Thanksgiving Dinner

Nathan and JoAnn enjoy a quiet dinner at home in Spokane
surrounded by snow.

Everyone did there own thing this year.  Zane made a special meal for friends.  Heather went to a friend's parents.  Jess and Carlene's families were together.  Nathan and JoAnn were alone.

Thanksgiving Dinner in Guayaquil with the Temple
Missionaries on Sunday, Census Day, 86 degrees outside.

We were working, so we held Thanksgiving celebration on Sunday with all the temple missionaries.  It is Census Day. Everyone had to stay home all day, so we had a special Sacrament Meeting, and then we had dinner and celebrations, and then Ward Choir Practice.

Everybody Likes to Go Their Own Way

"Everybody likes to go their own way - to choose their own time and manner of devotion."

Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist of romantic fiction

It has always been that way.  We can disagree, but if we complain about the choices, the real problems begin.

These mushrooms don't belong on the
temple grounds, but they are there...
so I created a scene where they
really look good with the temple.

For example, Lehi's big challenge in saving his family, was that everybody had a different idea about what to do and where to go.  Even his wife "had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness."  When she was finally consoled that her sons were safe, "she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons... and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them."

I felt like complaining about my
orchestra and the late arriving
musicians.  However, I said nothing,
and afterward received many
compliments about how wonderful
the music sounded.

Nephi was devoted to following his father, but shares with us his own ideas, not those of his father. "I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates which I am writing; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my father; wherefore, I do not write it in this work."

 Everyone likes to make their own choices, and we can't take away our children's agency.  We can teach them and bear witness.  When Lehi realized he had a son who did not complain, but did what he was told, he said, "go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured.... I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded... And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord."

Lily is reading, because that is the
example she sees around her.

So, we are glad for this news from Jess: "We are in Chapter 5 of 2 Nephi and reading about 3-4 days a week.  Not perfect but much better than we ever have.  Even Lily gets in on the fun.  She get really excited when it is her turn to read and pronounces very well.  It is fun to have all the other kid's reading by themselves and helping each other out."  Everyone is having fun reading the same book.

I am going to read with them, and hope to get involved in their discussions on Skype (or here in the Blog).  We can disagree, but if we complain about each other, that is very destructive to relationships.

Tropical fruits in the Temple gardens

There is no evidence that Lehi's family disagreed on this point: "we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds of fruit of every kind."  I guess everyone likes to eat.

Gratitude in your heart

Flores del Templo de Guayaquil November, 2010 "Walk with gratitude in your hearts, my dear friends. Be thankful for the wonderful blessings which are yours. Be grateful for the tremendous opportunities that you have. Be thankful to your parents, who care so very much about you and who have worked so very hard to provide for you. . . . Express appreciation to everyone who does you a favor or assists you in any way. "Thank the Lord for His goodness to you. Thank the Almighty for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who has done for you what none other in all this world could do. Thank Him for His great example, for His tremendous teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help.  Think about the meaning of His Atonement. . . . Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights. Work at it. You will find it will yield wonderful results" (Gordon B. Hinckley, Liahona, Apr 2001, p. 30).

The First Thanksgiving

Spanish settlers celebrate the
First Thanksgiving in Florida, 1565

It is traditional in America to imagine that our Thanksgiving Day celebrations are based on "the first Thanksgiving", or the one in which the Europeans celebrated thanks by holding a special dinner with the indigenous people.


September 8, 1565 Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and his 800 Spanish settlers founded the settlement of St. Augustine in La Florida, the landing party celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving, and, afterward, Menéndez laid out a meal to which he invited as guests the native Seloy tribe who occupied the site.

