Friday - End of July

Today July 31st is the last day of the month of July.  We have had an eventful July this year.  Gathering as a family to celebrate the 4th of July with an awesome firework show by Chad our son-in-law- gathering as a entire family to have family pictures.  Cole entering his mission online training with us at the lake for 6 weeks -  Michael living with us for the summer months- Blessing Baby Cora and gathering as a family again to celebrate- Annie’s 6th birthday - Stacy and her family staying an entire week at at the lake - Attending Coles mission farewell party at his home and then going to his mission farewell speaking in his Ward sacrament meeting. he did such amazing job speaking.  So proud of him. We gathered at his home for a nice family dinner-  Cole has been here at the lake for Two weeks now.  I have been cooking three meals a day for him to make sure he gets feed in-between his training sessions. It has kept me very busy meal planning and cooking.  I have been busy cleaning up between each family gathering on the weekends. Saydee and her friends came to the lake for a few days and then Karlee and 8 of her friends for a boating party.  Alec was here for a few days too with his girlfriend and her family coming to the lake.  We have had friends stop by to visit- fun playing pickle ball at our new courts in Garden City this month- Landon came back with Craig last Thursday so we have had him here all week.  Craig took the time to get him signed up for his boating license in order to drive the jet ski at age 12.  He had 6 sections to study with a test at the end of each one.  It took him three days of studying and he passed! Yeah!  Sharlena and her family arrived last night for the weekend.  Aubrey has a softball tournament in Logan for three days.  We plan to go see her play later today.  This has indeed been a busy month for us- pack full of family events-  The weather has been nice this year.  We had two rain Storms roll thru this month which was nice to have it cool off.  We have had fun boating enjoying the lake and lots of sunshine.  Despite the corona virus going around and having to wear a mask at church and when we are out in town-  we have all been very blessed and healthy as a family unit.  The virus hasn’t stopped us getting together as a family.  It is troubled times with rioting going on in the bigger cities-around our country and lots of strife going on but we are so blessed to be safe and enjoy our beautiful surroundings as a family.  So grateful to my Heavenly Farther for our many blessings.

 

Tuesday/ Raining Today / July 28th

It is raining today and feels so good to have some rain and cooler weather.  Last Thursday was a sad day for me and I took the time to read the come follow me lesson, read in my scriptures also several conference talks.  I needed to spiritual feed my soul and ponder on what I can do to help our Michael boy.  I need insight from my Heavenly father.  Craig made a quick trip up and back in 24 hours.   He brought Landon back with him.  Tasha and her family are arriving Friday afternoon for the big 24th of July weekend.  I was excited for them to arrive.  Craig and I visited with Michael.  I felt we need to look into some counseling for him. He has struggled since he graduated three years ago.  He is an amazing young man yet has just been lost.  He just doesn’t know what he wants to do.  My heart has ached for him and trying to encourage him in a positive direction.  Since High school he is just floating around from one job to another and has left the church by no activity.  When you don’t nurture your testimony it will die over time.  I can see that he has become numb to many things as a result of his actions.  I see that he is depressed.  Craig and I talked about looking into getting him some counseling.  I did talk to his mother and she totally understands they have been frustrated as parents as what to do- hopping we could help.  He got a job at Maverick and we thought this would be a great job for him.  Well apparently he does not like it there either so he quit and came to live with us.  It has been good to have him here. Just pray for the insight I need to help him.  We did have a very nice weekend with the Thomas family.  The weather was mild and pretty.  Love these pictures they took while they were here.  

Thomas Family at beautiful Bear lake. 

We had fun boating - Natasha & Annie 

Baby Cora is sitting up she is so adorable- love her so very much.

Our squissy baby girl.  

