Sunday Best!!

Mark 10:1316
13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
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The disciples didn’t understand how important children are to Jesus. Even though He was busy teaching the adults, He was happy to take time to love and bless the children. Jesus said “of such is the kingdom of God”. To be with Him in the kingdom of God, they (those who are not children) would have to have faith, unconditional love and trust.
 Watch a small child.
See what is the difference between them and you. We need to become more like them in order to be able to be received into the kingdom of God.
 My little grandbaby, has so much love. 
Natasha
Every once in a while she acts a little cheeky, but I can always tell that she has heard someone else say or do it first. Her first actions are always sweet and innocent. Her love is so pure. I need to be more like that!
I also feel so loved by Jesus!  It makes me want to show my love for Him. What can I do? He said, “Come follow me”. I can do what He did, when He was here. Love everyone, be kind, and do right. “Come unto to me”. I can be like a child, so He would want me close to Him.  “Let your light so shine”. I can be an example. I can live the kind of life that says,
I love God.
Hope your Sunday is the best!! Love, Joy 

Family History Friday (FHF): The Library Catalog!

The Family History Library Catalog is a great place to go online, to see what information is available about a certain area. You will find it here! When you get to the catalog, you can do a search to see what the Family History Library has that will help you with your search. The exciting part is that you don’t have to make a trip to Salt Lake City to see the micro film, or micro fiche that you would like to see, to do your research. These items can be loaned to the Family History Centers all over the world. There are 3500 of them. You can locate one here! Then you can do your research closer to home. If you can make a trip to the Family History Library it is an awesome experience. Go to the Family History Library Catalog and see what’s there for you!!! Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Sunday Best!!

I have chosen to share with you some
of my favorite scriptures or thoughts.
I am preparing a lesson every
Sunday for church, as well as
our daily family scripture study,
and I am amazed at how much
I am continually learning.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So, each Sunday I will share
what I will call my
“Sunday Best”
for that week.
Here goes! Today’s Sunday Best is:
Mark 4:35-41
 35 “And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.  37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And  he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful?  how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
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This story made me think about how in life, we have storms. Tests, emotional struggles and other storms and trials that are hard. They can be great storms. So great, we think we will die. Jesus is always there. Waiting. He will rebuke the wind and calm the sea. But, we must have faith. Sometimes, the storm lasts for quite a while in our lives. We feel very alone, even though we’re not alone. One thing I have learned about the storms in my life is this. What is the lesson? What does God want me to learn? God is molding me into the person He knows I can be. He is the potter, I am the clay. He has all power, and can calm the storm at any time. But first, sometimes he lets us learn the lesson, and comforts us as we learn. He can save us spiritually and temporally. I love Him. I believe Him. He is there for us always, I know it.
 Love, Joy

The Box of Crayons!!!

I will never forget it!!
I was about 6 years old when I first saw it. I was in love!!! I know, that seems kinda materialistic, but I really loved it and wanted it. Every time I saw it in the store, I would take the box off the shelf, open the lid that folds down inside the top, and just look! All those colors, they were so beautiful. Then I would smell. Mmmmmmmmm! Even weirder, huh? I think my favorite thing of all was the sharpener built-in. Crayons AND a sharpener built-in?
What more could a 6 year
 old ask for?
Well, the thing is, I never asked for them. I thought they were too expensive. I finally told my mom one day, long after I was a grown up. In passing, I said, “Oh yeah, I always wanted that box of Crayola Crayons.” She was surprised!! “Really? Why didn’t you ask  for it?” I told her how I thought they were too expensive, and that I didn’t want to be a burden. It made her feel sad. It was a revelation to her that I wanted something and never asked, and it was a revelation to me that I could have asked.
The lesson is, even if we felt, a little like we went without as children, we survived.
In fact, I would say I flourished and am a better person for it. It doesn’t hurt us to go without. It builds character, gives us empathy, and helps us to understand each other better.
FYI-
I now have a box of
 Crayola Crayons,
a 64 box with a sharpener built in, and I still love them!!!

Family History Friday (FHF): School!

What does
SCHOOL
 have to do with Family History?
You can include an ancestor
in your children’s homework assignment!!
I realize for most of our children, 
school is almost out for the summer. 
So remember this, for future reference!  
Some ancestors might be famous. Some may have played a significant part in history. Some might have been in attendance at a historic event. Maybe an ancestor knew, or was an aquaintence of someone famous.
Children can use one of the stories
from an ancestors life, 
 to do a homework assignment.
It’s a great way for them to get to know their ancestor.
My children have done reports on John Sayer,
 when learning about early American history.
Also, they have done projects that involved the pilgrims. I even had the opportunity to go to one my children’s classroom to talk about the pilgrims. Fun!!!
Queen Victoria
One of our ancestors, is said to have been a “lady in waiting” for Queen Victoria. Part of the story passed down, is that the queen would come in and sit with them and sew. She loved visiting with those around her and she treated those who worked for her with kindness and love. I love that story! I would love to do more research on that. If one of my children had a report or assignment about world civilizations/United Kingdom, it might be more fun to encourage my child to do research in an area that meant more to our family. It helps them to love history and family. Try it with your children! It’s fun!
Happy Family History Friday. Love, Joy 

A Fun Day!!!

We had such a fun day!
This was the day
before Riley left
for basic training.
We picked up Natasha and
 went to see the farm animals.

I could tell Riley was feeling sad
that he wouldn’t see Natasha
for a while.

It was so fun to see the animals,
but there was a pretty strong smell
depending on which direction
the wind was blowing.
Aunties!
Going for a ride on the pony!!
“I love my Daddy!”
It was such a beautiful day! I love it when the whole family is together.

First Date!

Emily’s first date!
My darling Emily had her first date the saturday after her sixteenth birthday. I was excited for her. Her friend Jonah took her bowling, they got ice cream and then they came and played
games at our house. 
Cute kids!!
I really didn’t think she was that short…must be!!!

This seat is saved!!

So darling!!!!!
I had to take this picture!
My kids have sat in the same spot in our BMW (basic mormon wagon) for as long as I can remember. We’re not all in the car always at the same time, but when we are this is where my children sit. In these exact spots. I didn’t assign them places, they decided where they wanted to sit and it’s been that way ever since. I mean we’re talking years and years!
 This was our last family day, before Riley left, I had to snap a pic.
I love my children. I’m so proud of the people they have become and are becoming.