Great gift

I believe the most popular present for Christmas this year were these D Blocks.  Inspired by the Keva planks or the Citiblocks, these simple blocks of wood have been amazing and fun for all ages.

 I've named them D blocks in honor of Tall One who made them at wood shop class at the high school with lots of scraps.  We have cedar, oak, black walnut, and maybe mahogany.

We also had great fun with craft sticks and creating stick bombs by getting ideas off youtube such as this one.

I love simple toys.

Come, Lord Jesus

We are singing this Come, Lord Jesus daily and we're happy to find this video.  I am so unworthy but I desire His spirit, His light to guide my life.  I want to say with my whole soul "Come, Lord Jesus come".  May your Christmas be filled with Love, Living Water, the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, the Vine, the Holy One, our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ.

sweet reminder

I really enjoyed this flash mob.  I don't know the first song but really like it.  Watch to the end, it is worth it.

Do YOU have room?

Betrothal, Bride and Bridegroom

The betrothal of Joseph and Mary as portrayed in Savior of the World.  Micham is Joseph's uncle who has arranged with Mary's father and now Joseph comes to offer the contract:

JOSEPH: Mary, I will betroth you to myself forever, betroth you in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness. I will betroth you in faithfulness. And you will know the Lord.⁸

MICHAM: The drink.

(Joseph pours from a pitcher into a cup and places the cup on the table before Mary. Silence.)

FATHER: Now, Mary, it is time for you to choose. Joseph is a good man. If you pledge faithfulness to him, he will provide for you and care for you forever, as a wife and mother in Israel. (Pause) Drink, and you have a covenant. Put it away, and all is forgotten.

MICHAM: You won’t regret it!

WOMEN (Mary’s aunt and cousins): Shhh!

FATHER: As you choose.

(Mary takes the cup and drinks. All erupt into joyous congratulations.)

MICHAM: Wonderful! Wonderful!

JOSEPH: It is done. You are set apart for me according to the law of Moses and Israel. And one day we’ll be married.

Having attended Savior of the World I have been thinking more about how the betrothal of Joseph and Mary could apply also to us today and our relationship with Jesus.  He is the bridegroom.  We as a church are the bride.  He comes to us and offers himself.   He makes us promises/covenants to provide, protect, and care for us.  He presents the contract.  Our part is simple and we are free to choose to accept this contract (gift).  Like a bride, as we accept the contract we take His name upon us.  We become His.  We are bought with a price (a bride price) and the tokens of that price are in his hands.  Each Sunday in sacrament meeting we renew our commitment to him and our acceptance of his offer.  We do this by partaking of the bread and the water.  We literally take into ourselves the symbols of the covenant.  That covenant then becomes a part of us both physically and spiritually.  And if we are wise it becomes a part of us mentally as well as we put our thoughts of Him and pleasing Him in the forefronts of our minds.  As a good bride we trust Him, care for him and his household, love his family, seek to be wise stewards of those things he offers us.  We grow and flourish under his tender care and we become more than we ever could alone. . . and one day we will be with him again.

Christmas videos

We have been enjoying these Christmas videos.  What a treat!  Hope you enjoy them too.

The are also new videos announced tonight at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  For more information visit this blog or go straight to the new site The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos.  I love these kinds of gifts that make it easier for me and for my family to come closer to Christ and follow his example.

December fun already

 First real snow brought a snowman

 He soon collected his family and we realized it was the Porter family come to visit.

 After a night of doing whatever snowmen do at night!

Mary Magdalene

For our Relief Society Christmas social we had a program that I loved being a part of.  It was called Followers of Christ and 5 sisters were asked to portray different women who were followers of Christ.  There was Mary the mother of Jesus, the woman at the well, Mary Magdalene,  Sarah from Nauvoo, and Julie Beck.  We were just to share 3 minutes in first person about the woman and her testimony of Christ.  It was a powerful evening and a very different way for me to study a woman in the scriptures.  I was asked to portray Mary Magdalene.  At first I thought there just wasn't much information but with the help of Jesus the Christ by Elder Talmage it all came together.  I'd like to share my thoughts here so that I can keep track of them.  Read this as if you are the one portraying Mary.  It is a blessing to think and feel in an effort to better understand.

