Sharing the gospel through the internet.

This morning, I read a talk in the recent Ensign(a monthly magazine put out by the LDS church.) It made me even more excited about blogging. Often times, I feel guilty taking a small part out of my day to blog. There are many benefits from doing it:

1. I just love it.
2. I am recording a history(the purpose for all the blogging I do) I am using this as a journal.
3. A way to keep in touch with family and friends.
Now, I have a 4th reason and that is to share the gospel.

The article talked about taking time to share our testimony in the written form. For so many years only those who had the money and means to be published were. Books, newspaper, and radio have been the source for getting points, opinions and beliefs out to the masses. Now, we have the internet. The article was written by Elder M. Russell Ballard, and he had this to say "There are conversations going on about the church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the church teaches....Now, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration."

I am taking this as a challenge. I am going to find time in my life to share my testimony.

This week, I have been thinking so much about missionary work. I gave a lesson to the young women in the church about the sacrifices that missionaries make. Stella gave a talk in Primary on how we as members can be better missionaries, and we are feeding the missionaries from our area, in our home, on Thursday.(hmmm....what should I make?)

Anyways, I am amazed at the sacrifies that so many young men and women in our church make. It is so amazing that at such a young age they are so willing to give up time in their life to teach the gospel to those who may not have heard what we believe. I am so happy that they are able to share with others the truth about the Restoration of the Gospel. As a church we know that the same church that was on the earth when Christ was here has been restored to the Earth once again. The church that he formed with 12 apostles, and commandments for our own good...has been restored. I am thankful to be living in a time when I can rely on this truth. It makes so much sense to me. Why would Christ's church only exist while he lived on the earth? He set up the church for it to continue, and it does. I love knowing that.

I know that I also have the responsibility to share this truth with others. The Savior wants every sheep safely gathered in. We must help him in the gathering. It is easier said then done. It does take courage, but I do have a testimony that this is the plan. I believe that scripture in D&C that says "...if you but bring one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy."

The manual that the missionaries use in their preparation is called, "Preach my Gospel." The message in the front of the book makes me excited to share this message with others. It says: "We challenge you to rise to a new sense of commitment to assist our Father in Heaven in his glorious work. Every missionary(member) has an important role in helping "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)

The Lord will reward and richly bless you as you humbly and prayerfully serve Him. More happiness awaits you then you have ever experienced as you labor among His children."

I am going to strive to be even better at sharing what I believe with others. I feel blessed to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It truly is a wonderful blessing in my life.

For those of you seeking more information about the church please visit. www.mormon.org

Should we go yo-yo-in' or hoggin' ?

We were having dinner together tonight and I said to Andrea, "I was thinking about posting something on the blog tonight." She said, "So you're just going to post about how cute I am??" I replied, "Yes puddin', you're very cute... but I was fixin' to post about catfishin' on Saturday night." Look at me... we've lived in Arkansas for one month and I'm already talking like I'm from the south.

Arkansas is nicknamed the "Natural State"... and rightfully so. There are rivers, lakes, ponds, and trees everywhere. You've all heard the term "way out in the backwoods." That term doesn't just apply to Jeff Foxworthy and "you might be a redneck...." Everywhere down here is heavily wooded... so when a buddy of mine asked me if I wanted to go catfishin' Saturday night at a lake "back in the woods", I rushed home to get ready. I found an old t-shirt that had a picture of a gun, a deer, an old 4x4 truck, and a girl in a bikini holding a beer can. I promptly cut off the sleeves and frayed the edges a little bit. Then I took one of my hats and curled the brim in really tight, and rubbed dirt and grease all over it. I then loosened the belt buckle on my jeans a bit so when I bent over in the boat you'd be able to see some... you know... At this point I was READY. On the way out to the lake I was given the option to either go "yo-yo-ing" or "hogging." So I ask, "What's the difference?" Well in a nutshell... yo-yo-in' involves tying these spring loaded spools of line that basically look just like a yo-yo to the bushes and limbs that overhang the bank of the lake. You bait the hooks with a dough that I would describe as a fermented mix of chicken liver and baby poo. Then you feed the line down into the water until it is almost on the bottom and set the spring mechanism so when a catfish swallows your stinky paste it trips the spring and sets the hook in their mouth. Hoggin' (also known as noodling) is slightly more insane... only slightly. Hoggin' involves getting into waist deep muddy water and feeling around with your hands until you find a catfish hole or burrow under the water. Then you stick your bare arm in the hole (yes that's right... I said bare arm) and if you've found a catfish lair, it will usually swim forward and swallow your fist. At this point you scream a few expletives, pray that whatever swallowed your hand isn't a beaver or snapping turtle, and pull like the dickens! Now, in my opinion, you've got to be a few McNuggets short of a Happy Meal to try this form of caveman fishing. I don't think my patients would have much confidence in me if they knew my two missing fingers were lost to a hoggin' incident gone bad... as I try to suture the huge cut on their chin. On the other hand, if it's a patient that got that gash on their chin after saying, "Hey Bubba! Watch this!"... they may actually think their doctor is pretty cool.

