I am so excited!

Tonight was wonderful. We had our dear friends, Jen and Jason and their 2 boys over tonight for dinner and family home evening. Scotty Catt, a recently returned missionary, and the missionaries came to teach the lesson. The Spirit was really strong. Jen, Jason, Alex, and Zach all accepted the challenge to be baptized on October 25th. We are so excited for them as they prepare for this amazing step in their lives. We feel blessed to be able to go through this process with their family.

The gospel is true! It blesses our lives in so many ways!

How Exciting To Be A Member Of Relief Society!

My friend, Jen, and I went to our stake Relief Society service project and broadcast on Saturday. It was truly amazing. Our stake collected items for The Giving Tree, a Tucson charity that works hard to clothe, feed, and house homeless families and children. We have 2,000 homeless children in the Tucson area. Hearing that broke my heart. This organization has drop houses where they care for the children while mom or dad try to work. I left wanting to do more to help.

The broadcast was so inspiring. I left feeling uplifted and excited to be a member of the church and a member of Relief Society! It was also fun to see my friend Amy singing in the choir! The choir was beautiful! If you'd like to listen to the broadcast again, you can go here.

My friend loved it too. Watching her excitement as she discovers the truths available reminds me how exciting the gospel really is and how blessed we are to have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. Sunday was great! We not only had Jen and Jason and their boys with us at church, but one of Devan's good friends from school came with his mom for the first time as well. The missionaries, Jen's family, Scotty Catt (our missionary that just got home from our ward), and our family are having Family Home Evening at our house. I'm excited to listen to the missionaries teach and to have that spirit that comes with them in our home.

President Monson on Teaching by Example

I love this short clip of President Monson on teaching by example. He shares his ear wiggle story and actually wiggles his ears in the talk. He did the same in a talk he gave that was broadcast to all the members of the church in Arizona 2 years ago. My kids loved it!

Two Updated General Conference Printable Children's Notebooks

Rachel Woods from About.com shared the following on her blog. We've printed off her activity books for our kids for previous conferences. They are great!

"Now there are two covers and two different General Conference notebooks to choose from. One can be folded in half (pages are printed front to back) and the other can be stapled in the left hand corner, which leaves the back blank for extra notes.

With these General Conference notebooks you can create your own "small plates" by recording and remembering your impressions as you listen to the speakers at General Conference or see other General Conference activities and games." - Rachel Woods

Don't Forget!

General Relief Society Meeting and General Conference

The general Relief Society meeting will be held on Saturday, September 27, at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time, and general conference will convene on Saturday and Sunday, October 4-5. A new media player is available to watch these meetings on the Internet.

I'm so excited to listen to the Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday. One of my BYU married student housing friends, Amy, is in the Relief Society choir, so it will also be fun to watch for her. Our stake is watching the broadcast at 5 p.m. AZ time then having a service project after the broadcast until 8. General Conference time is always one of my favorite times of the year.

Children's Scripture Stories Now Available Online!

Scripture Stories

Now Online

Now available online in downloadable text, audio, and video formats, these colorfully illustrated scripture stories are written on a basic reading level for children and are also a valuable resource for others who may not yet be familiar with the standard works. You can also purchase the video recordings as a new DVD set.

Click here to watch or listen to stories!

Catch Me On KOLD13's Morning News Tomorrow!

I'll be on KOLD's morning news Thursday, September 25th. I'll be showing how to make my sister-in-laws gnocchi potato dumplings. By using what's on sale at Basha's this week, you can make this main dish that makes 6-8 servings for under $5! It will be aired around 5:50 a.m. or around 6:20 a.m. depending on where they decide to place it in their broadcast. They will also have it online at www.KOLD.com!

I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

I know that I have been posting a lot of videos lately, but to some measure I feel that they express the feelings in my heart better than I can in written word. I loved hearing President Hinckley's testimony of the Savior again. How we miss him!

Bruce R. McConkie's Final Testimony

I wanted to share Elder McConkie's final testimony that he bore in General Conference a few weeks before he died. For some reason, I have been thinking about his last talk tonight. I felt blessed to be able to find the clip from the end of it. Enjoy!

