In the Temple

Yesterday afternoon we spent a lovely afternoon in the temple. We arrived in time to join Heidi, Nona's daughter and her husband and son to be sealed in the temple. It was great to look around the room and see all Nona's children with their spouses. I thought to myself that she must have waited a very long time for this day to come. The sealing was beautiful and the instruction was very insightful as the sealer talked to us all about the Covenant that Hiedi and Rich were about to make. Then in came little red headed Isaiah. They had him kneel at th Alter and we all chuckled as all we could see peeking over the alter was a little set of eyes and a lot of red hair. I once had a sealer tell us that he had never seen a child act up in the sealing room and this was the same. He came right in, knelt down and then after they were sealed his father held him up to look in the mirrors and he had that 'amazing' look on his face that little children get. We all hugged, kissed, and then met Nona and her family at Nona's house. It was a great day. One that will never be forgotten.

Something to think about

Jeff and I just finished two days of Stake Conference. Last night on Saturday night we received such good information. Our Stake President and his counselors are such good teachers and the saturday night session (which is my favorite) turned into a teaching session with people in the congregation raising their hands and answering questions.

One of the things that stands out in my mind is what our Stake President said.

"We are intended to have peace and joy in troubled times."

How grateful I am to know the gospel and realize that all around us there may be turmoil but in our hearts and in our homes we are intended to have peace and joy.

Ten Principles he shared for financial stability, we all know but a great reminder.

1. Pay an honest tithing
2. Learn to manage money before it manages you
3. Learn self disipline and restraint
4. Use a budget, have a three month emergency fund
5. Teach your family the importance of learning and earning.
6. Teach children to make money decisions
7. Teach each family member how they contribute to the total family budget
8. Teach education as a continual process
9. Work toward home ownership, even in a modest home a family can find a safe place to worship
10. Involve yourself in appropriate insurance.

Don't forget food storage and BE WISE!!

Then our Stake President asked each of us to turn to someone next to us and share with them 'The greatest desire of your Heart". Well, when you say something like that you really get me choked up, so I turned to Jeff but I couldn't talk right away. I said" to have each of my children and their children with us in Eternity". Jeff said to have all our children in the Temple with us someday". Both great goals. But ones that only come about with righteous living, fasting and prayer.
Then the next question, "what would you do to obtain those blessings."

As I was listening I really didn't want to take notes, afraid I would miss something like you do when you are too busy writing everything down. Several years ago Elder Bednar came to Evanston and told us only to write down the things we were prompted to write and not the words he was saying. He taught us that the things the spirit whispers during these times when we are gathered to learn is what we should remember. So here it is....

I wonder all the time about the blessings that I have been given in my Patriarchal Blessing. Some of those blessings as I live righteously directly bless my children, so I have questioned at times why the blessings are not in place NOW..... ( I get impatient).. But then I remember that we are here for a lifetime. And I trust the Lord that those blessing will be mine.

Here is what the spirit gave me. " I do not doubt that I will return to my Savour. I live each day the best I can so that my children will receive the blessing that have been promised."

Suffice it to say that tears were very close to the surface through the evening.

Then another great truth was taught. Up on an overhead was placed a letter to all members that was distributed to the Church in 1999. One part of it said, 'Teach Preeminence.... of home and family". And of course I needed to know what that really meant.
Preeminence: "Above all else".
Teach that "above all else" our home and family are first.

Above all else...

In troubled times remember, Your covenant protects you and shelters you to protect you as you obtain the blessings that were promised.

To all who stopped to read today, this is just a little note to my family. I love you, pray for you and know you will be protected. Be Wise.....

Brents wedding, July 2008, I'm backtracking....

Brent is Jeff's oldest boy. First one to get married. We were excited to be there and try to make their day the very happiest ever.............

First day of our get together with Ashley's family. Rehearsal dinner in the backyard and wedding runthrough in the front yard. Brent and Ashley were truly meant to be together. They thought they were sneaky and didn't think anyone knew there was a run through out in the front while we were all eating in the back. There didn't seem to be any wedding jitters here. Although I believe there was a lot of advice.....

Left: Aunt Suzzette from Utah, Aunt Patsy from Parker ID, Brent, sister Andrea with Dave,

Grandpa and Grandma Larson. It was so nice to have them come all the way to Oregon for the wedding.

Scanning the crowd just before the 'ol ball and chain' gets attached...... Oh, I mean the wedding starts. Dave, Andrea, Grandpa in the background and Aunt Jody behind him.

Brent tried a couple of times to make a get away before the ceremony. But alas, his legs were too short and the fence too strong. Or maybe he just decided to stay. Could be love.

I believe Andrea had a little advice. Also a pretty new dress. Without even knowing she picked all the right colors.

Down the Isle comes daddy's little girl. I think it was hard on dad to give her up. Ashley never looked so good. What a great day!!!

And she made it. There was Brent waiting. The Bishop told him he could say 'yes, or I do'..... So in a very firm voice and with a smile on his face he said "YES, I DO!!".....

Love the little girl in the background. Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Brent Larson!

They looked pretty snazzy when you line them all up. Thanks to Ashleys mom for the great dresses. The guys didn't look too bad either.

And anyone find Andrea in the bouquet throwing crowd??? NO

Brent! What are you doing????

He seems to like this a lot, a lot , a lot, a lot.......

Beautiful cake. Look at the smiles on those faces.

Time for dad to move in and give a little pre wedding night advice. Now this is very serious.

But Brent said.....

"I've seen it all in the movies"... Ahhhhuuuuuggggggg.....

It was sure a great great day.

Oregon in July

Just back tracking a bit.... In July Jeff and I went camping at the Oregon Coast. We had a few days before heading into Beaverton (by Portland) to attend Brents wedding. Brent is Jeff's oldest son. We had our bikes and rode a few blocks into town everyday, relaxed, walked the beach and cooked outdoors. What more could you want. Don't know where this shot came from..... Watch out for larger camp lady.....

The evening were wonderful and the sunsets the best. Wish we never had to leave.

McCall at the turn of the season

Sorry no pics. But we just returned from two days in McCall, not nearly enough. Nona and Ed invited us to join them and the only time we could go was early monday until tuesday evening. We left early and met the Haddock gang at the pancake house. It was a small group, only 12. It gave us a chance to see everyone before they started home.

Julie and James and their kids were there and they looked Soooooo good. I miss having them around. Then Kathy and Nathan and Krista and Adam had to leave for home.

We stopped by to see Dave and Becky before they pulled out and picked Huckleberries for a couple of hours. Dave has a secret meadow, but I don't think he is going to tell.......

Then off to see Nona and Ed. Ed was kind enough to put the boat in the water and around the lake we went. Nona and I had blankets over us and once in a while the sun would peak out. We saw one brave skier and I think Ed counted up to 4 boats on the water. It was fun and brings back a lot of memories. We were trying to see if we could figure out where Tam and Ben would be from the water but we had to drive there today and Ed and I went down to the water to get our bearings. I think we could find it now.

Then in the evening the guys got into a football game, I started Eds book and Nona was crocheting. OK, we are not the most exciting group but what a nice break from all the work we have been doing.

After getting home today we realized that we don't even have a picture to share. We will be smarter next time.

Bread is baking now and then I will be off to bed....