Why do Mormons build temples?

A true apostle of the Lord.

We just had an awesome experience tonight that I wanted to write about it while it's fresh in my mind. My parents stake conference was this weekend and and Elder Russell M. Nelson from the quorum of twelve apostles was presiding. My parents had saved us seats to sit in the front row (next to an exit since Brayden was with us). I was nervous about having Brayden there since he is at an age that does not sit still for very long and although he had some rough patches I am so glad he came. We were right in the eye line of Elder Nelson and he smiled over at Brayden and I and waved to Brayden, who I tried get to wave in return. You could feel the love that Elder Nelson had for Christ and for the children of our Heavenly Father. It was very cool.

All of the speakers spoke truths that really touched my heart. Missionary work, the temple and the blessings of having one being built closer to us, and the one that touched me the most; strengthening family relations. So by the time it was Elder Nelson's turn my heart was so filled by the spirit that as he spoke I just began to cry. Rusty and I had a very dear moment with us and the Lord today and the on pouring of Christs love for me and my family was just too much. As Elder Nelson spoke of love and relations, of callings and that this church is the Lords church, my heart swelled with the truthfulness and a clearer understanding of his words. I am so grateful for the prophets of the Lord and their sweet sincerity and love for us. I am grateful to have the Lords guidance through them! And I know without a doubt that this is the true Church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to be a part of this church, to be sealed to my family in the holy temple and to be able to teach my children the gospel of the Lord.

As the meeting closed, some children came in through the side door and went immediately to Elder Nelson. He came down those stairs and he shook their hands and hugged the little ones. Brayden and I came up and he automatically reached forward to take Brayden and hold him. Our children are such special spirits and it was really a great experience to see the love that was there. He proceeded to note that "kids sure do love grandpas" (Since Brayden kept saying Papa through out the meeting and wanting to be held by my Dad). And he turned to me and said, "You're doing a great job." Those words meant a lot as I sometimes feel inadequate as a mother. And although I know he doesn't really know me, I know he knows my heart and it was great to hear. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be at that conference tonight and I pray I will never forget the feelings and love I felt there!

{added- There were also some really funny things that Elder Nelson said. I forgot to write them down and I think I only really remember 3 of them:
1. When talking about working and knowing 6 prophets of the Lord he mentioned that he also was the surgeon (he's a heart surgeon) for a few of them. He said, "I guess you could say I knew them inside and out."
2. While talking about the economy he spoke about how there are many examples of this in the scriptures. He proceeded to read from Helaman about how do to unrighteousness riches began to be slippery and that no one could hold onto them. He then said, " That was about 6 BC. So you see, these economic crisis will come and go." (Me writing it out just doesn't do it justice.)
3. He announced that they were going to release the stake presidency(that had been serving for 9 years) that Sunday, then he turns around and says "Do I have the authority to announce that?" Turns back around and says, "I guess I am the authority here today. So, yes. I do."
-There was some other funny things he said that I have just plain forgotten. oh well.}

I get the message!

So it seems as that I complain a little too much to the Lord because he decided to take some action. I have not been very found of my recent weight gain and I know that I need to do something about it. I decided I was gong to start walking with Brayden. However, I am more talk than I am action and so the Lord decided to help me out a bit. Last Monday Rusty's car broke down in the middle of the freeway and had to be towed home. We really don't have the money for a mechanic so he and a friend are working on fixing it. That means that I am out of a car for several weeks.

Well, I took this as a kick in the butt from the Lord and a message that I need to walk. So Tuesday I walked to the store for some groceries (about 2 miles), Thursday is play date day so I walked to the park and back (roughly 3 miles) and Friday I walked to my mothers to do laundry ( a little over 4 miles). I know 9 or so miles in a week is not that impressive but for a bump on a log, like myself, I felt pretty empowered. I had fun walking (except for the fact I felt like an old lady since my hips were really achy) and I am going to walk at least 2 mile everyday. Today Brayden and I are going to walk to the "Duck Park" which is 2.5 miles one way. So although it stinks we have to spend money on fixing up our car, it's really been a blessing and I am in fact grateful for it.

