art

my Japanese landscape

I subbed 7th grade today.  I had some English classes and some social studies classes.  In social studies the kids had the choice between making a 1 page on Shintoism or Buddhism or they got to make a piece of Japanese art.  So they were allowed to use their chrome books to research or look for inspiration.  Sadly when you google Japanese art the things that pop up are shockingly inappropriate.  I was super sad to see that.  We solved it be searching for very specific stuff like landscapes, or samurai or dragons and I had to walk around and look at each kids search. They were still able to do their work but how sad that such an innocent search would lead to pictures kids shouldn't see.

While they were drawing I also tried my hand at a picture.  It was a fun way to spend the class time.

Tonight we had our annual stake auxiliary training.  We have a new stake YW president and she did such a good job.  I really felt like I left with some good ideas.  She did this really fun puzzle thing to introduce the new theme.  She made a puzzle and talked about each part and gave us a little handout after each section.  I totally memorized the whole thing right there.

I'm totally doing this for the girls in January!

elf-con 0

Now we are tucked into bed and watching Santa Clause 2.

⚽️, 🎄, 💍

Today was the first day of soccer play. JV won 7-1 and Varsity won 5-1. That was a good start. Ethan played about half the game and did well. It was a lot of fun to watch. 

After the game E and Rob stayed to watch varsity and then went to the tournament team soccer meeting. 





At YW tonight we wrote Christmas cards to the missionaries serving from our ward and then decorated gingerhouse houses. 

We had a very important discussion about would we rather be one of Santa’s elves or Snow White’s dwarfs?

Sawyer came over tonight to have a talk with Rob. 😉

Happy mail

Long day subbing in PE. It was very cold and windy yesterday so I dressed for that and then it was warmish so I had hat hair. Also I had some little classes (meaning young k and 1st grade) and they were crazy. I was tired when I got home.

Then in a happy surprise our box finally got here! I was super excited that our nativity finally arrived from Israel! It looks great!

Tonight we enjoyed watching Tatum’s piano recital on video, talking to Hannah, making cookies and spending some family time reading and eating the cookies. 

Back at it

Today we were back to the normal routine. I subbed a cute 2nd grade class. I am actually thinking about applying for my own classroom. Subbing has been less awful this year with lots of good days. The kids are big. I work 3-4 days a week anyway so I might as well get paid more. We shall see.

Grace had an orthodontist appointment. She still doesn’t have her bottom braces on because they are working on her bite. Her tops are looking really nice. 

Ethan had soccer practice. Then we had a parent meeting. I am looking forward to the season, our first game is Wednesday! Can’t wait!

Today the weather got cold. Just like that. We built our first 🔥 fire of the season and it’s nice and toasty!

Took a trip to Walgreens. I needed black tights for Grace’s uniform check for choir tomorrow and look what I found!:

Christmas Talk

I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting today.  My usual method of preparation is to study everything on my topic, make bullet points and then get up there and talk about it.  Kind of conversationally.  This time I wrote it all out because I was asked to talk about our trip, and Christmas.  I wanted to choose my words carefully in the hopes of painting a picture for the congregation.  Since I did that I thought I'd save it here, it went fine. 

So:

Rob and I recently traveled to Israel.  This was my dream trip. Since I was a teenager I wanted to go there and see where Jesus lived, and where he performed his many miracles. 

One night our tour group arrived back at the hotel and had dinner a little earlier than the other nights.  It was early enough that Rob and I decided to go out walking.  I needed something from the store so we had a goal of finding this item, but also we wanted to enjoy the evening out together.  The thing about Israel is that it is totally different than any place I have been.  It looks a little like southern California, but everything else is foreign.  The buildings are built with large stones and crafted in a manner that is unlike ours.  The street signs are written in characters that we don’t really recognize as letters (although the main signs are all in Arabic, Hebrew and English) the sounds and smells on the streets are distinctly Israeli.  We headed out and were very busy looking and listening and taking it all in.  We walked by many Jewish families returning from Synagogue, some stopping to play on a playground or to visit under the light of a street lamp.  We passed by groups of young men, talking, hanging out.  We walked through markets where street vendors sold kebobs and Jerusalem bagels, chocolates and fruits.  We passed shops full of treats and pomegranate juice and whole lambs handing in the windows.  We walked by groups of soldiers, and police officers both with their huge assault rifles.  Eventually we met up with some others from our group and together we walked around that night talking and laughing, enjoying the adventure, eating treats and having a good time. 

