty, spiky kind that hurt your hand as you pull them out. And just as the Savior taught they were incredibly easy to pull from the rocks. Where you chose to grow makes all the difference!


Finally, I think that process of planting a simple seed and watching it grow into a great plant that gives me yummy vegetables is its own kind of miracle. I think that is one of the many ways that the Lord allows us to participate in the work of creation and teaches us patience and care.

A Conversation Among Men and Photos

Today is Jason Black's birthday and so I went and watched the 4 big kids so that Denise and Jason and Gilead could go on a date. Happy Birthday Jason, hope 34 treats you well! While watching the boys I overheard some very interesting conversations between Ephraim (6) and Simeon (4). They went like this:

S: When I grow up I am going to be a MAN!
E: Well, that is a lot of work you know to be a good man, like Daddy and President Reall.
S: What kind of work?
E: I don't know but it takes a lot of time at church!

As a side note Jason is the secretary to our Stake President who was just sustained as a General Authority on Saturday during conference and the boys sometimes get to accompany their dad after church on Sunday to the Stake offices while Pres. has his interviews. E. is right is does take a lot of work to become a good man or woman!

Minutes later in the conversation I hear:

S: I am not a mammal.
E: Yes, you are!
S: No
E: Mammals have hair and we have hair, mammals feed their babies milk and mommy feeds Gilead milk - see we are mammals.

I would appreciate that kind of logical when I defend my dissertation - she said she would do XXXX and she did XXX - she passes - yeah Kathie!

S: Do you think that yellow butterfly has a mommy?
E: I don't know, why?
S: Because mommy's take care of us and feed us and love us

Thought Denise and all other mothers might want to hear that - Mommy's are really important!

Here are the covenanted pictures of Elizabeth Jayne - I have not seen her and did not take these photos but she just looks huge. Marlissa wasn't pleased with the invasion of another baby into her life last night and wouldn't look at her - in the picture below she is a least facing her. Could be a long couple of months at the beginning of this!

Elizabeth in all her 10 pound glory - she just looks so huge!

Rob, Marlissa and Elizabeth - not sure why Rob is looking down.

Caleb, Katie, Marlissa, Elizabeth, Grandma Sarah and Sammy