So Sad Today

I have felt a heavy cloud of sorrow over come me today.  Michael has been living with us for the summer and now we also have Cole here doing his online missionary training.  He is so dedicated.  It has been one week yesterday since he arrived.  He gets up early every morning and has 7 to 8 hours of online training.  I have strived to fix three meals a day for him.  He doesn’t have much time to cook and feed himself so I have taken the task as his grandmother to help out with preparing meals for us all.  We have greatly enjoyed having him here in our home.  We are so proud of him and the example he is setting for us all.  It takes true dedication to be online that many hours each day in the confines of his bedroom.  I took Cole and Michael to Cafe Sabor for an early dinner tonight.  Cole was done at 4pm so we headed down just in time to have an early dinner and back in time for his 5:45 pm session.  

Craig drove down to Salt Lake yesterday afternoon.  He wanted to see his friend Neil Griffiths- who has cancer and is not doing good.  They just placed him on hospice care.  He is not going to live much longer the cancer is taking him down fast.  It is so sad for Craig to see friend dying.  He also had to work on his Medicare supplement with him turning 65 in August. Crazy we are there now.  Getting older is not much fun.  We both deal with aches and pain daily but keep going is all we can do and pray for the sustaining strength we both need.  Last night we all retired early just after dark.  I talked  to Shannon for over an hour. I needed to do a load of Laundry,  I was planning on playing Pickleball with my lady friends in Montpellier in the morning.  As I was getting my laundry ready to wash I could hear Michael playing his video game.  He was really loud and laughing which was fun to hear him laugh.  I went downstairs to tell him to quite down with Cole in the bedroom next to him.  His bedroom door was locked which he doesn’t usually lock and I couldn't get him to hear me knocking.  I could hear him so loud and clear.  He was slurring in his language and not talking in the most appropriate words. Things did not sound right.  I found the key to unlock his door and told him to quite down.  I felt very uneasy as I could tell something was not right with him.  He was acting very strange and slow to respond to me.  I asked him to get up and walk out of his bedroom into the family room.  He could hardly walk.  I then knew he had taken something that was effecting him which scared me. I asked him several times what was he taking.  He would not tell me and acted silly with me.  I had him walk back in his room and turned his bedroom light on.  There by his computer was a can of some kind of drink which said 14%Alcohol.  I saw in the garage can there two other cans and they were empty as I picked them up. Immediately I told Michael he was drunk.  He started to laugh.  He told me not to be mad at him. I told him I was very disappointed with him.  I told him to go to bed and quite down, it was now midnight and he needed to get some sleep.  I was in shock to find he was drinking.  I noticed when Craig left he took a drive to the store just north of us and had the impression he better not be buying alcohol because the store in Idaho sells it.  But then I dismissed it thinking no he would not do that and how silly of me to think so.   Well sure enough the impression was right on.  I didn’t know how to process this I was so surprised to catch him in the act.  He knows how we feel about drinking and has been taught the word of wisdom as a young boy- not to drink.  I have sensed that we are losing him as far as living and believing the gospel principles.  We had a long talk on our way back to the lake a few weeks back.  He opened up a lot and expressed that he thinks it is all not true.  He doesn’t feel any joy in his life.  I have been very concerned for him.  I have tried to show lots of love toward him and tried to help him feel our love and that there is joy in this life.  He has had no desire to get a summer job which was the invitation to come live with us and work for the summer.   Well he has not once tried to get a job.  He arrived the week after Memorial Day the first of June.  We are going on 2 months now. He spends way too much time on his computer playing games and goes no where.  He hasn’t driven his car since he has been here, so I thought it was good he took a short drive.  I went to bed late and didn’t sleep well.  I talked to his mother Shannon and she was shocked too.  I asked her if she was aware he drinks and how much? I don’t think much just all the sudden-since he has been here.  I have seen no evidence till last night.  It just makes me so sad that he was hiding it in the first place and that he would do this in our home with Cole in the room next to him.  I’m just so disappointed in his behavior.  I have wanted this to be a good experience living with us and I love him with all my heart.  He has closed down when we have tired to do our come follow me lesson on Sundays.  He doesn’t want to have anything to do with church related conversation.  He is just closes off.  Sunday evening was very awkward for us as we discuss things.  I have been praying for insight in how to reach him.  I just don’t not know what to do.  He has been heavily on my mind with concern by his behavior and how closed off he is and then this happens last night.  I’m just greatly sadden.  I have had to take time out today to build my spiritual battery and pray for insight in how to handle his behavior.  He is 21 years old and considered an adult now.  So what do we do? 

