So I went to youth conference this past week and it was amazing!!! The focus was on service (o ye that embark in the service of God...) and New Testament parables. The parables were very enlightening and they were told from a kind of different perspective. I'll just tell a couple of thoughts I had of some of them. The first day we were spoken to by the inn keeper, but after he spoke, Mary, the mother of Jesus, spoke. She talked about how it was interesting being his mother and watching him learn and grow. Then she said something that I've been thinking about a lot. She was talking about his youth and she said; "Jesus lived unhindered by sin and distractions." So that was a really cool line but I started thinking about it. To be "hindered" means to "create difficulties resulting in delay or obstruction. When I think of hindered, it sounds more like me tripping over my own feet rather than someone tripping me or pushing me down...it's all me getting in my own way. Most of the time, we bring sin upon ourselves that results in our delay of spiritual progression. If we could get out of our own way, stop tripping ourselves up with our own dumb sins and distractions, we could progress much faster.
Another one was the Ten Virgins, modern day perspective. So, ten girls came up, and paired up in twos, one representing wise and the other foolish. The foolish one began by telling what she represented, maybe vanity. She'd talk about her gorgeous hair and unlimited amounts of clothes and shoes (she had to get new things every week because it was totes out of style by the end of the week). She'd talk of her friends and then she'd say something about her lamp (testimony). "I really do appreciate my lamp," she'd say, "But it really looks bad with this outfit so I'm just gonna lay it on my shelf for later." How often do we think our testimonies are out of fashion or too embarrassing to wear around our friends? I'm sure you're all a lot better at keeping them bright than I am. One foolish virgin also said "well I sure like my lamp, but it's a little heavy and awkward, so I'll just keep it in my purse for safety. I mean, I'll always have it with me, but it won't be so weird to carry it around..." At the end, one of the virgins came up and explained that these girls were all LDS, and none of them were "wicked" as we sometimes think. They were only foolish, not wise. There's a difference between righteous and wicked, but sometimes we can't define a line between wise and foolish. Not a lot of people in the church are truly wicked, bad, and perverse people. All of us are a bit foolish sometimes, and most of the time we don't even notice that we've stuck our lamp in our purse or on the shelf "for safe keeping."
We watched the miracle of the man healed of palsy. The man who was chosen to play him talked about his friends. You'd have to assume that the men who carried him to Jesus really wanted him to get healed and loved him a lot. The man had no way to get to Jesus, and no way to tell his friends he wanted to go, but they took him, probably through crowded streets, and he was heavy. I can't imagine the man's frustration when he saw the very very crowded house with no way to enter. The friends he had were awesome though! I mean, who climbs up on a house top carrying a bed with a 170 pound man on it, then vandalizes the roof to let him in?! Those were some dedicated friends! Also, if you look in the bible video, when they let the man in the roof, they dropped the ropes they had had to lower him in. If Christ didn't heal the man, there is no way he could've gotten out of the house. The friends had such immense faith that he could be healed that they hardly hesitated before throwing the ropes down, knowing he'd be walking out of there in a matter of minutes. Talk about faith!
Well, there are tons more things I wanted to say, but it's getting WAY too long! Love you all! have a fantastic week!!!
Sunday, July 12, 2015
News from Northern Utah
I was going to title this "News From the North" until I realized that the Hart's are further north than we are...
Well, two of our July births happened this week - just three more to go. One was a lovely homebirth, the other was a transfer to the hospital for a C-section. The baby was in a weird position and wouldn't change. Water broke and no progress for many hours. When she started developing a fever, I took her to Ogden. The midwife sent her to the hospital. They are happy with their healthy baby boy. I was feeling like the world's worst hostess because Grandpa and Christi were here for the opera and I was gone to births most of the time they were here! Dad carried on famously, however, and we did get to one show with them - Carousel, which was marvelous.
Emma was gone most of the week with band stuff and then youth conference. Good things. Thomas was gone most of the week with Pickleville and work. Also good things. I'm about ready to move to the middle of nowhere so we can stay home and have some peace and quiet. But I guess it's all good stuff that we're involved with, so we'll likely carry on in the same way for a while.
