Sunday, September 19, 2010

Ken and Maddie got married...

We are so happy to have Ken in our family.




















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