Sunday, February 24, 2008

My 10th Year Anniversay

February 22nd marked my 10th year of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. The last 10 years of my life have been great and I feel like I have become a better person. 10 years ago I made a choice to get baptized. That single decision changed the outcome of my life. It created new paths for me to take that were never there before. I had friends that helped me all along the way and I continue to make wonderful in my life that I am so grateful for.

This is my friend Andrea and me on my baptism day. She drove me to seminary and gave me my first Book of Mormon.

These are the missionaries that taught me the discussions, Elder Bodenhoffer and Elder McIntire.

This is my family and the Elders, I was happy they came to my baptism.

I am amazed at how one decision can have such an impact on our lives. I remember the day I got baptized very well. It was a Sunday. we were at the Church building on 45th Street. The chapel was full of people, some I had never seen before and had no clue who they were. I wore a fancy white jumpsuit and sat on the front row. My friend gave a talk on being baptized, 2 of my friends sang a song, I went to the room that had the font. The water was warm as I stepped down into the font. I got in position and looked up at my best friends, one was crying like crazy and the other had a huge smile on her face.Elder Bodenhoffer said the prayer and down I went. I can still remember the feeling of coming out of the water. Clean, pure, perfect. I tried as hard as I could to stay perfect. I confess that it was about 2 weeks and I was not feeling so perfect anymore. After I was baptized, I changed and as I walked back into the chapel an overwhelming feeling of love swept over me. I saw all those people and there was just so much love in that room. We finished watching the Mediator and my friend spoke about the Holy Ghost. Then my Bishop said a few words and a closing prayer was said. I was given a few gifts which I still have. the next Sunday was Fast Sunday, March 1st. I was confirmed a member and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by Elder Huff. My parents came to church that Sunday and I wanted to bare my testimony so I did. I remember being scared and nervous because my parents were there and I had never bore my testimony to them. It went fine and when I was done my Stake President who was on the stand stood up and told my ward that I was a poster child for the Church. He said a few other things and then I finally got to go sit back down. It was a great experience for me.

These are some of my friends that came.

As I continue to strive to become better, I know that having the gospel in my life is my greatest tool. It teaches me everything I need to know. I love my Savior and am grateful for sacrifice that He made in my behalf giving me the opportunity to return to live with my Heavenly Father.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

The past two weeks we have been hit with storm after storm and it has dumped more snow than I have ever seen in my life. I am so ready for winter to be over. Samuel however loves it and plays in it everyday. Russell likes to get bundle up and go out but he can only last a couple minutes before he is cold and wants back in.





School is canceld today so Samuel did not have pre-school. We are having a movie day and I am trying to get the house clean and some work done. We are going up to a cabin in Island Park tomorrow with some friends so that should be fun. There is even more snow there. I am sure the kids will have a blast playing with all their friends in the snow.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Recent Pictures of The Boys

So I took the boys in to get their pictrues done since Samuel turned 4 adn Russell is a year and a half. I thought they turned out greats and I definitly have some new favorites.



Russell didn't want to lay on his elbows but I still liked the picture.



I can't believe how old Samuel look in this picture. I can't believe I have a 4 year, it makes me feel old. We practiced posing like this in the bathroom before we went just in case she asked him to pose like this.


This is my favorite of Russell by far. It shows blue eyes and I just ended up loving this picture.



This is one of my favorites of Samuel. I think he looks so good and like a big boy.

Okay I am new at posting pictures but at least they are on there.

Monday, February 4, 2008

So I've Joined The Club

So I thought is was about time I jumped on the band wagon (is that the saying?) and got me a blog spot! So here I am, an offically blogger. I don't know how well I will do with this but I am sure it will be fun.

So last week was a very hard week for me. When President Hinckley died on Sunday, I was crushed. My prophet had died. I love him and have followed him for almost ten years now. Most of you will know I am a convert and was baptized February 22nd 1998. I cried adn cried and cried some more and still am very emotional if anyone mentions President Hinckley. I had always planned on going to his funeral but my brother and sister-in-law were having their baby sealed to them in the Temple. I knew President Hinckley would want me in the Temple with my family. I miss him more than I think anyone could understand. Yesterday was fast Sunday and I really wanted wanted to bear my testimony but every time I thought about what I was going to say I started bawling and I just creid all through Sacrament. Hopefully next month I can pull it together and get it done.

Quick update on the fam, Samuel turned 4 on January 17th, we enjoyed going to the Rexburg Temple house on the 10th, Russell is 18 months now, work is going well adn life is treating me pretty good right now.