Becca and Rhonda are coming this week for the Biorn reunion in Manila. It will be fun to see them and to visit with my infamous extended family! They are all so great. Having Elder Perry and Elder Packer pass away recently reminds me that I need to spend as much time as I can with those I love so dearly because it won't be long before that whole generation will be gone and things won't be the same. I'm not as good at keeping in touch with them as I should be, but I don't want to have too many regrets, so I'm planning to go to Manila this weekend. It will be fun to go to the rodeo and to visit with everyone.
Addy's baptism was very wonderful. There was a great spirit there and she was a delightful hostess, making everyone feel so glad they were there. She'll be a good addition to the church membership!
We are very excited to see you all together in just over a week. Let's hope this lovely weather holds out! Couldn't be better!
Well, two of our July births happened this week - just three more to go. One was a lovely homebirth, the other was a transfer to the hospital for a C-section. The baby was in a weird position and wouldn't change. Water broke and no progress for many hours. When she started developing a fever, I took her to Ogden. The midwife sent her to the hospital. They are happy with their healthy baby boy. I was feeling like the world's worst hostess because Grandpa and Christi were here for the opera and I was gone to births most of the time they were here! Dad carried on famously, however, and we did get to one show with them - Carousel, which was marvelous.
Emma was gone most of the week with band stuff and then youth conference. Good things. Thomas was gone most of the week with Pickleville and work. Also good things. I'm about ready to move to the middle of nowhere so we can stay home and have some peace and quiet. But I guess it's all good stuff that we're involved with, so we'll likely carry on in the same way for a while.
Becca and Rhonda are coming this week for the Biorn reunion in Manila. It will be fun to see them and to visit with my infamous extended family! They are all so great. Having Elder Perry and Elder Packer pass away recently reminds me that I need to spend as much time as I can with those I love so dearly because it won't be long before that whole generation will be gone and things won't be the same. I'm not as good at keeping in touch with them as I should be, but I don't want to have too many regrets, so I'm planning to go to Manila this weekend. It will be fun to go to the rodeo and to visit with everyone.
Addy's baptism was very wonderful. There was a great spirit there and she was a delightful hostess, making everyone feel so glad they were there. She'll be a good addition to the church membership!
We are very excited to see you all together in just over a week. Let's hope this lovely weather holds out! Couldn't be better!
Monday, July 6, 2015
More From Hyde Park
Well, this is from the most defunct grandparents ever....
We forgot the twins birthday. Really. Very sad, disappointing. Can't think why it happened. No excuses. Getting old doesn't even count as an excuse. Too much going on doesn't count. We simply need to repent and do better. Deepest apologies Joy and Jake. Your Belliston grandparents truly do love you! We'll make it up to you somehow....
It was lovely to have the Harts and the Nilssons here to go to Pickleville together. They each stayed a night, but not the same night, much to Addy's dismay. Nice visits. Evan and Christy also came with their family, which was great fun. Christy has hilarious stories to tell! We watched fireworks with them.
Dad's had a toothache that we're trying to get to the bottom of. We hope the sinus medication will make a difference so he can get some sleep at night. I've been cleared to apply to take the national midwifery test. Now there's a funny thing - they checked all of my paperwork (tons and tons) and have given me permission to send $1,000 with my application to take a test I may not pass. Hmmm. Not sure how I feel about that.
Trying to keep the lawn watered is an impossible job most of the time, but I'm working at it. We're slowly getting the yard weeded and looking a bit better. Always something to do out there. The garden is smaller than I EVER remember it being - even when we were first married. Kinda weird.
We simply can't wait for the gathering! I am ready to head down right now! It's going to be so fun! Thanks to Jenn and Scott for arranging everything! See you all soon!
We forgot the twins birthday. Really. Very sad, disappointing. Can't think why it happened. No excuses. Getting old doesn't even count as an excuse. Too much going on doesn't count. We simply need to repent and do better. Deepest apologies Joy and Jake. Your Belliston grandparents truly do love you! We'll make it up to you somehow....
It was lovely to have the Harts and the Nilssons here to go to Pickleville together. They each stayed a night, but not the same night, much to Addy's dismay. Nice visits. Evan and Christy also came with their family, which was great fun. Christy has hilarious stories to tell! We watched fireworks with them.
