We Thank Thee, O God, for the Prophets

We got word that on Tuesday, January 2 that our dear prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, of our Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, passed away at the age of 90.  

Deseret News

I felt sad, but relieved, as I knew he had been sick for quite some time.  I will forever be thankful for his great stories, teachings, and example of service and love in the Savior's way. 

The funeral was very nice.  It wasn't very long.  I was impressed that his daughter, Ann Dibb, was so seemingly happy and cheerful all while she spoke.  She knew where her dad was and was happy he fulfilled his mission.  The other members of the First Presidency spoke as well and it was so fun looking back on his life and experiences.  Here are some notes I took of what really stood out to me.  

Ann M. Dibb - "I know that guy.  He tried his best." his daughter said he remarked when he saw himself in the Ensign recently.  He left a legacy of love.  Spent his life in service.  Reach out, spend time with others.  We do not need to be the president of the church to find anothers need and paint a bright spot on their souls and answer their prayers.  The Priesthood is made for serving. True joy comes from loving the Lord and serving my neighbor.  Honor him and our Savior by living every day by doing some good today.

President Uchtdorf - A spiritual giant.  He was a man for our times and for all seasons.  He will be with us always.  

Elder Eyring - Caring for others was his way.  He knew the Lord and loved Him.  The succession of prophets is through the Prieshood and through God.  

President Nelson - We are all better because of him.  Though he was prophet for the world, he focused on the one.  Serve with unwearingness.  He lived as a prophet and died as a prophet.  

As we watched, the kids (who didn't have school that day - yay!) and I made stars to remind ourselves to "let your light shine" as President Monson asked us.  We wrote on there how we will shine.  Said President Monson: "Our opportunities to shine are limitless.  They surround us each day.  As we follow the example of the Savior, we will be a light in the lives of those around us - whether they be our own family members, our friends, or total strangers.  We can be a light to the world."  Cal said in his prayer that night: "Please bless that we can all learn to be like President Monson."  Truly, we are all better for his life and inspired to serve and love and let our lights shine!

I will so miss President Monson - his smiles, stories and strong testimony!  I love this man! I remember as a small girl, I loved President Monson's stories.  Particularly I vividly remember a story he told at the Christmas devotional about a girl giving up her beloved doll to one who would love it more than she could.  I remember being so touched by his strong testimony of the work.  As a teenager, I read an old book he wrote, "Pathways to Perfection" and I loved it!  When he became the prophet, though I missed President Hinckley dearly, I knew the Lord had prepared President Monson.  And just as President Monson was prepared to be the prophet for his time, so was the Prophet next in line.  

As I watched the Brethren making the announcement of the new first presidency, President Russell M. Nelson as the prophet, seer and revelator for the Church, along with President Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring, I felt the Spirit strongly bear witness that this is who needs to lead the Church in these times.  President Nelson has what it takes to lead this Church in this last dispensation.  I have to admit, at first I was a little confused and sad as to why President Uctdorf isn't in the First Presidency anymore, but felt the confirming witness that he is where he needs to be now and all are in their place.  I love President Nelson's powerful witness of the Savior.  In the announcement, I was inspired as President Nelson wanted the meeting to be held from temple grounds, rather than the Church office building.  The thing he said that stuck with me the most is "Stay on the covenant path."  He told us as Saints to have the end in mind always.  He also thanked us all for our prayers.  As soon as we found out President Monson died, we began praying.  President Nelson said he appreciated and felt those prayers.  One of the prayers offered up was by a four year old boy, who was thankful President Monson could be with his wife.  Then he prayed for the new prophet to be brave and not scared and to grow healthy and strong.  So sweet!  In our family, after President Monson died, we began thanking Him for the life and teachings and example of President Monson and prayed for the Spirit to be with the new Prophet and his family.  President Nelson said that he is thankful for parents who righteously and intentionally teach the Gospel.  I hope I can be a parent who does that!  I'm working on it!  President Nelson expressed his love to all of us and really again, emphasized making and keeping temple covenants and doing family history work.  He said that this is not a church of men, but Jesus Christ's church.  He said he knows them and loves them and pledges to serve them and us every breath of his life.  As President Eyring said in the announcement: "the best is yet to come."  Excited to look forward to the future under his leadership.  We thank thee, O God, for Prophets past, present and future!

LDS Church

Some of my favorite President Monson teachings and quotes:

"If you want to give light to others, you have to glow yourself." 

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."

"Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us.  He has promised that this will never change."

"Unless we lose our lives in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives." 

"Never delay a prompting."

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love."

"I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day."

"Work will win when wishy washy wishing won't." 

"What is most important almost always involves the people around us."

"Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities but rather pray for abilities equal to your tasks."

"May we ever follow the Prince of Peace, who literally showed the way for us to follow, for by doing so, we will survive these turbulent times.  His divine plan can save us from the dangers which surround us on every side.  His example points the way.  When faced with temptation, He shunned it.  When offered the world, He declined it.  When asked for His life, He gave it.  Now is the time.  This is the place.  May we follow Him."