We Are Living in Troubled Times

Shannon posted this on her Facebook page which describes many of the challenges we are dealing with and is concerning   It's not about masks.

In 4 months, the U.S. transformed into an obedient socialist country. Government dictated what events are acceptable to attend. Violent protests that instill fear are OK but church services, family funerals and patriotic celebrations are dangerous. And you bought it without a fight.

Standing in a graduation line is a "safety hazard". Small businesses were forced to close but crowds to support the corporate money machine at WalMart, Lowes and Home Depot are OK.

Come on. It's "just a mask" & "safety precautions".

How about a little hush money. Here's $2,400 that we stole out of your pay check in the first place. Enjoy. Buy something with it. From a big corporation.

Cash is dirty. We can't give change. There's a coin shortage. Use your card. In 4 months, they convinced you to use a traceable card for everything.

In less than 4 months, government closed public schools then "restructured" education under the guise of "public safety". In less than 4 months, our government demonstrated how easily people assimilate to "guidelines" that have NO scientific premise whatsoever when you are fearful.

In less than 4 months, our government successfully instilled fear in a majority of the population in America that allows them to control every aspect of your life. Including what you eat, where you go, who you see and your toilet paper.

And the most dangerous and terrifying part? People are not afraid of the government who removed their freedom. They're afraid of their neighbors, family and friends.

And they hate those who won't comply.

It's absolutely terrifying to me that so many people don't question "authority". They are willing to surrender their critical thinking skills and independence. They just... gave up without thinking. Without a fight.

Do you know what's coming next?

"It's just a vaccine. Come on. It's for the greater good".

Wait until you're told that you can't enter any store or business without proof of the Covid-19 vaccine. Wait until you can't go to public events or get on a plane without proof of receiving the vaccine.

To everyone that doesn't believe this is possible - DO YOU UNDERSTAND that government successfully dictated to people WHEN they were allowed to be outside, where they were allowed to go, and how their children would be educated in less than 4 months? And that a majority of the population followed blindly because they were told to do so.

You're kidding yourself if you think this behavior won't be repeated with a vaccine. Or whatever the next step is.

"I don't follow politics."

"Who cares about that stuff?"

"I don't like to think about it."

6 million Jews were exterminated in Germany because 97% of the population cowered to populist control. Nobody wanted to think about it. It's easier to just ignore it.

But that couldn't happen here, right?

They got you. Without a thought. Without a fight. Just like France. Just like Russia. Just like China.,  come quickly Lord Jesus 

Elder Noriega

Well, it’s official! Day 2 of Cole’s missionary service. He’s all moved in with his grandparents for his online training the next 6 weeks.-  I fixed him a nice breakfast and Lunch at 12:30.  We plan on having dinner at about 5:30pm I’m fixing yummy bacon ranch Hamburgers.  This will be my privilege to feed our missionary while in our home. 

Come Follow Me Lesson this Week Alma 32-35

What is Humilty ?  Something I have always read that we need to be humble followers of Jesus Christ -  gospel topic describes Humility- To be humble is to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord—to understand that we have constant need for His support. Humility is an acknowledgment that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. It is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear; it is an indication that we know where our true strength lies. We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous.

Jesus Christ is our greatest example of humility. During His mortal ministry, He always acknowledged that His strength came because of His dependence on His Father. He said: “I can of mine own self do nothing. … I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

The Lord will strengthen us as we humble ourselves before Him. James taught: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. … Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:6, 10).