I am Mary.  I come from a place on the western shore of Galilee called Magdala.  I am referred to as Mary Magdalene.   I am one of many who were healed by Jesus.  I had suffered physically and mentally.  Jesus cast out seven devils from me.   I know it was by the power of God that I was healed.  I became a follower of Jesus.  I had the privilege of traveling with him and his apostles as he went through every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.  Joanna, Susanna, and I as well as other women ministered unto him of our substance.  I saw him healing the sick.  I heard him teaching the people.  My testimony grew as did my  love for him.  I recognized him as Christ. I, like you, was lived in a fullness of times.

He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross.  Pilate would have let him go but the chief priests and elders had convinced the people to let Barabbas go.  The people cried “Crucify him”, “His blood be upon us and are children”.  They did not understand.  I was there when he was crucified. I watched from afar at first but found myself at the cross with his mother Mary.  Jesus, my Lord, was crucified.   He called out to his Father.  He, who was living water, thirsted and then he gave up the ghost.  As the Sabbath approached I watched as he was quickly laid in a borrowed tomb and a stone was rolled across the entrance.

After the Sabbath several sisters and I hurried towards the tomb bringing ointments and spices to anoint the body.  We wondered who might move the stone for us.  As we arrived we found the stone had been rolled away.  We looked inside and were frightened to find a young man in white who said “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”  Jesus was gone.  We carried word to the disciples.  I told Peter and John “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him.”   I had not comprehended the words “He is risen”.  Peter and John ran to the tomb.   I followed them.  I waited outside weeping as they also saw that the tomb was empty.  They left but I was filled with grief.  I looked in the tomb again and saw two personages.  They asked me “Woman, why weepest thou?”  I told them “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him”.  All that was left of my Lord was now gone.  I became aware of someone else who I thought must be the gardener.  He also asked “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”  Thinking he might have information I answered “Sir, if though have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”  It was then that I heard that familiar, tender voice, filled with love say Mary.  I went from despair to joy.  Rabboni!  I wanted to rush to him.  It was my Lord.  He asked me not to touch him.  He had not yet ascended to his father.  He asked me to go to his brethren.  Some of the other sisters  also visited the tomb and were returning to Galilee when they, too, saw Jesus.  We all brought word to the disciples.   We told them the wonderful story of our experiences.  They were skeptical and hesitated to believe.  I knew I could trust the words of the angel which had proclaimed he is not here, for he is risen.  I had both seen Him and heard His voice.  They would come to know too.  My Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled every promise.  He lives.  His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who will ever live upon the earth.  He loves me and he loves each of you.

It was fun to imagine some of the things Mary may have experienced.  Learning that she traveled with Jesus and his apostles and ministered unto them reminds me of our modern day Relief Society sisters and the many things they do as disciples of Christ.  Relief Society is part of the restoration of all things and since THE fullness of times was when Christ was on the earth organizing his church I think it is safe to suppose that it was the Relief society that was ministering, following Christ, and preparing his body for burial.  It will be an amazing time when I can meet these great sisters in the gospel that lived during this fullness of times.

Pear pie and cherry pie

I like to try a new pie each year.  This year, thanks to bountiful baskets, I had pears.  This pie was wonderful.  I found it on Our Best Bites

Creamy Pear PieRecipe by Our Best Bites

Ingredients:

1 double pie crust
About 1 1/2 lb. firm (not too ripe, not too green) pears, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
3 oz. cream cheese (from a block, not from a tub)
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450.

Roll the bottom of the pie crust into the pie plate.

Toss the sliced pears in the flour. Arrange them evenly over the pie crust in the pie plate. Set aside.

In the jar of a blender, combine the sweetened condensed milk, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and cream cheese. Blend until smooth. Pour evenly over the pear mixture. Use the remaining pie crust to form the top of the pie (we like to make a lattice top crust). Brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

Bake at 450 for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 and bake for another 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the creamy mixture has thickened but not solidified. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. This pie can be served warm or cold, preferably with ice cream or sweetened whipped cream.

We also enjoyed a new sour cherry pie recipe.  In the summer I used fresh off the tree.  For Thanksgiving I used my frozen cherried

Classic Sour Cherry Pie with Lattice Crust

Bon Appétit  | June 2008

by Lori Longbotham

ingredients

Crust:

2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

5 tablespoons (or more) ice water

Filling:

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 cups whole pitted sour cherries or dark sweet cherries (about 2 pounds whole unpitted cherries)

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (if using sour cherries) or 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (if using dark sweet cherries)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 tablespoon (about) milk

Vanilla ice cream

print a shopping list for this recipe

preparation

For crust:

Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in large bowl to blend. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until small pea-size clumps form. Add 5 tablespoons ice water; mix lightly with fork until dough holds together when small pieces are pressed between fingertips, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough together; divide into 2 pieces. Form each piece into ball, then flatten into disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Do ahead Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled. Let dough soften slightly before rolling out.

