It was such a fun and relaxing time. It is such a beautiful view from way up on the mountain overlooking the Mission mountains. We ate great, watched college basketball, watched movies, and even got to watch conference on the big screen (Dad's projector). It was a very uplifting conference with such good talks and reminders full of hope. This was little Owen's first official vacation and he loved spending time with his Grandma and Grandpa. It was a great time and thanks Mom and Dad for having us there.
In February, had the wonderful opportunity to bless Owen and it was great to have Mom and Dad, Elizabeth and Daniel, and Reid and Lisa and the kiddos come down for the blessing. It has been such a blessing having the little guy in our lives. He has brought such a special spirit to our family and it is such a wonderful experience to be trusted by our Heavenly Father to raise his choicest spirits in righteousness. All of the kiddos that have come into the family from Matthew, to Claire, to Owen each of them bring such a blessing to the family and life wouldn't be the same without them. I am a better person from their examples and love.
Mom made this up from Owen's blessing and it is a treasure to us. Thanks Mom. You are the best.
Mom made this up from Owen's blessing and it is a treasure to us. Thanks Mom. You are the best.
Way back in March, our Stake was fortunate enough to have Elder Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles attend and Preside at our Stake Conference, along with Elder Terrance Smith from the 6th Quorum of the Seventy, who is also a Dr. from Raymond, Alberta.
It was amazing to sit just a few feet away from such a righteous and humble man of God. He shared some amazing experiences and left an Apostolic blessing over the congregation. You could feel the spirit so strongly as he spoke and look around the room making eye contact. I felt like I had my batteries recharged and had such a strong feeling and desire to become a better man and fully appreciate and honor the priesthood more, not only for myself, but for my family. What a gift we have as brethren and members of the Church. I just wanted to share a couple of stories that he shared that had impact on me and that left an impression on my mind and heart.
Elder Cook spoke a lot of the Savior and taught that when the Savior visited the Nephites he went before them and bade that they come unto Him and feel of his wounds, not his muscles or stature, nor should they (we) glory in His creative and glorious power, but rather just his wounds because they were the ones that were wounded. He said not to teach that the end is near, but rather how to prepare to meet the savior.
He went on to speak of how important it is for us as members of the church to joyfully share what we are experiencing in the church and not to camouflage it.
He talked about the 105th Battalion in WWI that performed a miraculous rescue and likened it to us and whether or not we are performing such rescues in our daily lives. Who have we rescued lately, he asked and gave 3 points and specific areas in which we should be rescuing.
1) Personal level- Ourselves and how we need to get grounded and settled in the Gospel.
2) Rescue those within our families
3) Rescue fellow members and focus on Redeeming the dead
He told of an experience when he recently in Samoa and was attending a Sacrament meeting and that in the morning the young men prepare the bread and water and then they leave the hut or canopy where they meet later on in the afternoon. Well, some neighboring kids went in and stole the bread from the trays. When the branch met for Sacrament later that day they were about to bless the bread when they noticed that it was gone. The priesthood holder wondered what to do and then he saw a banana tree close by and ran and grabbed some bananas and then brought
them back where he peeled them and cut them up and placed them in the tray. When he went to bless it he was a bout to say bread, then looked up at Elder Cook and the Branch President with a puzzled look and for direction on what he should do. The point that Elder cook was trying to make was that no matter what we partake, the Sacrament should be and is the most spiritual experience of that week and that we do it in remembrance of Him.
Elder Smith talked about Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son. He asked which son are we more like and gave examples of each, then asked why aren't we like the father? All we need to know with this parable is that we need to be like the father? He talked about possible endings to the parable.
After the meeting I stood by the aisle as Elder Cook walked by and I stuck out my hand and was able to shake his hand. Way too cool.
I also met Elder Smith and visited with him and was fascinated to know that he knew the Blumell family. I will remember that afternoon and night always.
I love you all and appreciate everyone of you.
Thanks for all you do!
It was amazing to sit just a few feet away from such a righteous and humble man of God. He shared some amazing experiences and left an Apostolic blessing over the congregation. You could feel the spirit so strongly as he spoke and look around the room making eye contact. I felt like I had my batteries recharged and had such a strong feeling and desire to become a better man and fully appreciate and honor the priesthood more, not only for myself, but for my family. What a gift we have as brethren and members of the Church. I just wanted to share a couple of stories that he shared that had impact on me and that left an impression on my mind and heart.
Elder Cook spoke a lot of the Savior and taught that when the Savior visited the Nephites he went before them and bade that they come unto Him and feel of his wounds, not his muscles or stature, nor should they (we) glory in His creative and glorious power, but rather just his wounds because they were the ones that were wounded. He said not to teach that the end is near, but rather how to prepare to meet the savior.
He went on to speak of how important it is for us as members of the church to joyfully share what we are experiencing in the church and not to camouflage it.
He talked about the 105th Battalion in WWI that performed a miraculous rescue and likened it to us and whether or not we are performing such rescues in our daily lives. Who have we rescued lately, he asked and gave 3 points and specific areas in which we should be rescuing.
1) Personal level- Ourselves and how we need to get grounded and settled in the Gospel.
2) Rescue those within our families
3) Rescue fellow members and focus on Redeeming the dead
He told of an experience when he recently in Samoa and was attending a Sacrament meeting and that in the morning the young men prepare the bread and water and then they leave the hut or canopy where they meet later on in the afternoon. Well, some neighboring kids went in and stole the bread from the trays. When the branch met for Sacrament later that day they were about to bless the bread when they noticed that it was gone. The priesthood holder wondered what to do and then he saw a banana tree close by and ran and grabbed some bananas and then brought
them back where he peeled them and cut them up and placed them in the tray. When he went to bless it he was a bout to say bread, then looked up at Elder Cook and the Branch President with a puzzled look and for direction on what he should do. The point that Elder cook was trying to make was that no matter what we partake, the Sacrament should be and is the most spiritual experience of that week and that we do it in remembrance of Him.Elder Smith talked about Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son. He asked which son are we more like and gave examples of each, then asked why aren't we like the father? All we need to know with this parable is that we need to be like the father? He talked about possible endings to the parable.
After the meeting I stood by the aisle as Elder Cook walked by and I stuck out my hand and was able to shake his hand. Way too cool.
I also met Elder Smith and visited with him and was fascinated to know that he knew the Blumell family. I will remember that afternoon and night always.
I love you all and appreciate everyone of you.
Thanks for all you do!
No comments:
Post a Comment