This give me greater insight of what humble really means-  I know in my life as I have been called to serve in any calling in the church over the years I have felt not capable to serve, yet as I have depended upon my Heavenly Father for  help to strengthen me and bless me with the talents and inspiration I need to serve he has heard my prayers and has strengthen me to fulfill my calling as needed at each season in my life.  I have learned from this process that depending on Heavenly for strength has actually made me a better and stronger person.  I have been raised to the task at hand beyond what I thought I could do. Inviting Heavenly Father into my life has made me stronger and I have accomplished so much more than I thought even possible.  The Lord is my strength.   This is being humble- depending on Heavenly Father and then going to work.  

Cole Arrived - July 15th

Sharlena arrived tonight with all Cole’s mission things.  She brought up a desk to put in his room.  She got him all set up for his 6 weeks mission training here with us at the Lake.  He is all dressed in his mission clothing and in the right spirit to prepare and serve.  So special to have him in our home for the beginning of his mission.  They are not sending out missionaries to other countries yet so he could be relocated in the states.  So happy we will have 6 weeks here with us.  I worked hard today cleaning up the basement and his room for him today.  I had to move Alec out, he was staying in there since Monday. Empty the closet out to make room for Coles belongings while he is here.  Things needed a good cleaning after the Towner family was here for a week.  It took me all day to get it cleaned up just in time.  I didn’t think they were arriving until tomorrow morning but he had a break in his schedule and they came tonight.  So glad I pushed to get things cleaned  up.    Elder Noriega is what we call him now.  So very proud of him.  He is a very special young man.  He is going to do amazing things-  it is an honor to be his grandmother.  

Ani’s 6th Birthday party / Cole’s Mission Setting Apart

Natasha hosted another amazing party for our little Anni-  we were all just together on Sunday for the Blessing of Cora and two days later another family gathering not to be missed for our Anni’s 6th Birthday.  And then off to see our Cole set apart for his mission at 9:30 last night.  We had a farewell party for Cole Monday night at the Noriega home.  It was a great turn out.  Sharlena hosted an amazing party too.   Stacy in town the past 2 week staying at the lake with us and then to our draper home.  We have been crazy busy with family events.  Trying to enjoy every moment.  We arrived back at the cabin late last night midnight for Saydee’s friend party at the lake.   We will be busy boating and enjoying their day with her..  Cole is arriving tomorrow morning to stay 6 weeks for his online mission training. We are so blessed to have him stay with us.  Michael is here for the summer too.  Alec came up for four days also.  It is a balancing act with all the family!  Karlee will be coming to lake this weekend with her

friend so hang on we are having family fun together despite this virus concerns.  washing our hands alot and being as careful as we can.

      

                  Our Anni turning 6 years old.  It was such a fun party!! She was all smiles.  

Our three darling granddaughters - Anni, Ashtyn and Farrah- at Anni’s Birthday party. 

Our little Enzo is such a darling little boy celebrating his birthday August 11th in town visiting- enjoying grandma time.

Come set apart last night- very emotional for all the family there.  Cole’s girlfriend Aubrey was in tears. Bless her ❤️ heart. It is a sacrifice to say good by for a season.  We are so proud of Cole and the very special young man he has become he will serve an amazing mission with the genuine love he shows to all.  He will touch many souls in-sharing the gospel message.  Excited to have him in our home for his online training.  Saying goodby for 24 months is hard.   I also had to say good by to Stacy and her family leaving last night.  They are going to lake Powell with the Towners for a week on Saturday and then back to California.  They will have been gone for three weeks- busy time of summer activities for all the family.  

Baby Cora’s Blessing

We gathered as family for the baby blessing of our 20th grandchild Cora Rose Thomas.  She is now 6 months old and finally blessing her.  With the virus going around thought we would be going back to church which is still not happening so we are finally gathering as family and friends at the Thomas home.  Bridger gave his baby girl a beautiful blessing.  Natasha had everything decorated so nicely so proud of my Baby girl she has become an amazing young women, wife and mother.  I wore my Ivy City white dress and matched baby Cora’s blessing dress.  Very special moment in our lives with the blessing of our 20th grandchild.   

