We are so happy to have Ken in our family.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
September Update
Hello our beautiful children. Dad and I spent time in the yard yesterday and have taken out the palm trees by the fence. The Cabana is in a state of rotting and we decided it needs to come down. We're looking for a Gazebo kit to replace the Cabana (like the one at the Hinckley building at BYU). We are excited to make the changes in the yard.
Last week, with Maddie and Ken and Meredith, we drew names for Christmas--here is the list:
Dad -----drew---Ken
Mom ----------Rhett
JJ ---------Maddie
Marlo ---------Mom
John ---------Ian
Meredith -------Marlo
Ian -------Meredith
Rhett -------JJ
Ken -------John
Madison -------Dad
Here are the parameters-- $50.00 limit for who you drew. The 5 grandkids are free
game for everyone but keep it at a $10.00 limit.
We were reading the August Ensign this morning and were very moved by one particular (small)
story. Here it is:
A View from Higher Ground
By Mindy Raye Holmes
Mindy Raye Holmes, “A View from Higher Ground,” Ensign, Aug. 2010, 6
As a youth I had many opportunities to perform baptisms for the dead in the San Diego California Temple. Though I always had a good experience, one trip in particular stands out in my mind.
I was 16, and my little sister had just turned 12 and was making her first trip to do baptisms for the dead. Since it was her first time, we decided to walk around the outside of the temple after we finished.
The temple grounds have a couple of lookout points on one side, so we walked over there. Because the San Diego Temple is situated next to a busy highway, when you stand at a lookout point, you actually look down at the freeway.
Standing on the temple’s higher ground that day gave me a new perspective on life. I was looking down at the world with its whizzing cars, crowded shopping centers, and graffiti-covered road signs.
It was then that the thought came to my mind: “You don’t want to be a part of that; it’s not what life is about.” I had always been taught that the purpose of life is to return to live with our Heavenly Father and become like Him. I knew I didn’t need the things of the world to accomplish that purpose.
I turned around and looked at the beautiful temple, and I was grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and the perspective it gave me. I knew that in the midst of the chaotic and treacherous world, I had found higher ground to stand on.
That day at the temple I promised my Heavenly Father that I would always stand on His side and not the world’s. No matter what the world throws at us, we can overcome it by keeping the covenants we have made and by standing in holy places (see D&C 87:8).
We want you to ponder these thoughts as you go about your business.
We love you all very much and are very proud of the directions you are taking your lives. As each one of you are endowed, please take the time to visit the Temple.
Marlo and JJ, you live 2 minutes from a Temple. Ian, maybe 10 minutes. Rhett, a three minute walk. Maddie and Ken, a 10 minute drive. You are so blessed to have them so close and we feel very comforted for that.
We along with Meredith and John are anticipating the building of the Phoenix Temple in the near future.
Elder Uchtdorf quoted Elder Cannon in the same Ensign and said:
Temples are an unyielding witness that goodness will prevail. President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), First Counselor in the First Presidency, once said, “Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed … lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.”1
Please make use of the Temple and have it be part of you lives monthly.
We are anticipating the holidays and preparing every needful thing to make it fun and memorable. All we need is you. We love you all, please take care of yourselves and be happy.
All our love, Mom and Dad
Last week, with Maddie and Ken and Meredith, we drew names for Christmas--here is the list:
Dad -----drew---Ken
Mom ----------Rhett
JJ ---------Maddie
Marlo ---------Mom
John ---------Ian
Meredith -------Marlo
Ian -------Meredith
Rhett -------JJ
Ken -------John
Madison -------Dad
Here are the parameters-- $50.00 limit for who you drew. The 5 grandkids are free
game for everyone but keep it at a $10.00 limit.
We were reading the August Ensign this morning and were very moved by one particular (small)
story. Here it is:
A View from Higher Ground
By Mindy Raye Holmes
Mindy Raye Holmes, “A View from Higher Ground,” Ensign, Aug. 2010, 6
As a youth I had many opportunities to perform baptisms for the dead in the San Diego California Temple. Though I always had a good experience, one trip in particular stands out in my mind.
I was 16, and my little sister had just turned 12 and was making her first trip to do baptisms for the dead. Since it was her first time, we decided to walk around the outside of the temple after we finished.