Juan de Oñate celebrates the first Thanksgiving in New Mexico, 1598 On April 30, 1598, Juan de Oñate's pioneers made camp along the Rio Grande and prepared to drink and eat their fill, for there they found fishes and waterfowl. Villagrá wrote, "We built a great bonfire and roasted meat and fish, and then sat down to a repast the like of which we had never enjoyed before." Before this bountiful meal, Don Juan de Oñate personally nailed a cross to a living tree and prayed, "Open the door to these heathens, establish the church altars where the body and blood of the Son of God may be offered, open to us the way to security and peace for their preservation and ours, and give to our king and to me in his royal name, peaceful possession of these kingdoms and provinces for His blessed glory. Amen." Samoset greets Pilgrims in  Massachussets, 1620 Surely the people of Plymouth Colony were astonished when Samoset strode into their village. It may have been his attire and his request that astonished them most. Samoset, clad only in a belt, in rather good English, welcomed the people of Plymouth, then requested a beer. The drink he was given, then he quickly disappeared. But this was not the last the Pilgrims would see of Samoset. A few days later Samoset returned to Plymouth. With him was a friend, the captive Squanto. It was Squanto who showed these would-be farmers some down-home Indian tricks for making crops grow. He showed them the Indian way of planting corn in hills and the trick of planting a dead fish with the seeds for fertilizer. Pesquantum teaches survival in America to the Pilgrims, 1621 The settlers didn’t actually get to Plymouth until the dead of winter on December 26, 1620. They had to find land and make shelter quickly before the winter weather got any worse. This winter was terrible and about half of the settlers died in the cold with very little food. What people did survive accredited the survival to John Carver, William Bradford, William Brewster, Edward Winslow, Myles Standish and a local Native named Squanto. This friendly Indian taught them where to fish and how to trap and later how to plant and grow corn. He also taught them how to hunt and what plants were safe to eat and what plants could cure illnesses.  They celebrated a special dinner in 1621 to celebrate their first harvest. President Lincoln establishes Thanksgiving Day in 1863 The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.... It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. This year we celebrate Thanksgiving in the tropical paradise of Guayaquil, Ecuador.  The temperature will drop down to 69 degrees from a high of 86.   We are surrounded by people who love and appreciate us, and are enjoying better health this year than last year.  We have all the abundance of guanábana, guineo, mango, papaya, seviche, camarón, arroz, pollo, hallacas, humitas, arepas, etc. that we can eat.   We are working on the ward Christmas program, teaching music lessons, working on quilts, and enjoying life, but we miss being with our children and grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts.  Be sure to call us.

Grateful to be of service

December Flores Navideñas in Guayaquil

 We are more grateful when we have experienced the opposite of what we have.  For example, we now have sufficient health to do much of what is required in the temple, whereas last year we were more limited, due to our health.

However, our gratitude is not selfish, as in, I am glad to have health.  We are grateful that the Lord has given us an opportunity to serve and qualified us for the work.




"But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come." Doctrine & Covenants 59:23

President Nash with Emy Gabriela Vera.

"In that spirit I invite the Latter-day Saints to look to the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of your membership. It is the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church worthy to enter the temple. It would please the Lord if every adult member would be worthy of-and carry-a current temple recommend. The things that we must do and not do to be worthy of a temple recommend are the very things that ensure we will be happy as individuals and as families.

"Let us be a temple-attending people. Attend the temple as frequently as personal circumstances allow. Keep a picture of a temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach them about the purposes of the house of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing" (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, November 1994, p. 8).

Show Gratitude

Details about Thanksgiving:

http://www.cantos.org/sermoncitos/thanksgiving.html

Turkey and the Corn

as told by Barb Begay

It is said that long, long ago all the Diné were starving.  All the wild vegetation was unyielding, causing the animals to starve as well.

Wild Turkey

One day Turkey, our hero, came upon the starving Diné.  The Diné said to Turkey, “please help us, there’s no one to help us.”

Turkey said, “I know you have been wasteful with the food you were blessed with.  You did not appreciate what was given you”.  

The Diné begged Turkey and admitted that generous food given them had not been appreciated.

Turkey told the Diné to sit in a circle and think about how wasteful they had been.  Turkey said, “this has to stop.  I will help you only this once.  If you are wasteful with what I am about to share, you will perish.

The Diné were happy with the offer and promised to never be wasteful again.

Turkey positioned himself in the center of the circle.  With head held up high and wings spread out, he danced his proudest dance.  He danced a beautiful dance.  Then he shook himself, and out dropped one black kernel.  He shook himself again, and out dropped a yellow kernel.  The third time he shook himself, a blue kernel dropped to the ground.  The fourth time, he dropped a white kernel.

The Diné people were so happy, they said to Turkey, “we will forever be thankful to you.  We will show our gratitude by forever regarding your feathers as a sacred symbol in our ceremonies.”  Turkey acknowledged the gesture and danced proudly away.