Dad's had a toothache that we're trying to get to the bottom of. We hope the sinus medication will make a difference so he can get some sleep at night. I've been cleared to apply to take the national midwifery test. Now there's a funny thing - they checked all of my paperwork (tons and tons) and have given me permission to send $1,000 with my application to take a test I may not pass. Hmmm. Not sure how I feel about that.
Trying to keep the lawn watered is an impossible job most of the time, but I'm working at it. We're slowly getting the yard weeded and looking a bit better. Always something to do out there. The garden is smaller than I EVER remember it being - even when we were first married. Kinda weird.
We simply can't wait for the gathering! I am ready to head down right now! It's going to be so fun! Thanks to Jenn and Scott for arranging everything! See you all soon!
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Hart Happening
4th of July has got to be the best holiday ever! Good summer weather, parades, fireworks, good food...ahhh, the USA! I love this country.
We participated in all of the aforementioned activities yesterday. Idaho Falls really puts on its celebration pants this time of year and it is so great to see all the families out and about together.
We enjoyed a nice respite from the heat today for which we were all very grateful. I think it only got up to about 80 degrees and we had a brief rain shower which the boys and the neighbors were all outside playing in. Good times!
We had such a good time at Pickleville this week. Thanks for the invite, Mom, and Thomas, for supplying the tickets. It was a delightful, spontaneous, midweek excursion. Great shows and can I just say that Thomas is AMAZING! So much fun to watch him! And nice to catch up with the mom as we pulled weeds. We have the best family ever! Can't wait for the gathering!
Nilsson News
I don't know how it happens but the rodents seem to really like our house. Last year we finally got rid of the rats and now we have a mouse infestation! Well, I've really only seen three, but I consider that an intrusion, infestation, unacceptable situation. I was getting Garrett's lunch ready one morning and saw a mouse dash across our floor and into the pantry. Absolute disgust. There are also several living out in our garage. Mice and rats are everything filth, are the lowest of the low and there is nothing good about them except that they provide food for other productive creatures like snakes, hawks and owls (I can't mention cats because I think they are pretty worthless as well). I always wonder why they are for sale in pet stores. Hey, maybe I should start a new business selling rodents I catch. So now my summer is going to be spent detoxifying our entire house and property. Down with the rodentia species!!!
Okay, on a lighter note. Addy's baptism is this coming Saturday and I just sent you an email with the details. When were kids permitted to grow up? A week ago, Garrett ran his Spartan race. He did well and didn't injure himself this time. I told Garrett he needs to commit all of his brother's in law to be on his team next year. I myself am considering training for it as well. Let's make it a family venture!
We had a good 4th of July spent with Garrett's family. I must say I didn't have as proud of our country mentality this year with all that has been happening recently. I guess it just means that we are getting ever closer to the second coming and that is a good thing.
Okay, on a lighter note. Addy's baptism is this coming Saturday and I just sent you an email with the details. When were kids permitted to grow up? A week ago, Garrett ran his Spartan race. He did well and didn't injure himself this time. I told Garrett he needs to commit all of his brother's in law to be on his team next year. I myself am considering training for it as well. Let's make it a family venture!
We had a good 4th of July spent with Garrett's family. I must say I didn't have as proud of our country mentality this year with all that has been happening recently. I guess it just means that we are getting ever closer to the second coming and that is a good thing.
Significantly Single (And....Loving it!)
First off, explanation of the title. Have any of you noticed how I'm the only sibling without a significant other? Not that I want one, I just thought I'd point it out:) I do have Chess, which is kinda the same thing I hear...
Anyway, I'll catch up with the past little bit. Staying at the Hart house for a week was awesome and I had a blast!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat...if I could find a spare week anywhere this summer! Haha!
Well, I'm just cramped with Marching Band stuff. Our show is gonna be pretty sweet, pirates, cannons, British soldiers etc... So our section is nine people big and we have three section leaders. The Alto Sax's have about fifteen people, and they have one section leader....don't know how that worked out:/ Being in leadership is a blast though, cuz I get to work really close with the staff and know all the ins and outs of the show!
