Grandpa and Grandma Bird

We had the most wonderful visit with Grandpa and Grandma Bird tonight. We did a surprise visit because we felt like we don't see them often enough. They were very excited to see us and have us in their home. It was so wonderful sitting down with them and simply talking. They shared things that neither Kelly nor I ever knew. Grandma told us how she had four miscarriages in addition to her eight children. She told us how she wasn't scared to have her last child at 44 because her mother didn't have problems baring children later in life. Grandpa chimed in that he was terrified for Grandma to have their last child. Apparently Grandma's friend passed away during childbirth at the age of 40. Grandpa said how scared he was the entire pregnancy and delivery. Grandpa was unusually chatty tonight. He told us about all his 33 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. We're not certain his numbers are correct but he could tell us how they each were doing and who was pregnant. There is one thing that the Birds will forever teach us and that is how important family is.

We love Mac and Dot Bird!

Week 26 of Family Memorization: Moroni 10:5

We haven't been as faithful as I would like regarding memorizing weekly but we're trying! This week I chose Moroni 10:5 "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." I chose this scripture as a way to bare my testimony to my family. I know that all things can be revealed by the gift of Holy Ghost. I know that if my children can learn this principal their lives will be richly blessed!

Week 25 of memorization: 3 Nephi 27:27

"Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." Kelly chose this weeks scripture, he says it's one of his favorites!

Family Home Evening by Elli (age 91/2 years)

I am thankful for prayers because I was having trouble with a friend and I needed help, so I watched General conference. One talk was about prayer, so I prayed to Heavenly Father like they said .That morning I prayed and went to school and I found out that she was having trouble with another friend so I helped her .I know Heavenly Father loves me. And I can love others around me, like my friend.

Week 24 of Family Memorization: DC 132:8

"Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion." If only we could say the same thing about our house. OUR GOAL!

Week 23 of Family Memorization: Proverbs 16:32

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Ogden Temple Re-dedication!

Today we were blessed to be able to participate in the Ogden, Utah Temple Re-Dedication. Our stake participated via satellite. Our regular services were cancelled and those who were eight years and older were able to meet with the Bishop for an interview to attend the Re-dedication. Kelly and I were able to take Carter, Taylor and Elliott. It was an amazing experience! I got a small glimpse of what Heaven will be like with my children. I missed Cameron, Hudson and Jackson but now have more determination to be more obedient so I can sit in the temple with all my children. 

Many marvelous things were said and the spirit taught even more. I asked everyone to write down what they learned or felt today. Here's what they said....

Kelly said, "I'm thankful I had the opportunity to take my family to the temple re-dedication. I felt the spirit of what the temple offers families for the eternities, and I couldn't help but think of my family and how we have the chance to be forever. I am excited for the day I can take us all and have Hudson sealed to us."

Carter said via email...."I learned how important the temple can be to people who can't go often, and how we should be more grateful that we can go more often. We are lucky to live near a temple."

Taylor email said....."I know that I felt the spirit while we were watching the video on the temple and how families are together forever and how we can be baptized. We can repent of our sins to Heavenly Father when we do the wrong thing and how you can go do baptisms for the dead when you turn 12 years old. You can also take the sacrament and that's when you can also repent of your sins  to Heavenly Father. I  know that the temple is Heavenly Father's house and He wants us to respect His house by keeping it clean and pure. I can do that by helping everyone keep it clean by picking up a few things that might be on the ground. That's how I felt the spirit.

Elli chose to write instead of type. She wrote: 

I had a difficult night with Jackson and was extremely tired during the dedication. To help maintain focus I took notes on the speakers. Here are the highlights from my notes.....

Matron Froerer said as we remember our covenants we will be able to bare all burdens. Going to the temple often may not be easy but it will bless our lives and our families lives. 

Temple Pres. Froerer declared that temple ordinances unify our families. The temple is a place of refuge. It is truly a gift from God. Being with our families for eternity is worth every effort to keep the commandments and covenants. Now that the temple is dedicated,we must dedicate ourselves to the Lord.

L Whitney Clayton of the Seventy spoke with a very humble attitude as he declared that all of us have some of the same symptoms that Jesus Christ healed during his ministry. We're all a little deaf, dumb and lame at one time or in some capacity. Temples are a place to heal the spiritually and emotionally sick. The healing power of Heaven in found in the temple. Those who serve in the temple feel the entire power of the Holy Ghost.