Turkeys in Ecuador

To this day, the Diné teach that one should not be wasteful, even in times of plenty.

Our community activist

Heather and Friends

Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Heather is in the news again her good works in the community.

Motorcyclists from all over the region will hit the streets at 11 a.m. Saturday, taking different routes throughout the city without a police escort to let Lubbock know they exist in traffic. They’re scheduled to ride on just about every single major street in Lubbock between 11 a.m. and noon.

Other residents involved in the “See Us, Save Us” group include: Molly Harris, Kelly Jasper, Heather Cook, Rachel Cass, Tisha Crawford, Blair Dickerson, Teresa Deal Buehner, Carmen Fuller, Cecilia Thomasson Parks and Patricia Hart.


Lev. 25: 18-19
  18 ¶ Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety.
  19 And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.

It is all relative

Yesterday was testimony meeting.  I was doing the simultaneous interpretation into English.  The members line up and take more than all the time alloted.  They are very enthused about their testimonies of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that obeying the commandments brings peace to their lives. "...for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." John 18:37-38

This is quite different from the worldly view that all truth is relative to a person's cultural and personal experience and opinion.

Protagoras: Truth is relative. It is only a matter of opinion.

Socrates: You mean that truth is mere subjective opinion?

Protagoras: Exactly. What is true for you is true for you, and what is true for me, is true for me. Truth is subjective.

Socrates: Do you really mean that? That my opinion is true by virtue of its being my opinion?

Protagoras: Indeed I do.

Scorates: My opinion is: Truth is absolute, not opinion, and that you, Mr. Protagoras, are absolutely in error. Since this is my opinion, then you must grant that it is true according to your philosophy.

Protagoras: You are quite correct, Socrates.

However, some things are indeed relative.  For example, my brother, Pancho, told me that Spokane is having pleasant weather.  The people in Guayaquil are miserable in the early morning when the temperature dips below 70.

When we bear testimony, we declare the absolute truth of the gospel message. In a time when many perceive truth as relative, a declaration of absolute truth is not very popular, nor does it seem politically correct or opportune. Testimonies of things how “they really are” (Jacob 4:13) are bold, true, and vital because they have eternal consequences for mankind. Satan wouldn’t mind if we declared the message of our faith and gospel doctrine as negotiable according to circumstances. Our firm conviction of gospel truth is an anchor in our lives; it is steady and reliable as the North Star. A testimony is very personal and may be a little different for each of us, because everyone is a unique person. However, a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will always include these clear and simple truths:

• God lives. He is our loving Father in Heaven, and we are His children.

• Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world.

• Joseph Smith is the prophet of God through whom the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the latter days.

• The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

• President Thomas S. Monson, his counselors, and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are the prophets, seers, and revelators in our day.

As we acquire a deeper knowledge of these truths and of the plan of salvation by the power and the gift of the Holy Ghost, we can come to “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).
President Uchtdorf

Día de los Difuntos

Walker, Margarita Andrade,
El Puente Manaba, Bahía de Caráquez

Every special holiday is an opportunity to create memories that strengthen families and help your children learn the priorities of your family.  In Ecuador the schools are out, and practically everything is on holiday the first 3 days of November.


Friends and Family. Our friends, the Andrades, will celebrate this holiday by returning to his home town, where they are dedicating a bridge. He will be with family, visit his parents' grave, and experience the new bridge that will change the character of this ancient place, which is already rich with thousands of years of tradition and stories.

Colada Morada to celebrate Día de los Difuntos in Ecuador

Día de los Difuntos in Ecuador:
"Every November 2nd, the cemeteries are filled with faithful, who religiously come to the sites where lie the bodies of their loved ones. the whole family goes to the cemetery carrying mainly food offerings to share with the deceased as a form of gratitude to them. Once again commemorate loved ones who are no longer with us and do it with a deep respect and family unity, maintaining our beliefs and demonstrating our rich traditional heritage." For information about Ecuador celebrations go to:
http://migranteecuatoriano.gov.ec/blogs/diadelosdifuntos/

Cate and Julian celebrate Halloween with family

Halloween came to the U.S. with our European ancestors in the 1600s.  It has continued to be a very popular tradition in our family for hundreds of years, as it is one more way to strengthen our families as we enjoy the fruits of the harvest, and appreciate our blessings, and reach out to the community. 


For more information about Halloween, go to this link:
http://www.cantos.org/Booksfolder/cosecha/cosecha.html

Serving the Dead.  Much of the work that goes on within temples is concerned with the family. Basic to an understanding of its meaning is recognition of the fact that even as we existed as children of God before we were born into this world, so also shall we continue to live after death, and the treasured and satisfying relationships of mortality, the most beautiful and meaningful of which are found in the family, may continue in the world to come.  

This vicarious work constitutes an unprecedented labor of love on the part of the living in behalf of the dead. It makes necessary a vast undertaking of family history research to find and identify those who have gone before. To assist in this research, the Church coordinates a family history program and maintains research facilities unmatched in all the world. Its archives are open to the public and have been used by many who are not members of the Church in tracing their forebears. This program has been praised by genealogists throughout the world and has been utilized by various nations as a safeguard of their own records.

Christopher and Jess
at the Oklahoma City Temple

 But its primary purpose is to afford members of the Church the resources needed to identify their ancestors that they might extend to them the blessings that they themselves enjoy. They in effect say to themselves, "If I love my wife and children so dearly that I want them for all eternity, then should not my deceased grandfather and great-grandfather and other forebears have opportunity to receive the same eternal blessings?" Gordon B. Hinckley http://lds.org/temples/purpose/why/0,11581,1953-1,00.html

Sharing Experiences

Stanlie Gail receives visitors

Most people don't know when to plan their own funeral.  Most often we don't know when to say our last farewell to loved ones.  We are busy trying to make the best use of the time we have for ourselves.  In our family right now we have the rare opportunity to be with one who we know is leaving soon.

So we send flowers, greetings, best wishes, and even make personal contact by Skype, phone, mail, and travel.  There comes a time when one does not have the energy to record her own impressions of your visits.  We can't all be there.  Please write about your visit to Albuquerque.

Zane, Heather, Carlene, Jess in Albuquerque

Nephi says that his father wrote much more than what he is sharing with us.  He wrote only a very brief summary of this father's writings, and shared with us a few of his own thoughts and experiences; that he thought would be valuable to us.

Please post your reports as comments to this

Grandma Ann Ables, Heather, Zane, Jess, Carlene

Like most people, your Aunt and your Grandma have never written or recorded in any way their thoughts or experiences.  Please write about your visit.  It may be the only record that ever exists about this time in their lives.

Stanlie and family visitors

I hope that everyone who visits will write and post in this blog.

Heather honors victims of domestic abuse, spreads hope

Church vigil honors victims of domestic abuse, spreads hope | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Heather lets her light shine

Lubbockites remember victims of domestic violence

Lubbockites remember victims of domestic violence

Festival del Pasillo

Martha Encalada

La preciosa artista ecuatoriana de la sierra, Martha Encalada va a participar conmigo en el Festival del Pasillo, 9 de Octubre 2010 en la estaca de Puerto Lisa, Guayaquil.  Su ayuda va a facilitar la participación de ella en un festival importante de la iglesia que, apropriadamente, se lleva a cabo el día que la iglesia celebra 45 años en Ecuador; un día que Guayaquil celebra 190 años de independencia (que se llevó a cabo el mismo año de la primera visión de José Smith que abrió la dispensación del cumplimiento de los tiempos).  

Ella va a introducir a Ecuador el primer pasillo que se ha escrito para destacar esta batalla tan importante a nivel de toda Amèrica.   Con la Batalla del Pichincha, a Quito se le dio el nombre de "Quito Luz de Amèrica" porque en Quito se dió la batalla màs importante para que los paìses latinoamericanos sintieran el deseo de liberarse de los yugos de los paìses grandes que tenìan esclavizada a Amèrica Lartina. Con razón digo que la historia de la restauración y la historia de la independencia son interelacionadas.

