Howzit! Elder Flexy!

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Our darling Elder!
We dropped Alex off at the MTC this afternoon. We stopped for lunch on the way.
He was so excited!
I have done pretty good at not crying, two years is a long time! But, I only feel sad when I think about me. (So I won’t think about me!)  I asked Alex if he was sad at all. He said “No, I’ll be right back. I’m just going to be gone for a couple of minutes.” It’s true! Time flies! When I do think about him, I can’t help but feel excited. He is going to have many great experiences that will bless his life. I also feel so happy for the people in South Africa, who will meet and know him. He is such a wonderful young man. With a heart of gold.
I looked up common phrases in South Africa, and “Howzit” is one of them it means: – A common greeting which can mean ‘How are you?’. ‘How are things?’, ‘What’s up!’ and so on!
I will keep you all posted as to how he is doing and what he tells us in his letters home. I’ll call the posts: Howzit! Elder Flexy!

Sunday Best!!

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Happy 4th of July!!
I feel such gratitude and appreciation for this free land of America. I am so grateful for those who sacrificed so much, sometimes everything, so we can now enjoy the things we so often take for granted. Our family has traveled to many significant  historical sites in American history, an experience I wish all Americans could have.
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I went on a field trip with my son Alex when he was in 4th grade to the Utah State Capital. One of the original copies of the “Declaration of Independance” was being displayed there and traveling the country. It was wonderful to see it. Another treat was to see the original painting by Arnold Friberg, “Prayer at Valley Forge”. It was also on display at the capital. Wow! What a beautiful painting. As we came out of the room it was being displayed in, I saw a man talking to people. I said to my son’s teacher, “I think that is Arnold Friberg!” So we went over to where he was, and just listened. It was him! He was explaining his feelings about the way George Washington’s hands appear in the painting. He said that when he painted it, it was more traditional to paint the hands with the palms together and the hands flat. He wanted to help those viewing the painting to feel the urgency and need for help from God that George Washington must have felt. So he painted the hands clench with the fingers interlocked. It worked, I felt that urgency! I wanted to tell General Washington as I looked at the painting, “It will be okay!! What you’re doing now, will work!We do become the land you dream of. Thank you for loving God and fighting for our freedom!”
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Well, Arnold Friberg died this last week. But what a gift he has given to all. You can read about him here!
Thank you Arnold Friberg! Thank you for your life of giving and your faith in God.
Hope your Sunday, July 4th 2010, was the best!!!
Love, Joy

Family History Friday (FHF): The Love Boat!

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Long before there was ever a show called
“Love Boat”,
 there was a real love boat. When my husbands ancestor left Norway to come to America she met and fell in love with her husband. They had a common goal, to come to Utah and join the members of their newly found religion. She married him on the William Tabscot. The ship that was bringing them to America. They were one of many couples who “tied the knot” on the ship. They continued their journey once here in America, across the plains. They ended up in the Bear Lake Valley. In a town called Montpelier, Idaho. They loved each other all their lives and were happy. Now that’s a LOVE boat.
Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Favorite TV/Movie Quotes! Napoleon Dynamite!

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Napoleon Dynamite: Stay home and
eat all the freakin’ chips, Kip.
Kip: Napoleon, you’re just jealous because
 I’ve been chatting online with babes all day.
Besides, we both know that
I’m training to be a cage fighter.
Napoleon Dynamite: Since when, Kip?
You have the worst reflexes of all time.
Kip: Try and hit me, Napoleon.
Napoleon Dynamite: What?
Kip: I said come down here and see what
happens if you try and hit me.
Napoleon grabs Kip around the neck.

Kip: Stop Napoleon! I think you’re bruising my neck meat!!

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“Gosh”-You should hear my teeny bopper quote this!!! 
FUNNY!
A classic!

Sunday Best!!

