Survival Top 50

Hi Folks:

Again, our blog has been listed in the "Survival Top 50" readers choice list.  The voting for this year is open again.  If you feel like our blog has been helpful to you this year, would you kind enough to vote for it at the following link:

http://www.survivaltop50.com/readers-choice-awards/

Also, if you have suggestions of what you would like to learn more about, please feel free to comment below.  I so appreciate all of you and want to thank you for a wonderful 2011.  We look forward to learning more together in 2012.

Thank you!

Not a Creature was Stirring....

Good Morning Everyone and Merry Christmas!!!

It appears that Santa has come, but everyone is still sleeping. The stockings are filled, the Advent Calendar is full. The quiet of the night still lingers.

As I reflect on the events in our family since last Christmas, I have great cause to be thankful.  We have had additions to our family.  Some born into the family (and one who made a really early and grand entrance while the other decided to peacefully join his parents), others who have received the Sealing Ordinances, and yet others who are anticipating the arrival of new little ones. 

We have had joy and cause for prayers as one or more family members were way. One was in harm's way while another is serving in the Lord's vineyard.

We have said goodbye to loved ones who have finished their earthly missions.

We have felt the challenge and blessings of change.

So, as you awaken this morning I encourage you to not only look around you during the activities of celebration.  I also encourage you to reflect on the awe and majesty of the Lord's goodness.

He is the reason.....

The Plan for our Progression....

Courtesy of lds.org

I had the opportunity to teach the Relief Society Lesson this past Sunday on Exaltation.  I loved the message and the reminders of the clear path that Heavenly Father has placed before all of us.  I was substituting for another sister who had to leave town on a family matter. Her creative mind came up with Salvation University or  Exaltation U.  Her premise what that Exaltation was analogous to achieving a College Degree.

The required Ordinances were the General Education requirements:

• We must be baptised
• We must receive the laying on of hands to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the Priesthood
• We must receive the temple endowment
• We must be married for eternity, either in this life or the next.

The Major requirements include:

• Love God and our neighbors
• Keep the Commandments
• Repent of wrongdoings
• Search out our kindred dead and receive the saving ordinances of the gospel for them
• Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.
• Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.
• Have family and individual prayers every day
• Teach the gospel to others by word and example
• Study the scriptures
• Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord.

Well, as in any lesson in life, application is the key.  For me, I pondered upon 2 different life experiences that I have had recently.

1. I was at work and the phone in my pocket kept vibrating all afternoon.  Now, most of you would think, "stop and take the phone out of your pocket and see who was trying to contact you".  Yes, that would be the normal response, but in my workplace, it is impossible until I am finished with the procedures I am doing.  So, when I finally could check my phone, my text messages were like these: "3 cm"....."5 cm"....."7cm"....."Mom, where are you?"  I hurriedly packed up my belongings and rushed to the hospital. I was blessed enough to see the birth of our youngest grandchild.  This young boy had kept his first estate and now had come to the earth to receive his body.  In regards to his Exaltation, it is incumbent on his parents, his grandparents, and all of us that serve in our callings to teach and serve him to assist him on his journey during this earthly test.
2. I am reminded of a young man who was raised in an LDS home, but chose to take an alternate path.  He joined the military and served a tour of duty in Iraq.  He came home and married, and was then called up to serve a tour in Afghanistan.  While serving so far from home, he was injured in an explosion where 2 of his buddies were killed. He returned home again and was shortly deployed to Japan.  He was there during the recent tragic events.  After returning home, he became a young father.  The birth of his son made an impression on him, and he worked with the missionaries and the ward members where he lived to ......progress. In October he was ordained a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, and in November his family was sealed together.  His first Priesthood Ordinance as an Elder was to bless his son.......until this week...

.............when he dedicated the grave site of his younger brother....who just a few mornings before did not awaken.

The time to prepare for our own Exaltation is now.  We do not know when our Earthly Test will end.  The pathway is to Exaltation is clearly marked.