For filling:

Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 425°F. Whisk 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Stir in cherries, lemon juice, and vanilla; set aside.

Roll out 1 dough disk on floured surface to 12-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch glass pie dish. Trim dough overhang to 1/2 inch. Roll out second dough disk on floured surface to 12-inch round. Using large knife or pastry wheel with fluted edge, cut ten 3/4-inch-wide strips from dough round. Transfer filling to dough-lined dish, mounding slightly in center. Dot with butter. Arrange dough strips atop filling, forming lattice; trim dough strip overhang to 1/2 inch. Fold bottom crust up over ends of strips and crimp edges to seal. Brush lattice crust (not edges) with milk. Sprinkle lattice with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

Place pie on rimmed baking sheet and bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Bake pie until filling is bubbling and crust is golden brown, covering edges with foil collar if browning too quickly, about 1 hour longer. Transfer pie to rack and cool completely. Cut into wedges and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Giving thanks

at the end of each day, sleep was wonderful!

by spending time with those I am most thankful for.  We had a wonderful time in Idaho with my daughters and their families.  There is an amazing amount of joy that comes when you see your own children rising up to be righteous women of God, embracing their role of wife and mother and welcoming in company for the holiday.  We arrived in this frigid land in time to do some baking so we could properly enjoy this tradition.

pies for breakfast

 A new tradition introduced by John (who always shares his latest passion or creative entertaining,(remember the exercise balls one year?))  Roping!  Which requires a willing victim to take his turn wearing the helmet and getting roped.  Once you get roped 3 times you get to trade places with someone.

I always encouraged outdoor roping but when John was home it moved indoors.  The victim would wear the protective helmet and slowly walk through the room while the other two or three did the roping.  Sunshine was actually quite good at it.

Mr. O and boys.  They got to watch Cars movie.  A classic that is fun for all ages.  Especially when you don't watch movies, hardly ever.

Doodle is such a good aunt and baby sister.

 We spent some fun on the hay stacks.  John rearranged the stack to create a stair case.  It was fun to be up on top.  Hope that was okay Boss Vaughn.

T. William and Natalie

Sweet N.

Little J was taking a nap and missed this photo session

Our little family at home.

Porters

granny and T

J, Granny, and N

J and Tall One

The tree hunt is on.  These machetes come in quite handy for farmers up here for when a pocket knife is not quite enough.

Van O tree hunting

Porter tree found

Thank you for a wonderful visit.  Can't wait for the next time when we are all together.

grateful:

• "Granny, come on, I'll show you!"  little J
• baby smiles and giggles
• good food and plenty of it
• warm home and working car
• reminders of the abundance we are blessed with
• Christmas carols, quiet talks, loud card games, gift giving plans
• nap times, quiet mornings, family prayer all together
• silly Thanksgiving songs

when thankful is hard

Mr. O is our bishop.  He started tithing settlement today.  That means he gets to the church at 7am and doesn't come home until possibly late.  Dinner becomes a challenge.  One dear family signed up for a 3:30 time slot, brought a nice plate of dinner with their family and demanded that the bishop eat while they visited.  Very nice idea.  Greatly appreciated by Mr. O.  (If I'm truthful, by me too)  So why do I not just say thank you and be grateful for the leftovers at home that we will enjoy for lunch tomorrow?

I have a pride issue.  I would like to be the good wife.  I would like to be the good sister.  I would definitely like to be a better mother.  I would like to have the right desires at the right time and know how to act on it.  I realize I am coveting.  I am coveting someone else's ability to serve.  I'm being silly.  I need to snap out of it.  I need to remember that we each have our own gifts and abilities and I can learn to listen better to the promptings of the spirit.