All of us wearing Ivy City dresses 

Virus On The Rise

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking members to wear face masks in public amid rapidly rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the Beehive State.

A letter sent Friday, signed by Elder Craig C. Christensen, Elder Randy D. Funk and Elder Walter F. González, noted the medical community has continually confirmed that wearing a face covering significantly reduces the risk of COVID-19spread.

“Latter-day Saints are not immune,” the letter read.

On Friday, Utah saw its highest single-dayincrease of new cases at 867 — blowing the previous record of 722 cases out of the water.

“We note with appreciation the care exhibited by our members in returning to sacrament meetings wearing face masks,” the letter continued. “Now we ask all Latter-day Saints in the Utah Area to be good citizens by wearing face coverings when in public."

“Doing so will help promote the health and general welfare of all,” the presidency emphasized.

This isn’t the first time church leaders have urged members to wear a face mask.

Funk joined with 28 Utah faith community leaders earlier this month in asking Utahns to "love God" and "love thy neighbor" by doing so in a letter read by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert at a press conference.

And in an article on the Church’s website under the headline "Mask Your Face, Don't Mask Your Heart," one of the faith's top leaders, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, writes that he prefers the term "physical distancing" rather than "social distancing" to refer to the practice of protecting himself and others during the pandemic, while emphasizing the need for maintaining connections with others.

"More frequent social contact with friends and family helps us to share more of our inner thoughts and hopes. Somehow, these challenging times helped us to be more open about the feelings of our soul. We realized even more clearly how special it is not to hide or mask the feelings of our hearts from those we love most.It is concerning the numbers are rising- we need to do our part in caring for ourselves and our family 

Looking at Senior Mission options

This morning I have taken time to look at the senior mission website.  Love This quote by our Prophet President Nelson 

“Couples might get on their knees and ask Heavenly Father if the time is right for them to serve a mission together. Of all the qualifications, a desire to serve may be the most important.” —President Russell M. Nelson

Craig and I do have a desire to serve a mission.  This was the plan when we sold our home in Draper the fall of 2016 and moved to Bear lake.  Craig was called to serve in The Bishopric of the Garden City1st Ward -September 2017 so we felt we would serve in the area for the time being.  Not an official mission call but we have served with all our hearts to help strengthen the saints in this area of the Paris Idaho mission.  We have loved the mission president newly called two years ago.  I served as the young women’s president for one year & a half, primary teacher, family history library, family history leader, adult gospel doctrine teacher -both Craig and I  have enjoyed teaching the gospel doctrine class -He taught from December 2016- to September 2017 when he was called as 2nd counselor in the Bishopric.  I was called as the Stake self -reliance facilitator and taught a 12 week course last summer which I loved doing. We have been busy serving the members in our ward in anyway we could  serve by the many activities.  I have decorated the past three Ward Christmas parties and helped with many Relief society activities.  We have volunteered in the community in many ways too.  The time has gone by fast in many ways.  Craig was called as 1st counselor in the Bishopric last June 2019- when the Menlove’s left for their mission to Egypt.  We wanted to wait for our first Grandson Cole Noriega called to serve on his mission and then we planned to turn our mission papers in to serve a senior mission.   We are now here.  September -Craig will have served Three years in the Bishopric.  Cole has been called to serve in the Lima Peru mission and is assigned to start his mission training July 15th.  With the covid-19 virus the mission training center is closed so he will be doing his training all online-  Shar asked if he could come to the lake.  So we are now planning on having Cole for 6 weeks at the lake with us and Michael is living with us for the summer too.  This week I have been staying at our Draper home shopping and getting ready for our family pictures I scheduled for the 4th of July.  It has been nice to have some time at my new Draper home.  We drove down Sunday morning to gather for Fathers Day -as a family.  Craig left early Tuesday morning to go to a golf outing with Bridger our son-in-law and then heading back to the lake. I have had the last 4 day to stay here.  I have kept very busy shopping trying to figure out what to wear for our group family pictures.  As I was driving down the road I thought of Betsy Cahoon and Bob-,friends of ours that live just down from us.  I felt I needed to give her a call to wish them well on their mission call as Mission president to the Little Rock Arkansas mission.  They begin July 1st.  As we chatted she said they need to find couples to serve in the mission there.  They were asked to call those they can find as the new mission president.  I thought wow! this was inspiration for me to have the prompting to call her. I told her we are ready to serve.  She said once they get there and get grounded in how to run things and find out what they need she would get back with me.  I could serve a mission there.  As I was working on my family History last month in my Loveall family line they are from Arkansas and I felt the yearning to visit there and learn more about these ancestor.  As I looked at the locality of where they lived I found on the map a road name Loveall in the exact area of their original homestead.  So this is even more exciting to me.  The stars seem to be aligning that Arkansas could be our mission call and leaving this fall.  I looked at the mission options on the mission website for Little Rock there are 4 areas we could serve- Member leader support , family history, self reliance and the mission home office-  so Craig and I need to get the process going in committing to a senior mission- by letting our Bishop know and start the application process-  it will take a couple of months to get all the requirement in place to serve and receive a call.  The Lord might have something else in mind for us- but I feel really good about this option.  Actually really excited.  In the spring we were looking at mission options but wanted to wait until after Cole received his mission Call.  So now it is our turn to start the mission call process.  The only thing that will hinder the process is this virus going around and bad enough that all senior missionaries were called home.  So see how things go.  