The Father has promised through the Son that all that he has shall be given to those who are obedient to His Commandments. They shall increase in knowledge, wisdom, and power, going from grace to grace, until the fullness of the perfect day shall burst upon them"  Joseph Fielding Smith.

During this Christmas Season, let us all take the opportunity to reflect on the 'general education' and 'major requirements' that we need to address in this life.  After all....Exaltation is the Gift.

The Season of Giving.....and opportunity to help a young family in need.

Photo Courtesy of the power-of-giving



We have family friends that have 2 children with very unique, costly, and special needs. To help one of  the daughters, their son must also enter the hospital and undergo a procedure. Thankfully, there is another donor that is out of state for the 2nd daughter. There is an opportunity for you to help this good family.  They are needing not only our prayers at this time, but also donations.  Please see the video and the attached article for information.  At the bottom of this post are 2 accounts that you can donate to.  Let's spread some Christmas cheer this year!

VIDEO COURTESY OF KUTV

(KUTV) UTAH COUNTY - Tyler and Lisy Fish of Utah County knew there was something wrong with their daughter Natalie's health when she was just a toddler. She was always sick.

"A cold or simple cough has brought her to her death bed on many occasions," said Tyler.

After their daughter Alice was born, they saw the same health problems in her.

For years, the family took great care to keep the girls from any germs - meaning no playgrounds, no recess or other normal childhood activities.

Natalie is now 8, Alice is 2. Just three months ago the Fish's learned their daughters' condition has a name: Leaky Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.

A bone marrow transplant is the potential cure.

Doctors at Primary Children's Medical Center are preparing Natalie for chemotherapy to basically remove her deficient immune system and make way for healthy marrow from a donor - in Natalie's case, the donor is her own little brother Blair who is four years old.

"He says his blood has Natalie's medicine," said Lisy who is proud of her little boy, yet nervous for him because giving the marrow will be hard on his body. Alice's donor is a person from another state. Her transplant is expected to happen in January.

For the Fish's, having three children in the hospital is going to be tough. But the parents say the decision to put their children through the procedures was an easy one - since new bone marrow is a potential cure. "I want them to be normal," said Lisy.

Tyler Fish quit his job recently to deal with all the trials their children face.

The Fish's have 5 children and are now in a sort of quarantine situation - trying to keep germs away to ensure good health for everyone before the surgeries and after.

Friends have opened donation funds at two banks to help the family.

Utah Community Credit Union - Account Name: 2 Fish Marrow Wish Fund

Wells Fargo Bank - Account Name: Fish Children Donation Fund

For unto us a gift is given...

I realize I have been a bit AWOL lately.  It isn't because I am lacking at things to say!  In fact, I have several posts (with pictures already taken) all lined up in my minds eye.  However, there are events in life that take precedence over everything else.  This is one.

My Son and Daughter-in-law were blessed with the birth of their first child.  He came a couple of weeks early as he was due on Christmas Eve.  However, we are grateful he came earlier as we get to spend just that much more time with him.

I am reminded of the great verse from Isaiah 9:6 that begins "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given".  In my mind, the first part of this great scripture fits this event and the season. Welcome to the world little one. We are so grateful that you are here safely.  We are grateful for the choices your parents made to ensure that you are sealed to them (and us) eternally.  We look forward to getting to know you and shower you with love and kisses.

Check...my Christmas list is complete!

Just in case you have been living under a rock.....



Courtesy of lds.org



I mean no disrespect with this title.  Last evening the Annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional was held, and as usual, was awesome!  Not only were the messages wonderful, but the accompanying videos were spectacular.    You can view not only the entire broadcast, but can see the individual video's for yourself.

To view them and appreciate the beautiful verse from the Bible, please go to this link. As always, the Church produces such a high quality product.  Anyone who views them should be spiritually touched.

Enjoy!