In the mean time, I have another plan.  I'm going to move to another ward, start fresh, give up my doubts and my shyness, and hire my friend to call me every time she gets a good idea and I will find someone to do it to also.  Then it's not coveting, its learning from a great example.  ;-)

Conflict

Resolving a heart of conflict.  I hate conflict yet I now understand that I have been in the box.  I have needed to justify to stay in the box.  I have my favorite boxes.  The idea that I might escape the box, be free to have love as my motive, to see people as people is so liberating and filled with hope.  I just finished The Anatomy of Peace from the Arbinger Institute.  I have enjoyed at other times Leadership and Self-Deception and The Peacegiver.  I love the truths that I recognize in these books and I love learning from stories.  I highly recommend any of these books and hope you too will see the good.

memories

Tonight I am thankful for memories.  Our home teachers came to visit.  We have two older gentlemen who faithfully come, visit, share a message and a smile.  I appreciate they're fulfilling their duty but sometimes it is an inconvenience.  I forget that they don't necessarily come to meet my whim.  They are coming to be in our home, check on our family, access needs or concerns so that we can all enjoy the blessings of our baptismal covenant-- to bear one another's burdens.

One of the men is old, uses a cane, cannot hear well.  When he calls for an appointment we let him set the time because he doesn't seem to hear me very well.  He is also losing his memory.  His wife tells stories of the frustration that comes with living with someone with short term memory loss.  I know he must get frustrated too. Tonight after discussing the need to hold on to the iron rod (the word of God) and not to be distracted by the big and spacious building (the world), he suggested that we need to make good choices so our memories would be pleasant.  My heart ached for this fine man who now lived with only the old memories.  How important that we live our lives in such a way that when we look back we can do so without regret, embarrassment, or guilt.  Our choices affect our lives today but will also continue to influence our future.  The day may come when all we have are our memories.  What kind of memories am I depositing in my memory retirement account?  Will those thoughts haunt me? or bring me renewed joy?

I am grateful for a gentle reminder to live each day without regret, making choices that will lead to eternal happiness.  That happiness begins today if I choose it.

11.11.11 at 11:11am

. . . and its Veterans Day.  Happy Day!

Grandma G

Having found a love letter from Grandpa to Grandma I thought I would share.  The best thing a husband can do for his children is to love their mother.  I seek to be worthy of that love and devotion that comes when a good man loves his wife.  Grandpa died shortly after writing this letter to his beloved.  I don't believe they had any reason to suspect that he would soon die.   I was five years old when Grandpa died.  Grandma continued on to finish raising her family and living for nearly 40 years as she awaited that reunion which she also looked forward to.  Grandma died in 2007 just a week after spending time in my home.  I treasure the many memories I have of her and the few precious ones of my grandpa.

My Dear Beloved Marjorie,

                One day, each of us will be called home.  If you outlive me, do not grieve excessively.  Have faith be happy, cheerful, and confident.  We both know the gospel is true and that life beyond the grave is an obvious reality.  Each day of my life I thank God for the deep abiding love we have for each other.  This love has been our most precious possession, life’s most soul-satisfying, most rewarding experience – made far richer and more meaningful through the testimonies we have shared with each other of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

                Together we have met life’s challenges and reared our children to love the Lord and keep his commandments.  (Four) have been through the temple.  (Two) have their footsteps firmly planted along the same path.

                On that beautiful February morn, those many years ago, dressed in the beautiful white robes of the Holy Priesthood, and with hearts bursting with love and gratitude and joy, we clasped hands across the sacred altar and were sealed for time and all eternity – forever.

                That love – those indescribably sacred vows – have been and are the cornerstone of our happiness together.  Together we have lived and toiled and sacrificed and dedicated our lives to the fulfillment of the eternal blessing promised us at that altar.  The Lord has proven many times that HE loves us and has approved our way of life and the name in which we have raised our children.

                My beloved Marjorie, do not weep for long. Stay close to the Lord, keep busy, be grateful for your blessings, and above all for the love we bear for each other – made infinitely more precious, more noble and more enduring by the precious truths of the gospel and the love we both bear for our Savior, without whose great sacrifice for us, all this joy would not have been possible.

                And so until that great and glorious day of reunion when I shall again clasp you to my bosom, together with the six precious spirits whom we are privileged to call our sons and daughters, as well as those dear ones who have joined our family in recent years or may join it in the future, God be with you till we meet again.

                Chin up, keep smiling, and remember – Our love is eternal.