A couple of days later our tour took us through the same exact streets where we had walked that night.  This is what struck me as so interesting that evening we walked right by the garden tomb.  We literally ran our hands along the wall, walked under the sign that told us this was the place and passed by the place where the Savior’s body lay when he was dead.  This was where He came back and was the first to be resurrected.  The place where Mary most likely saw him and where he spoke to her.  We were standing across the streets from old Jerusalem, with the wall and the Damascus gate right in front of us.  And We never knew. 

With Christmas a few weeks away I thought about the obvious parallels between that experience and our Christmas celebrations.  We went to Israel to see where the Savior lived his life.  At Christmas we celebrate his birth and life and all he has done for us.  Because of our ignorance and the distractions of the world around us we missed seeing what we were really there for the evenings walk. At Christmas so many people miss out on the true meaning, because of ignorance, and because of the distractions of the world.  I’m thinking first of the many people who do not know about Christ.  Who aren’t yet Christians.  And I am thinking of us, who should know better, but who still get distracted by the buying of gifts, the twinkly lights, hallmark specials, and glitzy commercialization. Just like we were distracted by pom juice, armed soldiers and an adventure in a new city.

Today I have been asked to talk about remembering the true meaning of the Christmas season and to share a little about our trip.  I have to start by saying that the lights, gifts, TV specials and commercial aspects are not bad.  I love them as much as anyone.  They have their place and can add to the joy of the season.  They aren’t the reason for the season though and there are things that we can do to help ourselves and others focus on the most important parts.

As we are in the Christmas season it’s the perfect time to reflect on things we can do to make Jesus Christ the central focus of our holiday season and our whole lives.

So in no particular order of importance I have chosen to talk about 3 things that will make the Savior present in our lives (see what I did there present…like Christmas present only way better).  There are many others as well, but this is only a 15 minute talk J

First we can spend time in the scriptures reading about the Savior.

Is there anything more touching than the 3^rd Nephi account of Christ ministering to the Nephites? It is my absolute favorite passage of scripture and if I am ever feeling sad, or unmotivated or discouraged I can turn there and the spirit floods into my heart and I feel better. 

3 Nephi 17

12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.

13 And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground.

14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.

15 And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.

16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.

18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.

19 And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.

20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.

21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

22 And when he had done this he wept again;

23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

How beautiful it would have been to be there, how blessed we are that we can read about it and the Holy Ghost can teach us that this happened, that it is true and that He has the same love for each of us.

Reading the scriptures teaches us what God wants us to know and it allows the Holy Ghost to testify to us.  One thing I really was looking forward to was being in the places where the events of the New Testament took place.  There is no way to describe what that was like.  There were several times when I was somewhere I knew that this was where Jesus walked, and there were times when I knew it wasn’t but it was so like it that the picture in my head forever changed.  One of those places was in Bethlehem.  At first we were not going to be able to go and it wasn’t even on our itinerary (something about a little land dispute between the Palestinians and the Israelis but not big deal ;)) then one morning we learned that we were going to go.  I was super excited.  We went. We drove by the four churches that all claim that they were built “on the spot” and we heard about the history and looked around.  Then we drove out of town a little ways to the shepherds field.  It was in that quiet field that I felt so clearly the Saviors love.  The ground is terraced and steep and rocky.  Sheep still graze there.  We sat and listened to these words from Luke 2

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

From where we sat we could see the city of Bethlehem in the not too far off distance.  If it was night we would have seen the lights from the homes and the lights of the night sky.  I could picture that quiet night and that sacred proclamation.  Our guide then asked “do you want to walk over to the church and see the shrine they made or do you want to climb down and see what the manger really would have looked like”.  Of course we opted for the more difficult climb and as we slide down a bit of a slippery slope, and made our way between some rocks we entered into a stone grotto.  It was sheltered from the elements, and quiet, with a smooth floor and plenty for room for animals to rest and for a babe to be born.  Using different experiences from my life I can imagine what it was like that sacred night.  I know what it’s like to travel a long distance (although not on the back of a donkey).  I know what it’s like to have a brand new baby, what it is to wrap them up tightly and hold them close knowing that moments before they were with God and that this was a gift and blessing to me.  Now I know what the manger looked like, how it felt and it is there that I can imagine all the things I have read about my whole life happening.  It is not because I was in Bethlehem that this was a sacred experience.  It is because I have read and learned and prayed and studied my whole life.  Reading the scriptures brings us to Christ and makes Him a part of our lives every day…and on Christmas day.