The temple grounds have a couple of lookout points on one side, so we walked over there. Because the San Diego Temple is situated next to a busy highway, when you stand at a lookout point, you actually look down at the freeway.
Standing on the temple’s higher ground that day gave me a new perspective on life. I was looking down at the world with its whizzing cars, crowded shopping centers, and graffiti-covered road signs.
It was then that the thought came to my mind: “You don’t want to be a part of that; it’s not what life is about.” I had always been taught that the purpose of life is to return to live with our Heavenly Father and become like Him. I knew I didn’t need the things of the world to accomplish that purpose.
I turned around and looked at the beautiful temple, and I was grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and the perspective it gave me. I knew that in the midst of the chaotic and treacherous world, I had found higher ground to stand on.
That day at the temple I promised my Heavenly Father that I would always stand on His side and not the world’s. No matter what the world throws at us, we can overcome it by keeping the covenants we have made and by standing in holy places (see D&C 87:8).
We want you to ponder these thoughts as you go about your business.
We love you all very much and are very proud of the directions you are taking your lives. As each one of you are endowed, please take the time to visit the Temple.
Marlo and JJ, you live 2 minutes from a Temple. Ian, maybe 10 minutes. Rhett, a three minute walk. Maddie and Ken, a 10 minute drive. You are so blessed to have them so close and we feel very comforted for that.
We along with Meredith and John are anticipating the building of the Phoenix Temple in the near future.
Elder Uchtdorf quoted Elder Cannon in the same Ensign and said:
Temples are an unyielding witness that goodness will prevail. President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), First Counselor in the First Presidency, once said, “Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed … lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.”1
Please make use of the Temple and have it be part of you lives monthly.
We are anticipating the holidays and preparing every needful thing to make it fun and memorable. All we need is you. We love you all, please take care of yourselves and be happy.
All our love, Mom and Dad
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tribute to Dad...
The singles ward wanted to pay tribute to Dad as their Bishop. The took our favorite songs and used them to dramatically act
out a memory of our time together.
We have a great DVD of the evening. It has been difficult to walk away. So many memories and fun times. Even now, two months later, Dad becomes lost in his memories and zones out for several minutes. I know where he has gone and just give him a hug and a smile. His love for 4 counselors will never fade, they will be part of our lives forever. We have really enjoyed our new calling. It has given us so much to do that we never seem to be on top of the task. I love being his companion and we like what we're doing.
Dad is released...
Hi Kids,
Yesterday, Dad was released from his Bishop calling and I wanted to share, with you, what the Stake President said. He did the releasing and sustaining order of business and had the new counselor sit on the stand as the new Bishopric rearranged their seating to exclude Dad. President Hettinger went on to say that he took the opportunity to talk with all of Dad's counselors and asked them to deliver up funny quirks about the Bishop they served and he only got responses of love, admiration, gratitude and good feelings of friendship from him. They went on to characterize him as a "man without guile" and that they felt that their time as a counselor was the most favorite calling they ever had. The ward members came up and hugged him and stated their great love for him. He is very loved by all and I'm so luckly to be his loving wife. We miss you all and hope the very best for you. You have a great Dad and he has set a high standard for our beautiful family. This great quote stands firmly inside this family--- (John) Morris--be true to who you are and the family name you bear.
We love you all very much. MOM
Yesterday, Dad was released from his Bishop calling and I wanted to share, with you, what the Stake President said. He did the releasing and sustaining order of business and had the new counselor sit on the stand as the new Bishopric rearranged their seating to exclude Dad. President Hettinger went on to say that he took the opportunity to talk with all of Dad's counselors and asked them to deliver up funny quirks about the Bishop they served and he only got responses of love, admiration, gratitude and good feelings of friendship from him. They went on to characterize him as a "man without guile" and that they felt that their time as a counselor was the most favorite calling they ever had. The ward members came up and hugged him and stated their great love for him. He is very loved by all and I'm so luckly to be his loving wife. We miss you all and hope the very best for you. You have a great Dad and he has set a high standard for our beautiful family. This great quote stands firmly inside this family--- (John) Morris--be true to who you are and the family name you bear.
We love you all very much. MOM
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