Affectionately your husband,

Grace turns all to good

We are all hurting.  We all receive trials tailored to help us grow, to challenge us, to allow us to turn to God and allow him to show us the way through, to heal.  He helps us see the beauty, the joy that can be ours even in the midst of the difficult.  Man is that he might have joy.  Often the joy comes when we accept the difficult, make the climb, and view the vista at the summit knowing we have not walked alone.  We have been helped each step of the way and as we leaned on Jesus Christ we were/are enabled to continue, to endure, to taste joy along the way and then finally reach the point where we can look back and see how all the switchbacks were still helping us make progress and were necessary steps to arrive where we need to be.  As we walk through the mortal journey let our walk be with God, let his light illuminate the path that we might not stumble, let a grateful heart show us the many tender mercies that bless each day.  Let us look around to see who else we might help along the way.  

Thank you Natalie for sharing this with me.

This is my absolute favorite white chili. It always turns out great and everyone loves it

Ghost Chili

Added by kiki00star on October 15, 2009 in Chili, Soups

Prep Time 5 Minutes Cook Time 45 Minutes

Servings 8

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

• 1 pound Chicken Breast, Cubed
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
• 1-½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
• 2 cans (15.5 Oz) Great Northern Beans, Rinsed And Drained
• 1 can (14.5 Oz) Chicken Broth
• 2 cans (4 Oz.) Chopped Green Chilies
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• ½ teaspoons Black Pepper
• ¼ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• ½ cups Whipping Cream

Preparation Instructions

Heat oil in a large pot. Saute chicken, onion, and garlic powder until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies, and seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and cream.

If you like your chili very mild, reduce the amount of chilies to 1 can, or rinse and drain the chilies well.

To make a less rich, healthier version, use 2 cups sour cream and 1/4 cup milk.

Thank you, Dad

 Sister Dalton spoke in General conference  to fathers about raising daughters.  Dads have a very important role in teaching girls how they should be treated, honored, and respected and what to look for in a future husband.  The best way to do so is to love their mother.

Listening to the important message shared with so many ideas about what should be a priority for men as they lead their family and provide for their family and make time for their family, I felt a great desire to thank my own father for being a good man.

My Dad was the youngest of 4 children.  He was ten years younger than his next older sibling and spent much of his childhood feeling more like an only child.  His father gave up smoking when my dad at age 4 picked up a cigarette (thank you grandpa for your desire to set a better example too).  He was raised in the church in California.  I believe he loved being a teenager in the 50's.

He loves hot rods, being cool, and the Rose Parade.  His family moved a lot.  I think he attended 5 different high schools.  He used that to his advantage as he learned to take an interest in people and enjoys making new friends and helping them feel comfortable and appreciated.  He continues to reach out to others and especially enjoys meeting people from other countries or cultures.  I believe it was in these years that he developed a love for hot peppers.  He tried to convince me to eat them by promising that they would put hair on my chest.  Definitely not motivating to a young girl.  He said the same thing about eating the crust on my bread. He does have a very hairy chest so he was pretty convincing.

He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Denmark and loved his mission.  While on his mission his parents moved to Utah.  He came home and met a charming, beautiful red head who became my mother.  They were married in the Salt Lake temple 47 years ago.

I was their first child.  It was not an easy delivery and he exclaimed when he heard he had a daughter "All that work just for a girl!"  Little did he know that the work had just begun.  As an honorable man and priesthood holder he provided for our family.  He wanted the best for us and worked very hard.  He put in long hours building businesses and building our family.  I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters that followed me in to our family.  I have fond memories of holidays spent together, family vacations, Saturday's with Dad cutting the lawn.  Stories of him taking pride in cleaning bathrooms as a boy hoping to motivate me to take pride in housework and a job well done.

Some of the best things he did for me were to tell me when I looked good, shared his interest in interior design, complimented me on my accomplishments, proudly introduced me to his friends, attended church as a family every week.  Some special times were when we would discuss a gospel topic and I knew that he had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was always worthy and willing to give me priesthood blessings.

He has continued that example as he has done his best to raise a righteous family in partnership with my mother.  They have worked together, been patient with one another, faced big health and financial challenges together and expressed gratitude for one another.  He has continued to love my mother as they have now served two missions together, one to Denmark and one to Nauvoo, IL.

There is safety and comfort in knowing that your parents love one another and that they love you.  That gift means so much to every child.  I am so grateful to my Dad for the man he is.  I am grateful for the blessing he continues to be in my life.  Even now as an adult I appreciate my dad's approval.  I am grateful when I please him and I want to live in such a way that he can be proud of me.  Thank you, Dad, for always loving the Lord, loving Mom, and living the gospel.