This is the Place!

On July 24th 1847, Brigham Young led a rag tag group of Pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley. It is well documented that he rose from his fever stricken bed in the back of a wagon and said,

"This is the right place"

Thousands upon Thousands followed and the Salt Lake Valley thrived with the faith, hope and determination of the myriad pioneers that came across the plains and the Atlantic.

Today we celebrate our heritage and I think about my grandparents that made the sacrifice to practice their religion. I'm proud of my pioneer roots.

In Utah and Idaho (where my family comes from)

They have BIG HUGE PARADES, FIREWORKS,THE OSMONDS

IT's a big deal

And that's how the Mormons up north roll.

However, here in the deep south, we celebrate Pioneer Day a little different.

While Brigham Young's words are well documented, a lesser known tradition was born that day.

Apparently the morning of the 24th the Bishopric got up early and made pancakes for everyone and all the women and children had to do was get ready to eat by 8 am.

And that's how we roll.

Thanks for the good food and good times this morning.

Oh and A Huge Thanks to

Grandma and Grandpa Ward

Grandma and Grandpa John

Grandma and Grandpa Bright

For doing all they could do which led to me having it real easy to grow up and beleive in this church- that they literally toiled over.

Happy Pioneer Day.

Toy Story three

Dreamweaver

I realize we are Johnny Come Latelies on this.

But we went today.

I'm still VERY TEARY EYED.

Usually Disney gets me with a dead mom or dog, but this time it was thinking about my precious little guy leaving for college in a brief six years.

Just before it got sad, Joely decides she wants to sit by Alice so David was in the seat with me all snuggled up when I started to bawl- true sobbing you know CHEST HEAVING and all. David was wondering if I was ok and I told him it was sad.

I just kept thinking about all the many firsts I had with the little dude and how once he goes off to college he'll have plenty of firsts but none will have me in it

WAH WAH WAH

He was sweet and held me tight.

Hey what are Alice and Quentin doing sitting next to each other?
Mr. Oil and Ms. Water?

HUH?

Well on Monday they were at each others throats until I made them go into their rooms until they could get along.

I figured they'd still be there.

These two can literally disagree on anything.

For instance They fought over who will win the Final Jam, Alice says it will be Camp Rock and Quentin says Camp Star.

Clearly Quentin knows "aint no way in a manger" a Jonas Brother will lose, so he's just doing it to "offend and insult" (her words) Alice. I'll be honest that one irritated me, I mean come on-

Who doesn't love Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers?

But I digress--Back to Monday

Robert, David, Joely and I left for scouts and told them they still needed to work it out.

They joined together against us and right now we are all enjoying a temporary cease-fire.

Alice called us while we were gone and said,

"You should leave us together alone more often, we played board games"

Most likely they complained about their parents a lot and played a little,

Whatever works.

Cheese Joely.

She didn't like the previews-

"TOO LOUD"

But she enjoyed the show and the popcorn and even Mr. Pibb

(they didn't have the Doctor at the AMC Theater)

Oh yeah, why do I have Barbie and Ken up there?

Because true love wins in the end.

He Lives All Glory to His Name

Tonight I was able to attend, yet another, wonderful inservice meeting. Our leader, President Pomeroy is the Church Education System Director for the Houston Area. Each month he meets with us and gives us ideas, insights and a spiritual boost.

Tonight's lesson was about the Apostle Richard G. Scott and his powerful address about the Atonement of Christ. President Pomeroy provided us each with a a transcript of the talk and asked us to read and ponder the following questions:

1. Reasons why it is important to understand and rely on the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ.

2. New Insights you receive from Elder Scott's teachings

3. His suggestion for ways we can better understand and appreciate the atonement.

It was wonderful to read and ponder and I was amazed what I learned and reviewed. I encourage you to listen to the talk or read the transcript here

And if you are interested here is what I learned.