Rose Mary Wixom declared the temples are about families. Making covenants gives us strength to survive. Covenants carry us trough our journey here on earth. The endowment is our compass in this life. 
David A Bednar said the temple is a point of intersession between heaven and Earth. In the temple we can learn to be still. He gave ample examples of the differences between Heaven and Earth. He further taught that the lessons taught in the temple help is to learn who we are and who we are to become. We'll gain spiritual strength that we can take with us as we go back to a dark and challenging world. 

The Last speaker was our beloved prophet, Thomas S Monson. He taught three simple sermons: 1. Love the temple. 2. Appreciate the Temple. 3  Attend the Temple. One of the most powerful things we said was the children 12 years and old need to attend the temple. he said that they'll gain purpose in this life and have happiness in their homes and peace in their hearts.

What an amazing session! i feel so blessed to have been about to attend and can't wait until the day I can attend the temple with ALL my children!!!
Last but not least....this is what Cami had to say about today.....

(Translation: My family went to the dedication. I am only 7. I couldn't go. I babysat my brothers and that made my mom happy. )

Cami was very upset that she didn't get to go to the Re-dedication. Hudson was upset because Cami was upset. At least they're unified in something:) 

Week 22 of Family Memorization: DC 58:42

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more."


If the Lord forgives us every time we sin, then we need to forgive our family members when they have hurt or offended us.

Week 21 Family Memorization: 2 Nephi 25:26

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Week Twenty of Family Memorization: Pray for the family

This week I choose 3 Nephi 18:21 to teach our focus for the month. The focus is "pray that our family will be blessed and learn to respect one another". The focus for the month was designed by the church. In YM/YW, Primary and Sunday School the focus is families.  I have taken the fi

Family Memorization Week #20: 3 Nephi 18:21

Our family needs blessings! It seems as if the children are always fighting. There is a constant contention in our home. We are going to pray more diligently in faith that our family will be blessed.

Week twelve of memorization...six weeks late:(

Well, we fell off the wagon. I could give excuses but our family doesn't believe in making excuses so we'll go from here. We will be reviewing the last eleven scriptures to get back on track. We are working on memorizing all of the Articles of Faith before Taylor's 12th birthday. Today we worked on 7 & 8.

Articles of Faith:
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Choose you this day....

Be Strong and of Good Courage was the lesson that was taught in Sunday School this morning. I learned that I need to step into the darkness with faith and the miracle will follow. This lesson touched my heart as we prepare to move our family of eight to Utah with no job and no home. When the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan River they were required to step into the water before the dry land appeared. (Joshua 3-4, 6). This same faith of the Israelites destroyed Jericho. Now it is my turn to show my faith in a loving Heavenly Father.

I know that Kelly and I have made the right decision. We have fasted, prayed and been to the temple. It is scary walking into the water but I know that it is the Lord's will and that He will provide the way. I know that He loves my family and will take care of us as long as we keep the commandments and stay focused on our eternal goal to return to Him.

The Israelites took 12 rocks from the bottom of the Jordan River to remember what the Lord did for them, we're taking our two Texas boys:)

Week eleven of memorization....

Article of Faith 6: We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church; namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

Week ten of memorization...

Article of Faith 5: We believe that a man must be called of God, by Prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Week nine of memorization

Article of Faith 4: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first,Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Week eight of memorization...

Article of Faith 3: We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Week seven of Memorization...

Articles of Faith


1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression."
Thoughts: We will be memorizing the Articles of Faith to help Taylor complete her Faith in God.

Week six of memorization

Ephesians 6:1-2

1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise)


Thoughts: Commandments from the Lord.

Week five of memorization....

John 3:16¶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Thoughts to ponder this week: How do you know God loves you?

Week four of memorization.....

2 Nephi 5:27: And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

Thoughts: If we want to live after a manner of happiness we can follow the example of the people of Nephi. They kept the commandments and lived faithfully!

Week three of memorization...

Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.


A follow up from last week's scriptures, this is the wisdom that we parents are to teach and what children need to learn.

Week two of memorization.....

Alma 37:35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God."


Thoughts: It is important for Kelly and I to remember our responsibilities as parents and for the children to realize they are to listen and learn from us.

Week One...

D&C 109:8 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;"


***My new years resolution for 2014. We will memorize a new scripture each week and study the meaning. The last Sunday of each month we'll play a game to reinforce the meaning and memorization.