The next thing is service.

We are here to Bless others.

President Monson shared this story years ago:

During a drive to amass warm clothing to ship to suffering Saints, Elder Harold B. Lee and Elder Marion G. Romney took President George Albert Smith to Welfare Square in Salt Lake City. They were impressed by the generous response of the membership of the Church to the clothing drive and the preparations for sending the goods overseas. They watched President Smith observing the workers as they packaged this great volume of donated clothing and shoes. They saw tears running down his face. After a few moments, President Smith removed a new overcoat that he had on and said, “Please ship this also.”
The Brethren said to him, “No, President, no; don’t send that; it’s cold and you need your coat.”
But President Smith would not take it back. [Thomas S. Monson, “My Brother’s Keeper,” Ensign, November 1994,

President Gordon B. Hinckley reported a pioneer Christmas he had learned about. He quoted a story he had read in which the author wrote:

I remember the Christmas of 1862. All of us children hung up our stockings. We jumped up early in the morning to see what Santa had brought, but there was not a thing in them. Mother wept bitterly. She went to her box and got a little apple and cut it in little tiny pieces and that was our Christmas, but I have never forgotten to this day how I loved her dear little hands as she was cutting that apple. [Hannah Daphne Smith Dalton, quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley, CR, April 1959, p. 119]

Incidently, THAT year President Gordon B. Hinckley has been in 20 countries and has had 137 speaking assignments with 731,671 in attendance (information provided by the Office of the First Presidency, 6 December 1997). This does not include general conference nor so many other engagements he attends as he represents the Savior and each of us.

When we serve others we really invite the Christmas spirit, or the spirit of Christ to be in our lives.

There are many sweet stories of individuals and families who give service on Christmas.  I want to share a story with you about a friend of ours in Texas.  His name is Mario SanteEsteban. Mario and his wife were immigrants from Mexico.  They have one son, young Mario.  They are a hard working, faithful family.  Mario has a taco truck business.  He sells his very delicious tacos all over fort worth. One week in Sunday School we were talking about Christmas and what our favorite parts of the holiday were when young Mario shared that every year he and his family put aside money from the taco truck business and then a couple days before Christmas they go shopping.  They fill their trucks with gifts and drive down to the border between TX and Mexico and over to the Mexican side.  They then go to a small village that is very poor and there they spend their Christmas.  On Christmas Eve they hand out gifts to all the people in the village. On Christmas day they share a feast (tacos I think).   No one even knew that this was something they did every year until Mario told us.  

It doesn’t matter if we are the president of the church, or a young taco truck driving family we can all serve.

Whether we choose to deliver Christmas to a whole village, or to be a secret Santa for one family, or even to help just one person lets make sure that we make service a part of our Christmas traditions.

Mosiah 2: 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellowbeings ye are only in the service of your God.

The third thing I want to talk about is being grateful.

James, the Lord’s half-brother (see Galatians 1:19), thoughtfully wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift [the Atonement] is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). This being true then, we must grasp the true meaning of the Atonement and Christmas, which is Christ.

We must see and recognize all the Lord has given us and be grateful for it.  We live in a consumer oriented culture.  But getting stuff doesn’t make us happy.  Instead we need to think of everything good thing that we have and show gratitude for that.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.”³

In the book of Matthew in the Bible, we have another account of gratitude, this time as an expression from the Savior. As He traveled in the wilderness for three days, more than 4,000 people followed and traveled with Him. He took compassion on them, for they may not have eaten during the entire three days. His disciples, however, questioned, “Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?” Like many of us, the disciples saw only what was lacking.

“And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And [the disciples] said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

“And [Jesus] commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

“And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”

Notice that the Savior gave thanks for what they had—and a miracle followed: “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.”⁴

We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”⁵

Gratitude is a divine principle. The Lord declared through a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. …

“And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.”⁶

In the Book of Mormon we are told to “live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which [God] doth bestow upon you.”⁷

Being grateful will put Christ right in the middle of our Christmas.  Because we won’t be wanting more, we will be appreciating more. 