Needless to say, I chose the yo-yo-in' option. After putting out yo-yo's all over this lake and putting dozens of miles on the boat, we caught over 20 big catfish and I brought home 30 pounds of nice catfish fillets. Now I just need to go froggin' for some big frog legs to make the meal complete.

P.S. My hands STILL smell like liver and baby poo.

New Traditions!!

After spending many Holidays away from home, you start to think about the traditions your kids will remember. As a child, the Fourth of July was spent camping with family and friends at a KOA. This was tradition as long as I can remember. I looked forward to it every year. I would count down the days until we would pack up and go. Our memories for our children have been different than I expected. No more hometown celebrations or fireworks with family. No more camping and BBQ's with the people we love. I want my children to look forward to this holiday just as I did. So... every year, I try to think about what traditions we will have. Because we have moved a lot they seem to change frequently.

Now... we have a new tradition. At least for the next 4 years... and the kids couldn't be happier. This 4th was spent at a pavilion owned by a couple in our ward. They host this event every year. It was amazing. Our entire ward was invited, along with their friends, and also some of their employees. I would have to say about 400 people were there. The event starts at noon and ends at 10:00pm.

They provide all of the food complete with catfish, ribs, burgers, hotdogs, salads, french fries, every drink under the sun, watermelon, corn on the cob, and homemade ice cream. They made 30 batches of delicious homemade icecream. Then just across from the food stand, is a little shack complete with sno cones and cotton candy. My kids were in heaven. Jex just couldn't stand it, and had to keep going back for more. Stella loved that we let her eat whatever she wanted that day. Isaac fell in love with the catfish (who knew), oh... and the ice cream.

Isaac enjoying bites of Catfish!!

They also have all sorts of great things for the kids to do. Jex loved going down the slide with a pool at the end. I was so proud of him, he didn't act scared at all. Stella enjoyed playing on the playground and getting dirty. A change of clothes was necessary by the end of the day. Isaac was content to just watch everyone, and EAT!!

Jex splashing down in the pool, after a quick ride down the slide.

After a day of fun, food, laughter, and friends, they close the night with an amazing fireworks show. Not just a small fireworks show. It was pretty major.

Even though we miss our traditions with our family at home, we will just have to make do with this new one. Stella said as we left, "Can we come back to America's birthday tomorrow too?"

We are looking forward to the party again next year, and appreciate being invited to join in on the fun. It really helped to make my favorite Holiday not seem so lonely.

All Tuckered Out (the fireworks put him right to sleep!!)

Happy Birthday America!!

The Kids Bathroom

I am slowly posting pictures of each room. Today, I am sharing the kids bathroom. Since we moved in we have added the beadboard, with the help of our friends Casey and Krysta. I also want to paint this room a really mellow green. I will save that project for a day when I am really bored.
I wanted this room to feel really whimsical. I wanted to feel HAPPY every time I walked in here. I get that feeling. It really is a fun room.

I also wanted to use the words Dream, Hope and Wish. These words describe childhood so well.

I had a lot of fun with this room.

FHE Ice cream!!

On Monday, I let the kids make their very own Homemade Icecream for Family Home Evening. I must say that they got tired of shaking the bags, and their hands were really cold. Next time, we decided we are going to put it in #10 cans, and let them roll them back and forth. I think that would be much easier for the kids. If you are interested in trying it, here is the recipe we used:

1 gallon sized bag

1 qt. sized bag

1/2 cup of half and half, 2 T. sugar, and 1 t. vanilla.

Ice and rock salt.

Add the ingredients to the qt. sized bag, and the ice and salt to the gallon sized bag. Place qt. sized bag inside gallon bag, and begin shaking. Shake for 5-7 minutes.

This recipe is per serving, so you must do it for each person. After it was complete we added chocolate syrup, and strawberry syrup to make different flavors. I had a taste, and it was really delicious. Next time we will put the ingredients in a small can(formula can size) then place it inside a #10(food Storage can) with the ice and rock salt, and just let the kids roll them. I think it will be easier for them.

It was a great summer activity.