La Batalla de Pichincha

Cuando compongo una canción acerca de Ecuador, estoy enseñando el evangelio. Yo creo que es apropriado que en un festival de la iglesia se celebra el cumplimiento de las profecías de la antigüedad: "...os doy una señal ... porque es según la sabiduría del Padre que sean establecidos en esta tierra e instituidos como pueblo libre por el poder del Padre, para que estas cosas procedan de ellos a un resto de vuestra posteridad, a fin de que se cumpla el convenio del Padre, el cual ha hecho con su pueblo... y cuando sucedan estas cosas, de modo que vuestra posteridad empiece a conocerlas, entonces les será por señal, para que sepan que la obra del Padre ha empezado ya, para dar cumplimiento al convenio que ha hecho al pueblo que es de la casa de Israel... sucederá que los reyes cerrarán su boca... Porque en aquel día hará el Padre, por mi causa, una obra que será una obra grande y maravillosa entre ellos... Y los de mi pueblo, que son un resto de Jacob, estarán en medio de los gentiles, sí, en medio de ellos como león entre los animales del bosque, y como cachorro de león entre las manadas de ovejas, el cual, si pasa por en medio, huella y despedaza, y nadie las puede librar. Su mano se levantará sobre sus adversarios, y todos sus enemigos serán talados." 3 Nefi 21, Palabras de Jesucristo.

What happened on September 30 in Ecuador?

Stand in Holy Places

We had an exciting day, as the temple closed and we were restricted to quarters for a while, the looters ransacked the stores, and the armed robbers worked with impunity.  Now everything seems back to normal.  A speedy recovery.  However, this should be a voice of warning to us all: conditions can change rapidly.  Is your home equipped to sustain you in times of crisis, storms, earthquakes, sickness, or unemployment?  Heed the prophets' warnings to get our of debt, strengthen your family relationships, and stay healthy.  Stand in Holy Places.

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/97912

http://www.cantos.org/sermoncitos/WarningsOftheProphets.pdf

On September 30, Ecuador descended into chaos as a protest by sections of the police force and army turned into a potentially bloody coup against President Rafael Correa.

At about 8am, sections of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces and the national police went on strike, occupying police stations and barracks in the capital Quito, in Guayaquil and in at least four other cities. They set up road blocks with burning tyres, cutting off access to the capital.

They also stormed and occupied the National Assembly building and took over the runway at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

Schools and many businesses in Quito shut down early, as opposition protesters attempted to take over and sabotage broadcasts from television station Gama TV.

The protests were in response to a new public service law designed to harmonise income and benefits across the Ecuadorian civil service. Many police and troops, however, believed the law would remove their benefits and bonuses, as well as delay promotions.

In an attempt to end the strike, Correa went in person to the main police garrison in Quito to convince the police there was a misunderstanding — and their benefits were safe and their wages would in fact increase.

The situation spiralled out of control when a number of rebel police pointed their guns at Correa and threatened him. A tear gas canister was thrown, exploding only centimetres from the president’s head.

When Correa donned a gas mask, it was ripped from his head.

Stunned and overcome by the gas, the president was rushed to a nearby hospital. The hospital was soon surrounded by rebel police and opposition protesters. The rebels refused to allow anyone to enter or leave the building — imprisoning the elected, constitutional president.

As news got out, tens of thousands of Correa’s supporters took to the streets across the country, chanting “Correa, hang in there, the people are rising up!” and demanding that Correa be freed.

Rebel police attempted to force their way into the hospital through windows and the roof.

In a phone interview with Radio Publica from the hospital, Correa said he would refuse to negotiate with the rebels, despite the danger to his life, for as long as they held him captive.

Correa insisted he was still the president and the “citizen’s revolution” of social justice reforms that began with his 2007 election would continue — with or without him.

“I'm not going to back down”, Correa said. “Kill me, but as [Chilean poet] Pablo Neruda said, ‘You can cut all the flowers but you cannot hold back Spring’.”

The Army Chief of Staff declared his support for Correa. However, the president refused to call on the army to rescue him until he discovered that government supporters outside the hospital were under fire from the rebel police.

A state of emergency was declared and loyal sectors of the army finally launched an attack on the hospital, forcing their way through the protesters and rebels, and freeing the president.

During the day’s violence, at least five people were killed and about 200 injured. Bullets were fired into the hospital room where Correa was holed up. Bullets also hit the army vehicle carrying Correa after his rescue.

After his release, Correa was greeted by a crowd of thousands of supporters chanting “the people united will never be defeated”.