Our Family Photo Session At Bear Lake -July 4th 2020

Our family photo shoot was a great success.! We got some awesome pictures.  So excited to preview them all and figure out what to print.  Love this picture of us with Bear Lake behind us in the background.  We are coming up on living full time at the lake for four years this fall.  The years have gone by all to fast.  I Love my White Hair Man!

                     

Craig said while we were sitting in the swing watching our family, "Look what we have created" we were married 43 years ago and enjoying the blessings of our family.   Everyone has grown so much over the years- 20 grand kids that bring such joy to our lives.  
Getting them all smiling at the same time was a challenge. They range in age from Michael 21 yrs old to our baby Cora 6 months old. We love them all so very much. Fun to see each of their personalities and are enjoying them grow over the years.  Our five daughters and son-in-laws have each raised a beautiful family, we are so proud of them all.  

        

            I wanted to have a family group picture with Bear lake in the background. 

Love this picture of the Thomas grand kids baby Cora is so adorable in this picture.  She is the
 youngest in our family branch.  Lincoln is 10 years old holding his baby sister Cora Winston 7 yrs
Our Annie Guns we call her is our adorable 5 year old turning 6 July 14th.
      

       Noriega Family- Cole soon to be serving a mission and will be doing his mission training
online at the Lake this summer, since the mission training center is closed due to the virus still going around.  Sharlena and I had fun shopping for their clothes to wear for their family picture.  Everyone looks great.  Love the lake in the background.

Our oldest daughter Sharlena 42 years old, Tallest to shortest Dave is 6ft 6in tall and Cole is a few inches shorter.  Austin has grown so much too and might catch up with his big brother.  

        

Chaudhry Family- Shannon 40 years old -our second daughter with her five children.  Ashtyn just turned 4 years old the end of June- Michael is our oldest grandson 21 years old and is living with us at the lake this summer.  I love Ashtyn's long red hair.

                Love this picture of Shannon and our little red headed Ashtyn.

Trisha 39 years old with her family of three children and Angel their beloved tiny dog.  Saydee is going to be a senior in high school this year.  

       

Stacy 35 years old-our 4th daughter with her family for 4 children.  They live in California so glad they could make the trip to be with us at the lake.  Little Yael was not wanting to get his picture taken he was being a stinker and would not smile in any of our pictures.  