This Was Really Disturbing to me!

Lately I've had two friends forward me some Barack Obama youtube clips that have really disturbed me. I'm interested to hear what you think about these. The first clip is a speech he gave on religion.

Barack Obama's Views on The Bible



Barack Obama's Views on Abortion

Are Mormons Christians?

I love this answer given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a modern day apostle of Jesus Christ.

Shout It From The Roof Tops!

Today was one of those days that I just wanted to scream for joy! Have you ever felt that way? We are so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives!

Yesterday was an amazing day. Our good friends and neighbors, Jen and Jason (and their 2 boys Alex and Zach) came to church with us! We were praying hard that they would feel the spirit there at church. They did, and they loved it! The boys loved it. Jen is so excited about learning more, about her boys being able to serve missions, about the temple, and about the church. They are so amazing, and we are so excited about what the gospel will bring to their family! Plus, we are excited that we'll be able to see them all the time now! Their boys are both starting in Scouts this week, and Jen is going to attend the stake Relief Society service project and broadcast with me on Saturday. Next Monday we are planning on having Family Home Evening together with the missionaries teaching our lesson. It's awesome!

Do we truly realize what we have? We have a peace and joy that only the Savior and his gospel can bring. We have the truth! Could you imagine not knowing where you came from, why you are here, or what the true purpose of life is? I will be eternally grateful for the missionaries who knocked on my parents' door 36 years ago and brought them the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. My life has been blessed in so many ways from this amazing gift!

The Next Survivor Series

My friend, Michelle, sent me the following. I got a good chuckle and thought I would post it.

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and
3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play
two sports
and either take music
or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must
take care of his 3 kids;
keep his assigned house clean,
correct all homework,
and complete science projects, cook, do laundry,
and pay a list of 'pretend' bills
with not enough money.

In addition, each man
will have to budget in money
for groceries each week.

Each man
must remember the birthdays
of all their friends and relatives,
and send cards out
on time--no emailing.

Each man must also
take each child to a doctor's appointment,
a dentist appointment
and a haircut appointment.

He must make
one unscheduled and inconvenient
visit per child
to the Urgent Care.

He must also
make cookies or cupcakes
for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for
decorating his own assigned house,
planting flowers outside
and keeping it presentable
at all times.

The men will only
have access to television
when the kids are asleep
and all chore s are done.

The men must
shave their legs,
wear makeup daily,
adorn himself with jewelry,
wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes,
keep fingernails polished
and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks,
the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches,
and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or
slow down from other duties.

They must attend
weekly school meetings ,
church, and find time
at least once to spend the after noon
at the park or a similar setting.

They will need to
read a book to the kids
each night and in the morning,
feed them, dress them,
brush their teeth and
comb their hair by 7:00 am.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will
be required to know all of the following information: each child's
birthday, height, weight,
shoe size, clothes size
and doctor's name.
Also the child's weight at birth,
length, time of birth, and length of labor,
each child's favorite color,
middle name,
favorite snack,
favorite song,
favorite drink,
favorite toy, biggest fear and
what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island
based on performance.
The last man wins only if...
he still has enough energy
to be intimate with his spouse
at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win,
he can play the game over and over
and over again for the next 18-25 years
eventually earning the right
To be called Mother!

I love Kenneth Cope's song "His Hands". Just thought I would share this amazing video about the Savior.

Tagged!

I've been tagged! Thanks, Kate! The Rules are... tell about 6 quirks of yours and then Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same, be sure to leave a comment to let them know.

1. I am a huge news junkie. I have this need to know what is happening in the world around me. I speed read through two papers a day. Ask me what is happening around the world, and I could probably tell you more than you would ever like to know.

2. I also am a big political nut. Just as I keep up on what is happening in the world, I want to know what is happening in Washington, in Arizona, and in Marana. For every election since I was a teenager, I would stay up listening to the radio or tuned into a news channel until the election was called. I got it from my dad. That's one of the reason's I love being an election judge. I love assuring that people are able to vote in a fair and impartial way. I have to admit it will be hard to stay up this year. I'll be helping at the polls from 5 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.. Polls are open in AZ from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.. Don't forget to vote on November 4th!

