Jesus said - Day 11

John 13: 34-35

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; 

as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

One of my greatest JOYS in life is seeing how our children love one another.  Our two daughters and our two sons are dear friends.  Sure they joke around and kid each other.  There is a fair amount of poking fun and sarcasm.  They all have different talents, personalities, interests, strengths and weaknesses.  But there is also a deep and abiding love there and I know that each of them would do most anything to help the others out.  I've seen it in action.  I've watched with a grateful heart as they have rallied around one another with encouragement and love, especially in hard times.  That is what it is all about, and I'm so very grateful for that.  I'm also extremely grateful that as their spouses have come into the family that they too, have joined our group with love and acceptance.  I love each of my in-law children so very much.  They are my dear friends and they add so much to our family unit.  

We had the opportunity this summer to spend a few days together.  Claire had just delivered a sweet baby girl, Annie, and so we couldn't travel very far if Claire was going to be included.  We decided to go to the Homestead in the Heber valley for a few days and have some fun.  Nothing does my mother's heart good like seeing my children and grandchildren enjoying one another.  We missed Jake.  We spoke of him and thought of him often.  He will always be missed. 

We had a very fun day on Deer Creek reservoir.  We rented a boat and everyone enjoyed boarding or riding in the tube.  Even though it was a cloudy day, it was still hot and it saved everyone from getting a sunburn.Andy and Chelsea got to meet Sam and Annie and get acquainted with these little ones. 

We had a unit with a kitchen so we could prepare our meals and we just played games, visited, enjoyed the hot springs crater, in-door and out-door pools, horse shoes, golf course and tennis courts.  And we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

The kids played non-stop and enjoyed hanging out with their cousins. 

 Their parents had many good chats.

 Little newborn Annie was a sweet addition to our group this year.

Dave and Courtney were in town several more days and we enjoyed even more time with the family swimming in the pool, slip and slip, MTC tour, picnic in the canyon and of course a visit to the BYU campus.  When there is love at home, all is right with the world.  I'm so grateful for my family and love each member very much.

Jesus said - Day 10

Exodus 20:12

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

John 6:38

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Matthew 19:19

Honour thy father and thy mothers; and, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

All through his life Jesus Christ referred to the relationship he had with his Heavenly Father.  Often he would remind those with whom he associated to honor their fathers and their mothers.  This commandment is almost as old as formal religion and gives us all pause to think about how we treat and honor our parents who gave us life.  I'm so grateful for two good parents who brought me into this world.  They gave me a safe and secure place to grow up and they showed by their examples how to be of service to others.  They loved all seven of us children and provided for our needs and most of our wants.  They taught us how to work, value education, how to have fun, how to value family relationships, and how to live the gospel and strengthen our testimonies of the Savior.  My dad has been gone now for almost 35 years.  I think about him very often.  I miss him so much. My sweet mother just turned 91 years old last month.  She has significant challenges with dementia and struggles with every day living.  It was so fun to gather with extended family at her assisted living home and celebrate with her.  I love her.  I'm grateful for the good start she and dad gave me.  I honor them for being the perfect parents for me.

Jesus said - Day 9

The Lord speaking to Emma Smith said:

Doctrine and Covenants 25:12

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

What would Christmas time be without Christmas music?  I don't even want to imagine.  Seriously, one of my favorite parts about the Christmas season is the music.  I've mentioned this before in previous Christmas posts, but I adore Christmas music on the radio, playing on Spotify, on a CD, in the car, and most especially in attending live musical performances.  This year was no exception.  I decided this year to limit the number of performances I attended, and I have.  But I chose carefully the ones I most love.  This always includes the BYU Celebration of Christmas concert given by the performing choral groups and the Philharmonic orchestra.  Wow.  This year was one of the best yet.  We went with Rick's mom, our daughters and SIL R and some of their siblings and spouses.  I am always moved to tears.  The spirit is overwhelming.  Here is just a little taste of what hundreds of young spirit-filled voices sound like:

Jesus said - Day 8

Matthew 24:29

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

Of course these verses speak of the last days when the son of man, even Jesus Christ, shall return to the earth again.  I couldn't help but think of the day we experienced on August 21st, 2017 when the sun was darkened and the moon did not give her light.  It was pretty amazing to see the total solar eclipse (about 90%) from where we live.  It was fun to experience it with several of the grandchildren and their mothers.  Wow! The wonders of this earth and the creations of the universe are awe inspiring.  We we know that God sent His son to be the creator of this earth.  It really gives you pause. 

This is Andy and Chelsea watching the eclipse from CA