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share or love."

Peace, not war

Ugh.  It was one of those weeks last week.  It seemed like there was lots of fighting and yelling and teasing and arguing going on and I was up over my head feeling like nothing I was doing was working.  For FHE, we did it online with Grandma and Grandpa, which we've started doing twice a month (they do one, we do one).  I did a lesson and thought I'd captivate the kids with my incorporation of the block building as I talked about building fortresses to keep us safe in this world.  They were all so loud I don't think Grandma and Grandpa heard anything and I was sure they didn't catch on to anything either.  We had scriptures that week but it seemed like we had one rolling around, one rolling their eyes, one playing with toys, one toying with the other's hair and one crying.  Lately in the scriptures, we've been reading about the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites a lot lately, as we recently finished Alma and are now on to Helaman.  I felt like I was in the middle of a war zone many days that week. When we finish up reading, we usually talk about questions after to help us understand and try to apply it.  I felt prompted to talk about how in our home, we can either make peace or make war by how we treat one another.  For these people, the contention led to misery and death.  For us, it can also lead to misery and spiritual death.  On the other hand, those who lived righteously and lived in peace were happy.  So we talked about what we could do to make things more happy in our home and make peace, not war.  The kids actually gave some great ideas.  For the rest of the week, the difference was kind of a miracle!  The kids got along well and played and shared and were kind.  Even a few times, they piped up saying "I'm making peace!" or "let's not start a war!"  or "Peace, not war."  I'm thankful for the scriptures and the great influence they can have on us, even if we feel like with little ones no one is even listening and what we're doing isn't making a difference. Even when you think nothing you're saying or doing is catching on.  Eventually every once in a while, there are successes with the help of the Lord.  While thinking over this experience, the scripture in Alma 31:5 came to mind - "the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore...it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."  I am so thankful for the scriptures and the "powerful effect" they have in our lives, even if we think no one is listening! ;)

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The Sydster is 5 months

Sydnie is 5 months old!

Introduced rice cereal and squash, not a huge fan at first but now likes it.
Won't do bottles lately
Enjoys watching her siblingns
Rolling from back to tummy
Got her first low-grade feer
Met all of her extended family
Found her ears and toes
Weight: 13 lbs., Height: 23 3/4 inches

Mom's Birthday

I celebrated my 33rd birthday, and yes, I even remember my age now (for a while) and don't have to consult the kids as to how old I am (yet).

My birthday occurred on a Sunday this year, which was nice.  I taught the Senior primary class and helped out with Sharing and Singing time a bit.  Then I took a nap on the ride home, we read some books and church magazines, worked on our goals a bit, and made some origami together and Cal and Daddy made his robot.  I also got my own personal puppet show. I got some phone calls from family, which was nice.  Then I got to relax while Dave and the kids made some lasagna, french bread, and ceasar salad.  Dave does cook quite a bit on Sundays, and it is nice.  He is so good to me!  He also really involves the kids to make sure I don't have to do a thing.  Dinner was delicious and it was great just talking with the family, hearing their favorite things about me and their best memories from the previous year.  The overall impression I got was that it's the simple things that matter.  These things that seem so simple and just take a few minutes - like tickle fights, or telling jokes, really stick out to the kids.  Some of the kids made cards and little gifts, and I opened my spiralizer and cook book from my parents, which we've been putting to good use.  Dave put together the bike he got me for Christmas/my birthday.  It's a beautiful blue Diamond Back bike.  I've been having a hankering to ride around with the kids and Dave lately.  And he tuned into that and got me one!  He also brought me some beautiful flowers as well.  Then we had cake and ice cream, and had to sing the Scobey version (The regular HBD song, then "How old are you?" repeated over and over to the same tune?  Then "Shout it out now!" and then you say your age, and then sing "She's ___ years old" to the HBD song again, and then shout out "hip hip hooray!" 3 times.  Whew!).  The night ended with baby snuggles and Dave snuggles, too.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of my love, but he's not the picture type of guy.  ;)  I'm a blessed lady!

Sydnie - 6 months...already!?

- Anytime we sing to her, she opens her mouth and sings right along.
- Tried peaches, green beans and banana.
- Rolls and rolls until she runs into something and can't roll anymore.
- Getting more ticklish now.
- Loves grabbing faces.
- Chews on everything.
- Puts her feet in the air (and in her mouth) a lot
- Gets so happy when she sees her siblings!
- Getting so big to us!  But still a petite thing according to the charts.

Weight:  13 lbs., 2 oz.
Length: 24 1/2 inches

Ryerse Family Pictures 2017

We took some family pictures with the Ryerse bunch when we were down for Christmas.  Stacy took them, which she did a good job.  I think though maybe next time we'll stick with a professional though since it's getting hard with so many of us!  Here's how they turned out...  Anyways, we love these crazy, good and fun people that we call family!  <3