Wisdom from our missionaries

From Jason (Elder Dodge):

My new companion is really cool. I think we're going to get along really good. We both believe in the big 3 rules:
Work hard, work smart, and have fun. 

As for my missionary plaque scripture, let me break it down and explain it to you. "Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves..." (we have sweet bikes and mission vehicles) "and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far..." (we missionaries leave our families and friends and travel all over the world) "they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat" (we ride fast to all our appointments and search for opportunities to teach all the time like how eagles keep their eyes open for prey.) I'm pretty sure it's missionary themed.

From Esther (Sister Olsen):

Companion tip of the week. For every bad thing or habit they have that annoys you, think of three things you like about them. You'll quickly find there is a lot more good than bad. (Sister Crandall likes to pop her knuckles. She also makes me breakfast, tells me I'm pretty, and backs me up in every lesson.) Yep, she's a good companion and pretty soon I find that I don't even notice when she pops her knuckles. Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill and even it it is a mountain, talk it through.  Communication can make the tallest mountain into a mole hill.

From Berkeley (Elder Andrus):

So I have a few more thoughts on companionships and how they work. It's just so interesting to me how different it is to have a friend that you don't pick and that you spend 24/7 with. The relationship can be great one night and then the next day you hate each other. But you just keep working hard and you learn a lot from each other. We are doing really well. We've been a lot more open with each other and are trying to be more obedient. We are learning to appreciate our differences and strengths and are helping each other improve.

Quin's blessing day

Quin was blessed Sunday and then Jessica bore her testimony. She said what a spiritual experience giving birth was and how it dawned on her that Quin has chosen to come to earth--that he wanted the experience and that inside that "little life form" there was a large spirit son of God! She also said giving birth made her appreciate the atonement more, how the Savior made it possible to repent and return to Heavenly Father. She expressed appreciation for being in a family. 

 

Jessica came into singing time in Primary and showed Quin to the kids and told them how she sang "I Will Follow God's Plan" when he first came (and also when he was in her tummy) and how he put his head back and looked her in the eyes while she sang. Michael blessed Quin that he would be happy in this life and also in the next. Now see how those thoughts are expressed in the song we are learning in Primary:

My life is a gift, my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose, in heaven it began.

My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth

And seek for God's light to direct me from birth.

I will follow God's plan for me

Holding fast to the his word and his love.

I will work and I will pray.
I will always walk in his way.
Then I will be happy on earth and in my home above.

A day to remember

Yesterday was amazing for several reasons.

Neil's family visited for the weekend and it was so fun to have them. They are always interesting to talk with. We all went on a hike up Oak Creek on Saturday.

  

Sheryl was here helping Jessica with her newborn. Jessica worries about lots of things, but she'll be a fine Mom and Sheryl a fine Grandma! A new generation is born!

Brenda came with her girls in time for Senior Primary. She and Sheryl and Maia and Sydney sang a new song for the kids--"Gethsemane." It was beautiful and the kids learned it easily after their demonstration. And my pianist picked it up fast too after hearing me play it for them.

We had a family dinner and as usual I didn't set enough places! It was a "borrow your neighbor's card table" sized party. This was Jessica's and Quin's first outing. There were two babies there--Quin and Joseph. It's amazing how much growth occurs in the first six months!

We celebrated Quin's arrival and Sheryl's 45th birthday. Brenda made a special cake for it. The top square was gluten free but it was absolutely delicious. It had honey and coconut oil in it. Plus it was beautiful. So is Sheryl in this picture.

At the end of the party the Brewsters were the last the leave and Michael couldn't find his shoes! They must have walked off. Does anyone know of their whereabouts? After searching everywhere, Grandpa finally gave him a pair of shoes he wore as mission president but that still have some life in them!

I will follow God's plan for me

Yesterday our 6th great grandchild was born--Quin Gamaliel Brewster. He has lots of hair and weighed 9 pounds 4 oz. He and his parents are all doing well.

It touched my heart when Sheryl told me about Jessica singing a Primary song to her baby right after his birth. She's been singing and playing Primary songs to him all along. Sheryl said the 3 midwives (2 were in training) were all in tears. They said it was the best welcome they had ever seen. The song she sang was "I Will Follow God's Plan."

My life is a gift; my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose; in heaven it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
And seek for God's light to direct me from birth.
I will follow God's plan for me, holding fast to his word and his love.
I will work, and I will pray; I will always walk in his way.
Then I will be happy on earth and in my home above.

When our kids are going through turbulent times in their teens, it's hard to imagine such a spiritual experience in their future. It makes me think we should be patient with our children and realize they all have great potential! I'm sure Heavenly Father has that kind of patience for each of us and sees our potential and looks forward to our return to Him.

Nativity Festival

This year's Nativity Festival was hampered by the weather. The attendance was greatly reduced, but the displays were very beautiful. It was like being in a woods. We were hosts, I played background music, and Ken entered his tiny little nativity he created. I'll show it first. There's a light for the star and the little campfire also is lit.

Close-up of Ken's creation. It was so small it was easy to miss!

A nativity in a matchbox.

My favorite--Swedish crystal

The central display, almost life-sized.

Bears

Laser cut paper

Dad's favorite--driftwood

Last of all, here's a nativity scene in our front yard. You can tell how much snow we got!

Thanksgiving 2013

 

Jason with Joseph, Michael, Jessica (Brenda cut Jessica's hair short and cute)

Grandma, Jason, Grandpa, Polly, Mike, Ariana

Brenda, Zachary, Ken and Jason

Jessica made a marvelous key lime pie. Brenda and her girls made several yummy ones.

Gideon, Sydney, Maia, and Erik

Sam, Robin and Rachel

Jessica, Michael, Jason, Emily

Such a bounty of pies!

Mike, Zachary and Jeff

Maia, Annie and Ariana making edible turkeys

Race in Monmouth

It was fun to watch the boys race. Erik is a good runner (takes after his Dad). He came in 7th in his meet. It was so cold and windy we didn't stay to watch Zachary but I'm sure he did well too.