Walking where Jesus walked filled my heart with such gratitude.  One morning, shortly after sunrise, we stood on the mount of olives.  Our guide pointed across the valley at all the sights in order.  Walking thru the miracles and sacrifices of our Savior.  He pointed to Gethsemane and told the story of the disciples falling asleep, of Christ suffering, of Peter cutting off the ear of the soldier, of all that happened there.  From our vantage point we could easily see the garden and up the hill from it the east gate.  The gate that other soldiers would have walked thru and then down and across to get the Savior.  At night they would have carried torches and the walk would have taken some time.  He could have easily turned and slipped away into the dark, avoiding capture, avoiding pain, avoiding death.  He didn’t though.  He stood and choose to wait for us. He wanted to pay the price for you and for me.  He deliberately chose each step of the way to be our savior, our redeemer.  That one blessing alone is enough to fill us with enough gratitude that we should never want anything else.  But he doesn’t stop there.  He continues to give us every good thing.  To let us learn and grow and serve.  To bless us more than we can even imagine.  All of us.  Whether things are kind of awful in our lives, or whether they are awesome have infinite reasons to be grateful.

When our Heavenly Father wanted to save the world, He didn’t take over a country or develop a militia. He sent a helpless child to a choice and worthy woman and a humble and believing man living in insecure circumstances in a conquered land occupied by a hostile force. The harsh geopolitical and military circumstances of Christ’s birth should remind us that Heavenly Father can bless us even if the external circumstances of our lives aren’t necessarily easy or peaceful.  And we should all be ever grateful.

Testimony

I know the church is true.  I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  That He paid the price for my sins and weaknesses and faults and hurts.  I love Him . I am grateful for the knowlege I have of the plan of salvation and that we can live with our Heavenly Father again.  I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that helped to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth again.  I am grateful for temples, and scritpures and the ability we have to pray to our Heavenly Father any time we want.  We are very blessed.

just stuff

Two days have passed since Thanksgiving day and we have been enjoying our break.  We've all been home.  Sometimes it seems very quiet as everyone is in a different room doing a different activity.  Sometimes we get together and spend some time on a chore or activity.

Yesterday a wedding dress was bought.  It is beautiful and Hannah was glowing.  I am so grateful that Dani was able to take her and be so fun and full of good ideas.  Tatum was also a great shopping helper/camera girl!

We went to the gym.

I watched all of Star Trek Discovery.  The Federation is at war, so that is a twist on the typical exploration theme.  I liked it.

Several football games were watched.  Including our whole family going to Santa Clarita to Rob's boss' home for breakfast and OSU vs Michigan.  Ohio won and everyone was glad.

We went to Costco.  Did some laundry.  Cleaned the pool.

I am teaching the laurels tomorrow and giving a talk in sacrament so I have spent some time on preparation for that.  Rob had some stuff to do for his calling as well.

We facetimed with Greg and Dani and with Clayton and Jenna.  UB bought carseats for them.

  I am so excited to find out what those twins are! They are enjoying their holiday at Nana's.  Dani and Greg are busy with the whole gang.

The weather is unseasonably warm, which is nice.  And I am anxiously checking the mail.  We sent home a box from Israel and it hasn't arrived yet!!

Thanksgiving

just the four of us

Today is turkey day.  We often have an odd holiday, living far from family and having grown kids, and moving around, and sharing custody when the big girls were small, all make for kind of make shift holidays from time to time.  One thing I have had to learn is to be happy for who I'm with.  To enjoy the present and not wish it was different.

hanging lights

This morning we got the lights up, by we I mainly mean Rob although Ethan and I helped a little at the end.  I love Christmas lights and am always happy to see them go up.

waiting for dinner

We also finished the inside decorating.  Our halls are decked.  Yesterday I couldn't find the owl ornaments.  I searched every where and was super bummed.  Then this morning, on mine and Ethan's 3rd time in the loft, we found them!  Yay!  I love my little owl tree.

owl tree

The weather is pretty nice so I thought we could go to the beach and then in-and-out.  The kids voted for a traditional dinner though so that's what we did.  Although we did make a simplified menu.  We had turkey, funeral potatoes, green bean casserole, lime jello with bananas, corn bread & honey butter, olives, cranberry sauce, pickles and apple pie with ice cream.  Everyone ate until they were stuffed and everything came out delicious.

table's ready

Clayna and Abba ran their traditional turkey trot, although they only did the one mile course this year instead of the 5 and Jenna still had to take a nap after.  Making twins is a lot of work!  When we talked with them we learned that Jess is also expecting!  That's such fun news!