President Monson's Closing Blessing

Cate trusts her father and is
accustomed to being lifted up
to ride on his strong shoulders

Your children's love for you is why they trust and follow and obey you.  This is the formula for their safety and how they are able to learn and progress in life.  That is a great formula.  From the beginnning parents have desired to teach and preserve their teachings for the children and grandchildren.  "And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration; And by them their children were taught to read and write..." (Moses 6:5)

However, in our day, parents and children do not spend much time together, and we can't write every thought." And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." 2 Ne. 33: 1

We are entering into an era of trouble on the earth.  Empower your children by your teachings, speakings, and writings to them.  To protect and prepare us, the Lord sends prophets with messages.  Listen to the prophet!

President Thomas S. Monson

We have never seen the President in such a solemn mood. He seemed very anxious for our well being, and concerned that we need to act quickly to put everything in order, and follow the counsel of the prophets. We are in perilous times. To be safe, we must do what the Lord commands so that we can have the Spirit to guide us.

Prophets and Apostles greet after Conference

2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

Read the words of the conference. We send our love and appreciation to all of you everywhere in the world.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ provides meaning and purpose and hope to our lives, and help us meet and overcome our challenges. Our goal is Eternal Life in the presence of a Father in Heaven who loves us. He will bless us as we obey and call upon Him in our prayers.

We are deeply grateful for all you do to further the Kingdom of God on the earth.

Show increased kindness for one another and always be found doing the work of the Lord. I pray for you and leave my blessing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Battle over Man´s God Given Agency

Kenny Renfro

Kenny was the only person willing to go fishing with me during a blizzard in Kansas last winter.  He is very strong and tough.  He learned lessons that day about the dangers of temptation. We successfully tempted the fish, and that was their last lesson in life.  We need to teach our children about the temptations that can destroy their happiness and limit their opportunities.

Elder M. Russell Ballard

The Battle over Man´s God Given Agency

He showed video of a fly fisherman using artificial lures. The test is the pitting of the fisherman´s skill against the experience and skill of the fish. The fisherman is compared to Satan, designing a special lure addressed to your current weakness. Lucifer is a clever, cunning intelligence who is skilled at lying to deceive you.

13 O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe.

Stay away from any substance or behavior that might trap you. Don´t let Satan hook you with artificial lures that make you dependent and lose your agency. Addictive cycles have spiritual cures. Offer your whole soul to Him in fervent prayer. Seek help from LDS Family Services for addiction recovery. You can overcome addictive cravings. Ask for help to overcome the addiction. Ask to be filled with Christ´s pure love. You will be free. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Testimony by Example

Janeen, Roy, and Jess Howard

We try to always remember our role as parents, and the duty we have to teach our children those eternal principles of happiness.  The best way to teach is by example, so we have volunteered for full time church service for a short time.  In one year we will return to the fellowship of our family.  Until then, please stay in touch with us in this blog, by email, and Skype.  Please sign up as a "Follower" with Google Friend Connect, so that you will know when we have posted.

"And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free." Helaman 14:30

"We have learned this, that God lives; we have learned that when we call upon him he hears our prayers; we have learned that it is the height of human happiness to fear God and observe his laws and keep his commandments; we have learned that is is a duty devolving upon us to try and make all men happy and intelligent, which happiness and intelligence can only be obtained through obedience to the laws of God.  It is in him that we trust" (The Gospel Kingdom, p. 30).

Elder Mervyn B. Arnold spoke in the General Conference last weekend.

Newlyweds Janeen and Roy with
Roy's parents, Corine and Edward Howard
August, 1970

Testimony by Example

My parents not only left us the legacy of their written testimonies, but also by the way they lived their lives. 6 Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.

Come unto Christ and free yourself of all ungodliness. We are not free to choose the consequences of our choices. The commandments and rules protect us from sadness, grief, bitterness, disappointment, and other negative consequences. The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence, wickedness never was happiness. Through the Atonement the Lord is able to invite us thus will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

Find Rest Unto Your Soul

Let us build up our children in every way that we talk to them every minute of every day.  Genevieve is a very sensitive soul.  She forgives quickly, and loves deeply, but she can be hurt easily.  Love everyone, even you enemies, Jesus said.  Especially work extra hard to teach and nourish your children.

Elder Per G. Malm

Find Rest Unto Your Soul

I saw a tree held up by steel wires attached to buildings. Something had hollowed out the weakened the tree over many years. We can grow step by step like a sapling tree to grow tall and strong and have our soul be filled with light and power. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Faith in Jesus Christ and following His teachings gives us hope, lasting inner peace, and the Rest of the Lord.

