Three reasons why I don't fear death

Sometimes when I get a twinge of pain it reminds me that life here will have an end and we all must eventually die.

These are three of the reasons I don't fear death (besides all the good stuff in Alma about it):

1. When I was a young adult my Grandpa Fugal was killed in a traffic accident involving a drunk driver. He was on his way to give a humorous reading at a wedding reception in Lehi. I was at Grandma's house the next day when the young couple came to give their condolences. But Grandma ended up comforting them! She told them that she and Grandpa had had a long happy life together (over fifty years) and that she knew she would be with Grandpa in the next life.

2. When my Dad lay dying in the Provo Hospital of cancer of the bile duct (just three weeks after the diagnosis), he said he was not afraid of death. But he was a little afraid of getting sick enough to die.

3. When Karna died after just four days of life on earth, we were going somewhere and had Emily (almost five) and Esther (just turned two) in the car with us. Emily said, "My dad and mom have three girls--two here on earth and one up in heaven."

The Gospel is "cool"

I just got a phone call from a new convert in our ward. He's enthusiastic and excited about the gospel. I guess he called us because he knows we're home in the day. (He's also one of our home teachers.) He had a question from the Gospel Essentials class yesterday that he didn't get a chance to ask because there was so much discussion. He said Adam and Eve were commanded to pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. He asked how that could be since Jesus wouldn't be born for a couple of thousand years. I explained that Jesus was the same before He was born--called to be our Savior, the Creator, and our Judge. He said, "Did Adam and Eve know that?" I said yes they did. He thought that was so "cool." And it is. It is cool.

Maia's baptism

January 7, 2012 is a special day for Maia--her baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her promise to return home to our Heavenly Father. It was a beautiful service. Sam and Brenda gave the talks and Sydney said the closing prayer. The grandpas were the witnesses and her dad baptized and confirmed her. Uncle Mark and Uncle Ken were also in the circle.

After there was an openhouse at the Andrus home with lots a yummy food and more people than the house could hold!

All ready

With Sydney, Robin and Ann Marie

With all 4 grandparents

Congratulations to Maia. We are proud of her.

Don't forget to hit the "submit" button

When we got our letter about the Nauvoo Temple mission in September, it said to have physicals, dental exams, and submit all papers by Dec. 15th. This is our first time doing it electronically and the process is extensive! So we had everything done except scanning in the drivers licenses and insurance cards. We went over to the Bishop's and he helped us do that the first week of December. We thought it was now in his hands!

Last night he called and said, "Where are your papers?" Evidently we should have come home, pulled it up again on our computer and hit the "submit" button. So Eldon called the missionary department this morning. They said to have the Bishop hurry it up and to call the stake president and tell him to hurry it up and maybe it would be alright. So we may be going and we may not!

So Jason, when you fill out your papers, don't forget to hit the "submit" button!

New Year's Eve party

Jonathan practicing Kempo on Eldon

Janeil and Sheryl preparing food

Sheryl suggested I add a few recipes that we tried. The casserole she made for brunch on new year's day was outstanding--potatoes, sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs, all prepared and cooked ahead of time, mixed together with chopped onions, sweet peppers, cheese, and then just heated up before serving.

Candy:
Melt 1 pkg. white chocolate chips in the microwave.
Stir in 1 c. coconut and 1 c. chopped walnuts, form in balls and refrigerate.

Roquefort Grapes:
Make a mixture of 1 pkg. cream cheese and 1/2 c. blue cheese dressing.
Coat individual grapes with it and then roll in finely chopped nuts of your choice. Refrigerate.

Mini pizzas:
Split 2 pkgs. of Thomas' multi grain muffins.
Spoon Butternut squash pasta sauce (Costo's) on each one.
Layer chopped onions and peppers
Top with grated cheese
Bake until cheese melts

Resting after the food is prepared

Michael and Jason singing Kareoke

Jessica playing with Annabelle

Playing a game

Grandpa and Curtis playing chess

Jessica playing with the little kids

Jonathan, Stephanie and Gma working a puzzle

David and Erik

We toasted in the new year at midnight with a little sparkling cider. 2012 will hopefully bring some good jobs to those unemployed, and missions for Jason Dodge and Gpa and Gma. It may bring a move to New Hampshire for the Dodges if Jonathan accepts that job offer.