Ohio contingent

The Utahans also ran a pilgrim run.  Theirs was a 5K and they had a lot of fun!

two little pilgrims

We got to chat with them too.  How nice that we have technology and can keep in touch and virtually be there.

Utah gang

I have lots to be grateful for on this holiday of gratitude. Jesus Christ, health, home, family, faith, friends, tech, my cute dog, callings, jobs, sunny weather, and many more things.

Sierra, Reggie and Dani (cousins)

Gus Gus got the pies

Thanksgiving Eve

Hannah and Dani and Sierra putting up the lights

We did the same thing today.  But it was not as cheerful at our house.  Our light hanger is afraid of heights and he doesn't want anyone else up there either. But it's okay.  Everyone is afraid of something(s).

future flower girls

We had appointments at bridal shops set up for this weekend.  Even though I couldn't go the girls still kept them.  Lucky for us we live in the age of technology and I was able to facetime in the whole time and see all the dresses.  I wish I was there in person, of course. I am really happy that Hannah has sisters who can go with her.

not the dress

Hannah is not officially engaged but it's in the works.  We are thinking there will be an April 14 wedding.  So even though he hasn't put a ring on her finger yet we actually have a small, inconvenient window of opportunity for dress buying.  Utah has much less expensive & temple ready dresses on the rack.  No where else. Besides this weekend, which was supposed to be a good one, we can't be there again until January at which time it is too late to order a dress for April and we'd be limited to things in stock...which may or may not fit.  Plus it would be a special trip.

not the dress

So long story short.  She went looking today.  She found two contenders, is looking again on Friday and we will buy one then. I 💗💗💗the two she's chosen and either will be beautiful.  There was one she looked at online that this store didn't carry and she wants to try that one on before she chooses the dress.

also not the dress

Jenna and Clayton are heading to Nana and Abba's today.  That is the other wedding bummer.  Jenna's babies will be born in April so she will miss the wedding.  Everyone is sad about that.  The day they chose is between semesters, which makes sense.  Otherwise they'd have to wait until the end of July and they think that's too long. 😔but we want everyone there too.  This is why we should all live on the same street, or at least same town.

Ethan had soccer.  Rob had work. We hung lights and cleaned house and got started on our Christmas decorating.

The weather is warm and we have the doors and windows open.  It will be cold soon so I am enjoying the Indian fall.

Oh! Also Emily is having a baby boy!! So that's a boy for Anna and a boy for Em. Now we are just waiting to find out what the Johnson's are having!!!
For mom and dad that makes 10 granddaughters and 12 grandsons. 2 great-granddaughters and 1 great-grandson and 2 tbd.

wonder-ful

One fun thing about having only teen kiddos at home is  you get to see movies that you really want to see with them.  Although for the record I also want to see Coco. This morning we went to 2 dollar Tuesday (which is actually $5.95) and saw Wonder.  All three of us loved it.  Go see it.  Two thumbs up!

Then we went to Dicks to buy some more warm up pants for Ethan and then to Blaze Pizza for lunch.

Besides that I talked to all the girls on the phone and did some laundry.  Rob fell asleep really early tonight, probably jet lag still.  Ethan went to soccer practice and Grace and I bought Thanksgiving dinner groceries.

⚽️

And this little soccer player grew a foot and learned some more moves and made the high school soccer team!!!! I am super excited for him. He’s really worked hard and never got discouraged and now he’s on!

The only bummer is now we can’t go to Utah for thanksgiving with the family because he has practice. 

So it’s 80% delighted and excited and 20% sad about our plans. You take the bitter with the sweet.

CIMI

Catalina Island Marine Institute

Grace got back from her trip.  She had a great time.  I am crossing my fingers that Dan took some cute pictures.


She was beaming when I picked her up.
Some of the high points:

going night snorkeling.  They swam out away from the lights of the camp and then dove under water.  There was bio luminescent algae in the water that glowed and would swirl around your hand.  She said you could see the little legs and it was super cool.  They swam with sharks and played with them.

regular day time snorkeling. She said the water was cool but the wetsuits worked well.

She said the water was beautiful.


There were many interesting labs, including one where they dissected a squid, and one hike.  The food was great.  Staying in the camp dorms was tons of fun.  During free time they had games around the island that the kids could play and Grace enjoyed a lot of them.

Sounds like an all around awesome time!


Science is definitely her thing!

a few more pictures from Abba's camera