The thoughts we foster in our minds and hearts and the actions we take now have an effect our our eternal life. If we have the tendency to wait for a future moment to follow God, we will have a bad feeling. We must act before Satan binds us with strong cords. Peace is a gift of God. Wickedness never was happiness.

We can build up or tear down as we speak to our children and those around us. We must invite to do good. Our confidence can wax strong with God. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Courageous Parenting

Julian and Cate Skyping Grandma Howard

Courageous Parenting

Elder Larry R. Lawrence

We must warn those we love. Challenges and temptations are coming to our teenagers at the speed of a freight train. Alma counseled his children 9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things. We must not fear that we are offending our children when we counsel them. We must listen to the Spirit and tell them what we feel about their activities. If either parent does not feel good about something, then they should accept the feelings of each other and not allow the activity.

Satan works hard to keep your children from qualifying for the temple and missions, and lead them into misery. We must work hard to help them overcome temptation. Listen to the warning voice. Satan wants to bring them down. Parents must work hard to bring them up.

Family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner, family interviews. Counseling requires courage. The Lord blesses and sustains courageous parents.

The Holy Ghost in your Daily Life

Jess, Carlene, Heather, Zane 2010

You have all chosen to be baptized and have made sure your children have been baptized.  All have been confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You have been told: "receive the Holy Ghost".

It requires daily effort and lots of practice to tune in to the messages of revelation that the Holy Ghost has for you.

You already had this gift conferred upon you, therefore you qualify to ask God to bless you with peace, inspiration, revelation, guidance, answers to questions, solutions to problems, health, prosperity, talents, success, child rearing, marital relationships, or anything you need for your happiness.

"You may have the administration of angels, you may see many miracles; you may see many wonders in the earth; but I claim that the gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man" (The Discourses of Wilford Woodfuff, p. 5).

When you realize that your own strength is not enough, you are humbled and therefore qualify to receive great power from the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Elder David A. Bednar

How to Receive the Holy Ghost in your daily life.

Elder David A. Bednar, Apostle

The Holy Ghost can witness to investigators of the truthfulness of the reality of the Restoration, the truth of the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith´s sacred calling. Then they can be baptized and receive the laying on of hands wherewith the Lord can bestow the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Baptism by immersion must be followed by the Holy Ghost for the ordinance to be complete. It must be done in principles of righteousness.

Pray for this, the most valuable of all gifts. We must earnestly desire and actively invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost into our lives. We do this by actively keep covenants, serving in the Church and the temple, in counsel with our family members, and faithfully obeying God´s commandments, and worthily partaking of the Bread and Water each week.

Everything we are asked to do in the Church is designed to help us qualify to receive this gift in our lives. Praying, studying, gathering, meeting, serving... are habits designed to help us receive the Holy Ghost in our lives. 2 And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God; and also did his brother.

Sincerely desire, and appropriately invite the Spirit in our lives. Every individual can qualify for this. I witness that the gifts of the Spirit are in the true and living church today.

Teach traditional Values to the Children

Brandon, Julian, Christopher

As I listened to the Apostle speak of his sons and grandsons receiving the priesthood, I thought of my sons and grandsons.  Each one is precious to me.  Each one has the potential of being a great missionary, husband, and father.  Each one can be raised with the values that prepare him for a life of celebration, joy, and prosperity.  Each one is in danger because of the temptations of the world.  We must work hard at raising our sons so they can achieve their potential.

Elder L. Tom Perry, Apostle

Elder L. Tom Perry

Many of the people in the world today have not been raised with traditional values. Much of the media and technology presented temptations that are degrading. Our children can receive the priesthood and receive blessings from on high, but they must overcome peer pressure and the world.

DyC 107 Why it is called the lesser priesthood is because it is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. If you will heed the voice of the Holy Ghost, you will experience the ministering of angels. (Elder Perry is addressing his oldest great grandson who has just received the Aaronic Priesthood.)

Young men, build on a foundation of truth and righteousness. Live worthy of the Aaronic Priesthood. It has great power.

The Lord needs you to prepare to declare the Gospel to the world. I know that the Lord will pour out blessings upon you.