Our little helper...

Brayden is a nearly 18 months and like to "help" us around the house. He is super independent and wants to do everything on his own. This usually leads to a lot of injuries!

Last Monday Rusty had work off because of Martin Luther King Day so we worked out in our front
yard (if you can classify it as a yard). It had been way too long since anything was done to it and we
get the scrutinizing looks from our neighbors that reminds me of the nosy neighbor from Bewitched.

Some fun photos of my boys gardening:

Daddy's gloves are a little big but he looks so cute!

Like I said it's hard for Brayden to go a whole ten minutes with out getting hurt. And of course he got hurt because he didn't listen to Mommy and Daddy...

Blood and Mud. He is such a typical boy!

Brayden also helped us put together a table and two chairs we bought from IKEA. I have been wanting to do more things with Brayden and I figured it would be easier for him to do my ideas if he has a little table of his own.

Brayden ready to start working!
(note: Brayden has been drooling like crazy. He's got 4 teeth coming in.)

Rusty isn't very good at building things...it's a good thing Brayden was there to help.

A Smile of satisfaction.

A table and chairs that are perfect for Brayden.

Once it is all done with the stain and varnish I will definitely put it up on the blog.

FLASHBACK to March 2008 building our desk:

He liked to help then too.

Note:

One thing that drives me crazy about myself is that I can never just "Start" something, especially if it is in the middle of a time line. Scrap booking, journals, BLOGS. I just can't do it. I have to start from the beginning but the problem with it is that I can never catch up. So, I decided I am going to do both!

I will continue to catch up on the last year and a half (mostly for my own sanity... I have to do it like that) however, I am going to post recent things as well. Eventually I will change the dates and organize everything accordingly but, as of now, the blog will be out of order. I'm hoping I can do this with out it driving myself too crazy ( I can be very OCD sometimes).

So, I'm wishing myself luck on this task. We will see if I actually follow through and do it. :)

I hate Internet explorer!

So, if you have Firefox you have the great pleasure of reading blogs the way they are suppose to be. No pictures are covering up text, no words spread out in weird places, it's the way that that the blog was written! Today I looked at my blog from an Internet Explorer page and was in shock to see how bad my blog looked. It did not make me happy. Everyone should switch their computers too Firefox. It's amazing and much more user friendly! Do it! You will not regret it! And never use Internet Explorer EVER again!!!!!!

Our New President...

This is something EVERYONE needs to hear! No matter who you voted for!

This last election was the first election I have ever participated in. And although I consider myself part of a "3rd party", someone who has mixed views I definitely lean more towards the Republican Party and so this election I voted for John McCain. I have to say that there is a mojor concern that followed the news that Barack Obama was our new Commander in Chief! I heard it on the radio as I was driving and I immediately said a little prayer in my heart for the leaders and citizens of this country. The comfort came to me then and even more as I think of President Packers talk at our Stake Conference.

Ever since Tuesday, however, I was surprise to see how mean everyone had become. There are too many haters on both sides and I feel that it is something that will truly tear our nation apart. But yesterday I read something my friend put on facebook that I felt that it was very well written and something everyone (from both parties) needed to hear.

Here is what Bob Lonsberry, a Republican wrote concerning our new President. I hope we all can follow his advice.

"Barack Obama was not my choice, but he is my president. That is true of all Americans. For the last eight years, there has been an ongoing campaign of destruction meant to handicap and hobble the last president. I refuse to be part of an effort to do the same to the next president. Those who didn't vote for Barack Obama must set a higher standard of civility and citizenship than those who didn't vote for George W. Bush. In defeat, there must still be nobility.

"That doesn't mean silent servility. It doesn't mean differences and principles are ignored.

"But it does mean the new president gets a new chance. It means we all must pray for him and work with him to make our country stronger and safer and better.

"The last eight years have taught us what happens when you set out to destroy a presidency for political gain. You help your candidate, but you hurt your country. That pattern must not be followed with this new president. America must treat Barack Obama better than he treated George W. Bush."

Go to http://www.570knrs.com/pages/bobs_blog.html for all his thoughts.