Forget Me Nots

http://http//lds.org/general-conference/watch/2011/10?lang=eng&vid=1180453706001&cid=7
Every once in a while a talk just makes a bigger impact than others. This one is one I won't soon forget. I'm so thankful for inspired and loving leaders.

A message from our prophet

These words were so profound to me when I read them that I wanted to keep them in a place I could refer back to them. I hope all who read this will be touched with the same spirit in which the message was written.

Posted at 11:38 AM ET, 09/08/2011
9/11 destruction allowed us to spiritually rebuild
By Thomas S. Monson

The calamity of September 11th, 2001 has cast a long shadow. Ten years later, many of us are still haunted by its terrible tragedy of lost lives and broken hearts. It is an episode of anguish that has become a defining moment in the history of the American nation and the world. This week, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, along with Tom Brokaw, will pay its own homage to the unforgettable events of September 11, 2001.

There was, as many have noted, a remarkable surge of faith following the tragedy. People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it. Americans of all faiths came together in a remarkable way.

Sadly, it seems that much of that renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed. Healing has come with time, but so has indifference. We forget how vulnerable and sorrowful we felt. Our sorrow moved us to remember the deep purposes of our lives. The darkness of our despair brought us a moment of enlightenment. But we are forgetful. When the depth of grief has passed, its lessons often pass from our minds and hearts as well.

Our Father’s commitment to us, His children, is unwavering. Indeed He softens the winters of our lives, but He also brightens our summers. Whether it is the best of times or the worst, He is with us. He has promised us that this will never change.

But we are less faithful than He is. By nature we are vain, frail, and foolish. We sometimes neglect God. Sometimes we fail to keep the commandments that He gives us to make us happy. Sometimes we fail to commune with Him in prayer. Sometimes we forget to succor the poor and the downtrodden who are also His children. And our forgetfulness is very much to our detriment.

If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from our experience of that fateful day, it may be that we owe to God the same faithfulness that He gives to us. We should strive for steadiness, and for a commitment to God that does not ebb and flow with the years or the crises of our lives. It should not require tragedy for us to remember Him, and we should not be compelled to humility before giving Him our faith and trust. We too should be with Him in every season.

The way to be with God in every season is to strive to be near Him every week and each day. We truly “need Him every hour,” not just in hours of devastation. We must speak to Him, listen to Him, and serve Him. If we wish to serve Him, we should serve our fellow men. We will mourn the lives we lose, but we should also fix the lives that can be mended and heal the hearts that may yet be healed.

It is constancy that God would have from us. Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were. We can make Him the center of our thoughts and His Son, Jesus Christ, the pattern for our behavior. We may not only find faith in God in our sorrow. We may also become faithful to Him in times of calm.
Thomas S. Monson is president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Meeting our son's other parents

For the past 17 months, we have watched from afar as our missionary son has been directed, guided, cared for, and loved by these two amazing people: President and Sister Torres

We have felt of their deep connection and dedication to their missionaries as they have presided over the Guatemala City North Mission. Their mission was completed at the end of June. This past weekend we were able to meet them face to face at a homecoming celebration. This picture brings tears to my eyes everytime I see it. It shows the bond we developed instantly knowing that we both are "mothers" to Elder Smith.

It was fun to run into a few recently returned missionaries who served with Jordan. Here I am with Garrick Burden from Las Vegas.

The next morning we were blessed to be able to hear thier homecoming talks in their home ward. President Torres switched between English and Spanish throughout his talk which was quite fun and amazing. Sister Torres spoke in her calm yet powerful voice testifying of our Savior's gospel. She ended by singing a hymn that is only in the Spanish hymnbook. What a treat! Their grandchildren were joined by all the returned missionaries in the congregation singing "Army of Helaman." So wonderful! We could feel of their spirit just by having them walk by us. It was a wonderful experience. We will forever be grateful for all they have done for our son. They have left a legacy for those missionaries that will last throughout eternity.

Meeting our next missionary in two years. Doesn't Jake look so handsome in his new suit? Growing up way too fast~

It was such a great surprise to recognize this face in the crowd. It's Elder Michael Smith who was Jordan's 2nd companion. He had no idea who we were until we introduced ourselves and then we were instantly like family.

Little Miss Dance Teacher

To help earn money for her summer Dance tour to Florida, Allison hosted a summer dance workshop for the little girls in our neighborhood. We turned a spare basement bedroom into a mini dance room where she taught them an hour a day for a week.

The little bitty girls got to dress up like princesses and learn a dance from Cinderella's "When you wish upon a star." They had so much fun getting their energy out in class, but a few were a little scared when it came to performing. They were so dang cute! Next year they'll have all those butterflies worked out.

The older girls learned a jazz routine to "Dynamite" complete with gymnastic solos. They were fabulous!

See you all next summer. Allison will be performing in Florida all over Disneyworld, Sea World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, and Islands of Adventure during the last two weeks of July. Wish we were going with her!

Jake turns 17!

As has been the case for the past 4 or 5 years, Jake was at his scout campout during his birthday. It was perfect that he was away so that the following could take place! His friend McKenzie and Allison got this crazy idea to fill his room with balloons. I suggested his car to make it easier, but it was on their "bucket list" of things to do. So for two entire days they blew up 600 balloons with their own lung power! Here is a little peek:


He was shocked and happily surprised. Needless to say he slept in Jordan's room for a couple of nights until he could bring himself to pop them all which sadly only took 15 minutes. I made a fruit pizza instead of a cake for my health conscious 17 year old fruit fanatic! Happy 17th Jake! Love you from here to space to the North Pole!

