Rememberence

“I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, ‘Why?’ I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time.”

—Russell M. Nelson, “Jesus Christ—the Master Healer,” Ensign, Nov. 2005

There are so many things going on in the world today. This last week, my home area experienced a horrible flood. There was water everywhere, destroying everything in its path. It was no respecter of person or home. The pictures are devastating. The statuses on Facebook are heartbreaking. Friends and Families lives have been torn apart and their only option is to start over. My heart goes out to them. I can't imagine what it would be like to see my home destroyed. Every possession I own needing to be tossed. One lady I saw on the news said it best, "I know it's just stuff. But it's my stuff and it's everything I have." I pray that they will be able to start over. That they will get the assistance needed from the government or insurance if they have it. 

There are so many devastating disasters happening everywhere. Tsunamis, fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes. These truly are the last days. These events are happening and they are not and will not slow down, for me, for you, or for anyone. We just need to be prepared. I updated our families 72 hour kits this morning. Changed out Jarhead's clothes, diapers, and added some food since he's not just on formula anymore... I know it won't protect us from everything but it makes me feel good to be following the counsel of the prophets. When I get home from visiting my family in VA & PA at the end of the month, we will start to build our food storage more faithfully. We may have a small apartment and not have room for a whole year's worth of food but I know that we can have more than we do. Our first goal will be to build up to a 3 month supply. :)

Prayers also go out to those who are still suffering from those friends and family that they lost 10 years ago. and to those who lose friends and family every day- especially those that are off serving our country. 

Even with all of these crazy sad things happening in the world, we can't give up HOPE. It is the thing that will help us survive. 

“To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His ‘more excellent ministry’ with a future of ‘better promises.’ He is your ‘high priest of good things to come.’ ”

—Jeffrey R. Holland, “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign,Nov. 1999, 36

What a Great Weekend!

This weekend equals one word= AMAZING!
Friday, our friends watched Jarhead so that Mr. Clean and I could go to the temple. We also got some pizza and played video games...Saturday was filled with errands, rearranging the living room to fir our new entertainment center, eating an AWESOME dinner made up in Mr. Clean's mind, and playing Mario Kart. Yesterday we got to skype with SPASM and Mom & Dad C! It was GREAT! Today, we cleaned (blah!) but also had a BBQ with friends and then played Minute to Win It Games.. We did the games but everyone just took as much time as they needed to finish.... The boys won by a few minutes but in the end it was just SUPER fun. We got some GREAT pictures and videos....

This month has just been full of some fun things! Jarhead is getting soo big and active. He walks on the furniture, with your hands, or pushing something. he still army crawls everywhere but can crawl too if he wants (usually outside). he LOVES to play with our friends, especially T man. They're so funny together. T man will be a year old in a week or so and can do more things than Jarhead. but he does not think that's fair! haha.. Jarhead tries to do the same things he does and is learning things super fast because of it!

i've probably overloaded this post with pics and videos! but hope you enjoyed them all! i've got a bunch more but i dont want to wait forever for the videos to load...i'm sleeepy. maybe some time this week?

Friendships

I had a BYU professor my very first semester who taught me about the Book of Mormon. She is probably one of the smartest people that I know. She has written a ton of books and also keeps up a blog with helpful insights about being happy, being worthy, and "living in truth". Anyway, she posted this the other day about friendships-


"We talk a lot about the importance of family in the Church, and we should. Family is very important not only in this life but in the eternities. But as I was ready in the book of Ether this morning I was struck again with the importance of friends.

At the time of the tower of Babel when the language of all the people was changed, the brother of Jared first prayed that he and his brother’s language would not be confounded. And the Lord had compassion on them so that they could still communicate. But then Jared asked his brother to pray that the language of their friends would not be confounded and again the Lord answered his prayers so that they and their friends would retain the same language and be able to continue in their relationships.

This indicates to me that yes family relationships are important, but so are friendships. It is important that we cultivate and maintain strong friendships with people who share our common beliefs and will encourage and help us along the path of righteousness."

I have always made friends quickly wherever I have moved(which is a good thing for being in 10 schools!) I'm grateful for all of the friends that I have had my entire life. For the most part, I have learned from each of them and it has helped shape me into the person I am today...

The friends that I have now are absolutely amazing and I'm so glad that I know I can turn to them no matter what is going on. I'm glad that their kids play with little Jarhead even though he doesn't really play back. I'm glad that they encourage me to be a better friend and person every day. 


and of course- my very best friend... mr. clean makes me a better person each day and i'm grateful i get to be his best friend and wife forever <3

Here's a link to Sis Johnson's blog where you can read this post and so many others!

Good News by Sis Sherrie Johnson


just some old photos! i know i'm missing some tho :( i can't find others...

Families Can Be Together Forever

In my hometown, a boy that was my brother's age passed away after being in a motorcycle accident. I didn't know him really well but he graduated with my brother. I was good friends with his sister when we were really young and even though we haven't kept in contact over the years my heart goes out to her and her family...
I've known young people who have passed away before but for some reason I have been thinking about him and his family so much more than the others. Maybe it's because even though i'm not close to his family anymore, i was at one point... i'm not sure..
one of the things i have been thinking about is how grateful I am for our Heavenly Father's plan. I know that because of that plan I was able to be sealed in the temple to my best friend and that all of our children will be sealed to us. In the end, I know that I will see them and live with them again and that will allow there to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Life is hard and difficult and trials will arise but as we live by His Word, His promises to us will be kept. I know that families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan. I know that He wants all of his children to receive the blessings that He is just waiting to give to us. We just need to live worthy of those blessings and ask Him.

Thoughts and Prayers to his family.

yay! they're working!!

some won't post it just says failed attempt? i'll need to figure out those.. but at least some are working!! this one is dark but he gets a KICK out of people smiling and laughing at him... isn't his laugh just soo cute!

video!!

video attempt!

first attempt at a video... if i figure it out! i promise you'll get an overload! :D