getting closer

 Jenna and Clayton arrived on Monday night!  Yay! It's going to be a fun break having these two here.  I am happy to report that everyone likes Clayton.  Tuesday we went to Salsas for lunch and showed him our little town:)  Tuesday night R and Pete took the boys to see R's work and out to burgers.    Yesterday they had their engagement pictures taken by the very talented Lyndsey Edward.  They had a lot of fun and although we have only seen this one sneak peek I know they turned out great.  I am super excited to see the rest of them!

 X continues to amuse us with his antics.  Silly elf.

 Last night we had tithing settlement.  It was a very nice experience.  We had to wait awhile, which is okay.  When we got in the office I immediately felt the Spirit.  I didn't want to leave.  It was peaceful and lovely.  The Bishop spoke to us and we declared ourselves full tithe payers.  It was a sweet experience.  Even Hannah mentioned that she felt it strongly.  It's always interesting when you get  a new Bishop.  In this case Bishop Martines is a close family friend.  On the drive over the kids were asking us what to call him now.  I said, Bishop Martines.  I will call him that now, even socially.  Because I respect the office he holds.  I have always admired his wisdom and calm nature, yet last night I saw a different side to him, a depth that made our simple meeting a spiritual experience.

Recently I have had the chance to treasure up some words heard from the mouths and thoughts of good friends.  Bishop spoke about doing the work of the Lord last night.  And how that is more than going to meeting and reading the sciptueres, although that is part of it. Another part is work.  I know mom and dad are doing work right now and it's for the Lord. I recently read a blog post from a woman who was saying that we (as a nation) are giving our our birthright (which is work) to live a life largely made up of leisure and what a detriment this is to our children and our souls.  Interesting.

Another opportunity came on Sunday during Sunday School.  We were reading in the particularly poignant closing chapters of the Book of Mormon.  Mormon is speaking to his son Moroni and giving him good council.  We spoke of the advice given that teaches us to know if something is good or not.  Kitty had a wonderful point.  She said that many of us do things every day that are not bad but that do not adhere to this guideline.  They don't bring us closer to God, they don't invite us to do good or to believe in Christ.  These many many things that we do that don't fit the criteria should be evaluated by us to see if they belong in our lives, or if they deserve such a large portion of our time  She was not saying that we shouldn't watch TV, or read novels by the pool, or whatever other things might fit into this list, in fact certainly there is a place for rest and relaxation that is appropriate and good.  The point that really touched me was the invitation to really examine those "not bad" things we do and see how much time we really want to give them. 
Moroni 7:
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do ^agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and ^benticeth to do ^cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is ^dinspired of God.

14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is ^aevil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to ^ajudge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

16 For behold, the ^aSpirit of Christ is given to every ^bman, that he may ^cknow good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

 After tithing settlement we went to buy a tree, finally.  We were waiting for Jenna and Clayton whic is why we are so late this year.  We quickly picked from the 4 remaining trees :) tied it on the roof and came home to decorate.  It was  fun time getting out the ornaments and stringing the lights and our tree looks very cheery now.

Bub "helping wth the tree"