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Ephesians 6:11-17
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of thes world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the sheild of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
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Speaking about the whole armor, President N. Eldon Tanner said, “Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. … Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments.”
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Alex had his mission talk today.
He leaves in 1 1/2 weeks. He did a great job. He spoke on the “Armor of God”. He has always been interested in armor. He loves to play games, and watch movies that have to do with men wearing armor. Some of his favorite stories in school had to do with Spartans, or gladiators, etc.
The armor of God
is the ultimate armor.
In the scriptures we learn that we are ingaged a battle against evil and that we must protect ourselves, if we are to be victorious.
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“Missionaries are the special forces
 in God’s army, sent in to find and arm those who
are ready and want to fight against evil.
They are being shot with fiery darts and they are scared and frustrated. We find them, those who are ready, and
we arm them by teaching them…or just fasten their armor better then it is. Then other members of the church
can help them train for the fight.
And help them build their armor.”  -Alex
He will be a great missionary!
I hope your Sunday was the Best!! Love, Joy

Sunday Best!!

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Blessed are the peacemakers.
Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
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“Do good; seek peace (Ps. 34:14).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ gave us the beautiful beatitude about peace and peacemakers.
I like to think of when the sermon was first taught. In my mind’s eye, I see a peaceful afternoon in early April. The sky is softening toward dusk, with not even a breeze. White, wispy clouds stand almost motionless in the blue sky. Below, on the coast of the Sea of Galilee, soft waves lap against moored fishing boats. Eager listeners sit on the grass or stand amidst the rocks and early spring flowers. All are hushed and thoughtful, and every face is lifted toward the Lord as He tells them what they need to do in order to have peace in their lives. Tenderly Christ speaks: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9).
To follow Christ and bring forth the blessings of heaven, we must actively make peace in the world, in our neighborhood, and, above all, in our homes.

The following prayer by St. Francis of Assisi suggests that we can be instruments in the hands of the Savior for bringing personal peace to others. To be a peacemaker, it helps to understand what brings peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.

No matter what the reason for the lack of peace—sin, not living God’s commandments, selfishness, pride, lack of love, even just being an innocent victim—the way to achieve peace is always the same: Turn to Christ; follow His example; repent of all wrongdoings; study and think about Jesus Christ every day; love Him and thank Him for His teachings and His example and His sacrifice for us.”

-Robert E. Wells

Hope your Sunday was the Best!! Love, Joy

Happy Fathers Day!!

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Dad with CoCo
What is a dad?
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A dad
is someone who has pictures
in his wallet,
where there used to be
money!
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Happy Father’s Day
to all dad’s!!
But especially to the greatest daddy in all the world! Mine. Thank you for your love and great example all my life,
I love you!

Family History Friday (FHF): Another Interesting Trip!

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Several years ago, our family decided to visit some of the pioneer history sites in Wyoming. You can read about them here! We wanted to see at least two places. The Willie handcart sight, called Rocky Ridge. And Martin‘s Cove, a sight where many of the pioneers lost their lives. We were already going to Yellowstone on this trip, so we thought
-what the hay?
 In order to get from the Willie handcart site to Martin‘s Cove, you travel many miles through the middle of Wyoming. Nothing but sage brush and a few rolling hills. (Not that sage brush and rolling hills aren’t beautiful in their own way. But we’re talking kids, who have been in the car for hours.) The kids were tired of being in the car and said things like, “This is boring!” and “How soon are we going to be there?” I would tell them, “This is an adventure!” And remind them that we were going 60 miles per hour and the pioneers went about 15 miles per day. “Wow!” they would say. They found things to keep them busy while in the van and when we arrived at the sites, I believe they did have an adventure.
When we were at the Willie site, we borrowed a handcart and took it for down the dirt road. We all took a turn pushing and pulling. Emily fell in a gopher hole in the road, that she couldn’t see because she was pushing behind the cart. Whoops!  Alex’s favorite part about the whole trip was, as we were leaving Martin‘s Cove a dog chased our van for about a half mile and stayed up with us, even though my darlin was going pretty fast. Funny! Great memories, great adventures! And a new appreciation for the pioneers!
Like I always say, take a trip! Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy