Share the Good News

May I bear witness to you also that He lives.  I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for His atonement.  I rejoice in this good news.  I thank my Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son.

We have been enjoying a whole month of celebrating Christ as we prepare for Easter thanks to Cocoa's sharing her great ideas.  Go here to see.  We gathered different bare branches around the yard and have watched them come alive as we decorate them and learn more of Jesus Christ.  The apple blossoms in the back should be out any day now.  We will finish Easter morning as we celebrate the Resurrection.  

 My creative boys have made their own scripture bags with duct tape.   Ike used half a cereal box for his base.  Tall One went from scratch, used his own bag as a pattern and created his solely out of duck tape and a Walmart zipper.  I was totally impressed.  He received no help from me (not that I would have been any good).  One day soon Doodle and I are hoping to make a cute one with fabric.

Today is also April 6!  I had hoped to be more organize and celebrate Christmas, the organization of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Passover which is extra special because it is also beginning the Jewish Sabbath tonight.  Time got the best of me and other distractions so we are settling for going out to dinner (that almost never happens in our family) and then coming home to watch the 10 Commandments.  It will still be great.  Some times simple is best.

Spring school

A little Spring fever and warm weather invited studies outside.  

 getting quite good at lashing

 Porch swing penmanship

 Only sometimes do I join them on the trampoline but it still tempts them

And to feel soft green grass again on bare skin.  Good to see the sun again!

A beautiful Easter gift

Please enjoy this beautiful song as you contemplate and prepare for the celebration of Christ, his atonement and Resurrection.  We owe everything to him.  He is a God of miracles.



Happy Easter!

Unite in prayer

Our missionary asked for a picture of family prayer to share with investigators.  She knows we are praying for her and for them.  Morning and night we share this sacred time.

We Christians must unite in prayer for our nation!

Dear friends, I have been praying about this e-mail since reading a headline on MSNBC regarding a meeting scheduled for March 24 in Washington. This is being called a 'Return to Reason' rally, held by atheists to dispel all religions and any belief in God.  I am all for freedom of speech and would not deny them their freedom to meet and express their views. But my heart aches for America. We have been so blessed by God, and in return we blaspheme His name, disregard Him, laugh about Him, ridicule any one who believes in Him, then when disaster hits, we beg God to Bless America. So I am asking everyone who prays to join me in praying for America for the month of March. Pray that He show us how He has blessed us, and to show Himself as the powerful Almighty God He is.  Our land needs healing. We are financially and morally bankrupt. But God has promised,  "If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear them from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14 I'm also asking that any who agree with this e-mail to forward it to all of their contacts who will also pray. May God richly bless each of you. PS I apologize if any of you received this more than once. I tried to be careful but ...

This was an email I recently received - a forward. There are so many things spread through email.  I didn't take the time to check with snopes on this one but instead felt the need and desire to pray more for our country and to invite all people to pray.  We need God like never before.  There are so many uncertainties, so many difficulties . . . and so many blessings.  When the weight of wickedness surrounds me and I'm tempted to despair, I am comforted by the blessing of prayer. I know that my Heavenly Father lives.  I know he hears and answers prayers.  I see evidence of this very fact daily in my life.  He loves me.  He loves my family.  He knows us by name and our own little concerns matter to him.  I don't have to understand how he knows to know he knows.

If you are ever in doubt, if you are missing his love, it is not because it isn't there.  To have hope, to be joy-filled, to find peace simply give thanks.  He is so much more powerful than the threats we see around us.  He stands ready to help us.  We are not alone.  Spread the good news and pray.  Pray for our country, for the leaders and the people. Pray for our communities.  Pray for our families.  Pray for strength and goodness.  In all that praying be thankful.  Be thankful for this country, for rights, for the constitution, for a rich heritage of integrity and honor.  Be thankful for family and a safe place to learn relationships, to learn love, forgiveness.

Life is good.  We are blessed.  Good will win.

a dog and a museum

A little sharing of the happenings around here for grandparents

 This really big, luckily friendly, dog came to play one day.  It peeked right in our kitchen window.

 Riding trax to begin our field trip with grandparents.

 We enjoyed the Church History Museum, lunch at the Nauvoo Cafe, 

 enjoying the Book of Mormon children's exhibit and peeked in the new exhibit that wasn't yet open. Looks like fun.  

 and a quick visit the the family history library.

oatmeal pancakes

We enjoy oatmeal at least once a week.  I prefer soaking my oatmeal overnight.  We use a 2:1 ratio.  Last night I used 6 cups water and 3 cups old-fashion rolled oats.  Combine in a pan, poured a little buttermilk in, covered with a lid and let sit on stove over night. In the morning we turn on the heat, add about 1 tsp salt, cook stirring until thick, and enjoy a delicious bowl of hot oatmeal.  We often have leftovers.  That is when we enjoy pancakes for lunch.


Lazy Oatmeal Pancakes
Leftover oatmeal
Eggs, as many as it takes to look like a batter.
Mix well together and cook on a hot griddle.  Serve with syrup, applesauce, or  your favorite topping.