3. I'm addicted to finding bargains. It's almost a fault. Thus, Savvy Savings Tucson was born.

4. I love a good back massage. Before I could talk I would put my parents' hands on my back to get them to rub. My dad told me that I needed to marry a masseuse. I married a Rocket Scientist instead. Sigh!!

5. I'm very scatter-brained and my mind is always going. I think I have ADD but just have never been diagnosed. In my life, it has been a blessing though. Many a recipe has come from a random thought of I wonder what this and this and this together would taste like?

6. My downstairs of my house is clean 80% of the time. My upstairs is clean only 20% of the time. If you ever drop by to visit, please don't get a complex. I can take you on a tour of my war zone upstairs if you want to feel better! :-)

I tagged Emily M., Tracy G., Chrissy B., Renee N., Denae H., and Lynette M.

Temple Slideshow

One of our friends emailed me this great link where you can watch a slide show of all the operating temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the order that they were dedicated. I thought I would share it with all of you. Click here or on the picture of the temple to watch the slide show.


I love the following quote from President Hinckley. “Every temple that this Church has built has in effect stood as a monument to our belief in the immortality of the human soul, that this phase of mortal life through which we pass is part of a continuous upward climb, so to speak, and that as certain as there is life here, there will be life there. That is our firm belief. It comes about through the Atonement of the Savior, and the temple becomes, as I have indicated, the bridge from this life to the next. The temple is concerned with things of immortality. We wouldn’t have to build a temple for marriages if we didn’t believe in the eternity of the family. We build it so the family may be eternal. All of the ordinances which take place in the house of the Lord become expressions of our belief in that fundamental and basic doctrine. The temple therefore becomes the ultimate in our system of worship and therefore is of great and significant importance to us” (interview with Vern Anderson of the Associated Press, 20 Apr. 1999).

We pray that someday there will be a temple in Tucson!

Presidential Election

My friend, Michelle, sent me the following. Just in case any of you are still trying to decide on who to vote for, here are some stunning comparisons. Save your money in case Obama wins - then you can either spend it on taxes.

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
COMPARISON TALKING POINTS

ISSUE		JOHN McCAIN	BARACK OBAMA
Favors new drilling offshore US		Yes	No
Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it		Yes	No
Served in the US Armed Forces		Yes	No
Amount of time served in the US Senate		22 YEARS	173 DAYS
Will institute a socialized national health care plan		No	Yes
Supports abortion throughout the pregnancy		No	Yes
Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately		No	Yes
Supports gun ownership rights		Yes	No
Supports homosexual marriage		No	Yes
Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase		No	Yes
Voted against making English the official language		No	Yes
Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegals		No	Yes
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN	0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA	28% on profit from ALL home sales. (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.)
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN	15% (no change)
OBAMA	39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds,college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)	Single making 30K - tax $4,500 Single making 50K - tax $12,500 Single making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 60K- tax $9,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)	Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN	- 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA	Restore the inheritance tax (How could this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes).
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet. New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not least....New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!

You can verify the above at the following web sites: http://money.CNN.com/news/specials/election/2008/index.HTML http://www.CNN.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.HTML http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/mccain_obama_offer_different_visions_on_taxes.HTML http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/barack_obama/ http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/john_mccain/

Scotty Catt's Last Email of His Mission!

I just received Scotty's last email courtesy of his mom who we love. He comes home in a week. Scotty was our home teacher before he left on his mission. He was baptized right after we moved to Arizona. He came to church for 4 years before he was baptized when he turned 18. He entered the MTC on his birthday a year later. His brother, Travis, also waited until he was almost 18 (Mom gave him her blessing to get baptized a few weeks early), and he currently serves in a mission in Mexico City. We love them both.

"To my Family and Friends,

I hope this email finds you smiling. The more I think about it the more I realize just how many reasons we have to smile! This is my last email from the field. I sit here and my heart is filled with gratitude for the blessing I have had to serve a Sacred Mission.