My husband got me a date with my boyfriend

Ok, Ok......he's just my imaginary boyfriend....don't we all have one of those? Someone famous that we have an innocent crush on? Well, mine just happens to be this person:

And my awesome husband got me tickets to his concert that just happened to be on my birthday!! It wouldn't be fun unless I brought a couple other groupies with me. Called up my besties and we had ourselves a rockin good time!
Me, Michele, and Jenny having dinner before the concert at Tuscanos. Best pizza in town!

Our hubbies came along for the ride and ended up having more fun than we did! They sure know how to make a concert extra fun and crazy!

The anticipation for the those first chords of "It's my life" was almost too much!!

Yes, I was kind of REALLY REALLY excited to see him live on stage!

I'm not really a concert connoisseur, but I can't imagine a better concert than this one. Non stop energy and of course amazing vocals! True genius and talent!

Pictures don't do it justice so for a little live action of what I'm talking about from the Salt Lake City concert, click on these two links and enjoy as I share my boyfriend with you. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAUZtKSfxE8 / http://youtu.be/RS8nIDH8N2I.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! And thanks for the best husband in the world for this fun night! I love you even more than I love Jon ;)

Best Birthday present EVER!!!!

I haven't been in the mood to update our family blog for a while for several reasons, but today I just couldn't contain myself! If only one thing is ever read or remembered from this whole blog/journal I hope this will be it. We as moms wait a lifetime for a gift like this. I was left speechless and in tears as I read a little note that was left by my bedroom door this morning.....

A Missionary Christmas

TEN REASONS WHY A MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS IS DIFFERENT

1. Last Christmas we were counting our money; this Christmas we are counting our blessings.

2. Last Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts from stores; this Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from God.

3. Last Christmas we valued things that were costly; this Christmas we value things that are holy.

4. Last Christmas we were wrapping gifts; this Christmas we are wrapped up in the work.

5. Last Christmas we looked into people's eyes when we spoke; this Christmas we look into their hearts.

6. Last Christmas we prayed to obtain a testimony; this Christmas we pray to share our testimony with others.

7. Last Christmas we were impatient with the weaknesses of others; this Christmas we are working on our own.

8. Last Christmas we read the scriptures as a duty; this Christmas we read them as a joy.

9. Last Christmas we thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays; this Christmas we are finding ways to consecrate them.

10. Last Christmas, Guatemala was just a place on a map; this Christmas, it is a place in our hearts.

-Written by Sally Tielemans, Henderson, Nevada

A special winter friend

Along with 10 inches of snow this morning, we also welcomed someone very special to our front yard!!!!

Do you think we miss Jordan? Um ya......just a little bit! Counting down the days for our best Christmas present ever, our long anticipated phone call. Can't believe we've gone 7 months without hearing his voice!

A thankful heart

I have been blessed to receive answers and miracles to a prayer that I have said over and over for a long time now. I feel very grateful today. I woke up this morning with a happy heart and a big weight off my shoulders. It's really a small thing in the eternal realm of life, but to me, a mom, it's huge.

I felt inspired to share my testimony of the truth of this gospel and my love and devotion to my Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. I felt it was appropriate to share on Jordan's mission blog as well. Rather than seem redundant or try to say it all in a different way, you can click here to read it if you wish.

Sometimes it's hard to count our blessings amongst all our trials, but it sure keeps me going each day!

Hello Fall!!

Since I bid Summer farewell in my last entry, I couldn't wait to welcome the best season of the year. FALL!!! This year we have been treated to a spectacular Fall with lots of color and beautiful weather. It has almost felt like summer again this past week. Nice warm days, but with those cool crisp Fall nights.

My friend Kari invited Allison and I up to her family's Sundance cabin for a Girl's Only Day. We of course had to get the suckers at the General Store first, then we headed up the ski lift for a breathtaking 45 minute ride up and down the mountain.

We did a little photo shoot with the girls and then ended the night with dinner at the cabin. SO MUCH FUN!!

We tried to do smores, but our fire starting skills were a little sad. Next time we'll remember to pack our Scouts(husbands and sons!)

Of course Utah always has to give us a little bit of crazy weather to keep us on our toes.

We had an hour long hail storm last week that pelted the leaves and fruit off everyone's trees. That's the bi-polar Utah weather for you!

Goodbye Summer 2010

The days are shorter, the nights are longer and cooler, the air conditioner can be turned off, football games are here and Summer has now said goodbye much too quickly. Here are just a few fun things that we enjoyed during these last few warm months. I hope to be able to keep a little more up to date during the upcoming Fall.

A little target practice just for fun. This was Allison's first time. She did great!

We got together a ton with family which is always fun. Below we had a rare moment when EVERY grandchild on Brendan's side was together (except for Jordan on his mission and little Charlie who was weeks away from being born. Now we know of two more on the way!)

Is is just me or does anyone else get this excited about new school supplies!!! It's my most favorite thing to walk down the aisles of the store and just take it all in. The bright colors of the notebooks and folders, the fun pens, and all the new backpacks make me smile from ear to ear! Here arethe fruits of the fun that Allison and I had for the upcoming school year!

First day of 9th grade and 11th grade.

They really should just still be going to preschool together.....oh my babies . . .!

We had a fun and crazy adventure with Nicole's family as we attempted a family picnic up American Fork Canyon.

Jake got a little love from a secret admirer one morning. . . toilet paper AND ketchup!

The day before school started, we were able to go see The Lion King at the Capitol Theater! Wow! What a show. The music, the sets, the puppets, the acting, the adaptation to the stage from the movie....all of it was absolutely amazing. Very fun way to end the summer.

On September 10th, we went to Lehi's Homecoming Football game. What a great game even though we lost 33-36. Way to go Pioneers! You made us proud! A perfect place for us to celebrate Jordan's 7 months on his mission. Time is flying by...