1. Reasons why it is important to understand and rely on the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ.

1. "He opened the path wehereby each of Heavenly Father's children born to earth would have the opportunity to rise from death to live again"
2. While speaking of the Resurrection Elder Scott said, " What a glorious moment that morning was for all who understood the significance."
3. "we realize that what He has willingly done with immense suffering and sacrifice will affect us not only in this life But throughout all eternity"
4. "Jesus Christ Lives, He is our Redeemer. He is a glorious, resurrected being. He has the capacity to communicate love that is so powerful, so overwhelming as to surpass the capacity of the human tongue to express adequately."

New Insights I received from this particular Teaching of The Apostle Richard G. Scott

1. "How our Father in Heaven must have rejoiced that sacred day when His totally obedient, completely worthy Son shattered the chains of death." I guess I had never considered the rejoicing that took place..This has always been to me part of the plan, so I thought about it as kind of a business as usual thing instead of something the Father rejoiced in. I got chills when I imagined the happiness in the heavens as a result of the Saviors Sacrifice.
2. while speaking of your own personal witness of the Atonement Elder Scott said,"They must be more than principles you memorize. They must be woven into the very fiber of your being as a powerful bulwark against the rising tide of abomination that infects our world" I had to ask what a bulwark was, it is the part of the ship that keeps the water out. The powerful imagery that comes from the phrase "infects our world" really shook me. What an wonderful promise though that our personal knowledge (which leads to action) of our Savior and his sacrifice will keep out the evils of our day.
3. While referring to Second Nephi chapter 2 verses 6 and 7 Elder Scott said, "That scripture indicates that for the proud and haughty, it is as though there never were an Atonement made" Proud and Haughty? whooooaaaa- that includes me a million times over. What a scary statement, that is is if the Atonement never occur ed.
4. "When we break a law there is nothing left over from prior obedience to satisfy the demands of justice for that broken law" Again, whoa! How many times have thought or even said out loud---"well I did this and this and this, so I'm going to slide on that" or though, "I've served enough, now I can rest on my laurels"
   I guess I've always known those thoughts were inconsistent with my knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan (specifically read the address of King Benjamin regarding our debt to the Lord) but to hear an apostle declare it really gave me a "rude awakening"
5. "None of us can ever adequately appreciate the mortality the full beneficial consequences of the Atonement" I was glad to read this. There is so much I get frustrated with and I need to remember that I won't be able to understand everything during this mortal state. In the next life when the all of mankind is revealed and our memories are open, I'll better understand the complexities of today. For now to quote the Young Woman Anthem, "I walk by Faith".
6. Another wonderful Apostolic promise given "As parents, prepare your children for the challenges they will encounter. Teach them truth, encourage them to live it, and they will all right no matter how severely the world is shaken" They will be all right, I can't think of anything more that I wish for my little family than that they will be all right.
7. "In Time we will be released from all other assignments we receive but not from that of father and mother" WOW!!! Again, not really a new concept, because Families can be Forever, but I never thought so much that all the other assignments will come and go. It makes the admonition "NO other success can compensate for Failure in the home" all the more meaningful.

Elder Scott's suggestions for ways we can better understand and appreciate the atonement.

1. "Strive to Understand more about it"
2. "I believe that it is instructive to try to imagine what the Atonement required of both the Father and willing Son"
3. "I energetically encourage you to establish a personal study plan "
4. "Profound Personal Pondering of the scriptures accompanied by searching, heartfelt prayer"
5. "Consistent Temple attendance"
6. "the best way to make a permanent change for good is to make Jesus Christ your model and His teachings your guide for life"
7. "repent of improper choices and to conquer the negative effects of a life contrary to His teachings."
8. "Qualify by obedience"

I am so grateful for tonight's lesson and for the time and effort President Pomeroy puts into each inservice meeting. Tonight made me want to be diligent in studying the words of the living prophets and pondering their message. I know they speak the will of the Lord.