I'm thinking back on all the wonderful experiences and blessings I have had as a Missionary as well as a member of the church. I remember back to my baptism and how that meant so much to me and how it means so much more to me as each day passes by here in Long Beach. I'm so grateful for the Gospel and to those who brought it to me. Where would I be without it? I don't want to know.

I've had a wonderful mission, the people I have served. the families I have taught, the brothers and sisters I have seen enter into the waters of baptism, are people who have changed my life. To me there is nothing more peaceful or right in the world then to be at the chapel an hour before a baptismal service and hear the font fill up.

I have been humbled time and time again, pride cannot be an issue on your mission if you want to become sanctified. I've passed through challenges, parasites, persecution, gun shots and a whole host of things that have made me stronger, more focused, and given me a greater desire to live each day to the fullest. The refiners fire is a wonderful thing!

I wondered why the Lord sent me to California of all places.... I wondered if I would be up to the challenge, if I was ready to be a missionary. We had a conversation in the MTC and all the Elders talked about how there Fathers were High Priests, I on the other hand didn't even know what a High Priest was at the time. I think that's when I realized my absolute dependence upon the Lord. That was a good decision.

Each of my areas have been so special to me, from the absolute Ghettos, (My first area had the highest crime rate in California), to the Island of the sea, I've been able to baptize people that are now anxiously preparing to go through the Temple. Some to then serve missions, others have been called to Leadership. All have been so special to me.

Each day as I testify of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, my conviction that the Lord guides this work grows, that seed that was planted long ago has sprung forth and if I were an angel I would declare it with the sound of a trump, but alas I am but one man and instead hold to the commission to shout it from the rooftops and go forth with my companion and find the elect of our Heavenly Father. I suppose I have many stories but those can wait for another day. Angels have ministered and the Lords hand has been upon me as I have tried in every way I know how to fulfill the call a Prophet of God gave me 2 years ago. I love the Lord, he really has become my best friend. I know that I am nothing, as to my strength I am weak, therefor I will not boast of myself but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things. Shall we not go on in a cause such as this? I know what I know, and cannot deny it. This churh is true. He lives! I am sad beyond measure that my time as a Missionary has come to an end, but as in all things I will trust the Lord. On to yet another adventure.

May we abide in His infinite Love,

Elder Scotty Catt
California Long Beach Mission"

September 11th Reflections

I thought a lot yesterday about Ivan's friend from high school, Brady Howell, and his family. Brady was killed on September 11th, 2001 when terrorist flew a plane into the pentagon where he worked. We drove up to Idaho to attend his funeral and to give our support to his beautiful wife Liz and to his family.

I found BYU-Idaho's tribute to Brady. I'd like to share it.


Brady Kay Howell

Ricks College alumnus Brady Howell '97 was posthumously presented the Superior Civilian Service Medal, the civilian equivalent of the purple heart, from the Chief of Naval Operations.

Brady was goal oriented and enthused about his internship with Naval Intelligence. It fulfilled a childhood dream. At age nine he had written a letter to the President of the United States offering his service: "My friend and I are detectives, and we will try to come any time you need us."

His promising future was caught in the path of the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Initially listed as missing, positive identification came on September 17. Even in death, Brady has touched countless lives. Hundreds attended both the memorial service in Arlington, Virginia, and funeral services in his hometown of Sugar City, Idaho.

Brady, age 26, was the son of Kenneth and Jeanette Howell. He served a mission to the Canary Islands. He married "Liz" Anderson '97 in the Bountiful Temple while both were attending Ricks College. After graduating from Ricks College, Brady received his bachelor's in political science from Utah State University and his master's in public administration at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.