I went to girls camp this past week. It was really different from any other year I've gone cuz we only had three days instead of four, which was a little hard, because two of them were only half days:/ The schedule was really crazy and packed so it wasn't as spiritual as the others years I've been:/ it was super weird being a YCL and realizing I only have one more year of girls camp! CRAZY!! Being a YCL is a blast cuz we can play all kinds of pranks and not get in trouble;) We got this manikin head, a mans head, beard and all and stuck it through windows etc. It was pretty funny to see the leaders freak! We also had a huge water fight where Ashlynn Evans got on the leaders bad side with the hose...the next day she got it good with a large dose of whipped cream in the kisser. She got them back by dumping the entire bowl of whipped cream (about as big as our big silver bowls) on Sister Thomas! Brother Thomas wasn't too thrilled about that, so he and Ashlynn had a wrestling match of a sort...it was interesting:) We went to Bear Lake the last day and I got crisped! I got home super excited to see the fam, especially when I saw Yanny's car out front. Thanks family for going to Pickleville without me. I hung out with my dog and watched a chick flick. My life is exciting as you can tell;)
Anyway, I'll catch up with the past little bit. Staying at the Hart house for a week was awesome and I had a blast!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat...if I could find a spare week anywhere this summer! Haha!
Well, I'm just cramped with Marching Band stuff. Our show is gonna be pretty sweet, pirates, cannons, British soldiers etc... So our section is nine people big and we have three section leaders. The Alto Sax's have about fifteen people, and they have one section leader....don't know how that worked out:/ Being in leadership is a blast though, cuz I get to work really close with the staff and know all the ins and outs of the show!
I went to girls camp this past week. It was really different from any other year I've gone cuz we only had three days instead of four, which was a little hard, because two of them were only half days:/ The schedule was really crazy and packed so it wasn't as spiritual as the others years I've been:/ it was super weird being a YCL and realizing I only have one more year of girls camp! CRAZY!! Being a YCL is a blast cuz we can play all kinds of pranks and not get in trouble;) We got this manikin head, a mans head, beard and all and stuck it through windows etc. It was pretty funny to see the leaders freak! We also had a huge water fight where Ashlynn Evans got on the leaders bad side with the hose...the next day she got it good with a large dose of whipped cream in the kisser. She got them back by dumping the entire bowl of whipped cream (about as big as our big silver bowls) on Sister Thomas! Brother Thomas wasn't too thrilled about that, so he and Ashlynn had a wrestling match of a sort...it was interesting:) We went to Bear Lake the last day and I got crisped! I got home super excited to see the fam, especially when I saw Yanny's car out front. Thanks family for going to Pickleville without me. I hung out with my dog and watched a chick flick. My life is exciting as you can tell;)
Flake Fun
5 July 2015 - Fun, little, random things have happened this week.
Random thing #1: Scott had a softball game on Thursday night and we came home to find a large toad sitting on our front porch. He seemed quite put out when he had to move. The bullfrogs have returned to the neighbor's pond and they serenade us every night.
Random thing #2: We were planning a neighborhood 4th of July picnic yesterday. We planned to start at 2:00. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and a light breeze. At 2:02 it started to pour and didn't stop until about 7:30. So we didn't have our picnic.
Random thing #3: We put a lamp post in our driveway. It is really nice and we like it!
Random thing #4: The power went out at work on Monday. It was only for a little bit but when you are in an office without windows, it gets really dark!
Our garden is growing pretty well. It likes the rain that we have been getting. We walked in the Heber-Overgaard parade yesterday. We have done a parade for the past couple of years helping out with the county goody bags.
We are getting really excited for the family gathering! Can't wait to see everyone in a few weeks!
Random thing #1: Scott had a softball game on Thursday night and we came home to find a large toad sitting on our front porch. He seemed quite put out when he had to move. The bullfrogs have returned to the neighbor's pond and they serenade us every night.
Random thing #2: We were planning a neighborhood 4th of July picnic yesterday. We planned to start at 2:00. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and a light breeze. At 2:02 it started to pour and didn't stop until about 7:30. So we didn't have our picnic.
Random thing #3: We put a lamp post in our driveway. It is really nice and we like it!
Random thing #4: The power went out at work on Monday. It was only for a little bit but when you are in an office without windows, it gets really dark!
Our garden is growing pretty well. It likes the rain that we have been getting. We walked in the Heber-Overgaard parade yesterday. We have done a parade for the past couple of years helping out with the county goody bags.
We are getting really excited for the family gathering! Can't wait to see everyone in a few weeks!
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