       

Our youngest daughter Natasha 32 years old with her four darling children.  Baby Cora was born December 31- she is now 6 months old. we have gotten some great pictures of all our family.  These are just a few highlight of the ones I liked from the photo shoot.  We gathered all the family for a fun picture in the water and on our boat.  Fun time to gather as family this year.

4th of July

We had a lovely 4th of July this year with all our family gathering at the lake.  The first time in over three years we have been able to get everyone here at one time.  I wanted to get a family photo taken with the lake in the back ground.  We started the day off with a pancake breakfast.  Boating and enjoying the beautiful summer day.  The weather was prefect this year.  Everyone had lunch on their own, a trip to get our favorite shake and drinks.  The grand kids all enjoy playing in the water on the kayak, tubing, surfing, wake boarding and skiing.  We all gathering for our traditional 4th of July dinner- hamburgers, chips, watermelon, corn on the cob, pasta salad, lemonade, apple dip and apples. It was all very yummy!  After dinner we all got ready for our family photo shoot.  I wanted to have a family photo with the lake in the background.  It always is a little stressful getting everyone ready and in place just before the sunset at 8pm.  We got some really fun pictures.  We all gathered at dark for an awesome firework show. The grand kids had fun with their glow sticks and sparklers. Chad lit the fireworks off our floating dock this year- it was awesome!  The best firework show! Chad out did himself this year and spent way to much but greatly appreciated it.  We ended the night with traditional jello cake- looks like an American flag.  So yummy!!  Several of the grand kids slept out in tents and enjoyed the full moon shinning brightly.  It was a fun filled day for all the all the family. Memories created forever dear to my heart as a mother and grandmother!! It all happened all to fast for me.  I wanted to slow motion the entire day.

Our beautiful Bear lake Grammy enjoying the day.  

 

Our handsome grandsons Jude, Lincoln ,Winston and Landon after our family photo shoot.  They all have a great time playing together.

Our little Ashtyn- her first time to enjoy the lake.  She just turned 4 years old.  She was loving every minute.  She enjoyed the hot tub. Going boating for the first time and enjoying the fireworks- all a first experience for her at the lake on the 4th.

Reunited with my sister this weekend and Ani with her cousin Farrah!! Times like this don’t happen often enough when they live in different state!!! We got together with the whole family to take pictures here at Bear Lake. You know how that goes 🤪 but I think we made all my moms dreams come true!! Can’t wait to get her pictures back.

We had a very special day!! 

Come Follow Alma 30-31

Another week gone by so fast I didn’t study as much as I would have like last week, we were very busy getting ready for the 4th of July family gathering.  Stacy and her family are staying for the week so I’m going to try to study a little bit each day.   The beginning of the lesson stood out to me- The accounts in Alma 30–31 clearly demonstrate the power of words—for evil and for good. Asking how the power of the word of God has effect me?   I can say I have been touched many times to the center of my heart by the power of the words of God.  I feel a burning in my heart literally.  I love studying the word of God. The seed of hearing and learning the word of God has effected my life story in so many stages of my life over the years.  Alma 31:5 5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

Alma Chapter 30 learn lessons about what anti-Christ in our world 

John 1:7).Anti-Christ meaning In a broader sense it is anyone or anything that counterfeits the true gospel or plan of salvation and that openly or secretly is set up in opposition to Christ” (Bible Dictionary, “Antichrist”).- What “counterfeits [of] the true gospel” do I notice in today’s world? For example, Sister Julie B. Beck, former Relief Society General President, taught, “Any doctrine or principle [we] hear from the world that is antifamily is also anti-Christ” (“Teaching the Doctrine of the Family,” Ensign, Mar. 2011, 15

I can see many anti-Christ doctrines in our world today we are being constantly bombarded with false doctrine it is all around us to deceive many.  Listen to the word of god is what keeps me grounded and follow the teachings of our modern day prophets and apostles- which I know is the voice of of God to me- helps me to filter thru the Counterfeit doctrine and information.