At the Sugar City service, Governor Dirk Kempthorne praised Brady and his family for high values. Elder F. Melvin Hammond extended condolences from the First Presidency. Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, Tish Long, read the Navy's citation:

"...Mr. Brady Howell became the first PMI [Presidential Management Intern] assigned to Director of Naval Intelligence Staff where he first worked on the DNI's Executive Board, which sets strategy and policy for the entire Naval Intelligence community. Most recently, he began training as a watch officer for the CNO Intelligence Plot--a position normally reserved for only the most qualified and promising intelligence officers. As an IP watch officer, Mr. Howell provided daily briefings to the Chief of Naval Operations, Secretary of the Navy, and other senior military and civilian decision makers. By his distinctive contributions and inspiring dedication to duty, Mr. Brady Howell reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

After the Arlington service, classmates and acquaintances gathered to eat and reminisce. Conversation centered around Brady. "As the evening progressed one of the classmates proposed a toast to him, and someone suggested a proper way to honor Brady should include recognition of things important to him," shares his father. "They were fully aware that Brady didn't drink. Although peculiar to them, they respected him for his commitment and integrity. Knowing what was acceptable to him personally, they pushed aside their beverages and drank to his honor and memory from goblets filled with ice water."

Liz was able to pass the Olympic Torch to President Bush before the start of the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics. She told CNN the following about her experience:

"This experience was beyond description. It was a culmination of so many things. Probably, if I had to sum it up into three feelings I would say pride for the -- for my husband and the ideals that he represented, and for the fallen heroes of September 11. Probably humility for being asked to carry the flame, and in such a remarkable place. And also just sheer excitement for the opportunity to do something like this.

The president is one of the most congenial men. He put his arm around me. He said, I am so sorry for your loss. Then he -- we were standing there, and he leaned over and said, I'm so cold. I told him a little bit about Brady, just shortly. And he said, I know; I know it -- how great he was.

Brady was all-American by every standard of the word. He made me proud. Brady was working as a Navy civilian in the Pentagon in the Naval Command Center. And he was a presidential management intern. He was working as an intelligence officer in the command center, and had just received his top secret clearance a couple of weeks prior. And that was one of his lifelong goals.

Mostly I am sustained by the prayers that have been offered in my behalf, and also the hope -- there's hope that there will be a better and brighter day, and that has been manifest through the aftermath of September 11 -- how countries have come together; how people here in our nation have come to one another's aid. And things are getting better. And it's this knowledge that is keeping me going.

I felt Brady's presence with me before I started the race. And I knew he was looking out for me, and I knew he was proud. He was proud because he was such outstanding man. He was very proud of what was going on today."

It has been 7 years, and we have not forgotten. Our prayers and love go out to her still!

Glenn Beck's Testimony

I love Glenn Beck! Have you ever wondered how he ended up joining the Mormon church? Wonder no more. Listen as he shares his life changing experience and how it has helped his family.

Save The Family

Vote Yes on the Marriage Ammendment! For more information, click here to visit yesformarriage.com .

Marjorie Scott-An Amazing Woman

I just received news that Marjorie Scott passed away last Monday. Grandma Scott went to church with us in Provo while we lived there in the same ward for 5 years. She has always been one of my heroes. She was always the first to serve everyone around her. She was always sharing her talents with others and was always a teacher. She will be greatly missed.

The world is a much better place because Marjorie Scott lived her life emulating the Savior and doing her best to be His follower. I feel blessed to have had her in my life.

My Day As An Election Judge

I had the privilege of serving as an election judge yesterday for our Primary Elections here in Arizona! I was up at 3:45 a.m. to report to the polling station at 5 a.m.. We set up the room the night before, so we just had to get the ballots and machines ready and take the oath before the polls opened at 6 a.m..

It was a fun day! I wish we would have had a little higher turn out, but I was impressed with the people that came to cast their votes even though there was only one thing on each ballot that actually had a choice. Most of the positions had one person running for each party. The people who came to vote were those who vote no matter what. I was very inspired by their patriotism and devotion to the election process.

I got home @ 8 p.m. last night extremely tired, but grateful that I had been able to be a part of the electoral process. We live in the greatest country on this earth and so often we take our freedoms and opportunities for granted. I know the Presidential election will have a huge turnout. Please study the local and national candidates and the propositions that will be on this next ballot. And please, get to the polls this November!